Gary | Weight Loss Surgery

I’ve always felt I could do anything I set my mind too, but finally came to the realization that my weight and inability to lose it, was more than I could do on my own.

When asked to write this testimonial, I thought back to my first meeting with Dr. Martin in June of 2012. After they took my before picture, they asked if I would be willing to let them follow my progress and use it along with updated pictures in their office publicizing bariatric surgery. At that time, I told them that I wasn’t interested in participating. I’m normally a very private person and I guess I was somewhat embarrassed or ashamed that I hadn’t been successful in controlling or losing weight on my own. I’ve always felt I could do anything I set my mind too, but finally came to the realization that my weight and inability to lose it, was more than I could do on my own.

My cardiologist had originally suggested I consider bariatric surgery several years ago. My wife saw a Dr. Oz show about it, which I watched. I also did some research online and then attended a Bariatric Surgery orientation meeting in April of 2012. My original thought had always been to have the Roux-en-Y. Statistics have shown that patients who had Roux-en-Y surgery were more successful in their weight loss. After the orientation meeting, I began to think more about the Lap-Band, mainly because of the shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery period.

This step in the process can be somewhat intimidating, since there is a lot of historical information you need to provide, but working with my wife, we were able to complete the forms by late April 2012. I firmly believe the better job you do during this application process, the quicker the approval process will go.

My meeting with Dr. Martin changed my thoughts on which surgery I would select. He said that since I was diabetic, he highly recommended the Roux-en-Y because it could eliminate my diabetes. Dr. Martin gave me all the confidence I needed to make that decision. After meeting with Carol Foushee, I was amazed at all of the tests that I would have to participate in prior to being approved for surgery. At this time my wife, son, and daughter-in-law were the only ones who knew what I was planning. They were all were extremely supportive. I decided to wait until I was approved to tell other family members.

I kept all of the test appointments that Carol scheduled and then received notice from Carol that my application had been submitted. During the orientation meeting, we were told it might take as much as 30 days for insurance approval. They may require participation in a six-month formal weight loss program before even processing the application. Needless to say, I was shocked a week later to receive an email from Carol saying that my insurance company had approved the surgery. I knew I had several weeks to wait. That all changed when I received a call from the surgery scheduler who wanted to schedule my surgery only about three weeks away. Unfortunately I couldn’t accept that date. My wife and I had already planned a family vacation that week, but they quickly offered me September 17, 2012 as an alternative.

Once my surgery was scheduled, I had another appointment with the nutritionist to go over the two-week pre-surgery diet. Even though we were on vacation the first week of this period, I lost approximately 13 pounds following the pre-surgery diet.

Surgery was scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2012. Everyone at the hospital was great. Dr. Martin completed the Roux-en-Y and also repaired a hernia.

Due to my age, sleep apnea, heart stents, and other health issues, I was moved to ICU from recovery. I remember reading and being told that the more I walked the quicker I would heal. So, walk I did. I probably walked more than anyone they had had in ICU.

My follow-up appointment with my general practitioner was on Monday, September 24, 2012. At this time, he eliminated two of my diabetes medications. I returned to work two weeks to the day from my surgery on October 1, 2012.

In November, when I returned for a follow-up, my general practitioner removed me from my other diabetes medications and from my blood pressure medication. In February 2013, when I had my annual physical, my total cholesterol was 82 as compared to 158 the previous year. In addition to being off of all diabetes and blood pressure medication, my Lipitor and thyroid medications were adjusted two times. I also no longer have to use the CPAP machine for sleep apnea.

To date, I have lost 135 pounds; I now weigh what I did the beginning of my senior year in high school, which was 1967. I participate in a water exercise class three days a week and normally walk from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 miles 3 days a week. I feel better than I have in years and really enjoy the new me.

My recommendations for anyone considering Gastric Bypass Surgery would be the following:

Do it for yourself. Anyone else that benefits from it is just a bonus.
Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed by your weight.
Surgery is performed on your stomach, not your head and being in the right place with yourself and your mind is a key to being successful.
Participate often and regularly, whether in the Bariatric Surgery Support Group or any other programs offered.
Be methodical in tracking your supplements and keeping all appointments whether in the approval process or subsequent to surgery.
Follow the experts advise. They know what they are talking about.

Based on my original decision not to want to participate in the publicity for the Bariatric Surgery Program, I feel like I owe everyone an explanation for my unabashed enthusiasm for the program now. My experience won’t necessarily be yours, but I have really had no significant problems with the surgery or the results, other than I can no longer purchase my clothes at the Big and Tall Stores that I used to depend on. I am still tall and some people think I’m taller than I was before, but it’s just an illusion, since I’m now significantly thinner.

I feel like I can give something back to the program and encourage others who are considering the surgery. My way of doing that is speaking at some of the Bariatric Surgery Orientation meetings, serving on a panel at the annual Bariatric Surgery Symposium, and regularly attending Bariatric Surgery Support meetings. I feel that if I can reach only one person, then it will be worth my time, and yes, if I knew then what I know now, I would have responded yes to their original request to let them track my progress.

Your weight loss journey is a personal one. If you are ready to get started, schedule your seminar today to learn more.