Keith Chung, MD

I had Gastric Bypass procedure on Oct 21, 2010 in Lake Charles, La at Women and Children's Hospital. My Surgeon was Keith Chung, MD. I was referred to him by Ft Polk Bayne Jones Community Hospital (BJACH) primary care provider. My Highest weight was 276# and my lowest weight after was 157#. I was offered to have Panniculectomy in Oct 2011 but decided against it due to my Major Hypothyroidism and getting it under control and stable. Also I was so thin facial wise that I felt unattractive. So, I decided to put a few pounds back on. So over the next 22 months I gained a few pounds. Now I weight from 165-170# and I like the way I look. After stabilizing my weight for 18 months I decided to pursue the Panniculectomy. I saw my primary provider (PA) on Aug 2, 2013 and he gave me a referral to see the surgeon. On Aug 6, 2013 I seen the surgeon for the first time and he said I was a candidate for a Panniculectomy even with having a prior Abdominalplasty in 2002 at the weight of 220#. I never dreamed at that time I would have the opportunity to have a gastric bypass in the future. So 8 years later I am presented with the opportunity to have gastric bypass due to my health issues: hypertension, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Sleep Apnea, Chronic joint pain, (CHF) Congestive Heart Failure, Depression, and hypercholesteremia. My highest weight was 276# in Oct 2008. And in May 2010 I weighed in at 267# when I was offered the gastric bypass. After extensive research, nutritional education, and a lot of prayer, I decided to pursue the Gastric Bypass and so glad I did and wish I would have done it earlier in life, but was unable to insurance wise, as well as finance wise. I am blessed to be married to a Retire Chief Warrant Officer 2 and have Tricare Prime health insurance.
My only regret that I have about having my Gastric Bypass is that I didn't have the chance to do it earlier in life. Best thing I ever done for myself.

Updated on 4 Sep 2013:

I am a 35 YO mother of 4 and wife of a soldier! After the birth of my first angel I went from a svelte size 6 to an 18, having taken what my mother told me about "eating for two" to a whole different level,lol! After 15 years of yo-yo dieting and losing only to gain back double what I lost I was extremely unhappy with myself. Realizing that I made my family miserable addded to it then medical conditions began making their appearances.

After being approved through military insurance bc my HBP was up there, asthma was to the point I couldn't walk to get the mail without my pump and Diabetes ran in my family I decided it was time to get off of the proverbial "pot" and do something drastic. The doctor I was first referred to was unacceptable to me having been out of med school a mere 2 years, I decided he wouldn't be the one. After a lot of internet help and friends of friends, I chose an extremely exceptional doctor. He averaged 1000 Aprox. WLS's a year so I figured he knew what he was doing.

My surgery took place in January of 2011 where I was 264lbs and 5'6. I wasn't nervous about anything, he and his staff were amazing and informative. I could call anytime and always be able to speak with him or a nurse to answer any questions or concerns I had. They put me at ease from the first visit. Incidentally most of my caregivers in his office and the hospital had been patients of his. I knew GBP was for me since I know how hardheaded I am and the lapband could be adjusted and I know given the choice I would cut corners so knowing gbp was permanent was the answer for me. I had it done and haven't looked back!

In the beginning it was extremely hard and is kind of a forced "will". You can follow your diet to a "T" or get sick! Plain and simple.No sugar coating. I was a slow learner having gorged myself before I learned I can't do that ANYMORE. I threw up daily for a long time after beginning solids because you have to learn to eat again like a baby does, some things work and some don't. Its a lot of trial and error. It is a lifestyle change you have to be determined to go in all or nothing for. I am thrilled to say I am now in a size 12 from a 24 and now at 170lbs and its only been 10 months. Sorry about not posting pics, my hubby has been deployed and is due to come home in the next couple of weeks so I'm saving the surprise for him,lol. The weight loss and my new boobs that is !!