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February Spotlight Patient

Hi.  My name is Gene Abbatiello, and I'm a Gastric Sleeve patient.  Prior to my weight loss surgery, my weight had gotten up to 456 pounds.  Ouch!  I do mean, "Ouch".  I hurt from the top of my head to my toes.  My legs would swell up every day.  My knees were bone-on-bone, but I couldn't have knee replacement surgery because of my weight.

I was taking 13 pills each day for my High Blood Pressure and Type 2 Diabetes.   Five of those medications were for my diabetes, and my blood pressure stayed at 180/101 or higher, despite the multiple medications that I took for that.

What a way to live, huh?

I couldn't even enjoy hunting and fishing anymore because of my weight.  As I gained weight, I couldn't trek around the woods like I used too.  Soon after that, I really couldn't fish anymore, either.   The worst part was that I couldn't teach my grandson about hunting and fishing the way I wanted to - by doing those activities with him.

As time went on, I had to start using a Jazzy Scooter to get around at work and in any stores that I went to.  I found that more and more often, I'd simply come home from work, exhausted, and stay there until the next morning.

What a great way to live, don't you think?

I first went to see Dr. Tom at one of the Georgetown Bariatrics Seminars at Georgetown Community Hospital.  I decided to have the Gastric Sleeve Procedure based on my health, my eating habits and after conversations with the staff and Dr. Tom.  The Sleeve is the best thing I ever did. I really haven't experienced any negative side effects, and I'm losing weight! 

I've lost nearly 200 pounds since October, 2009.  My waist has shrunk form 66"-68" (an XXXXL) to 44".  I'm no longer taking diabetes medication, and I'm down to only 1 blood pressure medication.  My blood pressure is steady at 100/75, and I no longer need that Jazzy Chair!  I walk when I go to the store.  I'm now at a weight where I can have my knee replacement surgery.

 I've taken my grandson hunting, where he got an 8-point buck.  He also saw wild turkeys.  It's great to see his smile, and he keeps telling everyone that he can get his arms around his Nonno.

This past summer, I took him to New York, where I was very mobile, as you can see from this picture of us on a fishing boat. 

 I do think - no, I KNOW - that the Sleeve has saved my life.  Dr. Tom helped me, and his team is the best.  I was in the hospital for four days, and the nursing care I got at Georgetown in the best I've ever experienced.

Talk about a great life!  It has meaning now.