From Surviving to Thriving, Jesse’s Journey with Weight-Loss Surgery

PINEHURST, N.C.—Jesse Weiss has spent nine years caring for others as a nurse on the inpatient oncology unit at Moore Regional Hospital.  When his own health reached a breaking point, he turned to weight-loss surgery and discovered something life changing—the power to reclaim his health, restore his joy and inspire his family.
 
“I’ve always struggled with my weight,” Weiss admits. “In my early 30s, I was the healthiest I had ever been—exercising, eating well and feeling great. But life happened. I changed careers, we had kids, my mom passed away and before I knew it, the weight came back. At 40, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and despite being a nurse, I wasn’t very good at controlling my diabetes.”
 
His health continued to decline. Along with poorly controlled diabetes, Weiss developed high blood pressure. Eventually, his primary care provider gave him a blunt warning, “If you keep going at this rate, I’m afraid you’re not going to make it to 50.”
 
That wake-up call was the push Weiss needed. On Sept. 17, 2024, just before his 50th birthday, he underwent gastric bypass surgery with David Grantham, M.D., general and bariatric surgeon with Pinehurst Surgical Clinic and the Metabolic & Weight Management Center. Together, they chose this procedure as the best chance to resolve Weiss’s health conditions.
 
At his highest weight, Weiss tipped the scale at just over 400 pounds. Determined to prepare his body for the best recovery possible, he lost 60 pounds before surgery. “From the moment I woke up, I had no pain and the smoothest recovery,” he recalled. With the support of the bariatric team including surgeons, nurses, dietitians, behavioral therapists and even fellow patients—Weiss began a new chapter.
 
His first goal was to see a number on the scale that started with a “2.” He vividly remembers the day he reached 299 pounds. “It was a very proud and happy moment” he shared. Today, Weiss has lost 165 pounds and weighs 237. More importantly, he’s gone from taking nearly 10 pills a day to just one.
 
But Weiss says weight-loss surgery is about much more than numbers.
 
“I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I finally felt good,” he said. “I didn’t realize how long I had lived in pain until it was gone.”
 
With encouragement from the bariatric team, Weiss recommitted to exercise and joined FirstHealth Fitness in January. He now works out several days a week—and even better, his teenage son joins him at the gym. “For years, I modeled the wrong behaviors for my kids, he said. “Now, we’re healthier as a family. It’s given me a second chance not only for myself but for them.”
 
The changes have extended far beyond his physical health. For decades, Weiss battled anxiety and depression. “That cloud isn’t over me anymore,” he said.
 
One of the greatest joys Weiss has discovered since his surgery is something he never expected—making music with his daughter.  Both of his children are talented musicians, and when his daughter expressed interest in joining the Lee County Community Orchestra earlier this year, Weiss encouraged her.  When he learned the orchestra was looking for string musicians, he surprised himself by dusting off his violin for the first time in nearly 20 years so they could play together.
 
 “Before surgery, I never would have considered it. I was too closed off mentally,” Weiss said.
 
Now, Weiss describes playing alongside his daughter as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.
 
Looking back, Weiss says his only regret is waiting so long.  “Weight-loss surgery gave me back my health, my family and my joy. It gave me a quality of life I didn’t think I’d ever have again.”
 
The Metabolic & Weight Management Center offers both minimally invasive (laparoscopic) and robotic weight-loss procedures including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and revision surgery. Board certified general and bariatric surgeons, David Grantham, M.D., and Raymond Washington, M.D., work closely with each patient to find the right option for them. Visit www.WeightLossNC.org to learn more about weight-loss surgery and its benefits.