Fueled by love: How one dad reclaimed his health for his daughter through robotic weight-loss surgery

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Nicholas Gottwalt spent most of his life struggling with his weight, which contributed to his high blood pressure, back pain and sleep apnea. In his early 30s, Nick made a commitment to his health and successfully lost 225 pounds through diet and exercise. But as life unfolded, priorities shifted. 

“I met my wife, lost my mother to cancer, lost my grandmother, my daughter was born, I got married and I had COVID-19. Since I’m an emotional eater—eating when I was happy, sad, stressed, celebrating, vacationing —I gradually gained the weight back and then some,” Nick shared. 

By July 2023, Nick reached his heaviest weight at 450 pounds. The turning point came when he realized the impact his health could have on his daughter’s future. 

“Losing my mom to cancer opened my eyes. I wasn’t going to let my daughter lose her father over something I could control. I love my family more than I love food.” 

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Robotics: a less invasive surgery 

Driven by his desire to be present and active in his daughter’s life as well as inspired by his sister’s own success story with bariatric surgery, Nick decided to undergo robotic Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery with Dr. John Hartman of the MercyOne Genesis Weight Management Center on August 12, 2024.  

Robotic Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure that combines the effectiveness of gastric bypass with the precision of robotic technology. 

“At my consultation, Dr. Hartman explained that the incisions would only be about one to two inches long. I was excited to know that I wasn't going to have large, noticeable scars from the surgery.” 

At the time of surgery, Nick had already lost over 120 pounds through diet and exercise, weighing in at 328 pounds. By April 2025, less than a year post-surgery, he was down to 214 pounds.  

A healthier life, one step at a time 

Before surgery, Nick struggled with constant back pain, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, swelling in his legs and shortness of breath from even basic tasks. Now, his blood pressure has nearly normalized, his back pain is gone, his sleep apnea has significantly improved, and he can now walk for miles without discomfort. 

“I now walk two and a half miles daily, which I look forward to doing, whereas in the past I would dread walking any great distance.” 

Nick credits his success not just to the surgery, but to the support of his family—especially his wife—and the guidance of his medical team. Together, he and his wife embraced a healthier lifestyle, focusing on high-protein, high-fiber meals and limiting sugars and additives. 

“The surgery was my insurance policy. I had already lost about 100 pounds before it, and I’ve continued to apply everything I learned. It’s not a magic fix—you have to put in the work.”  

Now, Nick feels like he’s been given a new life. He enjoys shopping for clothes, planning vacations, and most importantly, keeping up with his daughter.