Friends help music instructor get healthy

FRESH START-Westlake High band teacher Mike Gangemi says he's got a new lease on life since losing more than 100 pounds with the help of friends who raised money for gastric bypass surgery. Thanks to his many Westlake and Moorpark friends, local music educator Mike Gangemi recently has received the biggest gift of his life-his health.

A popular band teacher at Westlake High School, Moorpark High School and Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks, Gangemi underwent gastric bypass surgery on Sept. 8 at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Morbidly obese, the teacher had struggled with serious weight problems for many years.

Without a college degree, Gangemi, 34, doesn't qualify for work benefits. He had no health insurance and couldn't afford the surgery. Musicians, music teachers, band students and parents joined together to form "Friends of Mike Gangemi" and raised the thousands of dollars needed for the procedure and follow-up care.

"I know now I'm going to live a heck of a lot longer," Gangemi said.

Initially, friends wanted to help Gangemi earn his college degree so that he'd be eligible for employee benefits. But supporters realized that his health had to be addressed first.

When they approached him about having the surgery, Gangemi was reluctant. He thought he could lose weight on his own but realized his lifestyle of long hours at work made it difficult.

"I don't like people helping me with things. I consider myself independent," Gangemi said. "But I got to a point where I had no choice. It would be ridiculous of me to refuse this kind of help."

Friends of Mike Gangemi held benefit concerts, basketball games and sold T-shirts, raising enough to provide Gangemi with a special three-year insurance policy for high-risk patients. Gangemi needs followup reconstructive surgery and continued care.

"Lots of people care about him," said Nancy Davis, president of the Westlake High music department booster club. "It gives me the chills when I talk about it."

That Gangemi is the recipient of so much love is not surprising, added Davis. Gangemi's kindness touches all those he comes into contact with.

"He is so generous and giving of himself," said Davis, recalling how Gangemi allowed her son, Kyle, a Westlake High senior, to borrow his trademark blue trumpet for concerts. "It's a special instrument but Mike shared it because he knew Kyle would enjoy it."

The day of the operation, Davis was at the hospital with Gangemi's mom, who'd flown in from Texas. The laparoscopic procedure took his stomach from a 1-quart size down to a 6-ounce size, Gangemi said. Although still recovering, he's back to teaching after taking two weeks off.

"I find I have a lot more energy now," Gangemi said.

He's also finding that he's losing weight. Including the weight he lost before the surgery, Gangemi estimates he's lost over 100 pounds. He's on a healthy eating and exercise plan.

"I'm punching holes in my belt with a knife," Gangemi said. "I'm going to keep this belt and see how many times I can wrap it around me."

After the operation, students gave Gangemi an iPod and music for exercising.

"Hundreds of people were involved in helping Mike," Davis said. "It's truly amazing."

To keep supporters up-to-date on his progress, Gangemi kept a journal on the Westlake High School website.

After he loses more weight, Gangemi plans to return to college to earn a degree.

"I got a big ol' gift from these people," Gangemi said. "They really did give me my life back."