Life-Changing Bariatric Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

There was a time when Erin Tracy Maples would make excuses to stay home. Overweight and unhealthy, she always tried to hide away from the world.

In stark contrast, today she embraces that world and all it has to offer.

Maples, who lives in Newport, TN, underwent a life-changing sleeve gastrectomy procedure at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in April 2023. Since then she has shed 121 pounds, radically improving her health and reclaiming her life.

“I got proposed to in September, started beauty school in May and then got married in June,” Maples says. Her three daughters, ages 9, 11 and 12, also have a more active mom. 

What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?

The procedure was performed by Mark Colquitt, MD, who has decades of experience in the transformative power of bariatric surgeries. Fort Sanders Regional is accredited as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

Dr. Colquitt explains that sleeve gastrectomy involves removing approximately 80 to 85 percent of the left side of the stomach, which is the more elastic, balloon-like part that stretches when food is consumed. What’s left is the more stiff and muscular portion of the stomach.

“It takes about an hour and 15 minutes,” Dr. Colquitt explains. “Most patients are able to go home the same day.” 

The sleeve gastrectomy procedure limits food intake and affects two hormones that are crucial for weight loss. Ghrelin stimulates hunger, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates blood sugar and the sense of fullness. It also has an effect on metabolism.

Weight-Loss Surgery Improves Patient’s Health Quality of Life

Before the surgery, Maples faced severe health challenges. She was at risk of a heart attack at just 29 years old, suffered from a severe fatty liver and had battled Graves’ disease since she was 11. She was also insulin resistant, making weight loss particularly challenging. 

Maples’ health and energy have returned and so has her self-confidence.

“When I was bigger, I didn’t want to be in public. I actually hid a lot. I would make things up – I would act like I was sick or something just so I wouldn’t have to go out. I didn’t want to be seen. I just wouldn’t do it,” she recalls about her life before the surgery.

Today Maples is motivated to “go and do” and achieve her dreams. “Life is worth way more than hiding behind the door,” she says.

She’s pursuing a new career in cosmetology, something she’s wanted to do since she was a little girl. “My aunt was a beautician and I fell in love with doing hair and makeup. I went to a hair show in Nashville when I was 14 years old and I had the best time of my life!” 

With her self-confidence restored, Maples is ready to make a career out of helping others feel good about themselves.

Bariatric Surgery: A Proven Method for Dramatic Results

There are lots of ways to lose weight, but bariatric procedures are a time-tested and clinically approved path to achieve significant long-term weight loss.

Recently, GLP-1 and semaglutide medications have been popularized for weight loss. But Dr. Colquitt emphasizes that while these medications can be part of a weight-management plan, surgical procedures like sleeve gastrectomy often provide better results.

“If you’re looking at losing 75 pounds or even 50 pounds, it’s going to be very difficult for you to do that with those medications,” he says. “They’re not designed for that. That’s what surgery does.” 

Dr. Colquitt also explains that Fort Sanders Regional’s weight management program can provide the option of using GLP-1 and semaglutide medications in combination with surgery for patients who qualify. It’s a unique benefit of the medical center’s bariatrics program.

“Once patients come in and have surgery, we can always add medications if they’re reaching a point where they aren’t achieving their goal weight,” Dr. Colquitt says. “We have a great team caring for the patients.”

Dr. Colquitt cautions against delaying surgical treatment in favor of medications alone, as the long-term side effects of these relatively new drugs are still unknown. 

Information and Support for Bariatric Patients at Fort Sanders Regional

For Maples, the transformation after bariatric surgery isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about energy, confidence and new possibilities.

“I just feel so much better,” Maples says. “I’m blessed and so thankful for this opportunity.”

At Fort Sanders Regional, patients undergoing bariatric surgery have access to dietitian consultations, post-surgery support and a free six-month post-surgical fitness program. Free online seminars provide additional information for patients or those considering weight-loss surgery.

To register for an upcoming seminar or for more information about weight-loss surgery at Fort Sanders Regional, visit our web page or call 865-541-4500.