Some people are well aware of their weight problem at an early age. It’s something they knew about when they were young and struggled with throughout life. But for Dave, the pounds crept up on him silently.

A retired Cummins employee who now works at a funeral home, Dave was aware on some level that he was getting heavier. He’d stopped playing in softball leagues and other organized activity long before he reached his mid-fifties, and during the intervening years his clothes size had crept up. But it wasn’t until he actually measured his weight — which at one point peaked at 287 pounds — that he decided he had a serious problem.

“I didn’t realize how big I’d gotten until I got on the scale and just said, ‘Whoa,'” he said.

Unlike many who find their desire for activity decreased as they got heavier, Dave still retained his characteristic high energy level. “My (new) boss asked if I worked this hard when I was big. I said I worked that hard when I was larger, there was just more of me to get around!” he said.

He found that no matter what he ate, his metabolism prevented him from serious weight loss. He tried different kinds of diets, with little effect. Dave was taking medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. His knees hurt all the time.

After consulting his family physician, Dave went for a consultation at the Weight Loss Institute of Columbus Regional Health. After talking to the doctors and staff and attending a support group meeting, Dave grasped at a chance to change his life for the better.

It’s been nearly seven years since he underwent the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, making him one of the earliest patients to receive surgical treatment at the institute. After getting down to 146 pounds, his weight has plateaued at 156 pounds. Dave says he’d do it all over again in a minute.

Dave loves being an advocate for bariatric surgery, but advises everyone to do plenty of research before taking “that giant step.” It’s not for everyone, he says, but many people like him who have been challenged by obesity have found it to be a choice that enhances their health and happiness. Dave is no longer taking any prescription medications, and enjoys romping around with his seven grandkids.

He’s even become something of a minor celebrity in the Columbus area. People read about his journey in articles and saw his amazing before-and-after photos. “I’ve had random people come up to me and give me a hug, saying what I had done really influenced them. That means a lot.”