Patient Stories - Weight Loss Surgery Center in Northwest Arkansas

Quanah Spencer

95 lbs lost!

“Before my weight loss journey, I loved to travel and stay active with vacations and various activities, but health issues started piling up. I went from one blood pressure pill to two, then four. I had severe migraines requiring ER visits, with my top number spiking over 200, and bad GERD that forced me to sleep on the couch for months because I couldn’t lie down. Choosing Roller Weight Loss was a no-brainer for me. The program is structured and well thought out, which is exactly what I needed—Dr. Roller told me if I followed exactly what he said, I’d get the success I wanted, and I believed him. Life after surgery has been incredible. By week two, I was off all my blood pressure medications. The day after surgery, my GERD symptoms vanished completely. I haven’t had a single migraine since, and I’m no longer pre-diabetic. Now I’m more outgoing, saying ‘let’s go do this’ or ‘let’s go do that.’ I have the energy to enjoy the things I used to love without any struggle. I’m so grateful for the change and the great program at Roller.”

Krystal Giovacchini

145 lbs lost!

“I was so insecure. I’d think I looked pretty in the mirror, but photos showed the truth and crushed me. Christmas pictures had my husband and kids, but none of me; I felt invisible. Even cute family shots I begged for ended up hidden. A family member’s success inspired me, and knowing another baby was coming, I couldn’t keep adding weight. I chose the modified duodenal switch in April 2023 and never looked back. At Roller, everything felt amazing and supportive. Now, I’m in pictures without caring about the camera, posting on Facebook Live cooking with my twins, and dancing at events. Arguments over photos are gone—my mom says she has the old Krystal back!”

Alyx Ramsey

110 lbs lost!

“As an elementary teacher, I’d come home exhausted. My weight made everything harder, and I walked into every room thinking everyone noticed how big I’d gotten. The insecurity was overwhelming. A woman at church shared her journey with the traditional duodenal switch, and I realized: Why not get my life back? At Roller, my first visit was sobering but met with kindness and compassion during every step. At 14 months post-op, I’m confident—I love who I am now, which lets me love others better and accept love more.”

Rosella Lewis

174 lbs lost!

“At eight years old, I weighed 180 pounds and was classified morbidly obese. Bullying and self-consciousness took a huge mental toll. I’d binge eat instead of fixing it, and seeing family struggle with diabetes scared me; I didn’t want that for myself or my daughter. After having her, I knew I had to change. At Roller, everyone was kind and encouraging—they didn’t see someone to ‘fix,’ just someone to help. After my traditional duodenal switch on August 22, 2024, everything improved: self-esteem, mental health, energy. I hike, run 5Ks, and I’m even considering skydiving—things impossible at 300 pounds! Most importantly, I keep up with my three-year-old without exhaustion. I live life without sadness over my appearance.”

Zach Scott

304 lbs lost!

“I hated going out in public—felt like all eyes were on me, so I secluded myself, skipped family events, and made excuses. It was depressing and disconnecting from friends and family. In nursing school, my weight held me back—I’d fall asleep while others zoomed ahead. I was nervous about seeking help and doctors judging me, but at Roller, everyone was kind, helpful, and non-judgmental. Driving six hours was worth it. After my traditional duodenal switch in July 2024, I walk into rooms without feeling watched. I look forward to gatherings and plans with friends. My family is proud—they tell me I look happier and better. I’ve put in hard work and am really proud of myself for the transformation.”

Shelby Thomas

135 lbs lost!

“My daily life was tough—aches, pains, struggling to get out of bed, avoiding cameras while my kids played sports. Getting dressed, shopping with them, or riding rides at Six Flags was embarrassing because of my weight. I heard about Roller through coworkers and felt scared but welcome from the moment I walked in. Everyone was so kind and made me feel comfortable. After my duodenal switch, my self-confidence, mobility, and energy soared. I can take pictures, run, workout with my kids, and feel pretty in the mirror. I’m front and center now without hiding. I’d tell old Shelby: Why didn’t you do this sooner? You can enjoy everything you’ve missed!”

Kelsey Evans

210 lbs lost!

