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Improving Quality of Life One Day at a Time

 

Charlie Green found himself at a crossroads and needed a new path. “After years of struggling with uncontrolled blood sugars, peripheral artery disease, triple bypass cardiac surgery, and two subsequent heart attacks, I began to look for any way to improve my quality of life,” Charlie explains. He wanted a quality of life that did not involve taking several medications every day and constantly worrying about his health. “One of the side effects of many of these meds was weight gain,” he adds. “The catch 22 - I needed to lose weight to improve my health, but the meds I needed to manage my various health problems made that a pipe dream.”

As Charlie began to research what his options were at this point, he also talked to his primary care physician and cardiologist. “ They agreed that we should at least learn more about it,” he says. Looking for a Center of Excellence, Charlie says he found The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center through a close friend. After attending a seminar to learn more about the program, Charlie put the wheels in motion to achieve his dream of a healthier life.

“My surgery was February 19, 2014 and my quality of life has improved everyday since that date,” Charlie says. The dramatic impact on his health, Charlie says, s due to his dedication to the program and following guidelines. “I have followed the program, including the pre-op liquid diet and the post-op diet progression to the letter, and truly have had no difficulties thus far.”

Bailey Medical Center Exercise Specialist, David Steward, met with Charlie prior to his surgery and continues to follow his progress through support group meetings. “Charlie has made this journey a priority in his life,” shares David.  “He has decided this is a life-changing event and there is no going back.  His discipline to follow the guidelines has been the key to his success.  He understands the surgery is simply a tool.  The tool only works if the person chooses to use it correctly.”

Though it has been less than two months since his surgery, Charlie says the results are nearly immediate. “My only regret is that I did not pursue this option many years ago,” he adds.  “Had I known how much better I would immediately feel, I would have jumped on the opportunity to have sleeve gastrectomy long ago.”

It is a decision that not only changed his life, but also his family’s. “For me, this surgery was more about prolonging my life and making it possible for me and my family to do the things we enjoy,” Charlie says.  “The weight loss is an added bonus.  In the month and a half since I began the pre-op liquid diet I have lost about 50 pounds, but more importantly I am already back to doing things I couldn't do before surgery. Bailey has not only changed my life, but the lives of my family, and for that I am eternally grateful!”

To learn more about bariatric surgery options, please attend an upcoming seminar