More Than Weight Loss: How a Bariatric Patient Reclaimed His Life

By Carla Palmer

When Carlos Flores watched his wife transform her health after bariatric surgery nearly a decade ago, he never thought he would one day make the same decision.

But as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Flores found himself gaining weight, eventually reaching 308 pounds.

“I couldn’t go outside and play with my son without getting out of breath,” he said. “Even sleeping at night became difficult.”

Although he had started exploring bariatric surgery, it wasn’t until he met Irving Miranda, MD, FACS, a bariatric and general surgeon with Jackson Medical Group, that he felt ready to move forward.

“I already wanted the surgery,” Flores said. “But after meeting Dr. Miranda, I felt even more confident. It felt like I was talking to a family member. I left excited instead of nervous.”

For Dr. Miranda, earning that trust is just as important as performing the operation.

“At that point, I’m not your surgeon,” he said. “I’m your coach.”

Rather than focusing on the procedure itself, Dr. Miranda said his job begins long before the operating room. He works alongside patients to build healthier habits, set realistic goals, and prepare them—physically and emotionally—for lasting success.

“We’re going into this fight together,” he said. “If you have questions, if you need advice, I’m here. I’m coaching you through every step.”

That philosophy resonated with Flores, who completed his evaluations and underwent bariatric surgery on December 1, 2025.

Today, he has lost more than 90 pounds and said the biggest transformation isn’t reflected by the number on the scale.

“Now we play outside,” he said of his 10-year-old son. “We play football, baseball, we go for runs, we ride our bicycles together. We’re just much more active now.”

Flores’ new routine has become second nature.

“I’m not hungry all the time,” he said. “I eat what I need, and that’s it.”

Following the doctor’s guidance, Flores now prioritizes lean protein and healthier food choices that help maintain his progress.

“If we’re eating a sandwich, I’ll just eat the meat and cheese and skip the bread,” he said.

Dr. Miranda said Flores’ story mirrors what he saw in many patients after the pandemic.

“Many people already struggled with anxiety before COVID,” he said. “The pandemic amplified those feelings. We saw patients coping with stress through snacking and emotional eating. Many gained a significant amount of weight.”

While some people considering bariatric surgery worry about the operation itself, Dr. Miranda believes they’re often focused on the wrong risk.

“The real risk is staying where you are,” he said. “High blood pressure. Diabetes. Sleep apnea. Not being able to play with your children. Those are the risks that change lives.”

Because bariatric surgery has become highly specialized, he added the procedure itself is safer than many people realize when performed by experienced teams.

“This is what we do every day,” Dr. Miranda said. “Patients should feel confident knowing they’re in experienced hands.”

Flores’ wife, Jessie Talavera, said she saw firsthand the difference that personalized care made throughout her husband’s journey.

“The level of attention was incredible,” she said. “Dr. Miranda would even text Carlos personally to see how he was doing. We always felt like he genuinely cared.”

For Dr. Miranda, those relationships don’t end after surgery.

“You start as their coach,” he said. “Then you become their surgeon. Eventually, you become their friend.”

Those friendships are often built around milestones many people take for granted.

“When someone tells me, ‘I can tie my shoes again,’ or shows me a picture riding a roller coaster with their kids for the first time, that’s why I do this,” he said.

“Those moments remind me that bariatric surgery isn’t just about losing weight. It’s about getting your life back.”

In retrospect, Flores said choosing surgery was one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

“I recommend it 100 percent,” he said. “You’re not going to regret it. Before, I thought I was fine, but now I feel amazing. It changed my life.”