My journey started earlier in the year when I ended up at the ER for high blood pressure. I wasn’t feeling good and went to urgent care, and my blood pressure was at 299, so they sent me to the ER where I spent the night. After that, I set up an appointment to establish a regular doctor.

On the first visit, the doctor said with my weight, sleep apnea, prediabetes, and high blood pressure, that he recommended weight loss surgery. I told him I had already considered that and was looking into going to Mexico to do it. He told me that a lot of insurances cover [weight loss surgery] if it was medically necessary, and so I put in my paperwork with his recommendation. Part of that was to lose weight on my own first, which I lost 40-ish pounds in about a month. I saw a dietician and psychologist at St. Mark’s and then I got approved. I was super excited and nervous. I wanted to better my health so I can be around longer for my son, Daniel Cruz.

I finally got my surgery date, and a week before, my wife and I found out we were expecting a second child! That just backed up my decision even more that I was doing the right thing.

The week right after surgery, I ended up at the ER twice because my blood pressure dropped down to 43 and got severely dehydrated. I tried my hardest to stay hydrated, but it is very difficult to consume water for the first few weeks. It gradually got easier. At that point, I got taken off all my medicine and no longer needed my sleep apnea machine to sleep. I no longer snore while sleeping either! I only take my multivitamins and calcium chews!

I quickly started losing lots of weight and dropping sizes in clothes. Before I knew it, I went from using 5XL shirts and size 50 jeans to my current L-XL shirts and size 34 jeans. I can sit and put one leg on top of the other, which I had not done for over 20 years!

I also started being able to go on long walks and not be suffocating trying to catch my breath. I have been implementing better behaviors for my son as well.

I really enjoy playing with my children and being able to do more activities with them that I was not able to before. It’s always crazy and fun seeing people I had not seen for a long time, and seeing their reaction to my drastic changes.

For me, the only complications I had was the first week post-surgery, like I mentioned before. Besides that, I have been very blessed and lucky with my results. My goal the first year was to lose 150 pounds, and I hit that goal. This year, I am trying to lose another 30-50 pounds so that I can do skin removal surgery, then I want to get back into bodybuilding like I did when I was fresh out of high school!

There are times when I feel like I don’t recognize the person I see in the mirror, but inside, I am the same person, but better and healthier than before my surgery.

–Daniel R.
Surgeon: Dr. Rodrick D. McKinlay
Surgery: Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
Surgery Date: 12/13/21
HW: 433
SW: 397
CW: 253
TWL: 144

Read more patient stories here.

Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.

If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124

I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I gained weight from medications and found the food comforting when times got tough. I had health issues come and go. I watched my family members go through similar struggles and just assumed I was destined to be the same way.

Months before my last pregnancy, I found out I was Type 2 Diabetic. I started a medical diet program that worked around my increasing number of medications. My pregnancy was rough from start to finish. Strict diets, insulin shots, so much counting and stress. I still gained lots of weight. At delivery, I was 287 lbs.! I was 29 years old and almost 300 lbs. I felt shame; I felt ugly. My daughter was born early and rushed to the NICU. I found myself just snacking away and crying as I felt like a horrible mother, but I was also in denial that my diabetes would remain.

Three weeks after my emergency delivery, my mother-in-law was hospitalized. The doctors stated it was complications from her Type 2 Diabetes. She was still in her early 50’s. We drove out of state with our newborn on oxygen with us. We stayed a week and left after the doctors stated she was improving. Upon our return, we found our oldest cat (my therapy kitty) was starving himself from depression. He was 15 years old and was declining quickly. We immediately started working on improving his chances. There was so much stress and pain. I again ignored my eating knowledge and continued eating through my feelings. Within days of arriving home, we received the phone call that my mother-in-law had passed away due to her complications of diabetes. We were devastated. I was on the verge of a breakdown.

It didn’t end there for us; our kitty also took his last breath. Within the first two months of 2018, I had three traumatic events happen. I was terrified! I WAS LOST. I didn’t know what to do. I finally decided I wanted to live longer than the next 20 years. I wasn’t going to allow my diabetes to take me away from those I love. I restarted working with my doctors, the diets no longer helped, and I was exercising and exhausting myself.

