From hunting and fishing to building fences and tending to his sizeable vegetable gardens, John Kolodziej isn’t one to get his exercise by walking on a treadmill. He’s an outdoorsman through and through.
A retired law enforcement officer, the 53-year-old is married with an adult daughter.
“I enjoy being outside with our four dogs and just being active,” John says. But the 300+ pounds he was carrying slowed him down and caused some weight-related chronic health problems, including hypertension and gout.
At 6’2”, John was also uncomfortable squeezing into duck hunting boats and climbing into tree stands during deer hunting. A typical hunting trip or walk with his active dogs typically requires a 3-4 mile walk, which can take a toll on an overweight body.
“I was wearing a size 56 pants and 4/5X shirt at the time; I was clearly too big,” John recalls. He was also tired of the weight loss followed by the eventual weight regain cycle.
Inspired by love for his family
John’s 25-year career in the police force required him to miss several holidays and special occasions with his family over the years.
“Now that I’m retired, I don’t want my time with them to be cut short by something I can manage—my weight.”
“My wife had successful weight loss surgery performed by Dr. Seun Sowemimo in 2018 and she’s kept the weight off beautifully,” John notes. “I made some improvements to my overall health on my own, but I had a big chunk of weight to lose.” He consulted with Dr. Seun in early 2020 to see if he qualified for gastric sleeve bariatric surgery.
After approval, in July 2020, John had a sleeve gastrectomy, weighing 312 pounds at the time. After watching his wife’s earlier bariatric success, he knew what he had to do post-op to succeed.
John made health and weight loss priority number one
Today, less than eight months since his weight loss surgery, John has lost 94 pounds and now weighs 218 pounds. His exercise of choice is still the great outdoors. He also takes a beginner yoga class on YouTube every morning to stay flexible.
“I don’t have a specific weight loss goal,” he says. “Once I weigh under 200 pounds, I will be very pleased.” Today, the size 56 pants have been replaced by size 36; the size 4/5X is now a standard size large (which John hasn’t worn since sixth grade).
Today, John no longer requires any medications for his pre-op health issues, which are now resolved.
John reminds readers that weight loss surgery is no ‘easy way out.’
“You have to put in the work and make some serious changes in the way you live and eat,” he cautions. “Find something that inspires you to reach your goal. For me, I wanted to be healthy so that I can have as much time as possible with my family.”
Dr. Sowemimo discusses John’s case
Dr. Sowemimo compliments John on his single-minded focus to lose nearly 100 pounds by exercising and eating a diet based on plants before animal products.
“John has a passion for growing his own food,” he explains. “One of the best gifts you can give your body is to offload excess weight and relieve the 24/7 stress on your organs, and feed it real food, fresh off the vine, tree or out of the ground.”
Dr. Seun says John is also a great example of someone who is active and burning calories by being outside.
“Fitness doesn’t have to be done on a Peloton or in a gym,” he says. “Being outside, digging in the soil and building something with your hands can also give you a great workout. Just ask John.”
Dr. Seun Sowemimo is an obesity medicine specialist and board-certified Bariatric and GI surgeon at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold and Jackson. For telehealth appointments or to learn more about surgical weight loss or treatment for obesity, call (732) 414-2707.