SPOKANE, WA — A local nurse practitioner at MultiCare Hospital wants to help patients struggling with weight loss by sharing her journey with bariatric surgery.
“Surgery completely changed my life,” said Katie Hawley.
Hawley says losing weight has been difficult since her teens, when it kept her from participating in her favorite outdoor activities.
“I’ve been through a lot of trial and error when it comes to losing weight without surgery, but seeing the doctor at MultiCare really made me feel that the surgical option would be the best option,” she said. I got
Hawley made the decision to undergo bariatric surgery in 2020, which she says changed her life forever.
She transitioned her specialty from cardiology to bariatrics to help more patients with weight problems.
“I feel like my inside and outside are aligned. It’s a very personal journey, so I will always be grateful for having me on the patient’s journey,” she said.
Side effects from surgery may include hormonal changes.
“There are patients who are called non-responders, but that’s not necessarily the patient’s problem. It’s important to think about that,” Hawley said.
Patients are also asked to first set up a consultation with a bariatric surgeon to ensure they are in good enough health for surgery.
It should also be noted that eating large amounts of food and smoking are not options after surgery.
According to Hawley, insurance coverage for up to a year is required.
“We do everything we can before and after surgery to prevent complications, so I think people can trust the process,” she said.
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