“I’ve been overweight since high school and never felt confident or happy with myself. I was sitting on the sidelines while my husband and young child enjoyed rides and activities, I was just too tired. Family pictures were awful; seeing them was my wake-up call. I knew I had gotten myself into this, so I called Roller Weight Loss the next morning. From the first visit, it felt like they saw Kelsey and were ready to help make me better. After my duodenal switch on April 13, 2022, my life changed completely. Now with a four-year-old, I’m the fun mom hopping on rides at White Water and Silver Dollar City without worry. I have energy, stronger relationships, and I’ve maintained my loss—I’ve worked too hard to go back. I’d tell pre-surgery Kelsey: Don’t be scared; this can be the easiest (and sometimes hardest) thing you’ll do, but you can do it. I’m so proud of myself.”

Michael Lewis

Over 200 lbs lost!

“I have had a 10-year battle trying to lose weight and at one point was probably close to 500lbs, the highest recorded weight I have is 452 because that was as high as my scale would go. When I started with Roller Weight Loss, I was over 400lbs and now two years after RNY bypass I am down to 225lbs and currently competing in CrossFit. Dr. Roller and staff at Roller Weight Loss helped me save my life and give the quality of life I strive for. I am now able to do what my family needs me to do and I am able play with my daughter! This has given me a passion for fitness and helping others which I have turned into my career running a gym, as well as, being a certified personal trainer. My family and I cannot thank Dr. Roller and his team enough!”

Hannah Hunter

Over 200 lbs lost!

“My overall lifestyle was not healthy at all and I had many medical issues that no one really could give me answers for. I felt under the weather and lethargic a lot of the time. I even stopped really looking at myself in the mirror, let alone have a picture taken. One day I went to have a physical and my primary doctor let me know that I was sitting around 330 lbs. I couldn’t believe it; I kept asking myself how long have I been ignoring the fact that mentally and physically I was unwell? I was referred to Dr. Roller and I remember still feeling like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. That feeling of anxiety and fear was alleviated once I walked through Dr. Roller’s office door. On December 31, 2018, I went into surgery excited to start off the new year with a new mindset and of course a new lifestyle. Today, I currently weigh 128 lbs. and it has changed my life forever. Not only do I feel better about myself mentally but physically as well! I am now extremely active, resuming old sports I use to enjoy like golf and tennis. I don’t feel the shame I used to feel when I would see pictures of myself. I have regained a significant amount of confidence back, something that hasn’t been seen for over a decade now. Thank you, Dr. Roller and staff for everything you have done. I know my journey, like many others, hasn’t been the easiest but I am grateful that you all gave me the tools to succeed…it was just up to me to use them.”

Lisa Fancher

190 lbs lost!

“It would take too much time to describe how much my life has changed since my weight loss surgery. I am able to enjoy life so much more. From the little non-scale victories like sitting in seats comfortably or crossing my legs, to big things such as running my first 5K and dancing at my niece’s wedding in Mexico. There have been trips, Razorback games, Jeep rides, concerts, rodeos, waterfalls, geocaching finds, camping trips, horse races, live theater performances, Silver Dollar City visits and dance lessons. I now volunteer for charities close to my heart, spend more time doing activities with my husband and daughters, as well as hosting friends and family in our home. These are all examples of things I would have missed out on during the last year had I continued at my previous weight.”

Erin Rice

Over 100 lbs lost!

“I remember as a child worrying about my weight, and I worried up until the day I had my weight loss surgery. Being a child and worrying about weight was a terrible feeling, but what’s worse was stressing about it through adulthood when all the negative health effects started taking a toll on me. At the age of 27, I decided I was not going to go down the path of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and fluid retention. I had a physical at work and all the things I mentioned above were borderline. That is when I knew I had to make a change. After all the failed attempts at diets, I knew surgery was my path to live a healthy, happy life. My surgery was Dec. 29, 2014, and that is when I was set free.”

Shelley Dougan

122 lbs lost!

“After a cycle of losing weight and gaining it right back, I decided to see what Dr. Roller could do for me. After visiting with him, he thought I would be a great candidate for surgery. I’m 34 and weighed 243 pounds. I had surgery March 15, 2015, and now I have lost 122 pounds and currently weigh 121 pounds. I have never felt better and am so thankful to Dr. Roller for all the new opportunities I have now that I feel so much better. I’m on the go all the time, and my children love having an active, healthy mom now.”

