Weight loss surgery helped this patient move beyond her lifelong struggle

January 29, 2025 Swedish Weight Loss Team

[3 MIN READ] 

In this article: 

  • Weight loss surgery can help people who find themselves in an ongoing struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

  • Swedish Weight Loss Services helps patients determine which weight loss options are right for them.

  • Weight loss surgery can help people who need to lose a significant amount of weight, and recovery is focused on helping patients live a life they love.

  • Read how weight loss surgery changed life for patient Jennifer Tukey.

Surgical options can lead to weight loss that lasts

For Jennifer Tukey, being overweight wasn't just a phase of life or something she could outgrow. She had struggled with her weight since childhood and began dieting in high school. From commercial weight loss programs to medications and fad diets, she had tried it all. 

"You name the program, I've probably done it," Jennifer says. "The only things I haven't tried are the most recent medications like GLP-1s, but no matter what I tried, the results were always temporary and the weight would inevitably come back."

Jennifer first considered weight loss surgery when she was in her twenties, but the cost at the time made it unattainable. It wasn't covered by insurance, and paying out-of-pocket wasn't realistic for someone just starting their career. 

"I put the idea on hold and went on with life," Jennifer says.

When weight becomes a problem, weight loss surgery helps

As a medical assistant in a geriatric clinic, Jennifer's job was physically demanding. At 340 pounds, a full day of caring for patients exhausted her. By the time she got home each evening, she was completely drained. 

"I'd collapse in front of the TV and barely move for the rest of the night. My lifestyle was incredibly sedentary — not because I wanted it to be, but because I didn't have the energy to do anything else," Jennifer says. "Looking back now, it's hard to believe I managed to sustain that routine for so long. It was my normal, but it is far from where I am today."

Over the years, Jennifer's weight took a serious toll on her health. She struggled with acid reflux and developed hypertension and prediabetes. She even came close to developing Type 2 diabetes — a condition that doesn't run in her family and was related entirely to her weight. 

"Of all my health challenges, the looming threat of diabetes was the biggest wake-up call for me," she says.

When Jennifer began working at Providence Health, she learned that her insurance covered weight loss surgery. After decades of exploring her options, the timing finally felt right.

"Knowing that the surgery would now be covered, I started researching my options," she says. "Even though my insurance covered the surgery, I wanted to be sure that I was choosing the best surgery team for this life-changing procedure."

The right surgical team makes the difference

Living in eastern Washington, Jennifer started looking at local options for surgery. But, when she learned about the weight loss surgery program at Swedish First Hill (part of the Providence family), she was impressed by the patient success rates.

Jennifer's biggest concern was the idea of surgery itself. She had never had any surgery before, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

"The surgeons stood out immediately because they were straightforward and didn't sugarcoat anything — they gave me a clear picture of what the process would entail and the risks involved," she says. "I appreciated their honesty. There was no fluff, just the facts I needed to make an informed decision."

Recovery focuses on getting back to daily life

Ultimately, Jennifer chose Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Undergoing the procedure at Swedish in Seattle required careful planning, especially since Jennifer lives four hours away. She scheduled her pre-surgery appointments in the late morning or early afternoon so she could make the round trip in a single day. For the more involved procedures, like her endoscopy and the surgery itself, she stayed overnight at a hotel in Seattle. 

"On the morning of my surgery, I had to arrive at the hospital by 5:30 a.m. After the procedure, I stayed in the hospital overnight for monitoring and was discharged around 4 p.m. the next day," she says. "Rather than heading straight home, my mother and I stayed another night at a nearby hotel to ensure we were close to the hospital in case of complications."

Jennifer's follow-up appointments required several trips back to Seattle to monitor her recovery and progress. After about six weeks, she transitioned to virtual appointments.

"I knew that if I encountered any issues after surgery, I could go to my local hospital since we're all part of the Providence network, and the team would be able to access my notes and consult with my surgical team," she says. "That gave me peace of mind." 

It took Jennifer about three weeks before she was back to walking around and tackling her daily tasks, and she never needed anything stronger than Tylenol to manage the pain.

"Even though I wasn't ready to be with patients just yet, I was able to manage what I needed to do in my personal life, like going up and down the stairs to my third-floor apartment," she says. "I was feeling restless at home and eager to return to my routine, so I went back to work doing only administrative tasks at first." 

About eight weeks after surgery, Jennifer was ready to start working with patients again, and two months post-surgery, she was back to her regular duties. 

A weight loss journey leads to a new worldview

"Thankfully, everything with my surgery went wonderfully," Jennifer says. 'I'm fortunate to say I've had zero complications. Today, my weight is down to 159 pounds."  

She does emphasize that the weight loss journey after surgery can feel like a roller coaster. On the one hand, she says it feels incredible to watch the weight come off and see progress. On the other hand, she sometimes compares her progress to that of other patients she meets in support groups. Everyone loses weight at a different pace, and some people lose weight faster or in larger amounts than others.

"It took me about a year to stop comparing my progress to that of everyone else," Jennifer says. "The turning point came when I realized I was no longer shopping in the plus-size section. I started this journey wearing a size 4X–5X and when I got down to an extra-large, it hit me just how much weight I had lost. That milestone came within six months of my surgery and boosted my confidence. Today, I feel like a completely different person. 

"There are so many things I never thought about doing before, like going for walks, exercising at a gym and traveling. I've already started taking road trips, something I never had the energy or motivation to do before. And now that I can fit comfortably in airplane seats, I'm excited to explore the possibility of flying. I feel free to enjoy life in a whole new way."

A little research can help determine if weight loss surgery is right for you

Jennifer advises that patients interested in weight loss surgery explore all their options and schedule visits and interviews with different clinics.

"Don't just pick a place and decide that's it — make sure you feel confident in the clinic and that they are the right match for you," she says.

She also emphasizes the importance of understanding that weight loss surgery is not a quick fix but a major lifestyle change. 

"You'll need to adjust not just how much you eat but also what you eat. There are some foods you might never be able to eat again. That's an acceptable trade-off for me, but not everyone feels the same.”

Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)

If you are interested in weight loss surgery, you have options. Contact Swedish Weight Loss Services to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also connect virtually with a physician via Swedish ExpressCare Virtual for treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.

Information for patients and visitors

Related resources

Swedish’s medical weight loss program offers more options for a healthier future

Weight-loss patient learns surgery is a tool, not a cop-out

Couple commits to better health with gastric bypass 

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.

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About the Author

The Swedish Weight Loss team is dedicated to helping you find the right care you need to achieve the weight goals you desire. Whether it's surgical or non-surgical solutions, BMI check-ins or nutritional advice, our team is here to provide the expert tips and insights to help you find your optimal weight.

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