Most people who have fought the battle of obesity have heard the expression, “Inside every fat person is a skinny person trying to get out.” I had been a heavy person all my life. From a very early age, I was always aware of the fact that I was the “fat boy”, and that skinny person wanted out. I experienced the negative effects of being overweight. I know I was passed over for job opportunities due to my weight. I have experienced discrimination in check out lines at stores and services at restaurants. I tried myriads of diets and diet programs. My success? Failure, after temporary success with increasing loss of self-esteem and self-confidence.

I found ways to defend myself by using humor, compensating by being a dynamo at assisting others, buying gifts and doing almost anything to prove that we larger people can do as much as others and do have value. But, inwardly I knew that I must ultimately do something more to lose weight. My false image of self-confidence, increasing health problems, and seeing my daughter face life threatening problems due to a weight problem for which I blame my genes led me to investigate gastric by-pass surgery. It was my daughter’s courage to have gastric by-pass surgery that finally led me back to the folks the Sparrow Weight Management Center. Yes, “back.” You see, I had temporarily succeeded with losing weight on the Sparrow Weight Management Optifast program and they had my medical history.

From my first orientation with Cathy to the pride I have from the obvious pleasure that my surgeon has expressed with my success, I have nothing but positive encouragement and friendly prodding to get the job done. The sincere and sympathetic interest of all at Sparrow made me feel, for the first time, that I was not alone with this problem. Sharing feelings, successes, and failures with my “bari-buddies” group drive me on with even more resolve to lick this problem. I was so determined that I drove five hours each way to appointments and meetings. Yes, that was ten hours of driving for what was many times a twenty-minute appointment. Next, there was the matter of age. I was a sixty-four year old male with type II diabetes, sleep apnea and sore joints. I knew my prognosis was not good. My personal physician told me that I needed to do something about my weight to help with these problems. I went to the Internet. Information there said they didn’t recommend gastric by-pass surgery for patients over sixty. I still decided to go for it and scheduled an appointment to attend an orientation at the Sparrow Weight Management Center. I received encouragement and sound professional advice from people like Kathy, Dr. Meier, Carol, Rich, and the staff at the Sparrow Weight Management Center. I looked upon them as friends truly interested in helping me with my problem. To cut to the chase, I had my gastric by-pass surgery on November 29, 2005. At the time, I was the surgeon's second oldest patient to have this surgery.

So, what do the numbers say? My 320 pounds has dropped to 175. My clothing sizes have dropped from XXXL to medium, something I don’t recall since elementary school. My trip through decreasing clothing sizes has increased the inventory of places like Goodwill and St. Vincent DePaul. But, more importantly, I am a healthier and happier person.

Would I recommend this surgery for others? That is something each patient must discuss with their regular physician and a fantastic team like that of the Sparrow Weight Management Center. Definitely find a place that has a comprehensive pre-surgical instructional/clinical program, outstanding surgical team, and an extensive and continuous follow-up procedure like Sparrow Weight Management. With all of this you will realize that you are not alone in this battle with obesity. It is working for me, and it can work for others as well.

Next week I will have my one-year follow-up. I no longer take medication for type II diabetes, my sleep apnea machine has been relegated to the closet, my energy level is at an all-time high, I have less joint pain, and my self-esteem and confidence levels have soared. I am much more knowledgeable and determined to follow a diet and exercise routine. This surgery is not a panacea for weight loss. I know I will always have to be on the alert to eat and exercise right. But, now, thanks to that super Sparrow team that continues to follow my success, I know I can do it.

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