Ronnie Robertson

160 lbs lost!

“I would lose weight only to gain it back, plus some. The things I loved to do including sports, especially golf, were slowly slipping away from me. I was 373 at my heaviest. I had surgery Dec 9, 2015, and today I weigh 203! I am more active at age 53 than I was at 43 or even 33. The dark cloud that was constantly over me is gone. The weight loss transformed me both physically and mentally.”

Bobby Blackburn

230 lbs lost!

“Dr. Roller, I can’t tell you how much you’ve changed my life. I’m sure you hear it all the time…thank you for literally saving my life!”

Kelly Pohl

130 lbs lost!

Kelly suffered from thyroid and insulin issues and gained 120 pounds in two years. Kelly and her husband tried to have a child for 12 years, but they were unsuccessful because of her weight. At age 34 she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease and decided to have gastric bypass surgery. Over the course of a year, she lost 135 pounds. In 2012 after 15 years of marriage she found out that she was pregnant and gave birth to a healthy, happy, baby girl named Kacie.

“I will be forever grateful to Dr. Roller and the Roller Weight Loss team for their care, compassion, guidance, and encouragement.”

Michelle Posey

70 lbs lost!

“The best compliment I have received since my surgery was my son coming up to give me a hug and he said, ‘Mom, I can wrap my arms all the way around you.’”

Randy Thompson

Over 150 lbs lost!

“I decided to have weight loss surgery to help regain my life. I was tired of sitting on the sidelines just watching my family and friends enjoying life and doing the activities that I wished I could do. My braking point was going to a festival and I was worn out, out of breath, and over it from just walking from the car to the event. I have several friends and family members that have had success with Dr Roller and they were my inspiration and motivation to go through with it. I was at my heaviest at 426 pounds and was starting to get to where I couldn’t do simple day to day task to even take care of myself. Now I am a little over a year out for MDS and I have maintained at 175-180 pounds for the past 3 months and I am doing things that I was doing when I was in my teens. I thank Dr Kown, Dr Roller, and the whole team for providing me with a tool that help me regain my life and gave me back years of my life to spend with my family.”

Carol Keith

Over 200 lbs lost!

“You know everyone’s journey is different in life, but one of the things I think we need to remember the most is it’s all about support. The last few years have been an eye open experience for me. Never before had I been able to lose weight. Yes maybe 10 pounds or so, but then it would come right back. Then I made a decision. I was to the point something had to be done, or let’s face it, almost 600 pound Carol was going to probably die. You hear horror stories of people getting weight loss surgery and their friends/family saying oh it’s the easy way out and not providing support. I had excepted this would happen to me as well. Little did I know I have an amazing support group. An amazing husband, friends that are more like family and a group of co-workers who are more family than co-workers. They’ve seen and lived the good, bad and really ugly parts of me and have never stopped encouraging me and loving me. Without these folks I would have failed miserably but 390 pounds less here I am. I’m grateful for them, this support group, where I’ve met some amazing folks, and to the staff at Roller Weight Loss & Advanced Surgery and of course Josh Roller. Today I went to work and took a picture with some of my team in my “fat pants” four of us fit….It was sad but made such a statement of my work. I’ve gone from a 7xl pants down to a 4. Thank you guys for loving me!! Anyone that is worried about Weight Loss Surgery being right for them or is this surgery worth it. YES, YES, YES it is!!! It saved my life and can for you too!!”

Jen Weaver

150 lbs lost!

What a year it has been! A year ago today @joshrollermd performed the modified duodenal switch weight loss surgery @rollerweightloss . I have lost 150 pounds. ONE HUNDRED and FIFTY pounds. How insane is that?! I was in a desperate place. Disgusted. Exhausted. I wanted a better life for me and my children. I FEEL amazing and have so much energy. I have learned to eat healthy. Exercise is a daily part of my life (I am one pf those people 🤷 ). I have enjoyed so many new activities. My kids are loving their more carefree energetic mom and they are super proud of me. I plan on continuing sharing my journey. Thank you for all of your love and support.