The Sky's the Limit for the Loftons

In 2023, Jason and Jules Lofton attended a barbeque with friends. After the celebration, Jason’s phone pinged. It was a notification from Facebook. A photo of him had been uploaded to the social media platform. When he looked at the photo of himself with friends, his smile suddenly faded away. Jason turned to Jules, handed her the phone and asked, “is this what I look like?”

That’s the moment a light bulb went off in Jason’s head. 

“I knew right then I needed to make a change,” he said. “I didn’t realize until that moment how big I was. I think I had just been lying to myself.”

At his heaviest, Jason weighed 330 lbs.

Together, Jason and Jules decided to embark on a weight loss journey.

Jules also needed to lose weight in order to undergo surgery to fix a hernia, and they wanted to be healthier. They tried a few diets, changed many of their habits, and met with a couple providers, but nothing clicked. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is a common chronic disease, affecting more than 2 in 5 U.S. adults.

After struggling with the traditional weight loss efforts, they decided to take the leap of faith and consider weight loss surgery. They looked online and found Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Center for Weight Management in Silverdale, near where the Loftons live.

“We talked about it, and we decided we wanted to go down that path together,” said Jason.

That decision changed their lives.

They met with the bariatric surgery and medical weight loss team and together came up with a plan. Bariatric surgery is the gold standard for long term and effective weight loss, and the surgery is incredibly safe.

When Jason and Jules met Kevin Clive, MD, a board-certified surgeon specializing in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted bariatric procedures, they immediately connected with him. He took the time to get to know them as people and outlined their treatment plan.

“When I ask my patients, ‘what is it you want from bariatric surgery?’ said Dr. Clive. “Their answer is never about body composition or specific weight loss goals. It’s always about longevity and quality of life. They want to be around for their grandkids. They want to be able to tie their own shoes. They want to travel and not feel guilty about spilling over into another seat.”

Jason and Jules wanted those things. They were committed to sticking to the routine, and they supported each other along the way. 

“The team set us up for success from day one,” Jason said. “The surgeons made us feel cared for, and we felt like we were in good hands. We both lost our parents young. They died in their sixties. We didn’t want that for our future. We want to be here for our kids. We want to travel. We want to be healthy. We want to live.”

Keriann Dunning, program coordinator for the Bariatric Program at St. Michael, says what makes the program unique is the continuity of care patients receive and the multidisciplinary approach to weight management. From dietitians to behavioral health experts, physical therapists to obesity medicine providers, each patient’s care is tailored to meet their needs. Often, patients are also referred to cardiologists, endocrinologists, and sleep medicine experts. The supportive care the team provides goes beyond weight loss–it’s a holistic approach to health.

“Surgery is not a cure,” said Dunning. “It’s a tool. Many people don’t think of obesity as a disease, but it is. We don’t just perform a surgery and send patients on their way. Surgery is just the beginning. We are here for them every step of the way–before, after, and into the future. We have built a community for our patients. We listen, see them for who they are, and advocate for them.”

Dr. Clive says caring for patients like Jason and Jules is incredibly rewarding.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey,” said Dr. Clive. “You get to see the impact you are making firsthand. The outcomes are incredible. It’s really inspiring. We continually seek excellence in our program, and we will continue to improve, always holding ourselves to that standard of excellence.”

Today, Jason and Jules have collectively lost more than 300 lbs.

To celebrate, Jason recently went skydiving. It’s been something he’s wanted to do for a while, but couldn’t because he was too heavy. The maximum weight to jump is 220 lbs, so as soon as he lost enough weight, he made the leap.

“My smile was so wide,” said Jason. “I can’t wait to go again.”

Jules is planning to go zip lining this fall, and hopes to join Jason on his skydiving adventure in the summer. 

“We told Dr. Clive he’s coming with us,” they joked. 

Jules said the program at VMFH was not only life-changing, it was lifesaving. 

“I see myself again when I look at photos,” said Jules. “For a while, I felt really lost. I’ve found me again. We have come such a long way, and we are so happy.”

“They did the hard work,” said Dr. Clive. “I’m really proud of them.”

The Center for Weight Management at VMFH offers convenient locations throughout the Puget Sound. The supportive team of bariatric doctors, nurses, dietitians and more, offer individualized care. As a national leader in robotic surgery, bariatric surgeons at VMFH have excellent outcomes and extensive experience. Minimally invasive surgical options are available.