For Dylan and Alexis Wood, bariatric surgery wasn’t about a number on the scale. It was about gaining the life they knew they wanted together. 

“I’m not a number,” Dylan says. “I’m a husband and soon I’ll be a dad.”  

After high school, Dylan’s weight steadily increased, eventually reaching nearly 460 pounds. Once athletic and outgoing, he began to feel the physical limitations of carrying that weight: low energy, sleep apnea and difficulty with everyday activities many people take for granted, such as fitting comfortably in an airplane seat or staying active for long periods. Diet and exercise alone weren’t enough, and Dylan realized he needed medical support. 

Before the journey: Alexis and Dylan together at their highest weight, photographed prior to undergoing bariatric surgery — capturing a moment before a major life‑changing step. 

He initially explored a bariatric program in Virginia but didn’t feel connected to the care team or the process. After moving to New Oxford, Dylan began researching options again, this time with a clearer sense of what he needed. He chose WellSpan Weight Management - Apple Hill because it was close to home, offered transparent online educational resources and, most importantly, emphasized personalized care.  

“From the start, Dr. Smith actually listened,” Dylan says. “He didn’t treat me like a formula. He treated me like an individual.”  

That individualized approach is central to successful weight management, according to Dr. Matthew Smith, the bariatric surgeon who performed Dylan’s procedure. 

“There’s no one-size-fits-all path to weight management,” Dr. Smith says. “Dylan’s success came from a plan built around his health history, goals and readiness for change. When patients feel heard and supported, the outcomes extend far beyond weight loss.” 

That approach made all the difference. Over six months, Dylan worked through preoperative requirements, including losing 40 pounds through diet changes and increased activity. In December 2024, he underwent gastric bypass surgery, the option Dr. Smith recommended based on Dylan’s health history and long‑term goals.  

Pre‑op day: Dylan moments before bariatric surgery, ready to take the first step toward a healthier future. 

Just two weeks later, his wife Alexis underwent bariatric surgery as well.  

The couple made the journey together, intentionally. Alexis wanted to reach a healthy weight to support a future pregnancy and Dylan knew how vital support would be during recovery. Taking turns with caregiving and encouraging one another through the challenges of post‑surgical eating and healing, the experience became a shared commitment rather than an individual struggle. 

Recovery wasn’t easy. Dylan needed time to adjust to solid foods and leaned on consistent communication with his care team when concerns arose.  

What carried him through was the bigger picture, not just weight loss, but life gained.  

Dylan and Alexis on their wedding day — post‑bariatric surgery, celebrating love, health, and the life they chose to build together. 

Then came the changes that went far beyond the scale. Today, Dylan is down 230 pounds. He goes to the gym daily, plays on competitive softball teams and embraces an active lifestyle he once thought was out of reach. Alexis, who is expecting their first child due in July, moves through her days more confidently and deliberately, focused on nourishing herself and their growing child.  

Dylan and Alexis celebrating a new chapter — post‑bariatric surgery and proudly expecting their first child together. 

Their greatest victory isn’t on the scale.  

It’s walking all four Disney parks in a single day. Sitting comfortably on a flight. Planning family adventures without hesitation. Preparing to welcome their first baby with energy, confidence and hope.  

For Dylan, the message is clear: “Do your research. Find a doctor you trust. Healing takes time and support matters.”  

At WellSpan, weight management is more than weight loss. It’s a partnership built on respect, choice and listening, focused not on fixing people, but on helping them feel better, live better and show up fully for life.  

More than weight loss. It’s life gained.  

Learn more at WellSpan.org/LifeGained. 


 A non‑scale victory worth celebrating — post‑surgery, Dylan and Alexis had the energy and stamina to walk the Disney World parks with ease, making memories without limits.