Nurses Who Lost a Combined 366 Pounds Now Help Patients Do the Same
- Nurses at Emplify Health by Gundersen play a central role in weight loss care, providing education, coordination, and ongoing support.
- The clinic offers medical weight loss options including GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery for eligible patients.
- Bariatric surgery at Gundersen is associated with 40 to 50 percent total body weight loss and improvement in conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea.
- Nurses who have undergone bariatric surgery themselves use their experience to support and educate patients.
Image source: WXOW
Emplify Health by Gundersen Onalaska Clinic is seeing continued demand for weight management services as more patients seek medical support for obesity and related conditions. Nurses play a central role in the clinic’s approach, providing education, care coordination, and ongoing support throughout each patient’s treatment.
Registered Nurse Abbey Roberts said the process typically begins with an initial phone call focused on education and insurance coverage. During this first step, nurses review benefit information and explain available treatment options before connecting patients with clinicians who can recommend the most appropriate plan of care.
Roberts said the nursing team also works to help patients understand obesity as a medical condition rather than a personal failing. Many patients believe weight loss is only about discipline or lifestyle choices, but nurses explain that metabolic, hormonal, and genetic factors often contribute to difficulty losing weight.
Treatment Options Offered at the Clinic
The clinic provides several weight management options, including prescription medications such as GLP-1 therapies and bariatric surgery. According to Gundersen Health, bariatric surgery can result in approximately "40 to 50 percent their total body weight" loss for eligible patients, and many experience improvement or resolution of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.
Two of the clinic’s registered nurses, Abbey Roberts and Megan Leifer, have also undergone bariatric surgery themselves. Together, they have lost a combined 366 pounds. Individual weight loss results vary.
Leifer said she had previously lost weight through diet and exercise but experienced repeated cycles of weight regain over several years. After learning that GLP-1 medications were not covered by her insurance, she chose to pursue bariatric surgery in March 2025.
"My eight-year-old wanted to go on roller coasters, so we went this summer and I was able to fit. I am also training for a half-marathon and have completed several 5Ks. It has been worth it,” Leifer said.
Roberts said she is maintaining a weight loss of more than 200 pounds.
Using Lived Experience in Patient Care
Both nurses say their personal experiences allow them to better connect with patients. Leifer said patients often feel more comfortable discussing concerns when they know the nurse has gone through a similar process. Roberts added that sharing her experience helps patients feel understood and supported during a process that can feel overwhelming.
The clinic also offers ongoing education and peer support. Emplify Health hosts “Life After Bariatric Surgery” events that allow patients to ask questions and hear directly from individuals who have completed surgery, providing real‑world insight into life after treatment.
A Nursing Centered Approach to Weight Management
Nurses at Emplify Health by Gundersen focus on both the medical and emotional aspects of weight management. Their role includes patient education, care coordination, and long term support.
Clinic leaders say this approach reflects the broader role nurses play in helping patients manage chronic conditions. By combining clinical knowledge with patient centered care, nurses help individuals make informed decisions and navigate treatment options that support their long term health.
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