This post is sponsored by HCA Health Midwest.
For Taylor Richardson, a medical assistant, the decision to pursue weight loss surgery was years in the making. After struggling to find lasting results through diet and exercise, Taylor’s journey ultimately led her to weight loss surgery with HCA Midwest Health. Taylor experienced a transformation that improved her health, boosted her confidence and even prepared her for an unexpected new chapter. Just five months after surgery, she learned she was pregnant — a moment that brought both surprise and joy and underscored the importance of a supportive care team.
Deciding to undergo weight loss surgery
“I had surgery May 3, 2024 – it was probably 2022 or 2023 when I started thinking about it and looking into it. I was living in Illinois at the time and on some medication that made me gain weight. I had gone through a couple different doctors and didn’t think I’d be successful.
I moved back to Kansas and researched the process and how surgery works. You take off work for at least one week to get used to everything. Then you can go right back to work, and after five weeks you’re considered completely healed. Your stomach can hold regular foods again, and you’re gaining your strength back.
When I first thought about weight loss surgery, I thought it’s the easy way out. You have a surgery and everything’s fixed. After meeting with bariatric surgeon Dr. Nicole Fearing, I thought, ‘I think I could do this, being with such a supportive team around me.’
What to expect during weight loss surgery
It’s five different small incisions across the abdomen; you are filled with gas for the surgeons to be able to see. When you wake up from the surgery, they want you up and walking almost immediately to try to get some of that gas out. That’s probably the most pain.
Three weeks into the liquid phase of the diet, I was started purees. At that point, I was so ready for some kind of texture. Just mentally trying to go through the liquid phase after surgery and slowly progressing yourself back up to regular food is difficult.
An unexpected surprise during the journey
Five months after I had surgery I found out I was pregnant.
I just instantly started crying because I was so nervous about it and didn’t know what was going to happen. You just have to have a good team and make sure your obstetrician knows that you have the surgery.
The importance of a support system
Support from my family and my husband, Brent, helped me through the process. Knowing that I chose to have this surgery… I’d be silly to mess it up on my own account and go right back to eating things that I shouldn’t.
Life after bariatric surgery
At my heaviest I was 311, and right before surgery I was 265. And then I was 160 [most recently] when I stepped on the scale – and that’s even with having a baby. That’s just in the last year and a half. It’s been crazy, just mentally, trying to remember I’m 160, and I’m not still 300 pounds. I can shop in the regular clothes and not the plus size section.
It’s really weird and also nice being able to run up the stairs and not get winded. I can bend over and tie my shoes and not have to tie sideways. Or caring for my daughter – I can actually hold her. Or being able to hug somebody and not reaching over, having my arms fully around somebody.
Embracing a new normal: Confidence and community after surgery
It surprised me how normal life is afterwards. I thought I’d have to be careful or not be able to have fun with my friends, or I wouldn’t be able to eat certain things because I’d just automatically gain all my weight back. But I was still able to go out, still able to have a normal life. I just eat a normal portion now or smaller. My husband had surgery also, so we’re able to split meals and help each other through the journey.
If you’re thinking about doing weight loss surgery and you’re scared: do it. Your life will be different, but it’s going to be better and it’s going to be OK. I truly 100 percent believe in it.
Find the weight loss support you need with HCA Midwest Health
Taking control of your weight and overall wellbeing can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At HCA Midwest Health, our compassionate network of bariatric surgeons is here to guide and support you every step of the way. If nonsurgical options haven’t worked, weight loss surgery may be the life-changing solution you’ve been looking for.
Learn more about weight loss services at HCA Midwest Health.
