BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY

Larry W.

Procedure: Vertical Gastric Sleeve

Weight Lost: 65 lbs.

My Story: I’ve been on a diet for most of my 63 year old life. You name a diet plan and I’ve tried it. High protein, buying packaged food, going to the weight loss meetings- I’ve done them all. I would lose weight but gain it back within a few months. The most I ever lost was about 50 pounds.

About two years ago, I checked into the possibility of having the lap band procedure. At that time I was told by the physician (not the DFW team) that it was not medically necessary because my BMI was 32 and that I was not a candidate for surgery. Even though I did not meet the BMI requirements at the time, I had been diagnosed with diabetes, I had undergone a heart catheterization that revealed a 50% blockage in one of my heart arteries, I had sleep apnea that required sleeping with a C-Pap machine, and hypertension. After reading some of the great results people were having in improving their health through weight loss surgery, I decided to make an appointment to see a doctor at DFW Bariatrics. After my examination, I decided on the vertical gastric sleeve procedure.

I had the surgery on October 14, 2011. On the day I started the pre-surgery liquid diet, I weighed 275 pounds. By Christmas 2011, I had lost 50 pounds. I should add that I am 6’6” tall so I can hide a lot of weight. Today, April 2012, I weigh 210 pounds for a loss of 65 pounds. I am at my goal.

One of my worries about the surgery was the fact that so much of my social life revolves around my wife and me traveling and eating out with our friends. I was fearful that this would become a miserable experience if I could not eat what our friends were eating. While I was considering the surgery, I met a man who had the gastric sleeve two years ago and has lost over 200 pounds. I expressed my reservations to him and he assured me that his was not a problem. He said “you will eat what you want, enjoy the company and not think about what others are eating.” He was absolutely correct and this has not been an issue at all.

Another issue for me was deciding to pay for the surgery “out of pocket” since I did not meet my insurance company’s requirements to pay for the surgery. With the reduced amount we pay for food and the reduction in cost of medication, I’m confident that I will recoup the cost of the surgery and hospital stay within one year. My blood glucose is normal, my blood pressure is normal, and my cholesterol is normal. Until recently, I was seeing my family doctor every three months. At our last visit, he told me not to come back for six months since we didn’t have much to talk about anymore. All of my conditions are under control without the need for medication. I still use the C-Pap machine for sleep apnea but still have hopes to accomplish the goal of sleeping without it. I have not had any complications and have no regrets about my decision to have the surgery.

Oh, and not to be vain but, I’ve gone from size 44 to size 34 jeans. Not a bad side benefit!