After months of hardly any success, my doctor recommended weight loss surgery. I completed the seminar that summer. I worked with my doctors and insurance to complete all the necessary steps. I chose Dr. Rodrick McKinlay as my surgeon. His explanation made me feel comfortable with my decision. My starting weight before surgery was 249 lbs. in September 2019.

After my Gastric Bypass surgery, my diabetes didn’t change as I had hoped. I again felt defeated and lost. I wanted to cheat on my diet and just give up. I was still early in the process. Dr. McKinlay and his staff ensured I was supported and reminded me I needed to trust the process. I stuck to the “blue bible.” I researched different recipes. I found a new love of cooking and trying new foods, not because I knew it would taste great but because I knew it would FUEL my body. I started treating my body better.

Slowly I was off all medications. I reversed my Type 2 and hit my goal weight by my 10-month mark. I had cut out all bad foods, sodas, snacking, etc. I found it easier to watch my protein intake and measure my fuel in volume and not weight. I kept my portion size to the recommended size.

A year later (almost to the date), I had an extended panniculectomy. They removed 5 lbs. of loose skin from my midsection. I will not lie, that hurt me more than any of my children’s births! I healed much slower and started having fainting and dizzy spells. It turned out I had developed reactive hypoglycemia. My blood sugars would spike and then crash within 45 minutes of eating carbohydrates. I mean, I would almost pass out from eating bell peppers if I didn’t eat double the amount of protein with them. I had to learn a new fuel process. I had to add some small carbs back in. I struggled with self-image at that point. Fat brain is a real thing, and it takes time to heal. I felt ugly again.

I started daily affirmations, participating in the group chats, taking photos and only saying positive things about them. I went on two women’s retreats to learn to love myself. You can retrain your brain. You can do hard things. You need to be patient with yourself and forgive yourself. I have learned so much; I have healed so much.

I am now three years out from my Gastric Bypass. I still struggle with reactive hypoglycemia, but I am managing it with my diet. I have not gone back to bad eating habits! I mean, after losing my job in 2020, I tried, and it made me sick, so lesson learned. It’s true, you do gain a little weight back, and then your body settles. I have maintained my weight of 128 lbs. for almost two years now. My lowest weight was 115 lbs. I didn’t feel healthy then. My original goal weight was 125 lbs.

I am so happy and healthy now! I love camping, hiking, chasing my kids, cooking, baking, and the challenge of trying new, healthy foods. I even make my coffee healthy! I have improved my quality of life and my family life. If you are starting this journey, be nice to yourself and trust the process. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to reach out for anything you need help with. If you are maintaining or even getting back on track, you got this, and keep pushing forward!

–Kristy R.

Surgeon: Dr. Rodrick D. McKinlay
Procedure: Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
Surgery Date: 8/19/19
SW: 249
CW: 128
TWL: 121

Read more patient stories here.

Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.

If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124

Hi! My name is Kate and I am just over 1-year post-op Gastric Bypass with Dr. Nicholas Paulk. It is one of the best decisions I have made for myself. I started slowly gaining weight about 20 years ago, and after having my son 15 years ago, along with acid reflux and asthma, I wasn’t able to get the weight to come off. I have always been active, doing lots of bike riding, swimming, and fun runs with friends, but my diet really needed some changes.

About 4 years ago, I started to have breakthrough acid reflux in the middle of the night, causing me to wake up with bile in my throat, even though I was taking 40 mg of Omeprazole twice a day, and 20 mb of famotidine. I have had an Endoscopy (EGD) every few years due to Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but after having the breakthrough symptoms I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer.

At this point I felt I needed to make a significant change. I met a friend for dinner and she was telling me about her recent experience with having Gastric Bypass. Her acid reflux had been resolved! I decided to look into the process and contacted Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) for more information. I attended the informational meeting in April 2021, and had my surgery September 13, 2021. What a difference my life has become after surgery. It is not without its challenges for sure, but so glad I made the decision to look into the process.

I have lost 120+ pounds, dropped 9 sizes and many inches, and no longer suffer with any acid reflux symptoms. I had a post-op EGD a few months ago and my Barrett’s esophagus is stable. I will still have to take 10 mg of Omeprazole for life, but I am hopeful to have continued improvement. I also joined an online women’s weight lifting group at Inspire Fitness, which has been amazing with helping me gain strong legs to tackle some long rides and hills on my road bike as well as some awesome definition in my arms and back.

