Social Studies teacher, Bill Burket said he has struggled with weight issues for a long time.
“I was a big guy all through high school and college,” said the 1986 Springfield High School graduate.
“My health was good, I really had no issues but my dad passed away and he had blood pressure issues and sugar issues so I knew it was in my family. I hit 40 and I thought, here I was 400 pounds and the health issues were in my family, I knew I was bound to have something happen to me health wise.”
Burket had success on Weight Watchers, losing 90 pounds. But he gained it back and lost it again and gained it back.
His doctor had mentioned gastric bypass surgery but Burket said, “I was not real keen on doing that.”
The doctor said that Weight Watchers is the best way to go if he did not want to have the surgery.
Eventually, he decided to try the surgery hoping to help eliminate health issues down the road.
“The surgery is done laparoscopic now so there were no big incisions but it is not as easy as it may sound. You do not just go in have the surgery,” Burket said.
He stated that it is a four-to-six month learning process before you can have the surgery.
First there is an informational meeting and the doctor is there and he explains it and shows a video of the surgery. Patients undergo an interview to decide if the patient is a candidate. Patients have a physician guided weight lost program, followed by a psychological evaluation.
Classes about eating habits are mandatory.
“They train you to give up the things you will have to give up after you have surgery,” he said. “They want you to give them up before the surgery so you do not come home after and you haven’t trained for this.”
Burket met with a nutritionist, a nurse and the doctor before he began. He had to lose 15 pounds before the surgery.
“I was 407 when I entered the program and I gave up pop and fast food and lost 30 pounds in a month so I was ready for the surgery,” he said.
Burket underwent surgery on April 23, 2008. At the time he weighed 372 pounds. He lost 100 pounds in the first three or four months. At his six-month checkup, Burket was at his goal weight, which is to lose 60 percent of your excess weight.
He currently weighs in the 170s and he has lost over 235 pounds.
“I went from a size 58 waste to a 34,” Burket said. “I feel a lot better, and I can shop now. I do not have to go to just the big and tall shop. I can shop anywhere. I was wearing 4X and 5X shirts. Now I wear a large.”
He still attends meetings and helps others through their surgeries.
Burket’s surgery was completed by Dr. Walter Chlysta’s off at Akron General Hospital.
“They were great I could call anytime and talk with someone at the doctor’s office. It is like a family, it is a wonderful program,” he said.
“They say it is the easy way out but I challenge anyone. It is not easy,” he said. “It is a lot of advance planning. You give up a lot. I was a sweets-eater. I wanted the sweet taste. I would buy a box of Fruity Peebles and go home and eat the whole box. Now if I eat sugar it will make me sick.”
Burket said sugar or alcohol hits a gastric bypass patient faster because the sugar absorbs faster, resulting in sickness.
Burket runs marathons now. He eats almost anything but the sugar.
“I still have my sweet tooth,” he said. “I love doughnuts. I can tolerate something that has less than 10 grams of sugar in it, if I have over that I get sick,” he said.
“My back doesn’t hurt any more. My knees don’t bother me. My sleep apnea is gone and I can get up and down the steps easily. I can walk five or six miles without breathing heavy. I am so much more active now. I have more energy to teach and I am involved more in extra things,” he said. “I have a more positive outlook on life and I get tired now because I do so much not from carrying weight around.”
Burket said he had a good support system of friends and family. Today he is helping others that want to lose the weight and be healthier.
“It may not be for everyone but it does not hurt to check it out and talk with someone,” he said. “There are ups and downs, but it has made a difference in my life.”
Springfield TWP, Ohio —
