Middle Tennessee man’s life with 115 lbs. weight loss

For as long as he can remember, 37- year-old Steven struggled with his weight. In high school, he weighed around 225 pounds, and throughout adulthood he moved through the familiar cycle of trying diets, losing weight, then gaining back even more. “No matter what I changed, I always gained it back plus some,” he said.

In 2017, Steven and his wife welcomed a daughter named Averie. She passed away in the neonatal intensive care unit, and grief took a deep and lasting toll on him. “That was my lowest point, he said. “I began eating in a very unhealthy way, almost like a depression response.” 

Over time, his weight climbed from 200 pounds to 315.The moment everything shifted was when Steven realized how much his health was limiting his life, especially as a father. He shares three daughters who are now twelve, nine and five years old. “They are the reason I did this,” he said. “I wanted to play with them, take them to the park and keep up with them. I wanted to feel good enough to be present.”

In October 2023, Steven reached out to Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford’s Bariatric Center. His first connection was with program navigator Leteta, followed by Dr. Stephen Rich, bariatric surgeon. “The process was so easy. As long as you stay on top of your emails and calls, they move fast,” he said.

Steven originally scheduled surgery for December 2023, but he had to postpone because of a family emergency. He eventually had his sleeve gastrectomy at the end of June 2024.

At his highest, Steven weighed around 320 pounds. On the day of surgery, he was already down to the high 280s after beginning the recommended preoperative lifestyle changes. Today, he weighs 205 pounds, and he is working toward a goal of 190.

The changes he has experienced extend far beyond what the scale shows.

Before surgery, Steven took seven or eight medications every day for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and anxiety. Today, he does not require any of them. “My bloodwork is perfect,” he said. “Better than it has ever been. The surgery truly changed my life.”

He feels more energetic, more confident and more capable. He walks regularly, plays with his kids for longer stretches of time and even brings his fourteen year old dog to local trails for exercise. “I do not get tired doing little things anymore,” he said. “Going to the mall, going to the park, it all feels different now.”

Steven’s journey has also inspired others. A close friend recently chose bariatric surgery after watching his success. “People think it is the easy way out,” he said “It is not. You cannot have surgery and go back to your old habits. You have to change your entire lifestyle. But it is absolutely worth it. I feel proud of how far I've come and grateful for the life I am now living.”

If you're ready for a new beginning, our expert team at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Bariatric Center is here to help you take that next step.