Bariatric Weight-Loss Surgery

57-year-old Gastric Sleeve Patient Drops 100 Pounds After Surgery

Dr. Jason F. Moy
Dr. Brian T. Chin
Daniel Roman
October 19, 2023
57-year-old Gastric Sleeve Patient Drops 100 Pounds After Surgery

The year was 2014, in December, and Denise Brown was getting ready to commence her weight-loss journey that would lead to gastric sleeve surgery. But something worried her - she was 56 years old and uncertain if her body could take the procedure. So, she consulted her surgeon, Dr. Brian T. Chin, a doctor at the BASS Bariatric Surgery Center in Walnut Creek who specializes in bariatric surgery.

“I asked him (Dr. Chin) if I was too old for the surgery,” says Denise. “He said, ‘No one is too old to get healthy.’”

Dr. Chin was right.

At the time, Denise weighed her heaviest - 310 pounds. She was also pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure. Her back, knees, and ankles hurt most of the time, and she was always short of breath. However, those were just her physical conditions; due to her weight, she was also self-conscious and very unhappy.

Because of the support she received from Dr. Chin and the staff at BASS Bariatric Surgery Center, Denise became more focused and determined to lose weight. After ten grueling months of medical appointments, weigh-ins, and tests, her surgery date finally came. Denise received the gastric sleeve in October of 2015.

Gastric sleeve surgery consists of removing 75-80% of the stomach and joining the remaining parts together to make a new tube-shaped stomach. The procedure restricts the amount of food you can consume and reduces the production of ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite.

“It was the best decision I have ever made for myself,” says Denise.

The surgery itself was a “piece of cake.” Within two days, Denise was able to exercise on a treadmill. Soon after that she began seeing changes in her body.

“I was amazed at the transformation I was having,” says Denise. “Both in my weight loss and with my attitude towards food.”

As she continued to lose weight, Denise simultaneously regained her health - as well as her self-esteem.

Today, almost six years later and more than 100 pounds lighter, Denise is more confident and healthier than she has ever been in her life. She is no longer taking blood pressure medication and is no longer pre-diabetic. Because her body is not carrying as much weight as before, her knees, back, and ankles don’t hurt anymore. She also can walk and move around without losing her breath.

“There are so many accomplishments that have come from losing weight,” says Denise. “Including: shopping in the regular size section, fitting in any chair, crossing my legs, not having to ask for an extension on the airplane, etc. The list goes on.”

Since the surgery, Denise’s lifestyle has also changed for the better. She now maintains a strict weekly exercise regimen: she swims a mile five days a week and walks three to four miles every day. She has never been happier.

“The only regret I have is not having this surgery sooner,” she says.

Denise thanks Dr. Chin and all of the staff at BASS Bariatric Surgery Center for her life-saving surgery.

The Best Bariatric Care

BASS Bariatric Surgery Center offers some of the best bariatric care in northern California. Dr. Brian Chin and Dr. Jason Moy have years of experience in bariatric surgery and continue to change lives on a daily basis. Finding out you do not have bariatric benefits offered by insurance should not stop you from receiving this life-changing procedure. Visit our site to learn more about bariatric surgery and call (925) 281-3711 to book a consultation today!

About The Author

Daniel Roman, Content Writer

Daniel Roman is a Digital Content Writer at BASS Medical Group. He received his Masters in Journalism from UC Berkeley in 2021. Daniel has published multiple newspaper articles covering public health issues. His latest was a magazine cover story on pandemics and diseases that he co-wrote with Dr. Elena Conis, a historian of medicine, public health, and the environment.

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