Meet Some of Dr. Oh's Patients

Sean

Procedure: Distal RNY Gastric Bypass
Surgeon: Ki Oh, MD
Date of surgery: March, 2003
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight before surgery: 474 lbs.
Total weight loss: 275 lbs

Why he did it: "At the age of 25 I was told that I had less than a year to live… I had several co-morbidities such as sleep apnea, hypertension, type two diabetes, and cardiomyopathy. My liver function was horrible and my kidneys were beginning to shut down. It was only a matter of time before my body 'gave out' due to my extreme obesity."

His biggest post-procedure challenge: "My biggest post-surgery challenge has been adjusting to eating smaller quantities of food, and not relying on food as a 'reward.' I used to eat excessively when I was happy, or sad, so finding a new avenue for emotional venting has been something new for me to learn."

How life has changed: "Life is GREAT now! I love being able to do anything, and everything that I’ve missed out on while I was overweight. All of my co-morbidities have disappeared and I now have a normal life span."

Advice for others considering surgery: "Be sure to do your research when selecting a surgeon. Definitely get into a support group for bypass patients before and after surgery, and most importantly take all of your vitamins and protein supplements that your surgeon recommends."

Teheresa

Procedure: Distal Gastric Bypass
Surgeon: Dr. Ki Oh
Date of surgery: November 2004
Height: 5’ 6”
Weight before surgery: 282 lbs.
Total weight loss: 147 lbs

Why she did it: "I was always the chubby child growing up. I was not motivated and was your typical couch potato. I tried all of the popular diets and tried to go it alone. I suffered from fatigue and had a lot of aching joints from my extra weight."

Her biggest post procedure challenge: "I have a young daughter and in addition take care of some other children so being laid up after surgery was difficult. The protein shakes took some getting used to but now I am used to them. It is all part of a new life that is so much better."

How life has changed: "The biggest change for me has been the amount of energy I have. Previously I was just a couch potato and was always tired. Now I run circles around others - including my daughter. She tells me - "You're a princess mommy!" I always wanted to be the princess - not the chubby kid in the corner."

Advice for other considering surgery: "You really have to plan out how you are going to handle your new life. It is possible to gain the weight back if you think you can just wing it. Of course, learn all you can. A great way to do this is to attend the support groups. I still go to the group that meets at St. Francis."

Sallie

Procedure: Medial Gastric Bypass
Surgeon: Dr. Ki Oh
Date of surgery: August 2004
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight before surgery: 363 lbs.
Total weight loss: 153 lbs

Why she did it: "I just didn’t have much of a life. I just worked and slept 10-12 hours a night. Being morbidly obese—a lot of it is emotional. I would drive around forever to find the closest spot so I didn’t have to walk. If my friends wanted to sit outside to eat in those little plastic chairs, the whole time I would worry that the chair might break. There are so many limitations. Little, teeny things that a normal sized person would never even think of. "

Her biggest post procedure challenge: "Making sure I exercise and take all my vitamins. That’s a LOT of vitamins. The weight just comes off, but after about a year—you HAVE to make good exercise choices, you HAVE to make good food choices."

How life has changed: "The surgery and weight loss give you more control of your life. It allows you to set boundaries. It gives you confidence—in relationships, in activities, everything. You realize, if you can do this, you can do anything you set your mind to."

Advice for other considering surgery: "The most important thing is: don’t think surgery will change your life on its own. It will at first but you have to take control. Understand all the rules, and stick to them. Don’t try to see what you can get away with. I’ve seen a counselor throughout and I find it helpful. You still don’t want to get up in the morning to go exercise. It IS easier as a thinner person than as an obese person, but it’s still hard."

Rochelle

Procedure: Gastric Bypass
Surgeon: Dr. Ki Oh
Date of surgery: August 2003
Height: 5’ 5”
Weight before surgery: 242 lbs.
Total weight loss: 113 lbs

Why she did it: "I was focused on eating all of the time. I would get rashes in the heat and got tired from walking just short distances. I hated to shop for clothes. My family is obese. My weight was constantly increasing as I got older. My blood pressure was rising as well. I had issues with stroke, diabetes and blood pressure. My father’s health scared me and I knew I had to make a life change."

Her biggest post procedure challenge: "It is difficult to get in all of the protein shakes on a regular basis as well as the vitamins. I have had a hard time with anemia."

How life has changed: "Wow! People are so much nicer to me now. I love to shop for clothes and have so many more options. I can wear summer clothes comfortably."

Advice for other considering surgery: "Do your homework. Be as informed as you can be. Make sure that it is your decision and not anybody else’s. Utilize your resources. Obesityhelp.com has a wealth of information. Married couples need to seek out counseling and therapy. The non affected spouse can have their own issues and it can cause a lot of strife that may lead to divorce. Confronting these issues before surgery is critical to the relationship."