Bariatric surgery leads to weight loss and health gains

When he became short of breath and blacked out at work, it was a frightening wakeup call for Chris Nagy of Mifflinburg.

In the emergency room, his blood pressure was off the charts at 250/200. His severe increase in blood pressure, called a hypertensive crisis, meant he needed to be hospitalized until treatment could bring his numbers down to a more normal range.

At 503 pounds, the challenges of being overweight were not lost on Mr. Nagy. He struggled with everyday activities that many take for granted, like hiking or even air travel.

“I’ve been big my entire life,” he says. “I thought I had to make do with what I’d been given.”

But at his follow-up visit with his physician after he left the hospital, Mr. Nagy’s mindset shifted. “My doctor said I could possibly see my 50th birthday, but 55 was a pipe dream if I didn’t do something about my weight,” he remembers.

He considered bariatric surgery, despite his fears and concerns about being judged as taking the “easy way out.” But he wasn’t quite ready.

Deciding to be healthier

Fast-forward 5 years after his health scare and hospital admission: Mr. Nagy had been working with dietitians, but knew he had to do something more. 

Being overweight had led to some related medical conditions, like diabetes and severe sleep apnea, in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. Mr. Nagy was concerned about his quality of life and his ability to care for Aiden, the grandson he and his wife Wendy are raising.

In 2020, he decided to undergo bariatric surgery at Geisinger.

“I discussed that bariatric surgery can be safely performed through small incisions with a short recovery,” says David Parker, MD, the Geisinger general surgeon who performed Mr. Nagy’s bariatric surgery.

The procedure, called a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS), bypassed part of Mr. Nagy’s small intestine to limit calorie absorption and reduced his stomach size.

The result was a success — not just in weight loss, but in overall health improvement.

“Because Chris had many weight-related medical complications, he was a perfect candidate for bariatric and metabolic surgery,” says Christopher Still, DO, director of Geisinger’s Center for Nutrition and Weight Management.

“He was diligent in his postoperative care and exceeded all expectations in resolving his medical conditions. Although Chris lost a tremendous amount of weight, in my opinion, it was secondary to his profound medical benefit from the surgery.”

“His surgery went very well, and Chris quickly began to work on his weight loss journey,” Dr. Parker says. “Bariatric surgery can dramatically improve the overall health and quality of life in patients with obesity. Chris Nagy’s story is why I love being a bariatric surgeon.”

Motivation leads to inspiration

Post-surgery life was a new beginning for Mr. Nagy. Just 3 months later, he was hiking and soon started running 5K races — virtual and in person. His newfound passion peaked when he completed a half marathon. He ran in a T-shirt that read, "503 pounds to 13.1 miles."

His biggest fans and supporters, Mr. Nagy says — at his races and in pursuing his new goal of better health — are his wife; their grandchildren Aiden, Haven, Sela, Abram and Makinley; his stepchildren Madison and Tyler and their spouses.

What finally changed Mr. Nagy’s mind about having bariatric surgery? Time.

“Time is the most precious thing we have on this earth,” he says. And he wanted more of it with his family and to enjoy life to its fullest. When he goes on vacation now, he looks for physical activities like hiking and climbing — things he couldn’t do before his weight loss. 

Through his shift in mindset, Mr. Nagy inspires others who see him run and know his story. Being an inspiration wasn’t his intention, he says, but he’s accepted it. He encourages everyone to be fit and healthy and estimates he’s helped ignite a spark in more than 80 people to start their own weight loss journeys.

Staying on track

Mr. Nagy says the procedure was life-changing. “The best thing I’ve ever done was marry my wife, Wendy. The second-best thing I’ve ever done was have the surgery.”

Today, physical activity and healthy eating keep Mr. Nagy’s weight between 230 and 240 pounds. He’s a regular on the running circuit, where he’s often joined by his wife. Regular health checks monitor his nutrition levels and he continues to work with dietitians.

His story is a testament to the transformative power of medical intervention, coupled with personal determination and an excellent support system. Now he's looking forward to running his first full marathon in London in 2026.