After years of struggling with their weight, Chris and Nicole made a life-changing decision to prioritize their health. Nicole had bariatric surgery in 2018 but didn’t follow the post-op program closely. “My first surgery was strictly for vanity, and I didn’t take it very seriously,” she said. When her health declined again, she knew it was time for real change. For Chris, a severe case of COVID-19 in 2020—one that left him in a coma for three months—was the turning point. “It was only my weight that made me a concerning patient,” he said.
In 2024, both turned to Northside’s Surgery and Weight Management Program. Nicole had her second bariatric surgery in August, and Chris followed with his first in September. Since then, the couple has lost a combined 143 pounds and embraced a new lifestyle. They joined support groups, stayed in close contact with their care team, and focused on building healthy habits. “Bariatric surgery is only a tool to help jump-start weight loss,” Nicole said. “The hardest part of the journey is changing who you are.”
Their biggest reward so far: completing the Peachtree Road Race—proof of how far they’ve come.
