Bernard Werwie, who goes by Bernie, knew he needed to make a major life change.
Bernie weighed over 600 pounds and was diagnosed as being morbidly obese. The diagnosis effected Bernie “like a ton of bricks,” as his mother had died young from complications of obesity.
“I had the comorbid factors of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea,” he shares. “I was desperate, and my future looked very bleak. I was barely able to walk around a city block, and I had to take days off work because I would be in agonizing pain.”
Bernie consulted with Brennan Carmody, MD, FACS, and Jeannine Moss, a nurse practitioner, at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital.
“Everyone treated me with dignity, respect and empathy. They gave me hope and provided me with confidence that I was in good hands.”
It was decided that Bernie needed to undergo bariatric surgery in order to get his weight under control. Since surgery, Bernie’s weight is down to 225 pounds. He recently hiked the Appalachian Trail, went cross country skiing, and now often goes for bike rides.
“I can live life to the fullest,” Bernie says. “I’m very grateful to God and to everyone at Bon Secours for helping me make my dream of weight loss come true. It is a miracle that I have been able to make this kind of transformation in my life and I could not have done it without the help of God, my family, and everyone at Bon Secours. They have been there for me thru very challenging times and for this I will be forever grateful.”
Bernie is proud to share that he is currently in the process of going back to school to become a rehabilitation counselor.
“I’m very excited that my new right size body not only helps me look and feel good, it is also helping me achieve career, professional and recreational goals that I never imagined possible. Thank you, Bon Secours!”
Learn more about the weight loss solutions services we offer at Bon Secours.
