Jason's Fitness Transformation: Bariatric Surgery and Beyond

In February 2021, Jason Williams began what would be a life-changing transformation. He joined a clinical program at ProMedica ForeverFit to start his commitment to physical activity before having bariatric surgery. Programs like this are medical-based membership programs designed for those who have been referred by a provider and need help creating an exercise routine.

Eight months later, Jason had lost 140 pounds, increased his strength and endurance, and was ready for bariatric surgery. Now, the 39-year-old from Toledo is even further into his journey of lifelong well-being. And, he wants to be a positive influence to anyone looking to make their first step towards better health.

Here’s Jason’s story, in his own words.

My Fitness Journey

By Jason Williams

Before joining ProMedica ForeverFit and having Bariatric surgery I was struggling to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. I would get winded just getting up off of the couch and going to the restroom or walking to the kitchen to prepare a meal. A few years before the Pandemic, I suffered two very serious injuries to my both lower legs that left me home bound.  At the time, I was 400lbs and had high blood pressure which made it difficult for the wounds to heal.  My physician had to prescribe a Wound Vac, Lymphedema pumps and physical therapy.  By the time both wounds finally healed I was around 450+ lbs. and very unhappy.

In 2020 when COVID started, it forced a lot of people, including me to work remotely. Not being able to leave the house forced me into some pretty unhealthy habits.  Instead of cooking my own meals, I would order fast-food daily via DoorDash, GrubHub.  I spent close to $500 per month on fast food deliveries and additional $300 a week on groceries.   The grocery orders were not healthy either, I would order finger foods (Cookies, Chips, Soda, Candy, Etc.).  It was super convenient and very simple but unfortunately, it was making me a very unpleasant person.  I wouldn’t shower or leave the house, I wore the same clothes every day, and my overall ability to care about myself or life in general went out the window. I wasn’t even trying to get my health or my weight under control. 

My wound-care doctor and Primary Care Physician kept preaching bariatric surgery and getting my health in order.  I was on 15 different medications, all for my blood pressure and morbid obesity state. Things just kept getting worse and when my Doctors, family, and friends would tell me I need to get my health in order I would get more defiant and locked up.  Before I knew it, I was 660lbs and couldn’t move 5 feet without having to stop and take a break to catch my breath.  I kept making excuses for myself not to exercise or get my health in order.  I would always set up a plan like I am going to start walking tomorrow and then the next day would come and I wouldn’t do anything.  I finally got to the point where I hated myself, I hated everyone around me and I was pushing everyone and everything that meant the most to me away.   Those were dark days.   I was researching suicide and different ways to let go of life in general.  I finally realized I had a purpose on this planet and it just wasn’t my time.  I knew my mother up in heaven would not want me to be like this and I had to change to become a better person and rebuild the happiness in my life.   It was at this point that I started to research options to get healthier.

I spoke with a close friend of mine who just had bariatric surgery with Dr. White at ProMedica Health Systems.  He talked with me about the process and gave me loads of good information.  Unfortunately, at the time, I didn’t have medical insurance that covered Bariatric surgery or weight loss options.  Finally in 2021 my employer changed insurance providers that did offer coverage for bariatric surgery.   My friend helped me set up an appointment with the ProMedica Bariatric Clinic to speak with a dietitian and to Dr. White.  They gave me a Bariatric Binder that had a diet, fitness recommendations and a 10 step process leading up to bariatric surgery as well as what to expect before, during, and post-op after surgery. I needed to lose weight before the surgery so both Dr. White and the Dietician referred me to the ProMedica ForeverFit Bridge-to-Fitness program, a short term physician referral program that offers a variety of aqua aerobics classes to Bariatric patients before surgery.

My very first day of aqua class, I must’ve walked from the sliding doors at ForeverFit to my truck, 6-7 times until I finally I told myself “I showed up, I am here, so I might as well do the class”.  There was no turning back.  I started 2 days a week then as I got more comfortable with the classes and I started going to 4-5 classes a week. The other participants in the class were so supportive and encouraging.  I even met my current girl friend at one of the aqua classes.  The other class participants kept trying to set us up on a date even researching ideas for our first date.  I am so glad we met, she has become one of my biggest supporters throughout this entire journey.She had weight loss surgery in 2019 and gave me a lot of information and was upfront about the whole process.  It really helped me knowing I didn’t have to do it alone. Aside front taking aqua classes, my girlfriend and I started walking daily.  The first day I walked to the house next door and back to my porch.  As my endurance increased I was able to walk to the end of the block and back. I kept increasing the length of the walk until I could make it all the way around the block. Between February of 2021 and October of 2021 I went from 660lbs to 520lbs.  My Bariatric surgery was scheduled on October 15, 2021 with Dr. White.  I was super motivated and excited, not to mention I was very proud of myself for losing 140lbs prior to surgery.

After the surgery, I continued with aqua class for a few months. Then with support from the members and the staff at ForeverFit, both of which have now became more like a 2nd family to me, I gained enough confidence to transition to land based workouts to build strength and core stability.  So, I enrolled in the Script4Fitness program, a short-term physician referral program and was set up with Wendy a certified fitness professional.  She started with a fitness assessment and a consultation that identified my short-term and long term fitness goals and then created a personalized fitness program to meet those goals. After I completed the S4F program I joined ForeverFit and hired master trainer Heath.  I have been working with him weekly for the past 6 months.  I also continue to take aqua classes two to three times a week and a Core & More class with group exercise instructor/personal trainer Mary. Now I work out at ForeverFit 4 days a week, I walk my dog, my new best friend Bronx, two days a week and have a rest day on Sundays.

I started this transformation to move forward, become stronger, and live a positive and happier life. I knew from the beginning that Bariatric surgery was only the first step and that I would need to exercise and change my eating habits to create a new healthy long term lifestyle I could stick with. Now I want to be a positive influence to anyone out there who is struggling to take that first step towards a healthier life style. Invest in yourself. You are worth it.  Build a tool kit that allows you to create the change you want in your life so you can live life to its fullest. Your life belongs to you and you are only going to live it once.