Taking a Victory Lap

Brent Bailey has lost 160 pounds after his gastric banding surgery utilizing the Lap-Band® AP System by Allergan.

Brent Bailey has lost 160 pounds after his gastric ­banding surgery utilizing the Lap-Band® AP System by Allergan.

Brent Bailey served as the Youth Pastor at Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow for ten years and now serves as the Singles Pastor. Here, he answers a few questions about his Lap-Band® surgery, which was performed out of state, and his experience with Lap-Band® Center of Oklahoma, where he receives his fills (Lap-Band® adjustments) and follow-up care. According to Brent, “Dr. Atkins and his staff have been awesome and very professional. They have been wonderful with their personalized care and ongoing support.”

How much did you weigh before your surgery and how much weight have you lost?

I was overweight my whole life.I weighed over 400 pounds before my surgery in October of 2009. Since the surgery, I have lost 160 pounds.

What kind of health issues did you have as a result of being overweight?

I had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, back pain, and knee joint pain. I also had severe pain and tingling in my right leg and foot.

What other weight loss ­methods did you try?

I tried multiple diets and weight loss programs (names you would recognize). I would have some success and lose a little but then I would put the weight right back on. I could not exercise at all because of the pain I was in. I even tried walking but it was really painful.

What was the breaking point that led you to decide on ­gastric banding surgery using the Lap-Band® AP System?

My poor overall health condition. Also, we took our son to Six Flags over Texas and I could not ride the roller coaster with him because I could not fit into the roller coaster car. It was a painful experience!

How has Lap-Band® surgery changed your life?

I was off my medications three weeks after surgery. I feel good now, and I can exercise. I do a 5k run three times a week. People don’t stare at me anymore. I can shop in any store I want and find clothes that fit. The most wonderful feeling was when I was able to ride Space Mountain with my son! ­

Lap-Band® surgery was the best decision I’ve made for myself and my family. I will definitely live longer, with a better quality of life, and I’ll be there for my wife, my kids, and my family.

What would you say to other people who are suffering with obesity and severe health issues that are considering Lap-Band® surgery?

I would absolutely recommend it! It does take a lot of discipline. I followed what the doctor instructed me to do. I wanted and needed this to work! Don’t think it’s an autopilot situation; you still need to be disciplined and work at it.

Dr. Ladd Atkins at Lap-Band® Center of Oklahoma states, “Gastric banding surgery is by far the safest weight loss surgery method on the market today. It’s minimally invasive using laparoscopy. The benefits of having the surgery include 50 to 80 percent excess weight loss, a high success rate, it’s adjustable, it can reverse Type II diabetes, a quick recovery, and it’s totally reversible. At Lap-Band® Center of Oklahoma, we use only the Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding System by Allergan, which is FDA approved for patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or above.”

Are you or someone you know 30 pounds or more overweight and suffering from Type II diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, or other obesity-related conditions? If so, you can find out more about what Lap-Band® surgery can do for you by attending one of our free seminars. To register, call (918) 392-2806 or visit our website at www.lapbandcenterofoklahoma.com.

For more information, contact

Lap-Band® Center of Oklahoma

Pinnacle Specialty Hospital

(918) 392-2806