Before and After Bariatric Surgery Series

This page is dedicated to patient success stories at the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center. Patients are invited to write a short article about their weight loss journeys and share before and after photos. The photos are first shared with other bariatric surgery patients in a special monthly newsletter as a way of showing inspiration and support. Some of the stories are then published right here on the Denver Health website for everyone to share. We hope these stories will inspire you on your health journey as well.

Nastassia Nash

My name is Nastassia Nash. I am 43 years old and I am three years bariatric surgery post-op. I choose to do the roux en y gastric bypass surgery and hiatal hernia repair, for my health. Before surgery, I didn't know I had a hiatal hernia, I was gaining weight and my health wasn't good. I had tried to drop the weight, but seemed to keep gaining weight instead. I was 298 pounds and had to lose 10 pounds prior to surgery. 

I thank God for putting the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center team in my life. Everyone is so nice and they don't make you feel ashamed for having to choose the option of having bariatric surgery. This was the best decision of my life because I no longer have to take blood pressure or reflux medications or use a sleep apnea machine. It was hard the first year but I made it through and learned what worked for me. 

I have lost more than 139 pounds. I now weigh 159 pounds and I feel great. Even after three years, I still use the tools provided to me while preparing for surgery and attend the bariatric support group meetings sometimes as a reminder to stay on track with my health. 

I have learned great new habits. I am more active now and really enjoy the outdoors. I love to walk more and ride my bike. I have a new found energy and it's great. My "go to" snack when craving something sweet is plain Greek yogurt with fruit. My advice to anyone wanting to get this surgery, is to go for it, and to the ones that have already started in the program, listen to your dietitian and read labels. Also, keep a food journal with recipes.

Shannon McGill

Hi, my name is Shannon McGill. I will be 45 years old in September 2024 and I am over a year post-op roux en y gastric bypass surgery. I like to call the day of my surgery the first day of the rest of my life. Since surgery, I have lost 127 pounds and since starting in the program, I have lost a total of 143 pounds and counting. I am no longer taking three of the four blood pressure medications I took before surgery. I went from having very severe sleep apnea to very mild sleep apnea. I can fly on an airplane without a seat belt extender for the first time in 20 years. My energy and mood have improved significantly, and I actually enjoy working out now. I highly recommend going to the pool before and after surgery, because it's a lot easier to exercise when you don't have pains and old injuries.

‌Here are some healthy snack options that have helped keep me on track with my diet: fruits and veggies, chocolate and pumpkin spice hummus, chicken packets with wheat crackers, sugar-free whipped cream mixed with plain Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.

I want to thank Tara Gray, my dietitian because she's been very supportive throughout the whole process, and I couldn't have done it without her! I also want to thank my fellow Denver Health bariatric surgery patient, Carla Becerril, pictured in my "after" photo wearing burgundy - she is three years post op. Carla's experience and knowledge assured me I too, could accomplish my goals.

Marisol Escobedo

Hello, my name is Marisol Escobedo, I am 41 years old. It has been one year and three months since I got roux en y gastric bypass surgery. I chose to have the surgery because I weighed 340 pounds. I now weigh 200 pounds, thanks to God. My goal is to lose another 40 pounds. I now feel great and have a lot of energy. I am very grateful to the entire bariatric team at Denver Health, especially Tara Gray, my nutritionist. Without her help, I would not have gotten to where I am. Tara helped me lose 30 pounds in the six months before I had the surgery, starting me on the road to healthier habits. My family has also supported me. For all the people who are thinking about having surgery, whether it be the bypass or the sleeve gastrectomy: my advice is don't think about it, just do it – it's something that helps us improve our lives and live many more years. Thank you very much Denver Health for this program that has helped many people, including myself.