Aileen M. Takahashi, MD

Weighing in at over 295 lbs, constantly having joint pain, overworked kidney and not feeling very good about constantly being told to loose weight, I realized I had to do something, but after weight being a battle all my life, I knew I couldn't do it without help. I was referred to Dr. Takahashi. After meeting with her, I knew i had made the right decision. Gastric bypass was the best life changing decision i could ever have made. It isn't a quick fix but a steady positive change as long as you pay attention to what your body is telling you and follow the advice and guidance of your doctor. As it is going on 7 years since i had the surgery, I have lost 145 lbs and have kept it off. I am much happier and doing the things i had stopped doing because of all the extra weight i was carrying. I highly recommend this procedure as long as you are willing to pay attention to yourself and follow your doctors instructions.

I was quickly reaching a point where I couldn't walk more than a block. In my case there was an avalanche of events. I had my diabetes doctor recommendation, then my internist, then a foot and ankle doctor all say to me "have you heard of gastric bypass?" Then I was on a family trip, and suddenly I couldn't participate. I couldn't walk, I couldn't fit in a roller coaster, I had because of a broken foot started using a wheelchair. Then the straw that broke the camels back was when the actor James Gandolfini passed away of a heart attack while in Italy on a trip with his son. That was a cold slap of reality for me.
The process with Dr. Takahashi was not simple. It was carefully thought through, and very well managed. She is a professional, and I've seldom met a doctor who is so widely respected and admired. The lead up to surgery was six months. It was full of hoops; and I now understand why they were all in place. It took that long to prepare me for a major change in my life. I also quickly realized that my doctor did not accept failure. Also that she was not into this for the money, but for the difference she was making in people's lives.
I'm not going to go into the details of the procedure, that's easily found on the internet. I will say that I got excellent care from Torrance Memorial, and Dr. Takahashi's staff. All these years later, I still go in for a yearly check-up; and have available to me monthly support meetings as needed.
What I do want to tell you if you're considering this procedure is to remember this is a tool. I lost, and have kept off 136 pounds. My health is greatly improved. For me the whole process was, in looking back, not a big deal. For me, and I realize everyone is different the post surgery pain really wasn't significant. The initial return to eating (liquid diet, protein drinks, etc.) was eased by seeing weight drop off of me.
Several years out now, I eat pretty much everything I want, just in very small quantities. I can have a taste of anything I want. Instead of a steak, maybe I'll have a hamburger patty. I've never felt deprived. I eat slower, I chew better and I enjoy the flavors more. I try to limit carbs. Protein first, vegies then carbs. I'm not perfect, but it's not hard. I keep an eye on the scale, and if I gain more than a few pounds, I get strict and exercise more. Exercise is key, just walking makes a difference.
When Dr. Takahashi tells you to do something, listen and just do it. Don't try to reinvent or do it "anther way." She's got the experience --- cut to the chase and follow --- it will go easier on you. Realize that you're making a commitment for life. You will have to take vitamins, you will have to follow your new diet. It's not fun is you stray to far or too fast.
Again, we're all different, but don't be scared away by people and their stories. "I had a friend, who's mother's cousin ate a burrito after the surgery and they died..." all this stuff is BS. I never could figure out why people would even tell you this stuff. You eat too much, you puke. Pretty simple. You eat the wrong stuff, you puke. Then you learn. Some of us slower than others. Follow the Doc's rules, you'll be fine.
If you need this, you've tried to loose weight and it hasn't work, then do it sooner than later. If you're diabetic, don't wait until the disabling side effects have set in. I wish this option had existed years ago. Also remember that the procedure being done now is not the same as 10 to 15 years ago.
Dr. Takahashi's office is a well oiled, well operated machine. Full of compassion, skill and knowledge. I will always be appreciative of what they did for me, and my family.

