"I enjoy moving my body and moving forward.”

James Rios began his weight loss journey after chronic hospitalizations and an ankle injury.

“I was on oxygen with COVID pneumonia for a while, and as a respiratory therapist at Shannon, I knew I shouldn’t be huffing and puffing alongside my patients in the hospital,” said James. “My weight would impact my stress levels, which made my relationship with food worse, and the cycle would start over again. If I had continued that pattern, I could have experienced a heart attack in my 40s and missed the rest of my life with my family.”

With 200 pounds lost so far following his sleeve gastrectomy procedure, James gives all the credit to a much-needed mindset shift and the physicians and staff at the Shannon Weight Loss Center.

“The team at the Weight Loss Center were very upfront about the necessary changes – they welcomed me and assured me that I could improve my health for the better, even if it’s a long road,” James said. “I’m now the most confident I’ve ever been. My own health became my top priority, so I can do my job to help other people get better and recover. Things like riding a bike and swimming weren’t an option for me at my previous size, but now I’ve found I enjoy moving my body and moving forward.”