Chris S., 40, works as a limo driver in Stamford, Connecticut. During the pandemic, his work slowed down – people weren’t going anywhere, and business travel came to a hard stop. The lack of work and routine had detrimental effects on his overall health.
“I was mentally stressed and would turn to sweets. I was eating a lot and not working out,” Chris recalled about this time of his life. He weighed 347 pounds and said he was “lazy,” and mostly sedentary. His cholesterol was high, his bloodwork was “off,” and his snoring was waking him up in the middle of the night. He was also sweating a lot.
Comments from his family made Chris realize his weight and general health were a bigger issue than he had realized.
“My wife told me that it sounded like I couldn’t breathe,” he said. “And my son said, ‘Dad, I’ve never seen you this big.’”
The comment from his son was a wake-up call. Soon after, Chris scheduled a meeting with Dr. James Bonheur, Stamford Health’s division director of bariatric surgery.
“I was mentally stressed and would turn to sweets. I was eating a lot and not working out,” Chris recalled about this time of his life. He weighed 347 pounds and said he was “lazy,” and mostly sedentary. His cholesterol was high, his bloodwork was “off,” and his snoring was waking him up in the middle of the night. He was also sweating a lot.
Comments from his family made Chris realize his weight and general health were a bigger issue than he had realized.
“My wife told me that it sounded like I couldn’t breathe,” he said. “And my son said, ‘Dad, I’ve never seen you this big.’”
The comment from his son was a wake-up call. Soon after, Chris scheduled a meeting with Dr. James Bonheur, Stamford Health’s division director of bariatric surgery.
“Dr. Bonheur was great – his demeanor put me at ease, and I felt that bariatric surgery was the right direction for me,” Chris said. “He stressed that you can’t use the procedure as a crutch – and that I had to be committed to truly making lifestyle changes.”
Chris said he “trusted the process,” and followed all the necessary steps to make the surgery a success. He lost 17 pounds prior to the surgery (two weeks before surgery patients are encouraged to go on a liquid diet). He worked with a nutritionist and Dr. Bonheur to develop a personalized plan to support his overall health goals.
“Chris’s journey is a testament to the power of commitment and transformation,” said Dr. Bonheur. “When I first met him, he was ready to take control of his health, but he understood that bariatric surgery is just a tool — it’s the lifestyle changes that truly make the difference.”
Chris underwent gastric sleeve surgery, where a portion of the stomach is removed, and the remaining stomach is formed into a narrow tube called a sleeve. After the surgery, your stomach will feel fuller after eating significantly less food – leading to weight loss.
“My experience at Stamford Hospital was great – the nurses were great, the facility was great – I would recommend it to anyone,” Chris said. He stayed at the hospital for two to three days before returning home.
Thanks to the nutritionist, Chris learned how to eat healthier and started exercising more (after he recovered from surgery). He noticed he had more energy and started to feel better. In 16 months, he lost 196 pounds.
“I went to see my primary care provider, Dr. Bal, and my bloodwork was great – nothing was ‘off,’ like before – and I stopped sweating as much.”
Thanks to the nutritionist, Chris learned how to eat healthier and started exercising more (after he recovered from surgery). He noticed he had more energy and started to feel better. In 16 months, he lost 196 pounds.
“I went to see my primary care provider, Dr. Bal, and my bloodwork was great – nothing was ‘off,’ like before – and I stopped sweating as much.”
Today, Chris runs 7 miles a day and weighs 151 pounds. He recently turned 40 and is in the best shape of his life. He’s able to more fully enjoy his time with his wife and kids.
“Seeing Chris go from struggling with his weight and health concerns to running 7 miles a day and feeling his best is exactly why we do what we do,” said Dr. Bonheur. “His story is an inspiring and powerful reminder that with the right mindset and support, real change is possible.”
“You have to motivate yourself, but if you’re committed – anybody can do it,” Chris said.