Bariatric Center Georgetown Community Hospital

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December Spotlight Patient

Roger Barkley

 

 

 

 

Roger's Story...
I had been overweight for quite a while. Reaching 650+ made living pretty rough. I had tried other diets, including Weight Watchers and LA Weightloss, among other things. I had lost over 100 lbs but it was still a battle.
 
As a Musical Evangelist, I found my life was becoming more and more difficult. It was hard to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom much less go anywhere outside. I was not able to stand for over 3-5 minutes at a time. I would take 2 different blood pressure meds, cholesterol and diabetic meds, and check my blood sugar level 2-3 times a day. I would take arthritis meds in the morning along with extra pain meds for leg and back pain. 
 
I was not able to do a simple thing like go to the grocery as my weight had affected my knees, and I hadn't driven a car since around 2002. Simple things some take for granted, like doing laundry, standing to cook at the stove, mowing the yard, playing catch with my three children, or going fishing dwindled away with each week it seemed. 

My wife and I had been praying about the surgery and thought adjustable gastric banding was the answer for me, as it was much less invasive. After more prayer and finally getting insurance on board, we did more research and found out about the great reports coming out about the Georgetown Bariatric staff. After some of the meetings with the staff there, we decided that although the adjustable gastric band was a great tool, maybe the by-pass was more for me.

The staff and educational meetings I attended were not only very professional but I also left very well-informed. The 6-month insurance-required diet for my insurance went by very quickly and helped me get used to an eating change and different mindset; things that I should have been doing already. 

My surgeon was very supportive and did not have an heir about him as some do about weight. My surgery was scheduled for Dec. 8, 2010. I was told to expect a longer stay because of being over 500 lbs. I was told that my surgery would take about 4 hours. I was out of surgery in 2 hours and 45minutes. I went into the hospital on Wednesday and left Friday afternoon. 
 
I was told by some wait until after the first of the year. My answer was, why wait? Was I a little sore? Yes, but was on my way to recovery already. The nurses were great and very caring of me, not as "just a patient," but also a person. I had a loving wife and caring family to help through recovery and left the hospital with the tools needed for the task. 
 
 
Roger Barkley, Before & After
 
 
Now from 525 lbs. on December 8, 2010 down to 310 November 1, 2011 I am well on my way to reaching my goal of 235. 

Just recently I was able to stand for at least one song without the assistance of a cane while singing at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville KY this September. While my bones are still re-adjusting to the weight they are getting better. I was able to drive again this month. It has been over 7 years since I could do that. No blood pressure meds, no diabetic meds, no cholesterol and legs are getting stronger. 

I've been told by others I am an inspiration to them and I must say it has opened some doors for conversations. It has allowed me to do what I was called to do which is to sing and preach God's Word across the world. This has been a humbling experience in that aspect and I feel like I have gotten a second chance on life. 

I would like others to know that this is a tool in which I have used. Although it was not an extremely hard road it was at sometimes difficult to adjust. Make sure you utilize your support staff whether it is family, church family, or the staff at the Bariatric Center. It is not a journey you are on by yourself. You will find that along the way there are more people that will support you. 
 

There have been many people I have not seen in a while that it takes a few minutes for them to recognize that it is me. From shoe sizes and widths to pants sizes and lengths, your entire wardrobe will have a change also. Make sure you plan ahead. Nobody, including myself, was ready for that part. I have gone from an 8X pants to 4X in less than a year. That is a 74in waist to a 52in at the tailor today.