Tyler Schmidt transformed his body through weight-loss surgery, but perhaps more importantly, the Bartlesville resident gained a renewed spirit for life.
“I used to eat every two or three hours, eat until I was miserable. I didn’t do anything with my daughter. I was always tired and grumpy and angry and disappointed,” Schmidt said in describing his demeanor prior to entering The Center for Bailey Bariatrics program at Bailey Medical Center.
Now Schmidt is, by his own admission, a completely different person.
“I’ve got so much energy now,” he said. “I’m motivated and goal-driven to become the best possible man.”
Schmidt had been there, done that when it came to weight-loss plans in the past. The problem had always been keeping the pounds off. To make matters worse, Schmidt was laid off from his job at the onset of the pandemic in April 2020.
“It was a bad situation. It put me in a bad place,” he said.
However, Schmidt’s fortunes began to change when he eventually found another job. Among the company’s benefits package was significant financial assistance for those who qualified for weight-loss surgery. In the spring of 2021, he decided to check out the Bailey Bariatrics program for the first time, and Schmidt was hooked.
Six months later, he had bariatric surgery and soon after began noticing positive changes to his body. Clothes fit looser and Schmidt was soon free from his BiPAP machine, which he had previously worn on a nightly basis.
As Schmidt’s successes increased, so has his energy level and motivation.
He competed in his first 5K race in April 2022, the first time he and his wife ever ran in a race together.
“It was rewarding, but it also showed me I was competitive,” said Schmidt, who has since run competitively in Arkansas and Alabama. He is scheduled to run in Missouri and Texas later in 2022 and has a goal of running in all 50 states.
“One I get going, I feel unstoppable,” he said. “I don’t want to quit.”
Schmidt praised the Bailey Bariatrics team for their role in his weight-loss journey.
“The people at Bailey, they were excellent. Everybody from start to finish has been excellent,” he said. “Their words of motivation and encouragement meant so much to me.”
Schmidt said he encourages others who are struggling on their weight-loss journey to reach out to the Bailey Bariatrics team as well. He even aspires to someday mentor others who are where he once was.
“My No. 1 thing I tell people is to trust the process,” Schmidt said. “I know it can be overwhelming. I know it can seem like there is no end in sight. But when you listen to the doctors and dietitians, it will transform your life.”
Schmidt added, “It literally saved my life in so many ways. I get to live now. Now that I’ve lost the weight, I can see myself get better mentally and physically.”
To learn more about Bailey Bariatrics’ free seminars, click here, or call 918-376-8410 to speak with a staff member about the metabolic management program or weight-loss surgery.