Success Stories

Impact of obesity on his life

Being severely overweight slowed me down tremendously. I was a professional dancer on Broadway and television. But then I was hurt and had to stay off my feet for a year. I gained almost 60 pounds in that year and continued to gain more.

Being severely overweight was devastating to my health. It caused diabetes, sleep apnea, a heart condition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.

Making the decision to have surgery

With all of the health problems, deciding to have the surgery was a no-brainer. I already had two stent procedures. My doctors told me I was a walking time bomb.

I wanted to see my daughter graduate from college and marry—and I felt I would never be able to experience that if I didn’t have the surgery. Within the last three years, I was able to accomplish both of those goals.

Diabetes status then and now

I was diagnosed with diabetes in 1988, and it grew more serious over time. I was on insulin twice a day and also took metformin. I was on low-sodium and low-fat diets, too. Diabetes really slowed me down; it made me tired and not very energetic.

Within three months after the bariatric surgery, I became aware that my diabetes had improved. I’m holding my own now…I’m a little above where I should be—but nowhere close to where I used to be.

Other surgery results

In the first month after surgery, I lost about 12 pounds. After three months, 45 pounds, and within six months, 85 pounds. Within the first year, I had lost 130 pounds.

I have no sleep apnea. All of my numbers [blood pressure, cholesterol] are down drastically.

On maintaining his results

To maintain my results, I eat properly, stay active and attend a bariatric support group. This surgery is not a quick fix. There is no such animal. You definitely have to work at it.

Life after surgery

Bariatric surgery has given me another chance to live a normal life. I like the way people react to me now. When I meet people I haven’t seen in a while, they confess they don’t recognize me.

I feel terrific. It’s been a long time since I was able to go out and just buy clothes. And now I can buy clothes. I don’t have to go into a big and tall shop.

The best thing about being a healthy weight is that I don’t think every day about having a heart attack or ending up in a hospital. It just feels so good.

*At time of interview, 6 years post-surgery