Jacquelyn Cuevas knew her diet needed to improve, and she needed to lose weight. But, like so many others, she had a big disconnect between knowing it and doing something about it. Until she considered bariatric surgery with Dr. Toghrul Talishinskiy at St. Joseph’s Health.
She had started gaining weight after having three children, and admits that taking care of herself was not a priority, leading to her diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Jacquelyn found it difficult to get her sugar under control. Around the time she was 50, her father died, she went through a divorce, and the COVID pandemic hit. She was afraid if she didn’t focus on her health, she was going to become seriously ill.
“I decided to go for a physical and there were red flags everywhere,” Jacquelyn said.
She started diabetes education and tried to cut back on many of the foods she had loved all her life. She went on medications for high blood pressure and even tried a prescribed weight-loss medication. Nothing worked.
“I wasn’t compliant. Coca-Cola was like water to me and Dunkin Donuts, I just love them,” she said. “You know, I used to think that one donut isn’t going to hurt me. Finally, I had to face reality. I wanted to live for my three children and grandkids.”
She called Dr. Toghrul Talishinskiy, Director of Robotic Surgery and Chief of Bariatric Surgery at St. Joseph’s Health to discuss her options for bariatric surgery, a procedure designed to help patients lose weight by altering the digestive system. With several options, the procedure typically involves reducing the size of the stomach, which limits food intake and reduces appetite.
Jacquelyn underwent robotic-assisted gastric sleeve surgery, a minimally-invasive surgical option that removes a portion of the stomach to make it smaller, resulting in patients eating less food and feeling fuller longer.
“Dr. Talishinskiy explained everything to me so I knew what to expect,” Jacquelyn said. “He was very honest and said if it was up to him, he would have performed the procedure on me years ago. It made me feel like I was making the right decision.”
The surgery went well and both Dr. Talishinskiy and the hospital staff assisted with her recovery, Jacquelyn said. They answered all her questions and were very supportive.
Jacquelyn started shedding pounds immediately. Being on a liquid diet before and after her surgery was challenging, she said, more so because it was around the holidays. Food was plentiful, but she was determined to get healthy.
“I couldn’t lose weight on my own – I needed this,” Jacquelyn said.
In the three years since her surgery, Jacquelyn has reduced her blood pressure medications, and her A1C plummeted from 13 to 5.9. Her weight dropped from 296 pounds to 182.
“Jacquelyn had several health issues that were caused by her weight, and she wasn’t able to lose it on her own. Her body was working against her,” Dr. Talishinskiy said. “She committed to having the surgery and has done extremely well changing her diet.”
To her delight, Jacquelyn is now able to shop for clothing in any store, no longer needing plus sizes. She went from size 26 to 12. She also doesn’t need an extension on an airplane seat, and she can comfortably fit into a diner booth.
“My life is so much better – I can walk and play with my grandkids without getting out of breath,” she said. “This was the best thing I could have done for myself.”
If you’re struggling with your weight and related health issues, you’re not alone. There is help. Dr. Toghrul Talishinskiy, Director of Robotic Surgery and Chief of Bariatric Surgery at St. Joseph’s Health, offers expert, personalized care to help you reclaim your health and quality of life. To learn if bariatric surgery is right for you, schedule a consultation today. Want to know more? We also have a list of Frequently Asked Questions on our Weight Management page that provide more information about bariatric surgery.
