It’s that time of year again, when the struggle to maintain New Year’s resolutions haunts us. For many of us, these resolutions may center on reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. And the pressure of achieving a “summer body” in the coming months is never far from the front of our minds.
As anyone who has ever struggled with his or her weight can relate, maintaining a healthy weight is about so much more than the number on the scale. There are elements that are physiological, emotional and lifestyle-driven that can all either help or hinder the process.
Softball coach Tim Butler of Midwest City, Okla. knew this far too well.
“I used to be real athletic, played sports all the time, had kids, got out of sports, and started putting on weight,” Tim recalled.
While coaching one day, Tim suffered a severe heat stroke attributed primarily to factors related to his obesity. While he received the emergency room care he needed, he said his life flashed before his eyes.
“That was my wake-up call,” he said. “It scared me to death.”
Tim was motivated to revamp his nutrition and increase his activity but still struggled to lose weight. He sought care from Dr. John Makipour, a board-certified surgeon with SSM Health Medical Group.
“…Being obese in this way is not a matter of willpower, it’s a medical problem, and it needs a medical treatment,” Dr. Makipour explained.
Dr. Makipour helped Tim see the trajectory his health was on without a medical intervention, and through the process of shared decision-making, they determined bariatric surgery was the right solution for Tim’s situation.
Since surgery, Tim has lost 80 pounds, or about one-third of his body weight. His lab results have improved noticeably, and he has been able to come off certain medications.
“He has forever changed his future,” Dr. Makipour said. “He doesn’t even know the problems that he is going to avoid.”
Tim credits his results to his own renewed dedication to his health but also to the power of presence that he felt from Dr. Makipour and the staff at SSM Health Medical Group.
Hear More of Tim's Story
SSM Health offers an array of non-surgical and surgical weight management solutions. If you struggle to maintain a healthy weight despite efforts in diet, exercise and general medical care, learn more about weight management services, and schedule an appointment with a provider today to see what may be the best approach for your unique needs.
