Christina had gastric bypass surgery by Dr. Sherman Smith at Rocky Mountain Assocaited Physicians. Here she shares her story…

I’m sure I am not unlike other Weight Loss Surgery patients who have struggled with obesity their entire lives. I had plenty of excuses – genetics, medication, depression, inactivity and, of course, FOOD, but the loosing/gaining weight loss cycle was cruel and always left me more bitter, resentful and hopeless in the end. So what was it that made me finally decide I had to stop that vicious, unforgiving cycle? 

Flash back to fall of 2010, I was on an extended family vacation inFloridaand we were atBuschGardens. I was looking forward to this day more than any other on the vacation because I love, love, love roller coasters! First roller coaster – it took 3 attendants to push on the safety harness before it finally latched, but I made it. Whew! Close call! Second roller coaster – made it again, but couldn’t breathe! Third roller coaster – never made it… I was too big. I had to be asked to get off in front of my entire family.  Embarrassed, mortified, hurt, angry are just a few emotions I experienced as I took my walk of shame down the exit ramp. Crumbling into a ball of tears, not caring what people thought of me, I made a vow with myself that day to do something about my weight – for good!!! I was referred to RMAP soon after I got home and my WLS journey began.

Of course there have been bumps along the road, and the journey has been excruciatingly difficult both physically and mentally, but I’d do it all over again and again to be where I’m at today. Not only am I conscience now about what I put into my body, I am more active than I have ever been my entire life. Every morning at 5:00 AM sharp, I’m at the gym running, weight lifting or doing circuit training. It was just a few weeks ago that I tried a Spin class for the first time. Long story short, the instructor came up to me after class and said, “Wow! If you wouldn’t have told me it was your first time, I would have never known. I can tell you are a very active, fit person.” As my eyes filled with tears, I thanked her and smiled. There is no way she could have known how much such a comment meant to me. She couldn’t have known that a little under a year ago I weighed over 300 pounds and couldn’t even have walked to the end of my street!

I feel one of the biggest lessons that I have taken from this journey is that I can choose what is best for me and my body. I ran my first 5K at the Walk From Obesity Event last October, and when my legs and lungs were telling me I couldn’t go any farther, my heart and soul were telling me that I could – and I not only finished the 5K, but finished almost 10 minutes faster than my goal! Now six months later, I’ll go outside and run 3 – 5 miles on top of my other workouts just for fun!!!

I’m so proud to say that I have taken this opportunity by storm and made every second count. I feel so empowered and love how it feels to finally be in control of my life. Dr. Smith and RMAP, I thank you, my husband thanks you, and my little girl thanks you so much for giving me my life back. Now I’m ready to show everyone on the outside how fabulous I feel on the inside.

Darren King had gastric bypass surgery by Dr. Steven Simper in March 2012, with the support of Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians, St. Mark’s Hospital and a grant by Weight Loss Surgery Foundation, Darren was able to have the life saving surgery.

KUTV 2 News did a recent story on Darren, which can be found here;http://www.kutv.com/news/top-stories/st … _750.shtml

You can also here more about his journey through his personal social media outlets;
YouTube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/Bariatricboy
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Our4kings
Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/Bariatricboy‘

You can learn more about The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation on their website; http://wlsfa.org/

My decision to have weight loss surgery was not quick or easy.  I actually attended the initial class lecture at Rocky Mountain approximately 2 years before I finally decided to forge ahead.  So what pushed me over the proverbial edge?  Well, I weighed over 430 pounds.  I was a Type II diabetic, with hypertension and several other medical complications.  I was terribly depressed—severely depressed.  I hardly ever left my house and when I did, I couldn’t do it alone without my husband.  I could barely walk out to the street to the mailbox.  I felt so awful when children would point at me or call me names.  If I went to a restaurant I always had to wait for a “special” table because I couldn’t fit into a booth.  I had to buy all my clothes online.  I spent much of my time crying because I felt useless, ugly and worthless.

In the fall of 2009, my 87 year old father had a heart attack.  While spending time in the hospital ICU with Dad, I met Bryan, my dad’s critical care nurse who had undergone gastric bypass surgery.  He spent several days talking to me about his bypass procedure and how his life had changed.  By the end of the year I was ready to take the plunge and possibly change my life for the better.  I could finally see a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

In February of 2010, I met with Dr. JoAnna Erzinger for the first time. One of my health insurance requirements for the surgery was a six month period of trial weight loss to see if I could follow a program.  I also began seeing Social Worker, Leslee Miller, in order to prepare emotionally for the difficult road ahead.  I was able to meet my insurance requirements by losing approximately 30 pounds before the surgery.  The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure was performed by Dr. Steven Simper on October 29, 2010.  I went home from the hospital on October 30 (trick or treat night that year) to begin a brand new life.

So—did I get my life back!  Yes, I did!  Over the last 17 months I have lost over 235 pounds and lots of clothing sizes. My diabetes and high blood pressure are gone.  And what did I trade the weight for?  Well, I gained a ton … of terrific friends in my support group! My confidence has returned.  I love to walk 3 to 4 miles a day and enjoy being outside.  I can drive my car again.  I have enjoyed traveling and hiking and buying clothes in a real store. I can fit into any seat in a theater and any booth in a restaurant—although I don’t eat much.  Not only have I changed, my family has changed.  My oldest daughter has lost 50 pounds and my youngest daughter has lost 40.  My husband, perennial couch potato, has learned to ski and he went from Clark Kent to Superman—at least in my mind.

