‘I realized surgery would be the best option for me to achieve my goals’
Ashley Drain is an access services registration specialist with Salem Health. In 2025, she decided to go to the Bariatric Surgery Center to undergo sleeve gastrectomy surgery.
“I had spent many years on exercising and all different kinds of diets, and nothing helped shed the weight,” Drain said.
Originally, Drain planned on bariatric surgery in 2023.
“It took me a couple years,” she said. “It was my second time with the program. The first time I chickened out, and then, eight months, later I realized surgery would be the best option for me to achieve my goals.”
Progress after surgery
Drain has lost 103 pounds since her surgery in May.
“It’s a lot easier to move around,” she said. “I used to not be able to run and now I can run without getting out of breath and I enjoy it.”
Drain is a mom to three, and she said before surgery, it was a challenge to play with her kids.
“I want to be a good role model for my kids so they can eat properly, grow up healthy and be active,” she said. “I didn’t want them to see me not being able to achieve those goals.”
Drain said these days, her kids come to the gym with her and help prepare family meals.
Ongoing encouragement
Drain continues to work with her care team to keep track of her progress.
“The dietitians are wonderful,” she said. “It’s nice to get to know people on a personal level instead of just, ‘You’re the provider, and I’m the patient.’”
Drain said her bariatric surgeon Catherine Boulay, MD, continues to provide encouragement as well.
“Dr. Boulay gives great advice on how you can achieve your goals, and the people in the department are able to help with that,” she said.
Drain is enthusiastic about her progress and encourages others to consider it.
“Do it for yourself — make sure you are ready to make that commitment,” she said.