Go Ahead and Do It!

It’s not something you decide to do overnight. The decision to undergo weight loss sJim Gilmoreurgery requires a lot of intentional consideration.
“I changed my mind every other day,” says Jim Gilmore, 70. “It’s a whole lifestyle change, but it’s worth it many times over.”

Gilmore is enjoying the benefits of bariatric
surgery performed by Jonathan Ray, MD, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Having endured shots four times a day for type 2 diabetes, dealt with hypertension and lived with heart problems, his only regret now is that he didn’t make the decision sooner.

“I would recommend it to absolutely anybody,” Gilmore says emphatically. Eight months after surgery Gilmore had lost 87 pounds.

The lean, trim appearance that comes with dramatic weight loss is just a side benefit when you consider that weight loss improves overall health, and perhaps even extends the patient’s life.

Still, being a thinner version of himself is something Gilmore is enjoying. “It’ll make your self-confidence go from zero to 100,” Gilmore says. “I had a 44-inch waist. Now I’m a 32 and I can wear skinny jeans!”

“I no longer have diabetes and my high blood pressure is gone,” Gilmore says. “To anybody my age who is thinking about doing this, I would say go ahead and do it.”

Gilmore is just as emphatic about the benefits of having the surgery performed by Dr. Ray at Fort Sanders Regional. “They’re the nicest people ever,” Gilmore says of the hospital staff. “I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate them.”

In Jonathan Ray, Gilmore says he found more than an experienced surgeon. “Dr. Ray and his staff are just super people,” Gilmore says. “If he wasn’t a doctor, he’d be a good one to be a minister.”

Gilmore marvels at how much his life has changed. Afternoon exhaustion used to bring a halt to whatever he was doing, as he had to stop everything for a nap just to get through the rest of th
e day. Now he has energy that lasts from the time he wakes up until whatever time he decides the day’s activities should come to a close.

“I wish I’d found out about it earlier,” Gilmore says. He encourages anyone his age who is dealing with similar health problems to make the call. “You know, today is the first day of the rest of your life” Gilmore says. “If you want to have a good quality of life don’t hesitate.”

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