My Surgical Weight Loss Story

Chad Beaumont, Former Surgical Weight Loss Patient

When I started this journey, I weighed almost 400 pounds. I was not able to stand for more than a few minutes at a time. I had constant back pain. I lived with severe diabetes. Several times in my life I tried to lose weight. I even lost weight twice with NutriSystem; however, the weight always came back and I gained even more.

My diabetes doctor strongly encouraged me to pursue gastric bypass surgery. I began a dialogue with my wife and friends. In September 2014, I attended the seminar. Dr. Wegner was the presenter and his professionalism and detailed presentation along with references, really impressed me. That day, I made a decision. I decided to test myself. That day, I gave up carbonated drinks and caffeine. I was drinking a 2 liter Diet Coke or Coke Zero a day! I went cold turkey.

After three weeks, the headaches ended and I knew I had the discipline to see this through. In November 2014, I had my first appointment with Dr. Wegner’s staff. I was very impressed with the case manager and the dietitians I met that day. My journey had begun.

During the next few months, I progressed through the several steps required. They are necessary and if you make it through the steps, you are serious about the surgery and will be successful after the surgery. From my first appointment until my surgery, I lost a grand total of four pounds. The surgery itself went well; at least I was told that, I was asleep. I recovered from surgery by watching the 2015 Masters Golf tournament on TV, which was great!

The next several weeks I progressed from liquid, to soft foods, to pureed foods and then finally to solids. I constantly kept what Dr. Wegner said in my mind. “The surgery is a tool. How you decided to use the tool is up to you.” I told my support group at my church that, “I am on a one way road and there are no U-turns.” My best friend and I started to play tennis. I also began to walk and now I am walking 5.5 miles some days.

I remember the fundamental reason I decided to lose weight. My wife, Cindy, and I are called to the international mission field. We’ve had this calling in our lives for many years. Because of the journey I’ve taken, now I’ll be able to fulfill the will of God in my life and go into the international mission field. My wife has lost 40 pounds without the surgery. She pleaded, not nagged, with me for years to take better care of myself. These two reasons drive me to become healthier than I was and am. I have now lost a total of 162.4 pounds!

This is my story,
Chad Beaumont