Jules and Jason Lofton both made the choice to undergo bariatric surgery at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to prolong their lives and get healthy again. “We tried a bunch of things,” Jason said. “You can name it, we tried something, and we just kept putting weight on. We just couldn’t find that recipe.” Jason had his surgery first, and Jules had hers six weeks later. They’ve been able to motivate each other and consider themselves a weight loss team. “Surgery is a very effective tool to help with weight loss, but more importantly, it’s part of a multi-disciplinary program,” said surgeon Dr. Kevin Clive, medical director for Franciscan Surgical Associates at St. Michael Medical Center. This program includes medical weight loss experts, dietitians, psychologists and physical therapists. Resources are available to patients long-term. “This saved my life,” Jules said. “Depression is a serious thing, and it also can affect your weight and affect everything else. Ever since this whole thing, it’s been a life changer. Now I’m actually smiling.” The Loftons chose Virginia Mason Franciscan Health because of its reputation and resources. “The whole system with the hospital has been phenomenal,” Jules said. “The nursing staff, to Dr. Clive, of course, and his crew, you feel like family.” Dr. Clive has guided many patients through weight loss transformations and says it’s often about improving their quality of life. “It’s the little things that people endure on a daily basis that I think, as a society, we oftentimes overlook for a disease that’s affecting almost half of the population, with significant stigma,” he said. He says watching patients attain their goals is a privilege. Learn more about bariatric surgery and weight management services on the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health website. ​Sponsored by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.