Jose Jimenez

Spanish Video

Before his bariatric weight-loss surgery at Broward Health Imperial Point, Jose Jimenez had a host of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
But these days, Jose has a totally new outlook after losing about 150 pounds. "My life is completely different now," he said.

The 46-year-old had bariatric surgery in May 2020. The procedure is recommended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater.

"I have less joint pain, and my heart disease and cholesterol have gone away," Jose said.

The bariatric program at Broward Health Imperial Point supports patients every step of their health journey. "We provide patients with the means to be successful, including nutrition counseling and mental health support," said Valerie Matthews, MSN, RN, CBN, coordinator of the hospital’s bariatric program.

Chi Zhang, M.D., FACS, performed a minimally invasive robotic-assisted bariatric procedure. These type operations can often lead to shorter hospital stays, less blood loss and fewer complications.

"Mr. Jimenez was the ideal candidate because he had a BMI of 50 and was motivated to improve his health," Dr. Zhang said. "Mr. Jimenez was very dedicated to being healthier and nearly 10 months after surgery his BMI is 30.

Having his health restored has made life for Jose more enjoyable. "I can now spend hours playing with my only grandchild," he said. Prior to his bariatric procedure, Jose said he could only play with his 4-year-old granddaughter for a few minutes at a time. "Now, I can spend the whole day with her walking, swimming and riding our ATV."

Jose is also grateful for the attentive care he receives at Broward Health Imperial Point.

"Everyone is so wonderful, so nice," he said. "Dr. Zhang calls me often and asks, ‘how do I feel’. He takes the time to care for me. I recommend to everyone -- all my friends and relatives who are overweight -- to see Dr. Zhang."

Bariatric surgery