Saved by Student Government

While sitting down, relaxed in the Student Government Office, President Matt Rubin matter-of-factly explained that by winning the 2010 Student Government election, he was able to save his life.

Doctors told Rubin that without a significant change in his weight loss, he would be lucky if he made it to his 30th birthday.

"I'd say winning the election definitely, if not saved my life, improved the quality of it," he said.

In order to deal with his weight issues, Rubin underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy on May 12. Since the surgery, Rubin has lost 131 pounds, which he said has made him feel like a completely different person.

"The day of that surgery I was at 427 [pounds]," he said. "I've been consistently losing weight since then and now weigh 319 [pounds]."

Because his insurance would not cover his operation, the money Rubin saved from winning the Student Government election helped him afford his surgery, which was about $10,000.

Rubin came to the university in order to play football. His life as a college athlete was structured and required discipline and routine. Once he stopped playing football after his sophomore year, Rubin's life was more free and he enjoyed eating whatever he chose to.

"When I got cut loose, I realized that I could do whatever I wanted or not watch what I'd eat," he said. "I enjoyed it so much and I really didn't eat because I was depressed, I ate because it was just awesome."

Throughout his junior year, Rubin gained 120 pounds and was around 450 pounds before he was preparing for surgery. Despite the large gain, Rubin said he enjoyed the luxury and freedom he had in his diet.

"It was a bad year because I gained so much weight, but I had such a great time because I'd eat pizza and fast food," Rubin said. "It was the biggest drain on my wallet because I'd spend like $13 or $14 for breakfast at McDonalds."

Rubin described his year like an addiction because he needed food in order to function normally and make it through a day.

"It was like being a drug addict, like how they do drugs to stay normal," he said. "I was like that because I'd wake up starving and I'd have to get my fix to start my day. It was seriously like an addiction."

Although Rubin attributes his past size to his playing football at UT, he believes his life will improve a lot more now that he is thinner.

"I always kind of thought my life could have more to it if I was thinner, I could be a better athlete and better looking, but it was more personal I think than a social issue for me," Rubin said.

As his weight gain became more of an issue, Rubin noticed some physical signs that his health was deteriorating.

"I started getting other complications from being larger. I started getting weird bruises on my legs and just being short of breath and it affected not only my personal life but with school," he said. "It was a struggle to get out of bed."

His wake-up call came while his friend, Elizabeth Greer, would test his blood sugar level. Rubin noticed the high levels, and the concern from Greer made him start to realize how severe his health condition was.

"It really impacted her because it is such a terrible thing she cannot control, and I was bringing it upon myself, so she gave me a huge wake-up call about that," Rubin said.

When solutions such as weight loss programs and diets seemed to only work temporarily, Rubin decided to explore the option of weight loss surgery.

As the Rubin-Maddocks campaign picked up momentum, Rubin started to realize that his election could help pave the way to his surgery and, ultimately, a fresh start.

"It obviously wasn't my first thought. As our ticket started to pick up momentum and things started to look good for us, I started to realize that this could be more than just an election for me: it could be a whole new life," Rubin said.

If Rubin did not become SG President, he said he would not have been able to afford the surgery as well as another year of school.

"I guess I would've tried a couple other medical options that are non-surgical like seeing a dietician. But I've been doing all of that over the past 10 years," he said. "I think it was at that point where it was necessary that I do that. But the financial aspect would have been too much if I was paying for another year of school."

The week before Rubin underwent his surgery, he was restricted on a liquid-only diet for one week. In that week he lost 23 pounds.

"I didn't think it was that bad because I could eat yogurt and I would eat eight cups of yogurt," he said.

According to Rubin, the most difficult struggle he experienced was recovery process after his surgery. On a clear liquid diet and only the television to keep him company, Rubin remembers watching commercials about pizza and the KFC Double-Down sandwich.

"I would lie around and watch TV and see commercials for pizza and I really wanted a Double-Down sandwich," Rubin said. "I regretted never getting one before the surgery, and I honestly thought about the Double-Down sandwich for about a week and a half."

Those first few weeks after the surgery were when Rubin began experiencing withdrawal from food. After seeing results from his surgery, the negative thoughts vanished and he feels like he has an appetite to support his goal of losing the weight he put on.

"I think that was my withdrawal period where it was just so bad that — it was so bad for me that I kind of realized I couldn't enjoy those things I used to," he said. "After a few weeks, that went away, and once I saw results, it just makes me want to work harder. Now it's like every step on my bike, it's moving in the right direction and I now have the appetite to support it."

The first solid food Rubin ate after his surgery was homemade chicken salad.