I am so excited about the success of my weight loss. It has been nothing short of a miracle for me. My goals had everything to do with my health. My primary care physician monitored for the past five years as I battled with weight loss. I tried pills, weight watchers, slim fast and every other gimmick on the market. I was a diabetic, on cholesterol medication, blood pressure meds, breathing issues and morbidly obese. I was on the fast track to death. I was recommended to Dr. Takahashi and I learned how this tool for weight loss could best benefit me. 16 months ago I was sick, on medications and overweight. Today I am no longer suffering with diabetes, cholestoral and my blood pressure is totally under control with minimal medication that we anticipate will be off by March 2018. I am 105 pounds lighter, eating healthy, exercising including walking 5 miles every other day, riding a bicycle (which I have been unable to do in 25 years), playing golf and shopping in stores that are not specialized for larger sizes. My self esteem and outlook on life is different. I did not believe that my weight loss would make such a change in how I felt about me. I have always loved me, but now I am feeling more secure in me.

I don’t want to sound as though the road has been easy...you must put in the work. Bypass is just a tool. You must work a plan and realize it’s a life plan not a diet. I eat lean and green with exercise of mind, body and soul. The education provided by Dr. Takahashi and her staff is crucial to the success of your weight loss. The office staff are professional, courteous, supportive and get to know the patients. My doctor, excellent at what she does. 18 months later and she is still ensuring that I am on track to meeting my goals. Life has always been good for me, but now my quality of life is AWESOME....Yes I am a happy client with no complications and positive results.

I posted a couple of weeks ago, things are getting close and I'm just waiting for my date. Now I have it, I've read more than I care to mention, watched more videos than I can count and yet today I have a pre-op class and I'm nervous. I'm embarrassed to tell my family and friends I'm doing this because I was the one in control and helping everyone else keep it together. They've all noticed my increased weight gain and my lack of everything in the past year. Why does making this much needed decision somehow says I was defeated by my own lifestyle?

My ex-husband and I are still family, so he's my coach. A personal trainer and nutrition specialist, yet he's watched my struggle for years and is in complete support of something he would have otherwise denounced. I know this is the best thing for me and I understand my quality of life will improve drastically. For that I am excited, but the emotional BS is there today (what about sagging breast, pouch arms). Anyway, so glad I found this group.
Height 5'3"
SW - 230 (heaviest I've even been even pregnant)
Surgery Date -8/27/15

Updated on 21 Aug 2015:
Today I realized I'm less than a week away. I've completely gone to water and a coffee alternative, more protein than I've ever had daily. After 2 weeks of nearly 80 ozs of water daily and walking daily today I have a meltdown. Isopure now gets on my nerves, I almost cried I wanted soda and lemon pepper wings so bad. I craved all things salty and sweet (cycle just ended,so no reason to crave). I drove to the McDonald's drive through then reversed out of the line before ordering and went home. In addition to all my healthy choices, today I ate fritos, M&Ms and a pop tart. It wasn't until I realized I had to actually leave the house to get anymore junk I almost cried. All of a sudden it hit me, I'm nervous again and although I don't think I've ever had an anxiety attack, I think today I was pretty close.

I want to go to the gym, I'm running up and down my stairs, I want to jog and physically almost none of these things are possible (effectively)right now because I'm so out of shape. Also, did I mention the same inner conversations of why did I let it get this far have started again? I'm not sure if this is normal, but I'm reaching out to the group to say HELP! I am a part of a Healthy Living group and all they do is post how they naturally became fit, their determination etc etc. Although their determination and drive is motivating, but it's also very intimidating. Can someone tell me why I'm feeling this way?

Okay, tomorrow is another kitchen sweep of all things not conducive to my health. I will continue my protein and water intake and trust this process. I'm just venting to people I think may understand what I'm going through.

Updated on 27 Aug 2015:
Whew, thanks to my support I'm ok.

Updated on 12 Sep 2015:
The first week was rough, I didn't respond well to the anesthesia so I couldn't drink anything by mouth, nor could I go home. 4 days in the hospital on fluids through IV.

I was able to walk the 1st day, just not as long because I was nauseous. I went back to work this week and minus taking a break when necessary, I'm walking at a pace to sweat and increase my heart rate.

I seem to be losing about a pound a day, 16lb loss so far. The hardest thing is gettingv required protein and water.