Although he weighed 546 pounds, Bob Willowbee’s doctor said he was healthier than he was.
‘Cholesterol was good, blood pressure was good, pulse was good’everything they could test was good,? the 50-year-old Oxford resident said.
But he told Willowbee, who also towers high at 6 ft. 3 1/2, his large weight would lead to a lot of physical problems.
Willowbee said he tried everything and every diet to lose the weight. He lost the weight, but was quick to gain it back.
That’s when he decided to undergo a procedure called a Duodenal Switch (DS) in April of 2003.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Mustafa Hares, of Bloomfield Bariatrics, at St. John Oakland Hospital in Madison Heights
The DS starts by removing 60 percent of the stomach so that it takes the shape of a tube.
The small intestine is then divided much further downstream than with gastric bypass so that two intestinal pathways are created: one for food, and one for digestive juices, both of which then meet to form a channel before exiting the body.
‘This was something I had been thinking about for a long time,? Willowbee said.
Some patients can have major complications after the surgery, and Willowbee suffered from nausea for 10 months straight.
For the first four weeks after his surgery, Willowbee had to eat what he calls a ‘baby food consistency diet.?
‘I ate a lot of tomato soup,? he said. ‘But then again, I love tomato soup.?
Because the size of his stomach was reduced by 60 percent, Willowbee said his portion sizes ‘looked like somebody’s dirty bowl? after they ate.
‘But you literally can’t finish it,? he said.
After his surgery, Willowbee’s weight came off very quickly.
Six months after the surgery, he weighed 348 lbs., and at one year he dropped to 289 lbs.
Now, Willowbee is happy to say he’s at his ‘goal weight? of 234 lbs.
Because he lost so much weight, 308 lbs. to be exact, Willowbee underwent a 13-hour skin reduction surgery last April to remove his excess skin left from the weight.
‘It’s like a 360 degree body contouring,? he said.
Although he said losing the excess weight was quick and easy, Willowbee does fear it can return just as quick.
‘It’s a proven fact you can put the weight back on after the surgery,? he said. ‘I know I still have a few bad habits, but I try not to indulge them too often.?
Even though he’s lost over 300 lbs., Willowbee said he still has to ‘reprogram his mind because I still think of myself as being overweight.?
To help Willowbee along in keeping his weight off, he’s required to attend a support group with others who had or are having the surgery every other Monday, though he admits he was against it at first.
‘The thing is I hated paying for it, but I understand it (now) because it was money well spent,? he said. ‘It’s been three years and I’m still going.?
Willowbee hopes to one day return to working full time, possibly with senior citizens or children because he ‘loves talking to people.?
‘I need to do something to keep from going stir crazy,? he joked.
This Friday marks Willowbee’s three-year anniversary since his surgery. He has no regrets about getting the surgery.
Looking back, would he do it again?
‘Definitely. Without a doubt.?