Tiffany’s New “Why” and Her New Life

Tiffany has been on the go for as long as she can remember. As a single mother, she balances work, parenting and long days cheering for her daughter, Kassie, from the basketball court sidelines.

But one day, Tiffany realized she was struggling to keep up.

“I was tired all the time,” she says. “I couldn’t do things with my daughter she wanted me to, like go to the gym or for a run.”

Kassie, 16, plays competitive basketball and dreams of playing in college. Tiffany had always struggled with her weight and knew that something had to change. She wanted to be there for every game, every milestone and every chapter still ahead.

“I realized that if I wanted to see Kassie grow up, to one day maybe meet my grandkids, I had to get healthier,” Tiffany says.

That realization became her “why” — and what led her to seek help with weight loss from AdventHealth.

Finding the Right Path Forward

Tiffany met with Venkatasubramanian Kanthimathinathan, MD, known to patients as Dr. Venkat, a bariatric and general surgeon at AdventHealth Riverview.

At first, Tiffany wasn’t considering surgery, but Dr. Venkat explained that the best way to treat her specific disease was with a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatment. For Tiffany, he recommended a gastric sleeve (or sleeve gastrectomy) procedure, which removes up to 80% of the stomach. And since it’s minimally invasive, it means less pain and scarring and a faster recovery time than traditional surgery.

“Dr. Venkat explained everything step by step and made me feel comfortable with the process,” Tiffany says.

“Support and education are an essential part of bariatric care,” Dr. Venkat explains. “So is meaningful motivation.”

“For some people, the ‘why’ is about improving diabetes or sleep apnea,” he says. “For others, it’s wanting to be more active with their families or simply feeling better, physically and emotionally. Whatever the reason, the ‘why’ matters.”

A Healthier Future for Tiffany and Her Daughter

For Tiffany, her daughter was the starting point. But somewhere along the journey, the “why” changed.

“My ‘why’ has evolved to doing this for myself,” she says. “It’s still for Kassie, too, of course, but I feel like I’m finally prioritizing myself.”

Almost immediately after the surgery, Tiffany began losing weight. Today, about a year and a half later, she’s lost close to 100 pounds. She follows a nutritionist’s guidance for her diet, which is focused on protein, hydration and eating six small meals a day, and she works with a trainer.

In a word, Tiffany describes her experience with bariatric surgery as “life-changing.”

“I now have energy and the confidence to walk with a smile on my face,” she says. “I can also run with Kassie. Play basketball with her. Take her to the beach or a theme park. Whatever she wants. I’m forever grateful to Dr. Venkat and his team. I believe they saved my life.”

Personalized Weight-Loss Care at AdventHealth

Through the AdventHealth Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery program, patients receive personalized care tailored to their needs and goals. From nutrition counseling and behavioral support to minimally invasive surgical options, like sleeve gastrectomy, the expert team at AdventHealth Riverview is ready with everything you need to lose weight, keep it off and focus on living your best life.

Learn more at MyBariatricCare.com.