Sault Woman Living Her Best Life Thanks to Bariatric Surgery
Victims’ Advocate, Avid Hiker and Biker, Bariatric Surgery Patient
“Today, I’ve lost more than 100 pounds, I’m more energetic than ever, and I’m living the life of my dreams.”
Brianna Bowen, 33, has always been athletic and active. Still, she has battled being overweight since childhood, as have other members of her family. She tried many diets, fads and workout routines to lose weight, but none were long lasting. She began looking at surgical weight loss options but was terrified of the procedure. Thanks to Bariatric Program Coordinator McKayla Hyrsky, R.N., B.S.N., and Bariatric Surgeon Jamie Adair, M.D., at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault, Bowen overcame her fears and is living the life she’s always wanted.
For some patients, surgical weight loss may be the most effective means of losing weight and keeping it off long term. Although it is not right for everyone, it is a proven option for candidates whose obesity does not respond to conventional weight loss methods alone. Bowen spent quite a bit of time working out whether she wanted to go forward with a procedure.
“I did a year of counseling before surgery,” she shared. “I went back and forth until I understood the risk versus the reward. I was so focused on the surgery itself; I was underestimating the risk I was assuming by not having the procedure.”
Obesity has been proven to increase an individual’s risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease and some types of cancer. MyMichigan’s Surgical Weight Management Program combines dietary, fitness and group support, in addition to the procedure. In fact, Bowen worked with Hyrsky prior to surgery to ensure she was in the best physical condition for a positive outcome.
“As soon as I met McKayla, I was at ease,” Bowen said. “She helped calm my fears and gave me the confidence to embrace the strict measures in place before I had my procedure. She praised my successes along the way and was fantastic to work with.”
Dr. Adair performed a sleeve gastrectomy on Bowen. This procedure uses staples to divide the stomach into two sections. The largest section, which accounts for approximately 70-80 percent of the stomach, is permanently removed. When part of the stomach is taken out, there is a decrease in ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger. The remaining portion of the stomach is long and narrow, resembling the shape of a sleeve.
“An advantage to this type of surgery is that it restricts the amount of food that the patient can eat, and the stomach continues to function normally. With this procedure there is no nutritional malabsorption and there is also the hormonal component that decreases hunger,” explained Dr. Adair. “Ms. Bowen did very well.”
Bowen’s life has changed dramatically since surgery. She has lost more than 100 pounds and is more active and energetic than ever. “I got married a few months after surgery, and my husband and I work out and enjoy being outdoors together,” she said. "We took a trip recently and I was able to walk seven miles a day while in Rome. We even worked out on vacation – that was something I’d never do before.”
Bowen plans meals and workouts in order to remain consistent and healthy. She also uses exercise to help decompress. As a victims' advocate, she is happy to be a positive role model for her clients. She even inspired a family member to pursue bariatric surgery.
"I was struggling, but I am in the best place now,"; she said. "I am grateful to the MyMichigan team for helping me achieve the life of my dreams."
MyMichigan Health offers bariatric surgery in Sault Ste. Marie, Alma and Midland. Those who would like to learn more or take a free weight loss assessment may visit www.mymichigan.org/weightloss.
