Many things can change in six months – and Travis Shewmaker, a 37 -year -old Savannah welder, Missouri, can testify to this in several ways.
In July, Travis weighed 412 pounds. In February, he had lost more than 130 pounds. with the help of bariatric weight loss surgery to The Saint Luke surgical weight loss center.
While he was starting to lose weight after surgery, Travis said he had witnessed a complete life transformation beyond his expectations – laboratories and overall health improved for a passion for physical exercise, and even improved social interactions.
“I have 6 feet 5 feet, so I was a big guy and I could be intimidating,” explains Travis. “Now, I have people who come to talk to me and ask myself questions – I’m still the same person as me, but people treat me differently.”
His trip began with a first consultation with the general surgeon of Saint Luke, Todd Moore, MD, About treating his umbilical hernia. When Dr. Moore advised weight loss for safer and more efficient treatment, he has referred Travis in Brent Sorensen, MDat the surgical weight loss center.
After meeting Dr. Sorensen, Travis decided to opt for gastric surgery. The operation works by creating a small pocket at the top of the stomach which limits its capacity and by relaxing your digestive system to reduce absorption.
Travis underwent successful gastric surgery in July 2024 after completing nutrition and education lessons before surgery.
“I was nervous to pass through surgery, but the Saint-Luke Center for surgical Weight Loss team was great,” said Travis. “I was super satisfied with the entire process.”
The operation succeeded, but his trip was far from over. To achieve your health objectives meant a persistent dedication to a healthier lifestyle and regular follow -up visits.
Dr. Sorensen says that the best thing that patients can do to reach healthy weight loss after surgery is to come back for planned postoperative meetings, which occur in two weeks, then six weeks, 12 weeks, six months and so on before going to an annual visit. Each visit includes an integrated time with a dietician and a physiologist of the exercise.
After surgery, Travis says that it was supported by a team of clinicians who provided a personal plan and advice for diet and exercise diets.
“Having a dietician and a compassionate physical trainer who never made my questions seem to be a sentence have made all the difference,” said Travis.
Now Travis says that it is a priority to work four to five times a week, adding that it is his favorite game of the week.
This great change in lifestyle led to victories beyond the number on the scale. While he was starting to see the drop in weight, Travis also watched his laboratories – including cholesterol, blood pressure and insulin – to improve drastically.
Dr. Sorensen says it is a common and sought -after result of weight loss surgery, because obesity is associated with a band of medical complications and reduced life expectancy.
“Many health problems can occur when you gain additional weight, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes,” said Dr. Sorensen.
He explained that weight loss surgeries have an overall success rate of around 70% for effective weight loss, and gastric puncture in particular is considered an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes by the global diabetes federation. This is particularly true when a person’s diabetes is still in its infancy, as in the case of Travis.
Before its gastric puncture, Travis was type 2 diabetic and on three drugs to help control insulin and cholesterol. Today, it is out of all drugs and more diabetic.
“If you are type 2 diabetic and just on perhaps one or two pills to control it, about 75% of the time immediately after surgery, your diabetes resolves,” said Dr. Sorensen.
Beyond his health, Travis adds that he is happy to report many other small victories in his life which are enormous progress for him.
One of the older ones, says Travis, is the ability to sit on a stand in a restaurant – an obstacle that he had to face since the age of 18. The extent of this transformation hit him the first time he didn’t need to ask to sit at a table.
“I went to dinner with a few friends before Thanksgiving and it was crowded,” he said. “I saw that we were sitting on a stand, so I sat down and I slipped. I had about 4 inches between me and the table – and I almost cried. ”
While he is thinking about an incredible six -month trip, Travis Champion of weight loss surgery such as effective treatment and enriching experience. He also wants people to know that this is not an “easy” solution for health challenges – surgery only works if you do.
“I hear a lot of people say that this is the easy solution,” said Travis. “But you need to want it. This is the most difficult thing I have ever done, losing 130 pounds. In six months. Surgery is just a tool. You have to create a lifestyle change.”
If you are interested in pursuing weight loss surgery, visit The Center for Surgical Weight Loss of Saint Luke To find out more and know our team of experts. You can also launch your own trip by watching our three minutes Online educational seminar.