"Before I found St. Francis Surgical Weight Loss, I was on a fast track to the grave," Tom says. "I had type 2 diabetes, which had spiraled out of control and for which I was taking two daily insulin injections along with a handful of oral medications. I also had severe sleep apnea and hypertension.

Since his surgery, Tom has lost 102 pounds and no longer takes any diabetes medicine. In addition, his hypertension has vastly improved. "Within five months my snoring stopped and I began to sleep like a normal person again," he says.

Before the surgery, his favorite foods were steak, potatoes and junk food. "Worse than that," he says, "I couldn't do anything. All I could do was sit on the sidelines."

After dropping the weight, Tom's life has truly changed. His diet includes more vegetables and chicken, and he is living an active lifestyle.

"I can do so many things I couldn't do before - things that normal people take for granted," he says. "I can tie my shoes, get down on the floor to play with my grandson, take a walk, the list goes on and on."