
09/24/2025
"I just listen to my body. When I'm full, I stop eating," said Brenda Tackett, about life the past six years after her sleeve gastrectomy surgery at UK King's Daughters in Ashland. A lifelong resident of West Portsmouth, Ohio, Tackett said when she first contacted the Center for Healthy Living at King's Daughters, her weight was in excess of 300 pounds. Her first step in getting ready for life-altering surgery was to immerse herself in pre-surgery education from a team that included nurses, a dietitian, and a social worker.
When she was considering weight loss surgery, Tackett said she wasn't sure she would be a good candidate. "In 2014, I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, and had a kidney removed." She said she was thankful when the Center for Healthy Living team informed her she was eligible for the procedure.
Tackett said when it came time for her surgery in June 2019, she was well-prepared. "Everything I learned before my surgery I used after it." Post-surgery she also returned to a favorite low-key but very effective form of exercise: regular walking. Tackett said she recently completed a bucket list hike: the challenging 2.5 mile hiking trail at Raven Rock State Nature Preserve in West Portsmouth, Ohio.
Today, Tackett said she's thrilled to be maintaining her weight at 125 pounds, her diabetes is under control, and her one kidney is functioning extremely well. "I eat my protein first," she said. "And I remember the training we had—if we think we're hungry we may be thirsty. Every meal, every snack is a choice. I make sure to eat foods low in sugar. Everything in moderation is the key."
To contact the Center for Healthy Living, call (606) 408-1542.