Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/449120
Before surgery, at 435 pounds, Mr. Brimhall's weight had taken over his life. He went to work and came home, never wanting to go out, meet people or do new things. His weight was making him a shut-in, when a visit with his mother gave him the push he needed to make a change. "My mom told me, 'I don't want to have to attend your funeral. Let's do what it takes to get you healthy,'" Mr. Brimhall remembered. "Once I met Dr. Mason and his staff, my decision was made." Since his surgery in August 2012, Mr. Brimhall has lost 230 pounds— thanks to his new, smaller stomach and the ongoing support of Dr. Mason and the St. Joseph Surgical Weight Loss Program team. "Having surgery empowered me to completely change my lifestyle," Mr. Brimhall said. "It does take discipline and willpower, but the surgery helped me regain control of my life. I have energy that lasts. I can run without getting winded, sleep much better and don't have to special order clothes anymore." Sean! John Mason Jr., M.D. * 2 S T- J O S E P H .O R G " When I talk to people who are considering bariatric surgery, I tell them to go for it. It's the best thing I've ever done." —Sean Brimhall SEAN BRIMHALL TELLS PEOPLE HE HAS TWO BIRTHDAYS—THE DAY HE WAS BORN AND THE DAY ST. JOSEPH SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM MEDICAL DIRECTOR JOHN MASON JR., M.D., PERFORMED HIS VERTICAL SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY. To learn more about the St. Joseph Surgical Weight Loss Program, call 979-821-7556 to register for a free information seminar or visit www.st-joseph.org/weightloss. Weight-Loss Surgery Candidates must be 18 or older and have either a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or a BMI of at least 35 along with other serious health issues—such as diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease, hypertension or degenerative joint disease. Our weight-loss coordinators work with candidates to make sure bariatric surgery is the right option, from getting insurance approval to providing preoperative screenings and education. OUR BARIATRIC SURGEONS John Mason Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. Medical Director St. Joseph Brazos Surgical Group Richard Alford, M.D., F.A.C.S. St. Joseph General and Bariatric Surgical Associates Bryan Parrent, M.D., F.A.C.S. St. Joseph Brazos Surgical Group Michael Steines, M.D., F.A.C.S. St. Josepth General and Bariatric Surgical Associates