Nyia's Story | Weight Management for a Healthier You

Watch Nyia's story in this 2 Your Well-Being feature story with WFMY News 2.

44-year-old Nyia Gravely had been told by doctors for years that she was a good candidate for bariatric surgery, but she wasn’t convinced she needed that kind of intervention when it came to managing her weight and overall health.

“I would walk and lose some weight here and there, but I always had a high BMI,” Ms. Gravely recalls. “I’m 5 foot 2 and at my highest weight I was at 225 pounds, but I was always in denial when it came to bariatric surgery.”

Then, in the summer of 2022, she reached a point where she just wasn’t happy. She was on medication for high blood pressure and had been told she was pre-diabetic. Ms. Gravely’s mother lost her vision to diabetes, so the pre-diabetes diagnosis was a big wakeup call.

“I’d been trying to lose weight, but it just wasn’t working for me,” she said. “Some people think this is the easy way out, but it was starting to become a real health issue. I knew I needed to do something.”

A co-worker had gotten bariatric surgery at Cone Health and had a wonderful experience, so Ms. Gravely began looking into their offerings. She filled out some online information over the summer and attended a virtual seminar, and soon after met with her surgeon, Luke Kinsinger, MD, who confirmed she was in fact an ideal candidate. Together, they decided to go the route of gastric sleeve surgery.

“My co-worker had the sleeve and she didn’t have any complications, so I thought I wanted that, too,” said Ms. Gravely. “Dr. Kensinger agreed that would be a good option for me, and I was scheduled for surgery to take place on December 12.”

Prior to her surgery, Ms. Gravely met with both a therapist and a nutritionist.

Now, six months after her bariatric surgery, Ms. Gravely is incredibly happy with her decision to choose bariatric surgery at Cone Health. She’s lost 60 pounds, going from a size 16 to a size 8. Her energy levels are also higher than ever, and she walks four miles a day.

She says in the beginning of her post-op journey she was losing around five pounds per week.

“The weight kind of melted off – literally! And one of the best parts is that I’m no longer pre-diabetic,” she said. “I no longer depend on any medications – not any at all. I don’t have high blood pressure anymore – I’m so much healthier.”

Ms. Gravely has appreciated the support of her surgeon, Dr. Kinsinger, and his team along the way, as well as the resources the broader Cone Health bariatric department makes available to patients.

“The Cone Health team gives you connections and support groups,” Ms. Gravely said. “I go to a support group now after the surgery, and it’s really helpful. It’s people who have been through or are going through the surgery, and so they’re people looking for a better quality of life and how to eat healthier. They have a gym you can use, too, and I think that’s a great asset.”

Tips for Managing Weight for a Healthier You

When is it time to consider bariatric surgery? How can I manage my weight with diet and exercise? Get tips for healthy weight management from Eric Wilson, MD.

Bariatric Surgery at Cone Health

Take control of your weight—and your well-being—with weight loss surgery at Cone Health. When you choose Cone Health for your surgery, you can be confident you’ll receive the highest-quality bariatric care. Learn more.