Research shows that four times as many female patients opt for bariatric surgery than men.
“Obesity rates in the country are split 50-50 between men and women,” said Bariatric Surgeon Harish Kakkilaya, MD. “However, 80-percent of all bariatric surgery patients are women, and only 20 percent are men.”
Dr. Kakkilaya said obesity is dangerous for both men and women.
“Men who are overweight are very good candidates for bariatric surgery,” he said, noting that one of his male patients has lost over 100 pounds since his surgery.
Ryan Johnson of Bridgeton had sleeve gastrectomy surgery on Aug. 27, 2020. On surgery day, he weighed in at 366 pounds. Since the procedure, he is more than 140 pounds lighter.
“In addition to the big goal of losing weight, there are little side victories — incidental victories,” he said.
Moments like sitting comfortably on an airplane and buckling in without asking for a seatbelt extension or going to the mall and finding his size on the rack.
“It’s been so great,” he said.
Johnson fought his weight since his early years.
“I was a skinny kid, but as soon as I hit puberty, I started gaining and kept gaining,” Johnson said.
Even while staying active, dieting and exercising, Johnson couldn’t lose the excess weight. Finally, his sister recommended he go see Dr. Kakkilaya.
“She had weight loss surgery several years ago and is doing great with it, so I decided to go see Dr. Kakkilaya,” he said.
Other than being overweight, Johnson didn’t have any major health issues prior to surgery.
“My blood pressure and cholesterol were decent, but there are other health aspects that improve for men after losing the weight,” he said. “When you feel better about yourself, your confidence increases.”
Johnson’s goal is to get down to around 200 pounds. Being 5’11”, he doesn’t want to get “too skinny.”
“Losing the weight was important to me,” he said. “I wanted to be more active for my daughter. The surgery helped me and can help other men get the confidence to do things they can’t do as a large person.”
SMC now offers a self-pay option for bariatric procedures which can expedite the time between the initial consultation and the procedure.
For more testimonials, go to smc.health/bariatric-surgery-success-stories/.
Dr. Kakkilaya is currently accepting new patients. To schedule a consultation, call 856-823-4288.
Ryan Johnson before and after surgery with his daughter Natalie.