Joe Buntin
Hannibal, MO
In 2016 Hannibal resident Joe Buntin was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia which made managing his Type 2 diabetes so difficult that he had to have an insulin pump implanted. In the spring of 2021, Joe was using nearly 300 units of insulin and taking 12 medications per day to control his diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and dangerously high triglyceride levels. “I was seriously unhealthy,” Joe admits. Joe’s endocrinologist, Dr. Purvi Parikh with Hannibal Regional Medical Group, referred him to Weight Management Solutions at Hannibal Regional.
“I was on a dangerous path. I wholeheartedly believe that participating in this program and choosing to have the gastric sleeve surgery SAVED MY LIFE!” - Joe Buntin
In May of 2022, after a year of working with Dr. Mujeeb Siddiqui and his team, Joe had bariatric sleeve surgery. At just six months post operation, Joe has lost over 60 lbs. and has been able to completely come off of his insulin pump and insulin. His A1C has dropped from 8.7 to 5.4, and his triglycerides, which were over 5000, are down to just 90! Most of Joe’s other medications have been cut in half, and he is on track to taper off many of them completely as his weight loss journey continues to progress.
“I feel like a new person!” Joe exclaims. His energy levels have gone through the roof and he now enjoys walking and keeping active, something that was much harder to do when he was 60 pounds heavier. “I honestly never thought that I was going to be able to get off of my insulin pump. My mother and all of my siblings have struggled with type 2 diabetes and I never thought that I was going to be the one to beat it.”
Joe admits that for many years he struggled with his diet. Over the last year, Joe has worked with Kristy Taylor, a Registered Dietitian at Hannibal Regional Medical Group, to get to the root of his issues with food. He says, “I feel like it made a huge difference in my success.” Joe also loved going to the weight loss support groups. “It was great being around people that have either gone through what I am going through or that were on the same journey.”
Joe is proud to have become a great resource for people that are thinking about bariatric surgery. “I have been very open on Facebook and in person about my journey and I feel like people really have come to ask questions and ask for advice. I am proud of the path I chose because it was the right path for me.”
Joe describes Weight Management Solutions as truly life-saving. “I was on a dangerous path. I wholeheartedly believe that participating in this program and choosing to have the gastric sleeve surgery SAVED MY LIFE!”
For more information about the Weight Management Solutions at Hannibal Regional, or to schedule an appointment, call (573) 248-5407.