​​​Kim's Weight Loss Story

Comorbidity Resolutions: Blood pressure improved; medications cut in half
Surgery Type: Sleeve Gastrectomy

I’ve had a weight issue my entire life. But I didn’t want to do weight loss surgery. I wanted to lose it on my own. I’ve tried just about every diet out there. It would work for the short term, and I would lose weight. But then I would hit a plateau, and I would get stuck there.

I would get so frustrated because I couldn’t get past the plateau, and so I would just give up. Then I would end up gaining the weight I had lost, plus some. I had gotten to the point where I was having a hard time at work. I teach second grade, and you have to be able to move and keep up with the children. The kids were way past me, and I would be struggling to walk down the hall. I hurt all the time. 

The Surgery Experience

I talked to my doctor and told him that something has to give — I can’t do this anymore. He referred me to Dr. Scott, which was the best thing that could have ever happened. I thought I was going to be in horrible pain after the sleeve gastrectomy surgery, but it was not bad at all. I would compare the pain to when you feel like you have worked out too hard. The support group has been one of the best things for me. I started going to the support group before the surgery as part of my discovery and research process. It was a great place to ask questions since the people there had been through what I was about to go through.

Life After Surgery

One of the best things for me was to be able to sit down in a stadium seat and have room on either side. Also, going to a movie theater and not having to raise one of the arms up was great. It’s wonderful to be able to walk down the hall at school without my knees hurting. My knees hurt all the time before surgery. I feel good now, and I feel like doing things. I have more energy for my students. I still hit plateaus. But now, I know I can get past it, and I don’t have to give up. If given the chance, I would definitely do it again.