“They put the C-pap mask on my face… I felt a wave of anxiety and I began to cry.”

Let's Talk Tania

Age at surgery: 55

Date of surgery: 12/21/16

Starting weight: 180lbs.

Height: 5’1”

Procedure: gastric sleeve

Current weight: 115 lbs. 

Co-morbidities: sleep apnea, high blood pressure

Clothing size: 16

Before Weight Loss Surgery

While some women gain more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy, there are also women who continue to have weight issues post-pregnancy. Tania was one of these women. After having children around age 30, she struggled to lose the pregnancy weight she gained. When her son was born, she went through a divorce. Being a single parent was stressful. As a way to cope, Tania turned to food. She especially turned to cookies and cheese fries, which negated any efforts Tania made to lose weight. 

Everyday activities people in a normal weight range take for granted were a struggle for Tania. For example, going to Disneyland with her grandson was a challenge because Tania would get tired so easily.

 In addition to getting tired easily, she suffered from constant pain in her joints from being overweight. The moment when Tania knew something had to be done occurred when she was diagnosed with sleep apnea, a very common weight related disease. As a result of the sleep apnea, Tania was going to need a c-pap machine to sleep. At the doctor’s office, the clinicians put the face mask on Tania to demonstrate how the machine worked.

Immediately she felt a wave of anxiety and began to cry. The doctor explained if Tania lost 50 pounds, the sleep apnea would go away. This sent the wheels in motion. After seeing a Marie Osmond Nutri-System commercial, Tania told her doctor this is what she would try.

The doctor told her no, there is a faster way. 

Tania’s doctor told her about weight loss surgery. 

Tania was referred to Dr. Korman by her primary care physician and saw him in May 2016. In December of that year, Tania underwent the gastric sleeve procedure. The most surprising part of the experience was that after the surgery, Tania was able to get right up and walk to the restroom with no pain at all. She was even able to walk all the hallways easily.

Over two years later, Tania has maintained a weight loss of almost 70 pounds off of her 5’1” frame and slimmed down from a size 16 to a 4. 

Tania After Weight Loss Surgery

How? Tania follows the Marina Weight Loss Center’s follow-up program.

Diet Plan:

Breakfast: soy chorizo + egg scramble or oatmeal w/ blueberries or apple and turkey sausages for protein

Lunch: tuna w/ light mayo and lettuce to make a salad, raspberry vinaigrette dressings

Takes a yogurt, banana , *PB2  

*PB2 - Name brand of a powdered peanut butter that contains 90% less fat per serving than traditional peanut butter. It mixes well in yogurt, smoothies, or can be mixed with milk to create the peanut butter texture. 

Dinner: ground turkey w/ black beans w/ zucchini spirals or sweet potato ones, or baked chicken

Tania’s Other Tricks:

-Only eats small portions of sweets when a craving strikes.

-Buys yogurt with 7 grams of sugar or less per serving

-Always reads food labels for nutritional value.

Exercise:

-Walks for an hour a few times a week right after work

-Recently joined gym, will do upper body or legs and treadmill (hour total)

Tania's Favorite Experiences Post-procedure

1. Hearing “you look 10 years younger.” 

2. Her son hugging her and saying, “Oh my god, I can wrap my arms around you.”

3. She can now keep up with her 2-year old grandson.

4. Fitting into special pajamas Tania’s sister bought for a vacation to Hawaii (pre-surgery they did not fit)

5. Getting rid of all her clothes that no longer fit. The new, size 4 clothes look great!

Tania feels confident about herself. She says the “surgery is the best thing that can happen to you. I would have done it way longer ago.” Tania is confident in sharing her experience with friends and family, who have been receptive and supportive of Tania’s decision to undergo bariatric surgery.

And as for Dr. Korman? “He’s so nice and patient. He explains everything. I asked him, ‘has anyone mentioned that you look like Dr. McDreamy?’” 

To learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Korman, contact us here or call the office: 310-577-5540.