What Led To This Man’s Decision About Bariatric Surgery

“They basically told me that, you know, in 5-10 years, if you keep going the way you’re going, you’re dead.”

John Cocco is a 39-year-old man from Newfane, New York.

“I grew up around racing, you know, my dad raced,” John said. “I got to do my dream job for 10-plus years. With every good, there’s a bad. Being on the road led to a lot of bad habits – eating wise.”

“Just a little bit here, a little bit here, a little bit here. Ten pounds, ten pounds, ten pounds. Next thing you knew, I was 365 pounds. I had high blood pressure, I was pre-diabetic, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, all of the above.”

After a conversation with his primary doctor, John took her up on a recommendation to go see Dr. Anthony DiBenedetto with the Rochester Regional Health bariatric surgery team in 2016.

“It was very eye-opening,” John said. “It was an emotional time for my wife and I. We knew that that was what I needed to do.”

In December 2016, John had gastric sleeve surgery performed by Dr. DiBenedetto.

“Three months after this surgery, my glucose went from 113 – which is pre-diabetic – to 71,” John said. I no longer have sleep apnea, no longer have high blood pressure. I knew I wouldn’t be here in five years if I didn’t make this choice.”

“[If I would have] been sitting here a year ago this day, and I would have told you I would be running half marathons and 5Ks and stuff like that once or twice a month, I’d laugh at you,” John said. “It’s all worth it at the end. I can watch my daughter grow up and help raise her with my wife and live a good life.”