In the summer of 2023, 25-year-old Sayuri Flores Avilez got some troubling news from her doctor, Holy Name primary care physician Dr. Jorge Verea: She was pre-diabetic. The diagnosis wasn’t a surprise, though, since type 2 diabetes runs in her family. Sayuri was 245 pounds and had tried many times to lose weight but struggled to keep it off. Her BMI was high for her age and height.
The following spring, Dr. Verea told Sayuri that she would be a great candidate for bariatric surgery, which would help her lose weight and lower her risk of developing diabetes. He strongly recommended that she meet with surgeon Dr. Omar Bellorin-Marin, the Medical Director of the Advanced GI, Bariatric and Metabolic Program at Holy Name.
Dr. Bellorin-Marin explained the differences between gastric bypass and sleeve procedures, and recommended the sleeve for Sayuri. Having never undergone surgery, she was understandably a bit apprehensive, but Dr. Bellorin-Marin put her at ease. Whenever she had questions, the doctor and his staff were happy to give her thorough answers and explanations. She brought a family member who primarily speaks Spanish to all of her appointments, and it was helpful that they could have the procedure explained to them in another language.
“I loved the fact that the doctor and his staff spoke Spanish,” Sayuri said.
On April 23, 2024, Sayuri had gastric sleeve surgery. She said her recovery was much easier than she imagined: She didn’t experience any pain and was able to be up and walking the same day after her procedure. Six months later she was down to 180 pounds and feeling much more energized.
“Before surgery I would walk maybe two or three blocks and be out of breath,” Sayuri said. “Now I feel like I could run a whole marathon.”
After surgery, Sayuri made major lifestyle changes, too. She now wakes up at 4:30 AM so she can get to the gym by 5 for an hour of strength and cardio exercises. Then she walks 20 minutes to work instead of driving, and also goes for walks in the afternoon. Figuring out how to fuel her body with the nutritious foods she needs has been a learning process for Sayuri, but one that she feels positively about.
Sayuri says that having bariatric surgery changed her life, and she was so happy to have it at Holy Name.
“I loved the doctor and I loved the team,” Sayuri said. “My experience was amazing and I’ve already recommended Dr. Bellorin to three people.”
