Gastric Bypass Journey Opens Door to New Adventures

For hours, beads flew through the air, marching bands thundered past, and crowds packed the streets of New Orleans. As Mardi Gras floats rolled down the city’s famous route one after the other, Cheryl Nave, 66, of Leavenworth County, Kansas, stayed for every moment of the celebration.  

This milestone would have been impossible one year earlier.

Cheryl, a sports official, tried for years to lose weight on her own. She attempted several weight-loss programs and diets but did not achieve success that lasted. Her primary care provider suggested weight-loss surgery multiple times, and she eventually agreed to research the option.  

“I was tired of being overweight, out of breath, and unable to do the things that I used to do,” Cheryl says.  

Finding a path forward

At her primary care provider’s recommendation, Cheryl turned to Saint Luke’s for help. She met with Robert Kenney, DO, a board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon who evaluated her health needs and recommended a gastric bypass.  

Gastric bypass is a common weight-loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes a portion of the intestines. Weight loss happens with this procedure because you feel full sooner and your body absorbs fewer calories from the food you eat.

“Dr. Kenney was awesome in explaining things to me and helping me find the weight-loss path I wanted,” Cheryl says.

In preparation for her procedure, Cheryl met multiple Saint Luke’s providers to learn about what to expect during and after surgery. This included a behavioral health specialist visit, cardiologist appointment, meeting with an exercise physiologist about the importance of exercise after surgery, and nutrition counseling with a dietitian.  

“It prepared me for what I needed to do after the surgery, like what kind of foods to eat,” Cheryl says. “As far as the surgery, I was excited to be on this path that would really help me and improve my health.”

Dr. Kenney performed Cheryl’s gastric bypass on May 19, 2025. After her two-week postoperative follow-up appointment, Cheryl was back to doing normal activities.  

Lasting change, meaningful moments

Cheryl has lost 90 pounds since her surgery.  

"I have lots of energy and am able to do things that I didn't do before because I just didn't have the desire nor the energy," Cheryl says.  

She now finds joy in everyday moments that once felt uncomfortable, like attending a concert with her daughter without worrying about feeling cramped in her seat and feeling more confident stepping onto the volleyball court and standing in front of crowds as a sports official.  

Cheryl also has more strength to take care of her home and 80 acres of property.

“We live out in the country with a lot of land to maintain, and we've been renovating the inside of our house, so I've had more energy to do those things,” she says.

But the biggest example came in the form of a trip crossed off her bucket list. Less than a year after surgery, Cheryl and her husband took a two-week vacation, starting in Tennessee and ending in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

“We traipsed all over, viewing historical sites, climbing mountains, and watching the parade, but the thing I've noticed is that I'm not ashamed of my body anymore,” she says. “I’m amazed at how things have changed for me.”

Saint Luke’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss is nationally recognized for high-quality and compassionate care. From extensive education through surgery and long-term post-surgery support, you can trust that our experts will be there with you throughout your journey. Learn more about bariatric surgery.