Down 200 Pounds in 12 Months
Gastric Bypass Helped One Man Go from Morbidly Obese to Energetically Strong
Andrew
“I was really fired up,” he said. “I started going to a local gym, but then the pandemic hit. I converted my garage to a gym and started working out every day. I went from a size 65 suit down to where I am today with a 32-inch waist—and I have more energy than ever.”
Few people have a more dramatic weight loss story than Andrew, a 50-year-old business owner, husband and father of two.
At his highest, Andrew weighed 480 pounds—considered morbidly obese. But after nearly dying in 2016 from septic shock while vacationing and spending three weeks in a coma, Andrew made some radical changes that ultimately put him on the path of health.
During his recovery, he connected with the experts at PIH Health. Andrew learned that his obesity was a primary factor in several of his health problems, including high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, elephantitis (abnormal swelling of tissues in the lower body), arthritis, back pain, difficulty walking and more.
In 2019, Andrew connected with Justin Braverman MD, PIH Health bariatric surgeon, and decided to have gastric bypass surgery.
Andrew was put on a strict regimen that helped him lose the first 74 pounds within six weeks. After his surgery in October 2019, Andrew started dropping even more weight and he developed a passion for working out.
“I was really fired up,” he said. “I started going to a local gym, but then the pandemic hit. I converted my garage to a gym and started working out every day. I went from a size 65 suit down to where I am today with a 32-inch waist—and I have more energy than ever.”
Andrew’s weight loss journey has been remarkable.
“Eighteen months after surgery, Andrew had lost 201 pounds, which is 89% of his excess weight,” said Dr. Braverman. “He went from 411 pounds at the time of surgery to 210 today. His BMI is now under 30 and he’s no longer obese. Best yet, he no longer has any of his other previous conditions. He’s an excellent example of surgery and diligence paying off.”
To learn more, visit PIHHealth.org/Bariatrics or call 562.789.5444.
