"Dr. Ware was great. His whole team was great...the support was incredible."
Joey S., Weight Loss Surgery
For Joey Schmermund, Project Manager for our Information Systems team, weight loss was not just about looking or feeling better—it was about reclaiming his health and his life. After years of struggling with weight gain and developing complications like diabetes, Joey realized it was time to take a bold step forward.
The Turning Point
“I had been steadily gaining weight, and my health had started to decline,” Joey shares. “I tried diet and exercise, but I couldn’t really lose any weight. When I went to see Dr. Ware, he told me I was a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery, and I worked through the process pretty quickly.”
Joey’s results were remarkable. “Within about two months, I had dropped almost 50 pounds. To date, I’ve lost 135 pounds, and all of the consequences from the health issues I had due to my weight have all gone away.”
Mindset and Lifestyle Change
While gastric sleeve surgery was a pivotal tool, Joey emphasizes that mindset and lifestyle changes were the real keys to his success.
“The biggest part of it is the mental change. You have to be willing to make the mental lifestyle changes—the surgery will not fix your problems,” he explains. “You’ll lose weight for a year, and then you’ll be as big, if not bigger, than you were before it if you don’t commit to the lifestyle change. It’s not a shortcut.”
Joey has fully embraced this new mindset, incorporating daily exercise into his routine. “I work out every day. I do five sets of 100 push-ups, five sets of 100 inverted crunches, five sets of 100 butterfly kicks, and two hours with a weighted hula hoop.”
Transforming for the Better
Beyond the physical transformation, the surgery has profoundly improved Joey’s quality of life. “I have a six-year-old son, and before surgery, it was harder to do things like crawl around and play with him on the floor. Now, I can grab him and run around and be an active part of his life.”
Joey also credits Dr. Ware and his care team for a smooth and successful experience. “Dr. Ware was great. His whole team was great. I was up and walking immediately after surgery. I didn’t have any complications, and the support was incredible.”
Inspiring Others
Joey’s journey has inspired others to consider gastric sleeve surgery. “I’ve recommended four or five people to get the surgery—two of them have already gotten it and are doing well.”
For Joey, the takeaway is clear: gastric sleeve surgery is a powerful tool, but true success comes from a commitment to permanent lifestyle changes. “It’s an entire lifestyle change,” Joey emphasizes. “The surgery gives you a fresh start, but it’s up to you to keep moving forward.”
Ready for Your Fresh Start?
If you’re considering gastric sleeve surgery or want to learn more about surgical weight loss options at Memorial, click the button below or call (228) 867-4220.