I would highly recommend having a consult if you are thinking about weight loss surgery. It has been such a positive in my life! Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

–Kate H.
Surgeon: Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk
Surgery Date: 9/13/21
SW: 248
CW: 124
TWL: 124

Read more patient stories here.

Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.

If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124

I trained as a ballerina in my youth and through my early adulthood. Dance has always been a passion and a big part of my life until my late 20’s. A difficult pregnancy and childbirth changed my body in ways I never would have predicted, and I have struggled with my weight ever since. The stress of divorce and single parenthood shortly after my child’s birth added to my weight issues—something I have struggled with for the better part of the last 14 years.

Although I got back into dance 6 years ago, my joints were in constant pain thanks to my excess weight. Like many folks, I had tried a variety of diets and solid time at the gym with very disappointing results. The chronic joint pain was signaling the end of my dancing days, which was heartbreaking for me. The incomparable dancer Martha Graham once said, “A dancer dies twice—once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful.” I wasn’t ready to give in to that first death. I knew if I wanted to keep dancing, I needed to take decisive action. My doctor and I decided together that Gastric Bypass surgery was the best solution for me.

At the time I went in for surgery in June of 2021, I weight 293 pounds. By the end of December, 2021, I weighed 185 pounds. My chronic joint pain has disappeared, and I dance every day with no trouble. As a dancer, I have been reborn. Surgery is not an “easy way out,” and requires dedication and work. I have been fortunate that I haven’t experienced any negative issues during my recovery. Although I made this decision for me, it has had a positive ripple effect on those around me—including my child. A human’s worth isn’t determined by a dress size or number on a scale, but being able to continue dancing means everything to me. Without the gastric bypass surgery, I would not be dancing today. It hasn’t been easy in the sense that it requires no effort, but anything worthwhile requires effort. And I’m definitely worth it!

— Kirsten C.

Surgeon: Dr. Rodrick D. McKinlay
Surgery Date: June 2^nd, 2021
Surgery Performed: Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
SW: 293 lbs.
TWL: 108 lbs. (so far)

Read more patient stories here.
Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.
If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124

I have always been a “big” person. When I was a youth, I was always heavier than most all of my friends. Buying clothes was always a problem, even when I was a young person. I played all sports as a youth and was very active on the family farm, and this helped keep my weight in order, but I was still heavy-set.

After graduation from high school, I went on to college for two years, and then farmed and worked for another three years. During this time, my weight ballooned out of control, and I did a terrible job of trying to keep how heavy I was getting in check.

I decided at this point in my life to go back and finish school. While attending Chadron State College, I played football collegiately and even though this helped keep my weight in line, there were times my weight fluctuated in a “yo-yo” fashion. I weighed anywhere from 235-320 pounds during my college days. I was up and down consistently.

After graduation from college, my activity level decreased (even though I was at times coaching three sports) and I continued to put on weight. There were many times that I lost weight, but it seemed like fi I lost 20 pounds I would put back on 25 and my weight continued to increase. I continued a pattern of dieting with the same results of losing weight then gaining back the weight lost, plus more. I even worked with a weight loss clinic and while I lost some weight, I wasn’t consistent in my efforts and I gained the lost weight back plus added additional pounds.

Fast forward to the winter of 2011. I had reached the weight of 440 pounds and even though I had no major medical issues (no blood pressure problems, no diabetes issues, my cholesterol was unbelievably low, etc.), I knew it was just a matter of time before some of these things reared their ugly head. I had given consideration to weight loss surgery in the past, but never thought that I was “ready” for this step. However, it was at this time that I knew if I wanted to see my daughters and my son get married and have my grandchildren, grow old with my loving wife and enjoy the quality of life again that I once had, then something needed to change. It is hard to be that heavy. Doing everyday little things like walking steps, dressing, traveling, etc. take a task all to their own. This is not to mention the things that I used to enjoy that I really couldn’t do anymore, like enjoying the lake, the mountains, hunting, hiking, officiating ballgames (I was done coaching at this point), and all the other random activities that happen in a person’s life.

