Sleeve Gastrectomy: Ready, Set, Go

A healthy 175-pound athlete in high school, David tacked on 190 more pounds over ten years. Doctors couldn’t find a medical reason.

“I tried everything,” David said, rattling off a list of diets and weight-loss programs. “Nothing worked. I wanted to lose weight but felt hopeless.”

Easy-going on the outside, David hid his growing depression. His confidence as a youth baseball and soccer coach faded under the judging looks of parents.

“I had to stand there, knowing parents were saying what right did I have to be out there?” he said.

As the years passed, excess weight took its toll. David’s knees developed arthritis from carrying around two people’s worth of weight each day. He couldn’t do strenuous rehabilitation needed to recover quickly from knee surgery. He developed diabetes and high blood pressure and took several medications daily to control them.

His pulmonologist said David had the worst sleep apnea he’d ever encountered. Two doctors told David he would not live past 50 if he did not lose significant weight.

So David attended a free seminar with Saint Luke’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss. He liked that he could learn more without committing first.

“The physicians were upfront about possible risks and benefits,” he said. “I was able to speak with a surgeon, so I felt comfortable scheduling an appointment to discuss my specific situation.”

David met Geoffrey C. Slayden, M.D., who recommended sleeve gastrectomy. David prepped for six months, losing 34 pounds before his surgery.

Today, David no longer struggles with diabetes or hypertension. His apnea is gone. He works with a trainer three days a week. Six months after surgery, he ran in the gym hallway—something he hadn’t done in 12 years. He plays golf. Best of all, he can play with his 8-year-old son.

“I work hard to follow the doctor’s recommendations with my diet and exercise,” he said. “I have so much more energy and a more positive attitude about life in general. I feel awesome!”