Roc Bauman, MD

Highest Weight was 340 Pounds, July 2016. Lost 82 Pounds by Myself before Surgery on October 12, 2017... I’ve lost a Total of 195 Pounds, went from a Size 26/28 to 3/4’s... Dr. Bauman in Concord, NC done my Surgery and I couldn’t be more Pleased with the Results and Hard Work that I have put forth to achieve my goals... Next Journey is Breast Augmentation with Implants and Tummy Tuck.

So this review is maybe 3 years overdue. I was 35 years old, 5'2" and 280 lbs when I decided on the Gastric Bypass procedure. I had spent years doing Dr assisted weight loss, weight watchers and so on. I just could not drop the weight. So I was finally fed up with not being able to keep up with my then 10 and 9 year old sons. I decided on Gastric Bypass with Dr Bauman in Concord NC. I cant say enough positive things about my Dr. He was very direct, to the point and honest. If you are in the area you should 100% consider him. You wont be disappointed. He and his staff are excellent. He also requires you to do nutrition counseling once a month for a year after the surgery. This really helped me relearn how to eat.

The surgery.... I know this surgery does not cost $3000. But that was my co pay so that is the number I remember. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days. 2 of which I was hooked up to a pain pump. I went through surgery like a champ and was outside taking short walks up and down my street the day I got home from the hospital. Learning to eat again and taking care of yourself so you get proper nutrition after the surgery is hard. Harder then you think. So don't ever feel like you took the easy way out by having surgery because you didn't. The emotional roller coaster of not being able to eat what you want when you want is pretty serious too. But in the end I got down to 135 lbs. I got to this weight about 1.5 years after the surgery and have stayed there for 3 years now. When I started the journey I had grand ideas about getting down to a size 2 or weighing 115 lbs. But I got over that. My body got to 135 and was happy there. And now I am happy there too.

The aftermath of surgery.... I was a really healthy obese person. I am not such a healthy person at my normal weight. After surgery I am now severely anemic. I have been seeing a hematologist and have had 3 iron transfusions so far. I think I may need 1 more but wont find out for another week. My OB had to perform a uterian ablation because my periods got so heavy and were making my anemia even worst. I also am constantly low in all of my vitamins and minerals. This is because the nature of RNY Gastric Bypass surgery limits your ability to absorb vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat. On the bright side, I will just have to go back to the hematologist every 1-1.5 years for an iron transfusion to keep my anemia under control. (Which means an additional trip to my PCP every 6 months to have my blood drawn for an iron test -- no biggie)

Would I do this again? Yes! Would I choose the same surgeon? Totally! The only thing I would reconsider is having the sleeve instead of the RNY Gastric Bypass just because of the malabsorption issues I am dealing with today.

Final thoughts.... Don't be ashamed of having to take the perceived "easy way out" by having this surgery. Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Know the battle begins once you have lost the weight. It is up to you to stay healthy and keep the weight off. I was ashamed for a long time about having the surgery. But I am not anymore. Don't let years pass by while you sit in indecision. Those are years you will never get back. If I didn't go through with the surgery I would have never reached this point where I can finally keep up with my family.

Hope this helps anyone looking into Gastric Bypass or Dr. Bauman.

Updated on 1 Aug 2014:
So I wasn't sure if I wanted to add a picture w/ my face or not. But I lost an insane amount of weight from my face so I decided to add it. And yes my after pic is a Halloween pic. But I generally am pretty conservative and I don't normally wear clothes that are so fitted. This way you can really see what Gastric Bypass surgery did for me.

These are some of my pictures. I know some will probably say you don't look big but trust me I'm big I just carry my weight really good. I work in a warehouse so I stay on the move. My weakness is sweets but it been a month since I had any sweet and I feel good. Not craving it at all.