I searched on the internet one night shortly after Christmas for a weight loss surgeon in Salt Lake City. I was BLESSED to have Dr. Sherman C. Smith’s name come up at the top of the list that was shown that fateful time so many years ago. I e-mailed Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) about the process that I needed to go through to get the “ball rolling.” I immediately heard back from RMAP and I was scheduled to attend a group presentation at what was the initial meeting of RMAP personnel that explained the different surgeries that were available.

It was this night, at this presentation when I met Dr. Sherman Smith for the first time. After talking with him for only a few moments, I knew immediately in my mind and in my heart that I was in the hands of someone who could change my life profoundly for the better. I can’t explain why I felt so strongly this way, but I just really believed that Dr. Smith personified how genuine, caring, empathetic, and understanding he was to the plight of the people who ultimately were his patients. I couldn’t have been in better hands!

The staff at RMAP was very helpful in the process of working through the insurance, scheduling of different medical items, hospital coordination, support before my surgery and all follow up items. My Gastric Bypass surgery was scheduled for April 10^th, 2012 and it went off without a hitch.

Through help, guidance, and support from my loving family, the medical professionals I worked with, my colleagues at work, and my friends, I had no major problems of any type. I was truly blessed to have everything work out.

The day I had surgery I weighed 440 pounds. I had an appointment with RMAP on February 25^th, 2013 and my weight at that time was 260 pounds, which is a lower weight that I’ve leveled off with. I didn’t know if that much of a loss is common or not. I try not to think about it at times, because sometimes it is almost overwhelming. I continually thanked the good Lord on a regular basis for the miracle of that surgery, finding Dr. Smith (I can’t even begin to explain how devastated I was when I found out that he had passed away), and all the help that I received from so many to make things all come together. I was and still am very blessed that the whole process happened for me.

Fast forward to March of 2021 and my weight, while fluctuating some, has stayed around the 285-295 pound mark. This seems to be the place that I’m at on a fairly consistent basis, so it is a weight that seems to be the place that works for me. I still have to watch what I eat and drink. If I drink pop (I haven’t drank alcohol since my surgery), I can gain weight in a hurry.

I am more active now than I ever was 15 years ago, and I truly believe that if I hadn’t had Dr. Smith enter my life and complete this surgery, I would not be alive today. I am not being melodramatic; it is just a fact in my opinion. When I was 440 pounds that day nearly nine years ago, I was not done gaining weight. I was just there that day for a whistle stop, well on my way to 500 pounds and beyond!

Again, I could never thank you all of the fine people at RMAP for their help and what they have done for my family and me. For me, they have helped make all for the difference in the world!

I will do whatever I can to help any other person who decides they want to change their life with this surgery. I believe this is the least I can do to help in some small way, honor the work of Dr. Sherman Smith, and pay what he did for me forward to others who might possibly choose this different path in their life.

If I can ever be of service in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the below contact information. You can call or text anytime of the day or night, and if I can’t answer right then, I will get back to you ASAP.

— John C.
Rock Springs, WY
Jtcundall15@gmail.com
307-272-0918

Surgeon: Dr. Sherman C. Smith
Surgery Date: April 10^th, 2012
SW: 440
CW: 295
TWL: 145

Read more patient stories here.
Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.
If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124

This is an absolute LIFE CHANGING experience. I was always athletic, but once I graduated high school, like most people, you put on a few pounds here and there.

You always tell yourself, “Man I need to lose 20 pounds,” or, “I need to start working out,” but you NEVER EVER do, and that’s where I was. I eventually realized I was one day going to face some VERY serious health issues down the road if I did not face this problem. I began to research different options and found that Gastric Bypass was the best and last chance.

What a great decision it has been. I have energy from 3:30 in the morning when I get up and go to the gym, until 8:00 at night when I go to bed. I am NEVER hungry, I have so much energy I literally feel like a 16 year old again, and tomorrow I will be 47 years old. I just took two pairs of jeans from my 17 year old! NEVER in a million years would I have thought I could fit into the same pair of jeans that my son wears. This is just incredible! I strongly advise this to anyone who has struggled with their weight their entire life; you will not regret this decision.

— Joe P.
Surgeon: Dr. Steven C. Simper
Surgery Date: January 17, 2020
SW: 330
CW: 202
TWL: 128

Read more patient stories here.
Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.
If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124

I had wanted to have bariatric surgery for a while, but even with insurance, I didn’t have the money for my part. I always thought I would use my tax return but then there was always something else that seemed more important.

