How Sylvia Got Her Slim Back
Patient: Sylvia
Age: 65
Height: 5’4”
Highest Weight: 204 lbs
BMI: 35
Current Weight: 167 lbs.
BMI: 28
Goal Weight: 145 lbs
BMI: 24
Bariatric Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
Surgery Date: June 2021
Largest Size: 14
Current Size: 8-10
Weight related diseases: Heart problems (afib, tachycardia), sleep apnea, pre-diabetic, high blood pressure
Medications: none
Life Before Surgery
Eleven years ago, Sylvia was not a weight loss surgery candidate. In fact, she was very active in the fitness world. As part of her dedication to living a healthy lifestyle, Sylvia trained for competitions in ballroom dancing and cycling.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Sylvia began to gain excess weight even though her eating habits and fitness routine hadn’t changed. Needing answers, Sylvia saw various doctors who all thought the weight gain was related to menopause. Sylvia later found out this was an incorrect diagnosis.
Sylvia made several attempts to learn why she kept gaining unwanted weight. Endocrinologists diagnosed her with Hashimotos, however this turned out to be a misdiagnosis as well. Over the years, Sylvia continued to attempt to lose weight by eating healthy and exercising, however the weight gain didn’t stop. As a result, Sylvia’s once self-confident demeanor turned into self-consciousness.
The weight gain soon affected her heart. Sylvia developed Afib. She was bedridden for almost 15 months after collapsing at a wedding and being rushed to a cardiac unit.
Undergoing weight loss surgery was not something Sylvia made a decision on overnight. Several events occurred which pointed her in this direction.
In 2010, Sylvia’s father suffered from a stroke. This not only took a toll on Sylvia emotionally as she spent hours each day in the intensive care unit with him, but it also affected her energy levels. Because of the excess weight, Sylvia was extremely fatigued. While in the waiting room while the nurses were caring for her father, she watched The Biggest Loser on TV. One of the doctors on the show specialized in bariatric surgery. Although Sylvia did not take direct action at that exact point, seeing a doctor on TV discussing bariatric surgery planted a seed in Sylvia’s head in terms of exploring weight loss surgery as an option for her.
Five years later, Sylvia’s father-in-law was rushed to the Marina del Rey Hospital (now an affiliate of Cedars Sinai) due to a mild stroke he suffered from on a cross country flight to LAX. It was at the hospital that Sylvia became acquainted with Dr. Korman’s name.
One night in January 2021, as Sylvia was sleeping, Dr. Korman’s name popped into her head. As a spiritual person, Sylvia took this as a sign from the universe to get help she desperately needed.
Choosing a Southern California Weight Loss Surgeon