Identical Twins Credit Gastric Bypass with Changing Their Lives

By the time they reached their 30s, Jamont's and Javon's weight had increased to nearly 300 pounds each, and they were diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Although the conditions run in their family, they knew their weight was to blame because their parents weren't overweight, and they weren't diagnosed with those conditions until they were in their 50s.

Jamont and Javon also suffered back, hip, and knee pain. "My back hurt standing at the sink washing dishes," said Javon. "The most I could walk was maybe a half a mile."

The brothers were living in the Triangle when Javon learned about the success people had with bariatric surgery through his role as a telemedicine supervisor at Duke Health. “I saw his connection with his patients, and how their lives changed for the better,” he said about  Dana Portenier, MD, a Duke bariatric surgeon. Javon suggested to Jamont that they discuss the idea with their family medicine doctor, who gave his full support.

Jamont and Javon Beatty in December of 2019, before gastric bypass surgery.

Before Dr. Portenier performed their gastric bypass procedures on January 29, 2021, the twins went through pre-surgical counseling and education. That’s when they learned bariatric surgery “isn’t a fix-all,” said Javon. “Nutritional and psychological counseling prepare you to know it’s going to be a journey.”

Jamont agreed. “Dr. Portenier’s team was very thorough, making sure we knew what to expect after the surgery.”

Even with that knowledge, Jamont said, coping with the food restrictions after surgery was among the hardest challenges they faced. That's because "before the surgery, my life revolved around food," he said. "Because I'm sad, I'm going to eat, because I'm happy, I'm going to eat, because I'm bored, I'm going to eat. Once you have the surgery, you don't have to rely on food as much. It's still part of your life, but it's not what your life orbits around. It's easier now than it was right after surgery, but you always have to walk that line to not eat too much and maintain your diet."

After shedding the pounds, the twins wanted to continue looking and feeling their best, so they chose to undergo body contouring surgery to remove the excess skin that remained.

"Mentally, that made such a difference in how we felt about ourselves," Javon said. Body contouring "surgery enhanced our weight loss success because it improved our satisfaction with our appearance and our ease in being able to move with less restriction."

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Now, four and a half years after weight loss surgery, Javon weighs 150, and Jamont weighs 167. They're healthy and fit, practicing yoga and Pilates, and walking or jogging up to five miles at least four or five times a week. And they no longer take medication for diabetes and hypertension.

"I can't say enough about how different my life is," Javon said. "I wake up every day feeling incredibly good. Prior, I didn't realize how poor my health was."

Jamont said he never knew he had self-esteem issues until after the surgery. "I realized there were issues I covered up. Now I embrace myself more than I ever did. I'm no longer hiding behind the weight or the food."

The twins continue to participate in Duke-led support groups and never miss an opportunity to interact with people, hear their stories, and share their personal successes. They know they are fortunate to have each other for support through this experience. "Knowing somebody else is going through it really makes a difference," said Jamont.

To people considering weight loss surgery, Javon said, "You're going to be scared. But the reward and the life you have afterward are so much better than anything that could be associated with any fear. I feel like this is the best decision I've ever made in my life."