Jonathan T. Carter, MD

I have so much going on with my health but I, like many, have found my “Why” and just like you, my journey is my own.
It has not been easy. I struggled with my weight for many years. From the pressure of modeling, to accidents that set me back in my fitness routine and allowed my stubborn body (and mind) to pack on the pounds, to the medical conditions that finally solidified my choice to undergo weight loss surgery which honestly I thought would be much easier than it was. My vsg surgery was NO EASY WAY OUT as I had once thought when I even heard people say they had surgery to lose weight. Well it was the hardest thing ever. From the months of weigh-ins and countless appointments at the drs, nutritionist, psychiatrist, and trying to convince my family it was for the best, it was all a LONG process and journey I did for one reason...HEALTH. That is my “Why”. .Please feel free to ask questions, offer support, follow and like every post to help encourage me and in many ways, others as well in this process of becoming the best version of ourselves we can be. I post a lot on IG and will always try and be as open as possible. My highest was 247.9 in June. My surgery weight was 226, and day after I was 227.3. I am currently about 191. I say that as I’m on holiday and haven’t weighed in for a week or so. I have went down about 6 dress sizes and 2 bra sizes. Many ups and downs but I’m glad I had the surgery. I have my next drs follow up at UCSF in a couple weeks. I am just now 3 months out. I hope this was helpful to you. I’ll update often. As I always say: “Find Your “Why” and Never Give Up!” ?????

Updated on 5 Mar 2019:
I’m down to 178lbs and have went from a size 20/22 to a 12. I have battled a lot of emotions with regards to losing hair but I knew it was something I had to deal with. And it’s finally slowed and nearly stopped. I consider the loss I have now to be standard from my hypothyroidism which has been an issue for years.
I am embracing every step of this journey and really am happy I had the surgery. I will explore plastics in 2020/2021 once I am stable as I have no clue what size or weight I will end up at. My surgeons PA saw me at my 4mo mark and he projected the target goal initially suggested of 130lbs will be reached before the average time most patients hit goal (9mo post op) at the rate I am going. He said I am doing great and told me to add zinc if the hair loss was bothersome or too much. I haven’t yet and since it slowed I may not but since I have hypothyroidism I may and see if that helps at all. The less amount of pills and supplements I take the better.
I don’t take many medications anymore which is great! I got my labs back and everything looks great. My triglycerides went from 367 to normal. Every one of my levels have improved. It’s really amazing to see results like that. I mean of course losing weight is great but HEALTH is priceless. That’s why I went to the extreme of having surgery, to have a better life. A healthier life. And it’s paying off.
I run or speed walk about 10-15 miles a week and I’m now about to start going to the gym to gain more muscle mass. I am for sure healthier and I feel it every day. I have another check up at the 6mo mark which I anticipate to be even better than the 4mo check up and I will post an update then. I do post a lot on my IG but I will post here as well.
If you have been considering this type of surgery obviously weigh the pros and cons and research your surgeon and their whole team and facility, but don’t let fear from living to eat instead of eating to live stand in your way. Life is for living!

Updated on 5 Mar 2019:
So happy I made the choice I did!

Updated on 25 Jul 2019:
I’ve done a lot of work and still have a way to go. Here is a pic of me before (literally the day or so before surgery) and 9mo post op. I am currently 166lbs and all my labs the great. A bit of a spike in cholesterol but that I was told is normal due to the body processing all the adipose.
Can’t wait to see how I’ll do at my one year mark.

Updated on 25 Jul 2019:
Pre and post op at 9mo

Updated on 20 Sep 2019:
I can’t believe it has been almost a year. I went from barely able to make 2,500 steps a day my goal to killing 15,000+ on average. I do have increased leg (sciatica) pain from all the activity I am doing (2 jobs in healthcare plus lots of activity daily and also going to the gym a few days a week) but it is so worth it. I haven’t lost really much more weight but I am ok with that. I am stable at 165lbs and fluctuate a pound or two at times. I was a large 22W and now fit in a size 12. I will see how the next 6-9 months go before having my breasts done and likely a tummy tuck done at the same time. I don’t think I will do a body lift. I’m hoping not to have to. Most of my issues are my tummy and boobs. I am still fluctuating from a 36 or 38DD-DDD depending on the bra. The surgeon I went to for a consult said likely I’d be at a full C. Which at the time felt insanely small, but I have had a LOT of increased pain in my torso and shoulders & neck from my breasts so I’m giving it a few months and once my spring semester is up, I’m having them done.
I couldn’t be happier (ok maybe 20lbs more and less pain from boobs lol) with my process. I have had a lot of change that’s positive in my life because I made the leap to have the gastric sleeve surgery done. My labs all look amazing and my health is vastly improved, which was my primary reason for having the surgery. If you’re on the fence about it..ask yourself if you’re happy where you are and how much you’ve done to change it. This isn’t an easy process, but it’s a tool and option many shouldn’t consider as a last resort but rather one of the most successful ones.
Stay tuned for more updates and best wishes to you on your journey.