Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

In March 2011 I attended Hope Bariatrics weight loss seminar at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Little did I know, this would be the step that would change the rest of my life. I was tired of watching life pass me by as my weight held me back, it was time for me to live life to the fullest! This opportunity was given to me by Hope Bariatrics. The professionalism, knowledge, support and compassion of Dr. Felix and staff are phenomenal. I am 1 year post op and have lost nearly 130 lbs.! Most importantly, I realize that gastric bypass along with eating a healthy diet and maintaining an active life style is the answer to long-term weight loss.

I had type II diabities, was taking 7 medications, weighed 360 pounds, had tried to lose weight for years and failed. My doctor had suggested bariatric surgery more than once to me before I made up my mind to change my life for the better. I wanted to live to enjoy grandchildren and to see retirement. I've coached football for over 25 years and even my players were worried about how big I'd gotten. I couldn't effeciently coach because I couldn't run and bend and do the things I needed to do to teach them. After the surgery they were very supportive, as was my friend at work, she had a family member that had the surgery, and she made me realize how important how the exercise part was afterwards. She did the spin cycle, I ride my stationary bike everyday, ab-circle, and use the weight bench. I went back to work 11 days after my surgery, coached football 5 days every week, exercised, and followed the meal plan exactly. I now wear size 36 pants, I used to wear size 46. I lost 102 pounds in 5 months. I'd like to thank Dr. Sneeringer and Dr. Felix and his great staff, my family, and especially my wife for all the support they have given me, I have a new lease on live, and look forward to the future and all the good things to come. Bob

...." today i finshed my first half marathon in under 3 hours! I don't think that i have ever been so excited before. I owe you guys so much thanks without your guys wonderful support i don't think i could have did this! This is a awesome accomplishment and i hope that everyone of your patients will realize that this is not easy but DO NOT GIVE UP! Here are some pictures of this wonderful day i wanted to share. Thanks so much again you guys have been a blessing."

Hi, I’m Rudy. It will be ten years on June 21, 2014 I started on a remarkable journey; I had gastric bypass surgery. Five months before that day, I was at my primary care physician’s and he asked me if I ever thought of having bypass surgery. I never gave it a thought. I was on three blood pressure medications, cholesterol medicine, and 100 units of insulin every day. I had trouble breathing, just walking up a slight grade I had to use an inhaler.
At the end of our conversation, the doctor said I would most likely have a heart attack or a stroke within five years. That was a real eye opener. I was just 53 years old and heart problems ran in the family. My Dad was 56 when he had his first heart attack. I could not lose weight. I had no will power. I kind of blamed by Mom for my weight problem. As a child I was taught to clean my plate, which I often over ate. That carried on into my adult years. I was running out of medical insurance and wanted the surgery. All went well the first month. I went back to work and was losing weight. The second month I couldn’t eat anything. The intestine scarred where it was joined to my pouch and shrunk shut. Nothing could pass through. I went from 283 lbs. To 137 lbs. in five months. I lived on banana popsicles. I got my medical insurance back; within two days I was in the hospital getting dilated. I could get food down for days then everything would shut down. I was dilated six times with no success. I was getting for surgery to reconnect the intestine to my pouch when I got a bowel blockage. Out patient surgery took care of that problem. No more sever cramps. A month later I went in for the reconnection. Before the surgery, Dr. Mike (Felix) remarked how calm I was. My wife was a nervous wreck; Dr. Mike was real concerned. He asked me why I was so calm. I said my wife was upset for the both of us. I had confidence in his skills; and there was nothing I could do anyhow except go along for the ride. So why worry about something you have no control over. Surgery went well. Recovery didn’t take long and I was eating real food. I’ve been around 180 lbs. for 10 years now. I went from a 44 inch waist to a 34 inch waist. I feel strong and I have a lot more energy.
I don’t use an inhaler anymore. I’m off all my blood pressure medications, cholesterol medicine and I went from 100 units of insulin down to 20 units of insulin a day. At my heaviest, I weighed 283 lbs. and I have managed to keep 100 lbs. off for 10 years.
One thing I’ve learned is that I can leave food on my plate when I’m full.