For Tracy Huff, the decision to undergo weight-loss surgery was a turning point – a commitment to reclaim her health and regain her quality of life.

The 49-year-old knew it was time for a change when she was faced with what her future could have looked like.

“Working for Tidelands Health Orthopedics, I saw patients with troubles in their backs and knees,” Huff says. “I knew that if I didn’t do something for me, I would be in that same position eventually.”

Her health also limited her passion. As a freelance sports photographer at Georgetown County high school football games, Huff found it difficult to keep up with the players running from one side of the field to the other.

Like many, Huff tried to lose weight on her own, but after years of unsuccessful attempts with gyms and at-home exercises, she turned to weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, to kick start her lifestyle change.

“Obesity is a chronic disease, and for many people, it’s hard to get the results they want with diet and exercise alone,” says Dr. Sara Shields Tarwater, a board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon at Tidelands Health. “Weight-loss surgery isn’t a quick and easy fix, but it is a way to start over and be a healthier you. We provide patients with the tools and support they need to make lasting changes.”

For Huff, the results speak volumes. Starting at 292 pounds, she has lost about 75 pounds since her procedure. Without the excess weight, she’s able to better enjoy her passions, including taking care of her horses.

“I used to not walk the horse pastures. I would wait for the horses to come up,” she says. “Now, I walk the horse pastures.”

Tidelands Health’s comprehensive approach to weight-loss surgery combines expert surgical care with personalized support, giving patients the attention and guidance necessary for success.

“Our goal is to empower patients like Tracy to not only achieve their weight-loss goals but to thrive in every aspect of their lives,” says Dr. Shields Tarwater.

Huff’s weight loss has given her a new confidence.

“It’s all about who you’re comfortable with, but you would have no reason not to be comfortable with the providers at Tidelands Health,” Huff says. “I feel better about me. I know that if I can lose this weight then I can do anything.”

Considering weight-loss surgery? Take a self-assessment and learn more at tidelandshealth.org, or call 1-866-TIDELANDS.