Meet Christopher & Nicole Russell — the inspiring newlyweds transforming their lives with weight loss surgery.
Christopher and Nicole Russell are on a transformative journey together, undergoing bariatric surgery at Northside Hospital. The decision was driven by a desire for better health and a brighter future.
"I was the first one to say, I want to do this," Nicole shared. "I was just tired. I noticed my body changing, my eating habits changing, and I wanted a completely different outlook."
Christopher, a COVID-19 survivor, spent three months in the hospital. His experience was exacerbated by pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. "Half of the things I have with the weight are going to be gone once I lose the weight. I get a second chance," he said.
Nicole, who had bariatric surgery in 2018, is now undergoing revision surgery with a new mindset. "My mindset is different this time around. I'm no longer doing it from a perspective of vanity. I'm doing it from a perspective of health."
Their journey is not just about health but also about fulfilling dreams. "One of my biggest goals is to be able to get on a helicopter ride," Nicole revealed. "Chris booked me a helicopter ride one Christmas, but we couldn’t do it because we were overweight. The max capacity with the pilot was 600 pounds. We stand here today between the both of us 626 pounds."
Their choice of Northside Hospital was driven by the commitment shown by the staff.
"Dr. Procter took me through the steps, explained everything in detail, and I was able to grasp the concept of living a healthy life," Christopher said.
For those on the fence about weight loss surgery, Nicole offers powerful advice: "The best advice given to me in the beginning of my journey was by a cardiologist from Northside Hospital. He told me, 'You never see any obese people in the nursing home because the lifespan is shorter.' That stuck with me."
The Russells also look forward to starting a family and living actively for their future children. "It helps to have someone by my side who understands what I'm going through and that extra encouragement," Nicole said.
Christopher and Nicole Russell are not just newlyweds; they are partners in health, supporting each other as they embark on this life-changing journey together.
Learn more about bariatric surgery and weight management at Northside.
