Ronnie’s Story: From Trapped to Truly Free

Surgery Type: Duodenal Switch
Starting Weight: 687 lbs
Current Weight: 205 lbs
Weight Loss: 482 lbs

Finding the Motivation to Change

For 25 years, I was trapped in a body that kept me from living the life I wanted. I’d been “bigger” since elementary school, and no matter what I tried, the weight kept coming on. I never ate terribly or drank soda constantly—my body just seemed determined to gain.

When my father passed, I hit rock bottom. Nothing was working. I couldn’t lose weight, and my body was shutting down. I was ready to give up entirely.

At first, my motivation came from a dark place—anger and hurt from a relationship that ended badly. But after about a year, something shifted. My motivation became something bigger: Life itself. I didn’t want to leave my kids or my family. I wanted to live and enjoy this wonderful planet. I wanted to experience life through new lenses instead of being trapped in a cell of my own making.

Facing My Fears

Before surgery, the usual fears ran through my mind on a loop: What if it doesn’t work? Why would this work when nothing ever has? Is it worth the pain? What if I die on the table?

Eventually, I had to silence those thoughts and just decide. I decided to push through no matter what.

The Challenges Were Worth It

Those first weeks after surgery were tough. The pain from one of my incisions brought me to tears. Once that healed, eating became the new challenge. It’s a science mixed with a juggling act—choosing what to eat, how much, making sure you don’t go too far and get sick, but also making sure you’re getting enough nutrition. It’s a fine line, but once you dial it in, the real challenge becomes sitting still!

Wins That Changed Everything

Some of my biggest victories might seem ordinary to other people, but after 25 years trapped in my old body, they mean the world to me:

• People don’t stare anymore. No one points or laughs. I can move through the world invisibly, just like everyone else.
• I can properly clean and care for my body—something I couldn’t do before, whether in the bathroom or shower.
• I can sit with my leg crossed over my knee.
• I can walk and stand without needing to sit down every 30 seconds.
• I never have to Google whether seating at a restaurant or venue can support my weight.
  

I am truly free now.

My Message to You

I was recommended to Dr. Brown and her amazingly wonderful team, and they changed and saved my life. I hope my story can inspire future patients to take the same step. You aren’t alone, and there is always a way—if your will is strong enough.

If you’d like to know more and see my full journey, check out my YouTube channel: youtube.com/@mrkingman89

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Ready to write your own success story? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Brown to learn if bariatric surgery is right for you.