Rick Minchew

Growing up, Rick Minchew says he was stocky, but never seriously overweight. It wasn't until college, that his activity slowed down and his weight began to grow. "Prior to surgery, I was a junk food junkie and a couch potato king," he said. "I liked being outside but I hated to exercise. Luckily, I never really had any health problems, except back problems and I could not walk far without my back hurting and sweating profusely."

Although he was not currently facing health issues related to his weight, he knew he was heading in that direction. After a move to the Texas Hill Country, he wanted to change his lifestyle so he could participate in the many outdoor activities that were available. He also wanted to return to a favorite activity - scuba diving, which he had not been able to do since his weight reached over 400 pounds.

"I couldn't do so many things I wanted to," he said. "Like many others, I began researching it and I knew I wanted to have surgery and I wanted to have it laparoscopically, so I wanted to go to Baylor."

Rick, now 46, had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery on March 3, 2003 and has since lost more than 190 pounds. He has begun have the plastic surgery to remove the excess skin that comes with such a dramatic weight loss.

While he is thrilled with his results, Rick is more excited about his new lifestyle. "It has been just incredible," he said. "Exercise is a real key to success. I slowly worked up to walking 45 minutes every day and then added water aerobics and the weight began to come off very quickly. I went snow skiing for the first time in my life last year and just returned from a scuba diving trip and I am learning white water kayaking. It is wonderful to be able to do all these things again."

The support the Baylor program offers after surgery is another key to his success, he said. He travels to Dallas as often as possible to attend meetings. "At first I did not think I would like those meetings, I have to admit," he said. "But I have come to realize how very important they are. It is important to everyone's ongoing success."

Please note: Individual results may vary.