Updated on 27 Oct 2019:
BMI 39
5.4
228
BCBS (blue cross blue Shield 
With my insurance it's required that you do a 6 month weight loss classes
Upper GI series 
Pap smear
Nutritional consultation 
Psychological evaluation 
Resting metabolic rate (breath test)
Physical by primary care
Blood test ( CBC comprehension chemistries H -pylori I call this one the poop test Fe studies(Iron) TSH PTH and vitamin D,25 OH vitamin B-12 B-1 and folic Acid 
2years of weight history 
I only have one more thing to do before my paperwork is submitted. That's the X-ray. I have it November 8. Ugh so late. I'm so ready I hope and pray I get approved. I'm new to this app so if anyone had the sleeve can y'all tell me about your experience?

Updated on 2 Nov 2019:
I just called my surgeon and his nurse just said he is full with appointments for this year but my fingers are crossed that something changes because I can't wait till January or February to have surgery.
P.s I haven’t received a X-ray yet still waiting for November 8.

Updated on 18 Jan 2020:
I had to have a Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and Bravo probe placemen done. So now I’m just waiting to go back to the my surgeon on the 27 so he can tell me what surgery will be best for me since I have reflux’s.

Updated on 18 Feb 2020:
So on feb 17 I got approved for my surgery. My surgery is April 21,2020. This is great news for me since my birthday was on February 16. I'm so happy and ready. I'm having the gastric bypass surgery Instead of he sleeve

Updated on 8 Jul 2020:
I finally had my surgery on May 19. My surgery weight was 249 my weight today is 200 a month later. This was the best decision I ever made and I’m so happy with it

I am 5 days post-op and am feeling great. I'm working on 60 grams of protein a day, 60 oz of water and 60 min of exercise. I started this journey in November 2016 and for my insurance needed 4 monthly visit with my PCM, Blood work, psych consult, and an EKG.
I have hypothyroidism and was vitamin deficiency. I will be on 2 weeks liquids and will start with introducing food back.
My husband and my kids are my supporters.
My biggest fear in this journey in the loose skin. I don't want to go though cosmic surgery to remove but will cross that bridge after I reach my goal.

Updated on 5 Jul 2017:
I am down 49 lbs! I am feeling great! Still working on what I can eat. I had a couple issues with chicken but I think it was due not having it cut into small pieces. Can't wait for the next 4 weeks when I can introduce fruits and vegetables. I find it way to add protein power to three of my meals so I get all the protein needed. It seems to working for me at the moment. I have clothes that I purchased but never wore because I dud not try on in the store and did not fit that I am able to wear for the first time. They sit in a basket in my room and every week I try on some of them to see how far I have gotten and need to go. I just now started taking my exercise seriously. I am going to the gym every other day. My biggest fear still is having excess skin. Good luck to all.
Updated on 16 May 2018:
This past year has changed my life. I have not felt this good since I was in my 20’s. I would like to loose another 15-20 lbs. I am currently working on toning my body. Eating has its challenges as I do not like protein shakes or bars so I eat about every 2-3 hours to get all my protein in. I find having either beef jerky or mixed nuts with me at all times helps when I am not at home. I think it took a good 8 months for my body to be fully recovered. If you are not happy with your weight and it is affecting your health I recommend having this procedure. I stopped going out with family and friends, could not fit into a booth at a restaurant, have not been to a movie in 3-4 years because I knew I would not fit into the seats. Yesterday when I went to my one year post op I wore a pair of sandals that I bought 6 years ago and only worn a few times before they stopped fitting. I went from a size 26 to a 14. The last time I was in a size 14 was in my late 20’s. It is such great feeling to be able to go into a store and not have to buy my clothing from the plus size racks.



Updated on 3 Jul 2018:
FINALLY UNDER 200 lbs. stepped on the scale this morning and it said 197.6!!!!

Updated on 1 Dec 2018:
It has been 1 year and 6 months since I had my surgery and I can say today that I weigh as much as I lost. I could not have achieved this goal without the support of my family and friends. Start. Weight 367....today’s weight 183.2