Some of my best moments since the surgery:  Losing the first 100 pounds, my 50th birthday being the best I’ve ever had, hiking the Valley of Fire, going to my first baseball game, walking the entire length of the Las Vegas strip, Phantom of the Opera for my 27^th wedding anniversary, my daughter not recognizing me as she came off the plane, being a proud, confident mom at opening night for the new Museum of Natural History, Christmas Day 2011 reflecting on my blessings and contemplating a bright future.  What is in that future?  A daughter’s wedding later this year, travels to exotic places with my husband and going back to college for a second degree.  After that, who knows?  The possibilities are unlimited now.   So, much gratitude goes out to everyone at Rocky Mountain, who made my “second life” possible.   And thanks to my really cool husband who always says:  “Do or do not.  There is no try.”

 Linda had gastric bypass on October 29, 2010  by Dr. Steven Simper.

Are you feeling like you need a little encouragement to get back to better habits?
Do your clothes and hairstyle reflect the old you? Would you like an updated, fresh look for the coming year?
If the answer is yes, we invite you to a special evening JUST FOR YOU!

We cordially invite you, a valued member of the RMAP family to

“A New Year, A New You”
Wednesday April 11, 2012
St. Marks Hospital- Lamb’s Auditorium
6:30 pm

RMAP, along with our generous sponsors
Macy’s Department Store
Sugarhouse Counseling Center
Julie’s House of Style

are offering complete make-over’s for three lucky contest winners.
The make-over will include clothing, hair and cosmetics.
Contest winners will reveal their fresh new look the evening of April 11^th

 Rules and entry forms are found on our website at www.UtahBariatrics.com
Completed entry forms are due by 5 p.m. March 28^th, 2012 to Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians.

 Makeover tips and fun door prizes will be given through out the evening.
Come be apart of an inspirational event where everyone will be a winner.

Beginning in January, 2012 our monthly support group will take on a new look and feel. RMAP will begin offering Group Therapy from Leslee Miller, a licensed clinical social worker who had weight loss surgery six years ago. Leslee has been working closely with RMAP for the past several years to provide both individual and group therapy for our patients in her own private practice. We believe it will be very beneficial to our patients to begin providing group therapy for all patients who wish to be supported in this way. This service is included as part of each patient’s Education Program.

We have teamed up to offer three different support groups to fit the individual needs of our patients. Each patient desiring to participate will be assigned to one of the three groups based on where they are in their weight loss journey. We will meet in these groups every month, except March, July and November where we will combine for a big event!

One important change this year to Support Groups is that they are limited to RMAP patients ONLY, patient supporters will not be eligible to attend group, aside from the Support Group Events held in March, July and November.

Stage I – Early Weight Loss Group. This group will be for patients who have had surgery but are less than six months out from their surgery date. This group will focus intently on supporting and helping new patients as they adjust to the many changes they face after surgery. Questions and concerns about the early stage of weight loss will be answered.
This group will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m., starting January 11th, 2012

Stage II – Weight Loss Group. This group will be for patients who are six months out from their surgery date and still in the weight loss phase. This group will focus on identifying habits, thinking errors, self-defeating beliefs, and unresolved emotional issues which, if left untreated, are likely to sabotage the patient’s long-term success. Patient’s will be encouraged to meet their weight loss goal and will be carefully directed in how to approach the maintenance phase successfully.
This group will be held on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m., starting January 18th, 2012

Stage III – Maintenance Group. This group will be for patients who are finished with the weight loss phase and are in the maintenance phase. This group will focus intently on helping patients adjust to maintenance without excessive weight gain. Questions and concerns about the lifetime commitment to weight loss maintenance will be the focus.
This group will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m., starting January 25th, 2012

All group therapy meetings will be held at the office of RMAP, in Suite 4200 and are included in your Education Program, paid with your bariatric program fee at the time of surgery.

Pre-registration is necessary prior to attending group. Please fill out the registration form, found here, and send it back to our office,
1. E-mail your form to Carley.Mills@rmapinc.com
2. Fax your form to (801) 268-3997 Attn: Carley
3. Mail or bring your form to Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
Attn: Carley
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
We must receive this form before attendance

We look forward to an exciting, life changing year!

With simple precautions, we can reduce the spread of the influenza to others.

If you are experiencing signs such as a sore throat, cough, fever (but not always present in H1N1), and muscle soreness you should limit your exposure to others.  With the exception of visits to your primary care physician, or the hospital, you should reschedule non urgent visits outside your home.

Visits to our office should be rescheduled if you are experiencing the above symptoms.

A new website has been established to better guide you if a visit to see your primary care doctor is necessary and if you should stay home from work/school:

        Flu.gov 

If you are still unsure if you should reschedule your Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians appointment or not, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (801) 268-3800.

Make sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day, and/or carry hand sanitizer with you. Remember, that after 10 consecutive uses of hand sanitizer, it is no longer effective and a hand wash is necessary. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, get adequate rest (8 hours/day), and eat properly.

Time to take care of you and yours!

Check back often for updates!