Mark B.’s Gastric Bypass Story

I have struggled with my weight most of my life and because of my weight I was pre-diabetic, had high blood pressure, and acid reflux.

In June 2022 when I was 43 years old, I was moving with the help of some friends. I wasn’t feeling well the whole time and after dropping off a load at the storage unit, I couldn’t catch my breath and collapsed. It was quick, and luckily, I had good friends and family there with me. They called the ambulance and I was transported to the hospital. My oldest was 3 years old and my wife was pregnant with our second child.

At first doctors thought I had a heart attack. After more testing, turns out my heart was in A-Fib, not a heart attack. I was relieved. After a few days in the ICU, the doctors were able to get my heart back into normal rhythm and I was able to go home with my family. I can’t tell you how blessed I felt to be with them and that things weren’t worse.

To say this experience was a wake-up call is an understatement. I decided that I had waited too long and it was time to change my lifestyle. I opted to have Gastric Bypass surgery. I had the surgery in February 2023. I have lost a total of 160 pounds. I feel so much better! Acid reflux is gone, high blood pressure is gone, and I no longer take any medication. A-Fib is under control without any medication. The biggest blessing is that I have the energy to play with my young kids and not feel pain. I don’t have to tell them I “can’t” do things that they want me to do with them.

Having the surgery was one of the best decisions I have made.

–M. Baldwin
Surgeon: Dr. Rodrick D. McKinlay
Surgery: Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
Surgery Date: 2/22/23
SW: 345
CW: 185
TWL: 160

Mark B.’s Gastric Bypass Story

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