AdventistHealth.org/Portland 7 Cassie was convinced, so she entered the program and embraced its rigorous preparation for surgery. Her presurgery program included appointments with nurse practitioners, dietitians, physical therapists and psychologists. Through weightloss classes, she learned how she needed to eat after surgery to stay healthy and keep her weight loss on track. The day of surgery arrived, and, as Cassie recalls, “Everything was just perfect.” Her anesthesiologist met with her before surgery and made her feel more comfortable. Nikki stopped by to visit. Cassie’s surgery went smoothly, and soon she was back to a new normal for her life. “It’s definitely been life-changing,” she says. “Living a healthy lifestyle is a big adjustment, but it absolutely was the best decision for me and my health.” A focus on feeling healthy Cassie says she’s lost about 80 pounds so far. Her confidence has gone up, and she enjoys being able to walk into a store and just buy clothes. With less stress about her weight, Cassie’s seizures have eased. And while she used to weigh herself every single day before surgery, she’s now focused on feeling healthy. Cassie has gained confidence and lost 80 pounds since undergoing weightloss surgery. “Nothing was working,” says Cassidy (“Cassie”) Tyre about her efforts to lose weight. “It’s definitely been life-changing. Living a healthy lifestyle is a big adjustment, but it absolutely was the best decision for me and my health.” — Cassidy Tyre “Dr. Stucke and Nikki definitely helped me change that,” she says. “They’ve been instrumental about changing my life.” While she still struggles with body dysmorphia and sometimes worries she really hasn’t lost weight, Cassie hasn’t felt alone. Her bariatric team is still there for her. “They are a great resource,” she explains. For anyone considering weight-loss surgery, Cassie’s advice is clear: “Do your research, and don’t let outside contributors who aren’t in the health care field make the decision for you,” she advises. “Get all your questions answered. Take the process beforehand really seriously, and lean into the team.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQ1MTY=