Joe DeSario and Stephan Hunt, gastric bypass buddies

In almost every picture you’ll see of Joe DeSario and Stephan Hunt, they’re smiling. And with good reason–they’re 375 pounds lighter. The two worked together at a pediatrician’s office and had become fast friends. They shared a lot of common interests, including a love of video games and of course the NY Yankees. They also shared a serious health concern; they were both severely overweight. In early 2007, Stephan weighed 396 pounds and Joe weighed 430 pounds.

Joe’s health was suffering the effects of the added weight. He had high blood pressure, acid reflux, sore joints and was borderline diabetic. Stephan, while having no diagnosed illnesses, knew his weight would most likely lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even premature death. So in January 2007, after hearing a radio commercial about Westchester Medical Center’s free seminars on bariatric surgery, the two decided to change their lives for the better...together. “We figured we’d be our own support group” says Stephan.

For the next six months Joe and Stephan were screened, examined (physically and psychologically), and finally both approved for surgery to take place on June 26. Anthony Maffei, M.D., bariatric surgeon at Westchester Medical Center has monitored their progress ever since. “The operations themselves went smoothly,” says Dr. Maffei, “but it’s the result of Stephan and Joe’s friendship that has proven to be most beneficial.” The two have supported each other throughout the difficult process of changing their old habits and improving their lifestyle choices. And now, almost a year and half later, each of them has lost close to 200 pounds.

For Joe, who lives in Wappingers Falls, NY, it means getting back to playing baseball for the first time in years. For Stephan, from Hyde Park, NY, it’s meant becoming a volunteer EMT and firefighter. And for Dr. Maffei and the bariatric team at WMC, it means two more lives saved.

Learn more about Bariatric Surgery at Westchester Medical Center.