Chase Roller

Surgery Date: April 2015
Starting Weight: 432 lbs.
Current Weight: 272 lbs.

As a probation/parole officer, as well as a coach for high school football and wrestling, Chase was motivated to live a more active and healthier life. But his weight (and the strain on his arthritic hip the weight caused) was holding him back. Now he says his only regret is not having the surgery 10 years ago. Chase says: “I’d refer my mother to Dr. Eibes if she needed this surgery – that’s
how much I trust this team.”

 

What made you decide to have a vertical sleeve gastrectomy? I had very painful arthritis in my hip, but I was not eligible for a  hip replacement because my doctor told me I was too heavy. I couldn’t exercise to reduce my weight, however, because my hip hurt too much.
I did a lot of research before coming to Dr. Eibes. I wasn’t keen on gastric bypass because I didn’t want my internal plumbing re-routed and I read lots of horror stories of side-effects. I didn’t want the lap-band surgery because I didn’t like the idea of a foreign material inside my body that could cause future complications. I went to one of Dr. Eibes’ informational sessions after searching for an experienced gastric sleeve surgeon and decided this was the solution for me.

Since your vertical sleeve gastrectomy, in which conditions or diseases have you seen a change? In just a few months my weight has gone down enough that I am now eligible for hip replacement surgery. I also had sleep apnea prior to surgery. I haven’t used my CPAP machine for months and feel fine.

Besides the external changes you have experienced, how has the surgery altered your outlook on life and your relationships?
My whole life has changed. I have more energy and can play more actively with my kids. The kids are so much happier with the new me! I have
a better outlook on life and make much better health choices. This is not only good for me, but for my kids as well. I’ve stopped drinking soda
and beer and I don’t eat fried food. We just don’t have that stuff around the house anymore. I’ve learned a lot about nutrition and my relationship with food has changed. I’m satisfied with small servings of healthy foods and can now recognize and appreciate that “full means stop,” both for myself and for my kids.

What other things have changed thanks to the surgery? I used to be the biggest guy on the football coaching staff, and we are a group of pretty big guys! Now I’m the second smallest guy and I’ve inspired the others to try and lose weight and make better health choices as well.

What do you wish you’d known before the surgery? I was so surprised at how quickly the weight came off. I lost 160 pounds in 6 months. It’s amazing!

What would you say about Dr. Eibes and the Iowa Weight Loss Specialists team? I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful they are…simply fabulous. I couldn’t ask for a better experience. I know I can call any of them up anytime I have a question and they’ll respond as quickly as they can. The support is phenomenal. I don’t think there is a better team assembled anywhere – they work great together and they work great with their patients. I’d refer my mother to the clinic if she needed the service – that’s how much I trust them.

What would you tell someone who was considering the surgery? I’d tell them to check and see if their insurance covers the surgery. Even if the insurance company says no, I’d tell them to go talk to Dr. Eibes’ team anyway. They work hard to try and get the procedure approved if it’s in the patient’s best interest.