A Patient’s Story Through Weight Loss, Wellness and GLP-1 Care

Native Alaskan Aleisha Greenfield was a strong athlete, playing both high school and college softball. When she became a mother at age 20, she slowly started gaining weight, eventually peaking at 298 pounds from the average 165 of her early 20s.

Aleisha didn’t give much thought to genetics or family history, but when her family moved to Anacortes in 2020 and she had access to better healthcare, she was diagnosed with both severe hypertension and severe obstructive sleep apnea.

“I had blown hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal trainers over the years; I’d tried every diet, every supplement—everything. And I knew something had to change,” Aleisha said.

This was when Aleisha started researching surgical options. And in August 2022, she had vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, which removed 85% of her stomach. Aleisha says this was the first day of her new life. She lost 85 pounds and continued to take exercise and nutrition very seriously.

Fast forward a year to December 2023, when Aleisha had a mental health breakdown. This was treated, successfully, with anxiety medication that unfortunately came with weight gain. It was then that she and her primary care provider Dr. Neuenschwander started Aleisha’s GLP-1 journey, trying to qualify for insurance coverage and finding just the right option. Because her co-morbidities no longer existed (hypertension and sleep apnea), she was not a candidate for the typical GLP-1 medication.

After further research, Aleisha came upon another formulation of the GLP-1 which is compounded with vitamin B. She started treatments in spring 2024 and has lost 150 pounds. While naturally nervous about the side effects, Aleisha did some serious self-reflection and decided the risks were worth the potential to improve her life.

By day, Aleisha is the medical assistant for Dr. VanGaasbeek, Island Health physician and obesity management specialist. She feels blessed to work with patients who have similar journeys and said she loves telling them her own story.

“I can honestly say I know their pain, and I want to remind them they are not alone, that they have a team behind them, and that their feelings are normal. Most of all, I want them to know there is no shame,” Aleisha said.

Dr. VanGaasbeck says Aleisha is an asset to the team and that in sharing her story with their patients, she creates a safe environment which is invaluable.

“I think the most important thing about treating obesity is recognizing that obesity is a disease. The myth I would love to bust is that it’s the easy way out. Our patients use these medications as a tool, but they put in the hard work. And the outcome is a whole new life,” Dr. VanGaasbeek said.

Aleisha highly recommends talking with a provider to anyone considering GLP-1 medication. And she warns that results aren’t instantaneous, nor does the medication fix everything. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise are still necessary.

Aleisha recently complete her 15th race and is currently training for her first half-marathon. She is also trialing to come off the medication and is hopeful for a continued healthy lifestyle.

Aleisha’s journey is a powerful reminder that lasting change is possible with the right support, tools and determination. If you’re considering your own path toward better health and weight loss, the first step is simply starting the conversation. Speak with your primary care provider or schedule a weight-management appointment with Dr. Sarah VanGaasbeek, 360.293.3101.