Two Hanover residents will undergo life-changing surgeries in the upcoming weeks at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond.

Sarah Steele and John Greene are the recipients of Bon Secours Lap Band Weight Loss procedure giveaway and will have the operations performed at no cost.

The two were chosen from more than 500 area residents who submitted applications for the free surgery, designed to raise awareness of the obesity epidemic.

Steele will take the leap first entering the hospital in the next few days for the overnight surgery. The local hairstylist said she entered the contest after hearing about it on the radio.

In addition to the obvious health benefits of the surgery, her motivation for seeking the operation is an unselfish desire to care for her infant son Evan.

He was born with a serious kidney condition that could eventually require a transplant.

At four feet, 11 inches, Steele was not a viable candidate to supply the needed organ due to her weight.

“We’re happy to provide this for Sarah so she can go on and help her child,” said Dr. Matthew Brengman of Dominion Surgical Associates, the bariatric surgeon who will perform Steele’s operation.

Steele, 26, said the surgery will allow her to donate a kidney to her son should that become necessary.

“My main motivation for doing this is to be as healthy as I can be so I can give a kidney to my son and allow me to go forward and live a healthy life,” she said.

The self-employed hair stylist also is seeking to reclaim a life that excessive weight has robbed her. “My self-confidence has taken a huge hit since I’ve gained this weight,” Steele said. “I’ve never been thin, but I always felt I looked good and I was very active, so I always felt good . . . My weight has made me much larger that I used to be, but I am only about 25 percent of the woman I used to be.”

Hanover firefighter John Greene’s weight has gradually increased over the past few years, and he found himself tipping the scale at around 320 pounds.

“Each time I am at the fire station, I will risk my life to rescue and save those that are in need,” he said. “The time is now that I need to rescue myself and get control of my health and weight. The odds of me dying because of health issues is far greater than going into a burning building,” Greene, 46, said.

The father of two said he wants to be around for his two sons, Felipe and Nicolas, and the weight is hindering his ability to keep up with the boys.

The Bon Secours Center for Bariatric Excellence has performed more than 2,300 lap band procedures during the past six years.

“Obesity is the number one health concern in the U.S. today,” said Charlotte Perkins of the Bon Secours Virginia Health System. “Obesity is a major cause of premature death and is at the root of many medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.”

Perkins said the hospital sponsored the program to demonstrate that a change in lifestyle can result in a healthier future. In addition, the giveaway highlights the advantages of bariatric surgery as a viable option for some obese patients.

“We wanted to demonstrate that weight loss surgery can and does save lives,” Perkins said.

Greene said the weight and the subsequent resulting conditions, including sleep apnea, were jeopardizing his colleagues’ ability to sleep at the firehouse.

“If I’m snoring while I’m sleeping and keeping them awake, how are they supposed to get up in the middle of the night and go rescue someone else?” he asked.

Greene is a volunteer fireman at the Chickahominy station and also works as a programmer.

Steele and Greene have tried numerous weight loss programs and supplements to no avail, and they now follow strict eating guidelines leading up to the surgery.

“To make the surgery safer, we place the patients on a short, two-week diet prior to the operation that helps the operation go safer and allows for better outcomes,” Brengman said.

Dr. Eliseo Bautista of Commonwealth Surgeons will perform Steele’s surgery this week.

Both patients will receive nutritional counseling as part of the procedure, which usually amounts to about $16,000.

In addition to promoting community awareness on the dangers of obesity and the options available, the surgeries will provide two local patients with a new lease on life, according to Bon Secours bariatric surgeon Gregory Schroder.

“It is important to build awareness around the effect obesity has on health, life expectancy and many disease processes. Oftentimes this surgery can mean the difference between life and death for patients,” he said.

“We are thrilled to help Sarah and John achieve their goals of living healthier and happier lives, and we are grateful to them for sharing their stories,” he added.