Dina Miller, Before and After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

For 50-year-old Irvine resident Dina Miller, a family trip to the Grand Canyon was a major wakeup call. At 5’3” and 263 pounds, she struggled to climb the stairs to the rim. Finding it difficult to keep up with her children, she realized that she needed to make a change.

After meeting Michael Russo, M.D., bariatric surgeon with MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, Dina decided to move forward with gastric sleeve surgery, which permanently removes 80 percent of the stomach. In turn, the psychological and physical responses to food and hunger are reduced.

Mir Ali, M.D., bariatric surgeon and medical director of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center, teamed up with Dr. Russo to perform Dina’s successful gastric sleeve procedure on May 15, 2017.

Dina’s original goal was to lose 80 percent of her excess weight in the first year after surgery, but she met that milestone at only six months post-operation.

I was highly motivated and, thanks to the team at the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center, very well prepared

Dina Miller

As patients lose weight, obesity-related health conditions are often resolved – including high blood pressure, sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. According to Dr. Russo, there is so much more to gain when it comes to losing weight.

“I see our patients’ quality of life improve after weight loss,” Dr. Russo said. “They pursue more education, advance in their jobs and start doing the things they’ve always wanted to do.”

Digital_BadgeMBSAQIPThe MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center

The MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center is accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) for medical expertise and a history of successful outcomes.

“Weight loss surgery is a valuable tool, but for long-term success, patients need a comprehensive program,” said Dr. Ali. “We address the patient’s physical, psychological and nutritional needs through in-depth classes, counseling and group support, as well as annual visits following the procedure.”

For more information about surgical weight loss services at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, please click here, or call 877-HEALTHY (432-5849) for a consultation.