Teen Loves Herself After Bariatric Surgery

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the growing issue of childhood obesity, the health concerns it causes and how it can be prevented. In January of 2024, Denver Health's Bariatric Surgery Center performed the first bariatric surgery on an adolescent-age patient. The now 19-year-old is doing well and reflecting on how she made the big decision to start her weight loss journey when she was just 17. Denver Health asked Jade Loya to write a few words to tell us how she is doing now and give us some advice for other teens who are thinking about having bariatric surgery themselves.

See her "before and after" photo and read her heartfelt and honest patient story below:

"My name is Jade, and I am 19 years old. I know, pretty young [for such a big surgery], it's crazy. I am now eight months post op gastric sleeve.

"I grew up as an obese child, because food was the only thing that made me feel good. Growing up was hard for me because I got picked on, bullied, called names and I almost had no friends because of the way I looked. My parents have always been by my side; they tried their best to make me feel good about myself but I cared so much about what others had to say, it gave me depression, and I wasn't really motivated to lose weight – I just wanted to eat food.

"When I was 17 years old, I weighed around 260 pounds. My parents found the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center around March 2023. I watched the video and answered the questions to start the program at Denver Health and once I got in, I met the coolest professionals, and I immediately made new friends! They helped me understand the process of bariatric surgery, and I've learned so many things.

"It was really hard, because my diet was strictly changed, and I eat so much differently now. But I was so motivated because they gave me the support I needed. Without Denver Health, I don't know where I would be today. Now, I have so much confidence, I have built up perseverance, patience and most importantly, I began to love myself.

"For those who are young like me, don't be afraid of making this decision. It might be a little scary at first, but it's worth every second."

For more information on healthy eating, diets and weight loss for teens, please read our blog.

Bariatric surgery (or weight-loss surgery) for adolescents beginning at age 16 and for adults as old as 65 can be an effective treatment for many weight-related health issues even when medical and behavioral weight loss programs have failed. We focus on supporting our patients and their families/support team through the process of bariatric surgery and beyond to promote entering adulthood as healthy as possible. To get started on your weight loss journey at Denver Health and determine if surgery is right for you, please watch the informational video and answer the questions below it.