Soaring After Weight Loss Surgery: ‘My Life Has Started All Over’

The sky is no longer the limit for Donyelle Carmody.

Nine months after having gastric bypass surgery at South Shore Health, the Rockland resident checked a lofty goal off her bucket list: skydiving.

Before the surgery, her high-flying adventure wouldn’t have been possible.
 

“There’s a 250-pound weight limit to make the jump,” said Donyelle, who had a special reason for wanting to achieve the feat.

Five years ago, Donyelle’s spouse, Scott passed away and on the anniversary of his death, she said she wanted to “float in heaven” to be close to and remember him.

Donyelle said the experience was also a chance to reset and reaffirm she is alive and on a path to wellness. 

Watch the video of Donyelle skydiving

A breaking point and a turning point

Overweight her entire life, Donyelle said she told herself she was “born to be big.” 

Obesity runs in her biological family, she said. “My birth mother, birth father and my siblings all have obesity.” 

Adopted at 2, Donyelle said from a very early age she dealt with her feelings by eating – sugary foods and soda in particular.  By the time she was in ninth grade, Donyelle said she weighed 250 pounds.  

Following the 2010 birth of her daughter, Karlee-Anne, Donyelle said she was up to 320 pounds and for the first time, was considering having weight loss surgery. 

But after meeting with a doctor in Boston, Donyelle acknowledged she wasn’t ready to make the lifestyle changes that were required before and after surgery. 

As her weight increased, so too did Donyelle’s health problems. 

In 2021, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after being hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition in which the body can’t make enough insulin and blood sugar levels become dangerously high. Donyelle said her blood sugar level had soared to 1,400 at the time; the Mayo Clinic recommends seeking emergency care for anything above 300.

Still, it was not until July 2024 that Donyelle reached her breaking point and then a turning point. 

During a visit to her endocrinologist, Donyelle stepped on the scale and saw the number 375. 

“I just broke down crying,” she said. “I didn’t want my daughter growing up without me or living an unhealthy life.”

When her provider asked her what she could do to help, Donyelle said ‘you can give me a referral for weight loss surgery.’  

Wanting to have the procedure done locally, Donyelle was happy to be referred to Neil Gushe, MD at South Shore Health.

‘Born again’ with bariatric surgery

Dec. 9, 2024, the day Donyelle had gastric bypass surgery, is the day she said her life started all over again. 

“I was born again on that day,” said Donyelle, who credits Ghushe with saving her life. 

Since having the surgery, Donyelle has lost a remarkable 112 pounds (33% of her body weight) and gained a healthy new start.

The procedure was not only transformative for Donyelle, it was a milestone for Ghushe, marking the 1,000th bariatric surgery he performed at South Shore Hospital’s Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery since the program began in 2017.

Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach by creating a small pouch and connecting it to a lower portion of the small intestine. 

Undigested food moves from the pouch directly into the small intestine, changing the way food is absorbed and moves through the digestive system. The procedure has a strong hormonal and metabolic component changing the way food and hunger are perceived.

“I get full very easily now,” said Donyelle, noting that a few spoonfuls of yogurt or a couple bites of a sandwich usually fills her up. 

In addition to eating less, Donyelle said the type of food in her diet has changed significantly since her surgery. “I can’t eat fried, spicy or sugary foods anymore.” And water (about 100 ounces per day) has replaced soda as she can no longer tolerate carbonated beverages. 

When she craves something sweet, a chocolate protein shake is her “go to,” on the way to consuming about 120 grams of protein per day.

Her diet isn’t the only thing that’s changed; Donyelle has also become more active. 

She said the “cat’s room” in her apartment has become a workout room with a treadmill and elliptical machine. During the summer, she enjoyed walking outdoors and swimming laps in her landlord’s in-ground pool.  

“I’m feeling great and able to do so much more than I could before,” she said. 

Embracing change, gaining confidence and setting goals

Ghushe said he’s pleased with Donyelle’s progress and her commitment to a healthy new lifestyle. 

“She’s doing the work and all the follow ups, and has made the lifestyle changes for success,” he said. 

At a recent post-op appointment, Donyelle was “right on target” with her weight loss and doing well medically.

“Her AIC and blood pressure have improved, her diabetes is going in the right direction, and her sleep (apnea) is better, said Ghushe. 

Down to 230 pounds the day she went skydiving, Donyelle said she’s determined to keep taking the weight off and making the most of this healthier life. 

Traveling more is among her many goals. 

“I’d love to take my daughter to Disney World,” she said, noting that this summer’s trip to Canobie Lake Park was the first time in 15 years that she could fit on a ride. 

Not having to ask for a seatbelt extender on a flight to Colorado this spring, “felt amazing” she said.

“It’s the little wins that matter,” said Ghushe.  “We focus on the weight loss, but it’s really about the things that allow us to reengage with life in a more meaningful way.”

Learn more about weight loss surgery at South Shore Health.