Meet Shelby and Diana, a husband and wife team who had their bariatric surgeries within 10 months of each other. When asked about how they arrived at the decision to have the surgery, both said they did a great deal of research. They recommend finding a facility, a doctor, and a support-staff that you really feel comfortable with.

Since their surgery, Shelby has lost 95 pounds and Diana has lost 80. They both say they are more active and feel better overall. 

Diana adds that a helpful tool for her in the decision-making process was to make a list of all the “pros” and “cons.” She looked closely at her health issues and weighed her long-term health risks with and without having bariatric surgery. That’s how she arrived at the decisions of which surgery and what surgeon.

Shelby felt like Pam – Dr. Kim’s nurse and the program coordinator – was the key to his decision to go with Dr. Kim and North Hills Hospital. She made him feel very comfortable, while staying on top of all the details.

Prior to having the surgery, Shelby had trouble with joint pain, struggled with sleep apnea, was on blood pressure medications, and was diagnosed with diabetes. Diana added that prior to having the surgery, one of the things that they loved to do together was to go dancing, but they were too big to dance. Today, the couple enjoys walks together every morning. Shelby said he feels better overall, and no longer has to take medication for blood pressure or diabetes. And Diana finds time to dance on her lunch hour.

They add that it is very important to participate in a support group after the surgery – it’s something that Dr. Kim requires, and it really helped Shelby and Diana to hear other people’s stories of recovery and weight loss.

Prior to their surgeries, they attended one of Dr. Kim’s seminars expecting only to hear from Dr. Kim, but what they found were former patients there to share their stories with prospective patients.

Shelby and Diana liked seeing patients’ before and after pictures, but they both feel like one of the most impressive things about Dr. Kim is the fact that former patients are willing to attend these seminars and advocate for both the surgery and for Dr. Kim. Today, Shelby and Diana themselves are glad to attend seminars and talk to prospective patients about the surgery.

Please click here to watch Shelby & Diana’s personal testimony.