Eymie Quinones
 Eymie Quinones of Weston started gaining weight in nursing school because she wasn't eating the right foods and studying consumed much of her time. "I thought I could take it off after nursing school but that never happened," she says.
Twelve years later, at 265 pounds, she suffered from joint problems, acid reflux, high cholesterol and shortness of breath. Her blood pressure and blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and hours on her feet as a nurse left her exhausted. She had tried everything from fad diets and exercise to weight-loss pills, only to keep losing and regaining the same 25 pounds. Following the purchase of size 22 jeans, she decided to explore weight-loss surgery.
Eymie, 32, learned that the laparoscopic band surgery (LAP-BAND®) procedure involves inserting an inflatable band around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller pouch that fills more quickly. Once the ring is adjusted - by injecting or removing saline via a port under the skin - optimal weight loss can be achieved. Eymie underwent surgery in March 2005. Within days, she was shopping at the mall.
A New Way of Life
Maximum results from bariatric surgery require an ongoing commitment to eating right and exercising. Eymie, who worked with a dietitian before and after surgery, routinely visits the gym and avoids soda and fried foods. She realizes that if she loads up on empty calories, she won't have room for more nutritious choices. "Instead of a milk shake," she says, "I'll have a piece of fish and some vegetables."
Eymie, who lost 101 pounds and is down to size a 12, has inspired her brother and sister to eat healthier and exercise. Her goal is to lose 20 more pounds and buy new clothes and a swimsuit to wear on a Caribbean cruise she's planning. But the real payoff is the health benefits. Her blood pressure is normal, she doesn't have joint problems and the reflux is only an intermittent issue. Her blood sugar and cholesterol levels have returned to normal, and she has more energy than ever.
"I was at a theme park recently with my younger sister and a friend," Eymie says, "and I outran them. I was actually running! I looked back and they were sweating and yelling, ‘Don't run!' I thought, ‘Oh my. I'm running and I'm not out of breath or anything!'"
Michelle Rojo
 Michelle Rojo of Pembroke Pines began gaining weight after her high school years. She was able to successfully lose weight while following numerous diets, but always failed to maintain the loss. After reaching her heaviest weight of 345 pounds on her six foot tall frame and suffering from increasing back, ankle and knee pain, she began to research bariatric surgery. Michelle attended a seminar with the surgeons at Hollywood Bariatrics, where she learned in detail about the Lap Band procedure and immediately knew it would be a good decision for her medical situation. Going into surgery, she knew she had a lot of weight to lose - if she was going to do this right and be a long term success, she had to follow the rules to a “T”!
Michelle had Lap Band surgery in February 2008. Fourteen months later she has lost 129 pounds, and has gained enough energy to keep up with her active 6 year old. She has inspired countless others who have had Lap Band Surgery and has proven that you can be successful with this procedure regardless of the amount of weight that you have to lose.
“I eat like someone who has had RNY surgery. I avoid sugar and high fat foods, keep my carbohydrate intake to a minimum, and exercise daily. Bariatric surgery is only a tool, and I didn’t have major surgery to not do my part and be successful. I will do whatever it takes to be healthy for my family.”
“Dr. Cohen has given me the tools that have allowed me to make permanent lifestyle changes and create new healthier habits. The support offered by Dr. Cohen and his staff is amazing! This surgery saved my life! My only regret is in not having Lap Band surgery sooner.”
About Dr. Cohen
Dr. Brett Cohen, MD, FACS is a board certified general surgeon. He received his MD degree at the University of Miami where he also did his general surgery training.
After completing six years of training in general surgery he spent another full year studying under the guidance of one of the nation's leaders in laparoscopy and weight loss surgery. He did his advanced laparoscopic fellowship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Here he gained the expertise and the skills that are necessary to perform these complex procedures and how to take care of patients that have had weight loss surgery.
His dedication to weight loss surgery has come from the success inherent to these surgeries and the differences that they make in patient's lives. Dr. Cohen performs the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the Lap Band and the sleeve gastrectomy. He is also one of the first and only surgeons in South Florida to offer the Stomaphyx procedure for patients that have struggled with their weight loss or have gained some weight back after gastric bypass surgery.
Education and Training
• M.D., University of Miami School of Medicine
• Resident, Internal Medicine Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Fellow, Advanced Laparoscopy and Bariatric Surgery, University of Southern California
• Resident, General Surgery, University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital
• Resident, General Surgery, Emory University
Cerifications and Licensure
• Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
• Medical License, State of Florida
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