SALT LAKE CITY - FOX 13's Big Budah had a life-saving surgery more than three months ago, and he's been losing weight and getting his life back since.
Weighing in at more than 400 pounds, doctors said Budah could develop serious and life-threatening health problems. He'd tried losing weight, but had little success. Finally, this year, he decided to take the surgical route.
In early February, Budah underwent gastric sleeve surgery as doctors removed 80 percent of his stomach. But as part of the surgery, Budah had to make some lifestyle changes.
He can only eat four ounces of food three times a day, and has to increase his exercise routine. Now Budah works out every day.
Since then, he's lost 88 pounds and three sizes, and is slowly chipping away at limitations that have held him back for years.
Budah now has energy to do things he's never done before. More than anything, the surgery has allowed Budah to reconnect with his family in ways he's never been able to.
"The kids might think, 'Where the hell has this guy been? Where have you been? You're my dad.' I've always been there but I haven't been able to play catch and do those things," Budah said.
The road ahead will still have some bumps, but Budah says the support of his family and FOX 13 viewers is keeping him focused on the big picture.
