Patient Interview: ‘If I was always normal weight, who would I have been?”
In early 2004, Anthony Governale was running out of options. “I got up one day and knew at 400lbs., I had reached rock bottom. I would not see the end of the year, if I didn’t take action.”
Anthony recalls his childhood as being traumatic. Always visiting doctors, and constantly being put on diets. In high school he reached 352 lbs. At 5’10 he was considered morbidly obese. Before college he was able to diet down 120 lbs. by eating 1200 calories a day. But sophomore year he gained it all back—plus a little more. This cycle was to repeat itself many times. Caloric diets. Protein diets. Diabetic diets. By the year 2000, he had lost 100 lbs. on three separate occasions, and 30 to 50 lbs. more times than he could count. And yet, Anthony was averaging close to 400 lbs.
By 2002, at the age of 46, Anthony decided to research the possibility of undergoing gastric by-pass surgery. “I figured if I could lose all that weight on my own, I would be a good candidate to succeed through a surgical alternative. I also knew I needed to do something while my heart was still in reasonable shape. If I waited too long and my overall health deteriorated, there would be no options.” For two years he visited clinics throughout the region having a demonstrated track record in performing the surgery. He attended seminars, talked to surgeons and sat in on support groups. One day he caught an article in the local Houma, Louisiana paper on a small clinic doing gastric bypass surgery. Though they were not from the “big city,” Anthony met with brothers, Dr. Eric Rau and Dr. Fritz Rau and immediately knew he had found the right team. In April 2004, weighing in at 433.8 lbs., Anthony underwent the surgery. The surgical notes described the surgery as being “uneventful.” In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. “Even though I educated myself through lots of research, this was still a life changing proposition. It was positive and traumatic at the same time.”
Anthony suffered one complication, called stenosis, where the hole leading to the stomach narrows prohibiting food from passing through. After the first correction failed, he decided to maintain a liquid diet and let it heal. One year to the day of the surgery, Anthony was down to 205 lbs. “I was thrilled, but I realized I was only half way home. The day I decided to undergo bypass, I knew excess skin would be a problem.” Yo-yo dieting combined with being middle aged left the skin with little elasticity. One evening, Anthony attended a support group featuring guest speaker, Dr. Mark Peters. Peters is a plastic surgeon practicing in Houma with a specialty in massive weight loss correction. After seeing Dr. Peters’ work and talking with his patients, Anthony felt a strong connection. “Dr. Mark is such a lovable fellow—so authentic and genuine. He’s easy going but really knows what he is doing. He was upfront with everything and made me feel comfortable in his hands.” Anthony underwent plastic surgery in October 2005.
Dr. Peters performed what is called a “360 degree full lower body lift.” Excess skin on the abdomen was removed. Skin was pulled down in the front and up in the back and sides. After 5 hours, 15.8 lbs. of skin and fat tissue was removed. During the lift, Dr. Rau joined Dr. Peters and corrected the stenosis so Anthony could enjoy solid foods again. After surgery, Anthony’s biggest surprise was the lack of pain. “I was in the hospital two nights, walking the next day. I was given a morphine pump but only used it once. I came home with 4 drain tubes and those were removed after a week and a half. A couple stitches popped, but those were fixed during my weekly follow up visits with Dr. Peters.” Anthony calls the lift, “the icing on the cake—no more rolls or folds.”
What advice would he give prospective patients facing the similar weight challenges? “I would never talk anyone into having this done—it is a very personal decision. Not all patients can deal with the restrictions. Some are not accepted. A great deal rides on personality, attitude and a psychological evaluation.” Support is also a key factor in a patient’s experience. Anthony had the help of his wife, mother and extended family throughout. He also benefited from a bit of Divine intervention…
Typically insurance will not reimburse a patient having a gastric bypass or body lift. So, how does one afford these procedures? Anthony had a special set of circumstances working in his favor. 12 years ago, he won the lottery in a shared pot. While not enough to allow him to retire, he receives a stipend every year giving him some “mad money.” But he does not want anyone to think the lottery influenced his decision. “Yes, it was a Godsend, but I would have found a way to do the math either way. These procedures are not just for rich people. My investment was about the same as buying a small car. Many of the hospitals offer financing.”
Anthony contends his experience has been priceless. “Looking in the mirror is like discovering a whole new person. I never knew what life was all about.” He is now able to enjoy the little things. “Physically I carried the weight pretty well, but mentally and emotionally it took its toll. Would I break a chair? Could I fit in a car? Would I make it through the turnstile? If I was always normal weight, who would I have been?” Ironically, his weight stunted his growth.
Today at 208 lbs. he is learning to fly and drives his “dream sports car.” Born again, he is learning something new every day that others take for granted.
In 2006 Anthony anticipates one additional surgery to correct his chest and inner thighs at which point he will be completely transformed, inside and out. “I owe my new life to the skill of my surgeons. Dr. Eric and Fritz set the stage and gave me hope. Dr. Mark took things a step further and refined my body after I did all I could. At close to 50, words cannot describe the joy of self discovery.”
