After being overweight for many years, making the decision to have weight loss surgery wasn’t one that I entered into lightly or impulsively. I had an initial consultation with Dr. John Pilcher, the doctor who eventually became my surgeon, in February 1998. At the time, weight loss surgery was unpopular not only with general public but with my family as well. No one, including my wife, was enthusiastic about me having surgery and I personally didn’t feel it was God’s timing. I decided surgery was not an option, but it always stayed in the back of my mind.
A year passed and I continued to struggle with both the physical and emotional effects of my weight. I always tried my best to hide my emotions. In August 1999, my father and I were playing softball when he had a massive heart attack and died. Every one of my dad’s bothers and sisters that have passed away has died of heart attacks. DING, DING, DING.... a bell went off in my head. I thought, “Maybe it is time to do something about this.” Surgery came to mind.
It wasn’t until January 2002, when I received a call from a good friend, that surgery resurfaced in my life. My friend said he had a dream that I died, and he strongly urged me to get another check-up even though I had just completed my yearly physical. I went and the doctor told me I was on the verge of hypertension, and I needed to do something about my weight because it would only get worse.
A month later, after years of seriously thinking about surgery, I called Dr. Pilcher’s office and scheduled my appointment. The visit with Dr. Pilcher was set for March, and I brought my wife with me so she could ask questions and voice her concerns. Later that week, I told my mother, sister, and brother about my decision and that it was for my health and my family’s welfare. I had the support of my entire family. Going into surgery, I weighed 460 pounds, and to say I was a little scared would be an understatement. Luckily, my entire family and my pastor were there to support me. I knew I was going to be all right, though, because two days earlier I had just found out that my wife was pregnant with our second child.
The surgery went as planned. Later that afternoon I was up and walking; it was painful, but I had to be strong if I wanted the recovery process to go quickly. The staff at Methodist Hospital treated me like a king. They were all very helpful and very patient. After two days I was able to go home to recover. It took about three weeks of recovery until I was able to go back to work, but I didn’t fully recover until three months later. I had open surgery rather than laparoscopically (via small incisions) so my surgery was more invasive and my recovery process was longer. One year post-op, I had lost 180 pounds but my gall bladder gave out. Since the doctors removed it, I haven’t had any complications whatsoever.
Many things have happened in my life since my surgery. My relationship with my beautiful wife is stronger than ever. The weight loss has given me more stamina, a longer sex drive and a healthy sex life. We now have three children and are expecting our fourth. My family and I are able to go out to restaurants, movies, the park – anywhere. One of the best experiences I’ve had was when I took my son to SeaWorld for his third birthday, and I was able to get on all the rides. Before surgery, you would have never found me in a place like that.
I have also experienced many changes professionally. Before my surgery, I was an Assistant Manager for National Tire & Battery. I am now the Area Manager for all four San Antonio stores and early next year, I will become the District Manager for five new stores we are opening. My relationship with my co-workers is also much better. I am much more confident and am able to help the business or the customers in any way they need. I am not afraid, and I no longer hide from people.
On the negative side, I have regained about 15 pounds and I don’t like it. Dr. Pilcher told me that the hardest part of surgery is maintaining my weight for the rest of my life. I am able to eat a little more than I could right after surgery but I don’t eat nearly the amount I used to and I never want to get back to that place. I have learned to listen to my body and stop eating when I am full. I also try to stay active. The weight loss makes exercising and working out much easier and more rewarding. I play softball two nights a week, and I am still surprised by how fast I can run. I have had three in-the-park home runs where I have been able to run all the bases!
Overall my experience has been very positive and my future looks great. I would definitely do it all over again. For those considering weight loss surgery, I leave you with three pieces of advice in order to have a successful experience. First, pray about it. Second, get 100% support from your family. Finally, listen to your doctors. They know what they are doing.
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