After Weight-loss Surgery, Andrew Is Moving Better and Feeling Reenergized

In his younger years, Andrew G. never had to worry about his weight. But as the years and day-to-day responsibilities added up, so did unwanted pounds. As he entered his 50s, Andrew’s weight started to affect his health and his daily life.

“I didn’t want to do anything,” Andrew says. “Any physical task that I tried to do, like shoveling snow, was just so hard to accomplish. To go to my favorite spot on the beach was such a struggle, because it’s like a 1.5-mile walk in the sand.”

Andrew also struggled with health issues, including diabetes, that required medication to manage. He also dealt with severe heartburn related to a hiatal hernia, a bulge of the stomach into the chest. Hiatal hernias are not uncommon in people with a high BMI (body mass index), and they contribute to acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

A few years ago, Andrew tried dieting and managed to shed 100 pounds. 

“But I just went and gained every pound of it right back,” he says. 

Wary of quick fixes, Andrew by this time was ready for a sustainable solution to weight loss — one that would also involve changing the way he thought about food. He struggled not only with weight gain but also with anxiety, a combination that took a toll.

“When I got up to 305 pounds, I said, ‘If I don’t do something, I’ll be dead within a year,’” he recalls. “That’s the way I felt, and not just physically. I was emotionally destroyed.”

At Temple, Andrew felt right at home

In the fall of 2024, Andrew decided to see if he qualified for weight-loss surgery and to learn more about the procedures. After an initial meeting with the team at Temple Health’s Bariatric Program, Andrew knew he would begin his journey there. One of the many team members who made that impression on Andrew was Lauren D.
 

Andrew also met with bariatric surgeon Heath J. Antoine, MD, FACS, FASMBS. 

“He’s just a lovable guy,” Andrew says. “You can’t help but like him. He makes you feel welcome, and it makes the whole environment like that.” 

Andrew learned about the risks and benefits of weight-loss surgery, and that his high body mass index (BMI) and weight-related health conditions made him a candidate. He also found out that a sleeve gastrectomy (one of several bariatric surgery options at Temple) best fit his situation.

With help from a nutritionist and the rest of his Temple team, Andrew began preparing his body and mind for bariatric surgery. Those steps included making changes to his diet that he would need to continue after his operation. In short, they helped him prepare for a new way of living to improve his health.

Accessible care and empowerment 

As someone who is blind, Andrew says clear communication and accessibility are extremely important. That’s especially true when you're on a healthcare journey, which involves many appointments and follow-up care. 

Andrew says that Lauren, Dr. Antoine, and the rest of the team at the Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus consistently and respectfully accommodated his needs. They also sought his input as to the best way for him to access information. 

Andrew attended many of his visits virtually via telehealth, making his follow-up care easier to access independently. Andrew teaches technology tools to older adults who are blind or have low vision to increase their independence. He noted that Temple's online patient portal worked well with the software he uses to convert the text and images on his iPad or computer screen to speech. 

And his Temple care team supported and encouraged him at every step. Overall, Andrew says, they treated him like “a human, not a patient.”

“They, along with my wife and my son, made me feel like I wanted to go forward,” Andrew says. “They were encouraging me and watching my weight loss. And they were like, ‘Wow, man — you’re doing so awesome!’ I was the rock star. They were just so supportive.” 

In March 2025, Andrew underwent bariatric surgery, performed by Dr. Antoine. At the same time, Dr. Antoine repaired Andrew's hiatal hernia.

A life energized and rejuvenated

With the assistance and support of the bariatric team, Andrew was able to lose 85 pounds before surgery and an additional 45 pounds since, and his waist size has dropped from 54 to 32. People are noticing. 

“They say, ‘You look healthy,’” Andrew says. 

Andrew says he has much more energy and better mobility, which makes it easier to visit his favorite beach in New Jersey and do other activities.

“I feel so much better,” Andrew says. “I can bend down. I’m exercising on a rowing machine now because I found a piece of equipment I enjoy. I put on some hip-hop or rock, and I go, baby!” 

Andrew’s weight loss has also made a difference for him at work.

“I’m back with that high energy that my students love,” he says.

In addition to exercising regularly, Andrew makes healthier food choices, with support from his wife and son. His long-term health outlook looks better, too, now that his blood sugar is well controlled. And he no longer has heartburn. 

“I don’t know what indigestion feels like anymore,” Andrew says. 

In his view, having bariatric surgery at Temple was a life-changing and potentially lifesaving choice. 

“I think that, without it, I’d be dead,” he says. 

Helpful Resources

Looking for more information?

• Weight-loss Surgery Helped Scott R. Take Charge of His Health
• ‘I Wish I’d Done This a Long Time Ago’
• Bariatric Surgery Changed the Course of Nick's Future