Charlie Groom, a man who spent 50 years of his life experiencing health issues related to obesity, says that bariatric surgery saved his life. It all started during a Boy Scouts summer camp when Charlie was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 14. After this, Charlie continued to deal with several other…

Keith Hurst constantly takes pictures of himself so he can actually see the results of his weight loss. “I take pictures because when I look in the mirror, I still see a big man, but when I see pictures of myself and compare them to the pictures before surgery, then it becomes real. I actually…

When Deborah Dobyns was first referred to Dr. Varnell at the Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center, she was nervous. After having a hysterectomy, her OB/GYN encouraged her to consider weight loss surgery because, at her pre-surgery weight, she was at high-risk while on estrogen medications. Deborah researched Dr. Varnell and Bailey Bariatrics and was…

For Lisa Dugan, the choice to have weight loss surgery was the only option if she was going to be there for her family. “I decided to go do the surgery because I wanted to stay alive and be healthy for my children and grandchildren, so this was a personal choice.” Lisa made the decision…

Nicolle Ochoa struggled being overweight for 25 years. After having three children and trying multiple unsuccessful diets, Nicolle wanted a change. “I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, borderline diabetic, and had to have both knees replaced after tripping over gym equipment while I was working out,” Nicolle says. “I gained back all of the weight…