Art Gonsalves, a 58-year-old financial advisor from East Setauket, worked on Wall Street in his 20s and 30s as a regional salesperson. “I was constantly entertaining, wining and dining, eating rich foods and having a grand old time.”
He woke up one morning and was 270 lbs. He would lose weight, go out and celebrate and gain it right back.
“One day I wound up with a severe infection in my elbow and had to be hospitalized. I asked the aide in my room what was wrong with the bed scale, it registered 302 pounds. I was stunned and scared when he told me it was 100% accurate, I realized I didn’t want to be a statistic. Something needed to change,” said Art.
Art went to a bariatric information seminar on May 9, 2022. He chose Mather Hospital because they are a Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. Being a data person, Art explained, “I wanted to know I was going to be in the right hands with the right doctors and nurses with the right coaching, everyone who had the right experience so I knew in my mind I would be able to obtain the best treatment and the best results for me.”
Art had gastric sleeve surgery and within two months he was down nearly 70 pounds. “I had been on six medications, and I was taken off all six meds 10 weeks after surgery. Overall, I’ve lost over 110 pounds,” said Art.
“My life has changed. Professionally, I’m wearing suits. I’m looking good. I’m feeling good and I’m happy to get up and go. Personally, I’m able to get out on the ice and skate. I’ve been asked to join a men’s hockey team for the first time in 20 years. I’m no longer on the sidelines of life. I’m able to walk the dogs, skate, get down on the ground and play with my granddaughter. Life is good,” said Art.
Art felt supported by the team at Mather from the beginning of his weight loss journey. “Everyone was friendly. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. They didn’t make me feel that way at all. They made me comfortable and encouraged me. They provided me with a lot of data and facts, and I realized that I was in an environment with an experienced, talented, compassionate group of individuals. They guided me from the beginning of the seminar all the way through and I experienced nothing but greatness from start to finish,” said Art.