In August of 2015 my former husband died. It became front in my mind that my kinds now only had me. In January of 2016 my siblings and I met in Arizona to surprise my mom for her 80^th birthday. We stopped in Las Vegas on the way home. I couldn’t walk through the casino to the elevator or even down the long hall to our room without stopping to catch my breath. The worst moment was looking at the pictures of us all together. I hated those pictures, but more than ever it brought home the fact that I didn’t want to die. My kids needed me and I needed to get healthy for them. I weighed 350 pounds. I decided there were no more excuses. It was time to take the step.

It took a bit longer than I thought to get the process completed, but on August 1^st of 2016 Dr. Rodrick McKinlay performed the Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y at my then weight of 300 pounds. The night before was the last time diet coke passed my lips (I could drink 2L of it per day at one point).

The next couple of months I wondered if I had made a mistake. I cried four days after surgery when my kids made their dinner and all I could have was broth. I went through a mourning period as my relationship with food changed. I never ate to deal with pain or stress. I just loved food, especially sugar and all those endorphins that came with it. I had no energy and I threw up easily. Oh, and that feeling like there is an alien wanting to burst out of your chest from one bite/swallow too much, that was fun. But the weight was coming off. I could feel it and see it. The scale would stall but my clothes continued to get looser. My 5X shirts were tents, and my size 32 pants were falling off. I no longer had to wear the “special scrubs” my boss had to get just for me because I was a bigger size than what was provided. Gradually my strength came back but my hair looked like I had been through chemo. My PMD told me, “Your body thinks its dying and it doesn’t think it needs to feed your hair right now. It will grow back.” With the help of Nioxin shampoo/conditioner, my hair is now amazing.

I had never really talked to Dr. McKinlay about a goal weight, but by BMI charts, 150 was in my thoughts. My body said no, that won’t work for me. At 180 my face was so thin, I looked sick. My co-workers couldn’t believe I wanted to lose more, but my body didn’t look like my face. I still had plenty of fat to get rid of, but no matter what I did, I could not go below 178 pounds. As soon as I went under 180 my body would freak out. I could eat 400 calories in a day and I would gain weight, and not just a pound or two, six to eight pounds before it would stop gaining and settle. This happened three times. After talking with Dr. McKinlay and spending time thinking about where I was at, I came to peace with the fact that I may never get under 180 and it was okay.

I had gone to Hawaii and ziplined. I had starting skiing again after about 20 years. I was active and I felt great. I was fortunate enough to be able to have had two skin removals (arms, abdomen) and Kybella on my waddle but I still live with my saggy legs (especially my lower legs, yuck).

In the spring of 2019, sugar and I had a reunion. It was a bad affair. I gained back some weight and got back to 225-ish. I stopped getting on the scale at that point. I was also starting my second year of grad school and the stress didn’t help. But towards fall, something changed and sugar and I had a great break up. Something inside me changed. Chocolate didn’t taste the same. I wasn’t craving that dang Magnum crack ice cream that often called my name (there is a pint still in my fridge partially eaten that is about 6 months old and buried). I also began to get sick from eating things I could get away with since surgery and my brain began doing so much better at “don’t, it will just make you feel like crap.”

The last semester of my master’s program has been the most stressful months of my entire life with good old [Coronavirus] joining the world and trying to be a nurse in this mess, pollical unrest, and trying to finish school with delays as the University figured out how to do our field experience, I worried about finishing on time. I have found anxiety doesn’t make me want to eat, thank goodness. I actually struggle some days having an appetite.

Currently I am back down to 182 pounds. Today I purchased a pair of size 12 pants. Last time at 180 I was in size 14. My face doesn’t look as gaunt either. The last four years has been a roller coaster but I can tell you one thing for certain, I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat. There would be no thinking on it. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, but has been worth every moment of struggle. I just completed school and now have an MSN in education. I ski and can ride a bike. I can bend over and touch my palms to the floor, something neither of my kids can do (and I am 58 years old!). Having surgery was a tough decision and the rest is really hard work that lasts a lifetime, but it is worth it. We can do hard things!!

— Tammy C.
Surgeon: Dr. Rodrick McKinlay
Surgery Date: August 1^st, 2016
SW: 300
CW: 180
TWL: 120

Read more patient stories here.
Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.
If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.

www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124