A deal with himself: Josh Culp's weight loss journey

Josh Culp of Woodstock, Virginia had been overweight since high school and had tried all of the typical weight loss options — shakes, pills, trainers, food tracking programs (weight watchers), food coaches, etc. and of course a multitude of diets; keto, paleo, Mediterranean, etc. In 2017, he moved from Virginia to Idaho for work and doctors in both places told him he was a good candidate for weight loss surgery. However, for a guy who didn’t mind a workout, Josh felt like that was “the easy way out.” Then the weight-related health issues began to mount.  When he moved his family back to Virginia in June 2020, and still not feeling well, he went back to the same doctor he had seen years prior. That doctor, once again, relayed to Josh that he was a text book case for weight loss surgery and to consider the life experience he wanted with his young family.

“After that appointment, I knew I needed to do something, but I wasn’t completely ready to consider surgery. I gave myself two months to lose ten pounds. If that didn’t happen, I would take the next step,” Josh reminisced.

The next step

After two months, he found that he was two pounds heavier, so he kept the deal with himself and began looking for a weight loss surgeon. He Googled nearby providers and found Dr. (Pysher) Cox. She had fantastic reviews which led him to her website. He was hesitant about his nearby hospital, so when he found out she did surgeries at Reston Hospital Center, which also had great reviews, especially with regards to less invasive, quicker recovery, robotic surgery options, Josh made an appointment.

Dr. (Pysher) Cox has a clear-cut process. “Here is the paperwork. They told me, 'From here, it is up to you.’ I liked that the decision was ultimately mine, “ said Josh. “For weeks, I blew up their office with questions and finally they told me, ‘It is time to stopping Googling and trust us.’”

Dr. Cox’s services first brought Josh to Reston Hospital Center’s campus in June 2022. His first interaction with the hospital was with Pre-Admission Testing in July/August and then he had an upper endoscopy and gastric bypass in September.

“From the beginning of the process in PAT, then my blood draw, there were zero hiccups. I was impressed with how efficient the preop process was compared to other medical facilities. I was floored with the connectedness between the departments,” expressed Josh. “Then, the day of surgery, everything went so smooth, like an orchestrated pit crew. It gave me confidence in my providers, which ultimately eased my anxiety.”

Josh relayed that his career in emergency preparedness, and health and standards for a semi-conductor manufacturer as well as being an EMT with the volunteer fire department gives him a special appreciation for processes and what it takes to run a well-oiled machine down to the paperwork and text updates.

Life after surgery

Weight loss surgery is typically a same-day procedure at Reston Hospital Center. Josh was in and out of the hospital in 12 hours. “I am 1000 percent better. I was thrilled I was not admitted and I firmly believe this procedure extended my life.  The calls from the hospital and doctor have been great,” Josh said. “It took six months for my hunger to really return, but Dr. (Pysher) Cox puts you with a nutritionist and psychologists to identify habits and triggers. You have them as resources if you need help and it is easy to link up with them.”

According to Josh, his surgery has made it easier to do things with his family as well as at this job with the fire department, “I can go up a ladder to a roof top way easier now. I get on the floor with the kids, sleep better, and all my health issues have gone away. The only thing I cannot do is eat to excess.”

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is the general term for a variety of surgical procedures used to decrease your weight and improve your overall health. Often referred to as "weight loss surgery," bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic procedure. It is a tool, not a cure, that our bariatric surgeons use to treat patients with morbid obesity (having a body mass index of 40 or greater or a BMI of 35 or higher coupled with weight-related medical conditions.). To make an informed decision, we provide resources you can use to educate yourself about the types, benefits and potential complications of the various bariatric surgery methods. Our bariatric surgeons use minimally invasive surgery — robotic surgery or laparoscopic procedures — resulting in less post-surgical pain, a shorter hospital stay, a lower risk of complications and a quicker return to your schedule.

Understanding your risk

Are you experiencing weight-related health conditions such as:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Choosing weight loss surgery is a life-changing journey requiring work and commitment. It is a decision to be made with care and preparation.

To get started, our weight loss assessment is a free, online tool that can help you understand how your weight is impacting your overall health and wellbeing and whether or not bariatric surgery could be right for you. Your email address will not be shared with anyone, but will be used to send a copy of your results and offer next steps in your weight loss journey.