Kimberly Bouche-Perez

Hi everyone. Yup that was me, Kimberly, on that show. But when they filmed the show in August of 2015. I was about 145-150. I was so happy at that weight. BUT...... Now almost one year later, I am at 127. I moved from MA, to OR a few months ago and I was 149. Then on June 8, 2016, I was down to 135. OK. Went to the doctors appointment yesterday and I am now 127. I am 5'8" and I look sick. My new doctor was actually accusing me of starving myself. That is so not true. I got 3 ulcers from the gastric bypass surgery and it is so painful to eat. My bones ate sticking out. I am trying to find a new bariatric surgeon. I just don't know what to do. I still see the 301 pound person in the mirror. I am using Unjury again. I am so sick of them. It was 3 years on June 25, 2016. I don't know why my body is doing this to me? If there is anyone out there who has been there. Any and ALL suggestions I would really appreciate advise. I have other medical issues as well. I love this forum. It helped me through some tough times. I need help from my greatest support family. Thanks in advance. P.S. TLC found me on this site, somehow for the show. I would like to be able to be around 140-145, again. Thanks, again for ALL the love!

Hi everyone. Yup that was me, Kimberly, on that show. But when they filmed the show in August of 2015. I was about 145-150. I was so happy at that weight. BUT...... Now almost one year later, I am at 127. I moved from MA, to OR a few months ago and I was 149. Then on June 8, 2016, I was down to 135. OK. Went to the doctors appointment yesterday and I am now 127. I am 5'8" and I look sick. My new doctor was actually accusing me of starving myself. That is so not true. I got 3 ulcers from the gastric bypass surgery and it is so painful to eat. My bones ate sticking out. I am trying to find a new bariatric surgeon. I just don't know what to do. I still see the 301 pound person in the mirror. I am using Unjury again. I am so sick of them. It was 3 years on June 25, 2016. I don't know why my body is doing this to me? If there is anyone out there who has been there. Any and ALL suggestions I would really appreciate advise. I have other medical issues as well. I love this forum. It helped me through some tough times. I need help from my greatest support family. Thanks in advance. P.S. TLC found me on this site, somehow for the show. I would like to be able to be around 140-145, again. Thanks, again for ALL the love!

I can tell you from experience it gets so much better. I eat and it isn't like before. I love veggies!! In the early stages I would roast them in the oven and use spices to change up flavors. It was a bit annoying that my food got cold, but it does get better. When the results start showing you find what food you eat(as long as you are meeting you Protein requirements and liquid intake) doesn't matter. It's going to be okay and in a year you will thank yourself and wished you had done it sooner. Hang in there!!

This will pass. You are in mourning for your old best friend, food. I called this my,. "The thrill is gone Phase.". I even got angry that I didn't enjoy food like I used to. Somewhere along the way you will get over it. I am one year out and, although there are still a lot of my old favs that I still don't have a taste for, I am over it. Once in a while I will get an urge and give in and when I do, I find that a bite or two is all I want. It still doesn't thrill me like it used to but I can eat a little and I'm no longer sad about it. I am starting to have issues with grazing but that's another post.
Like I said, it's been a year and I had to learn a new way to live my life. Food is no longer my master. I am loving life in a whole new way. 136 lbs down.. My one year labs came back and everything is normal. I'm a happy camper! ????
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Hi Subie, I am also 4 weeks out and feeling the exact same way. I'm to the point where I just don't want to eat. The preparation and the task of eating just a small bit is such a burden. Especially when the enjoyment we once had is gone. I've read it gets better. We just have to do the best we can getting in fluids, Vitamins and Protein. This too shall pass
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I'm on day 18 of my preop liver shrinking diet and I feel the same way. I'm using a lot more spices to try and make things taste better, eating outside on my porch to enjoy the view, and getting new flavors of herbal tea which helps a little.
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I'm 4 weeks post op and I am really struggling mentally. I love food, which is partially why I am in the place I'm in.
I'm at the point where I don't know why I even eat. To get Protein -- I'll have a shake. There is no joy in eating anymore. It is just a chore. There is no flavor left by the time I am done chewing. My food gets cold by the time I am done eating it.
I just don't feel like eating anymore. I don't want to go through the hassle of cooking and eating 1/4 cup. I just wish I could eat normal foods, just less of it. Maybe eventually I can, but then I'm afraid I'll fall right back into a hole. I'm just depressed I guess. Food made me happy and now it is just a horrible chore.

I had the bypass done for several reasons. The biggest one was for the diabetes. Bypass is the only surgical procedure that can be considered a cure for diabetes versus a control. Secondly the acid reflux which was a huge problem for me and it's now gone. Third it has a better long term success rate than the sleeve. There were many people in my classes getting revisions on their sleeves which kind of turned me off. Good luck which ever way you go!

I had RNY bypass in 2003. I believe it's better than the sleeve. Hunger; never was an issue except for what I want to eat; not that I felt hungry. Vitamins; never a problem. hair loss; just having surgery will do that; and it grows back. No regrets here and glad the sleeve wasn't popular back then. I don't see the benefit of the sleeve over bypass. And look how man sleeves are revised, especially in your BMI range. Good luck with however you go!

I originally planned to have sleeve surgery and ended up going the route of bypass for two reasons. I had severe reflux and learned that bypass would cure it and it did. Secondly I wanted to have 1 surgery and be done with it. Given bypass is the gold standard and has years of data behind it I decided to go for it.
I am very thankful that I did as it cured so many comorbitities in the process. I don't have any side effects. I take Vitamins every day (4 of them) instead of taking numerous prescriptions for all my comorbitities. By the way, sleeves take the same Vitamins.< /p>
The malabsorption factor actually helps you to lose the weight, it is not a side effect. It is very effective and my prescription strengths went down not up as a previous posted called out.
Both surgeries are equally as invasive. The sleeve removes 90% of your stomach which means it is not reversible where the bypass is.
hair loss can happen with both surgeries, some people have this issue and some do not regardless of the surgery you choose. I lost a lot of hair but it came back, all of it. Loose skin happens with massive weight loss regardless of how you lose your weight. This is not caused by the type of surgery you choose.
I am now 17 months post op. Down 143+lbs, 1 lb from goal. I fit into a size 8 jeans from a size 24/26.
I have never dumped and it only happens to a small percentage of people.
Yes my hunger came back but it is not the same and when I do get hungry a few bites and I am full. I am a good cook and if I taste my food too much while cooking I will get full before I even get to dinner.
Bypass is the best thing that ever happened to me. I thank god every day for the doctors and nurses and dietitians that work in this field. Without them this wouldn't be possible.
Oh by the way, I have not been able to exercise for nearly a year now do to issues with my spine. The best I can do is small walks. I control my weight with mostly my diet. Because I have had bypass this is totally possible.

The bypass is the golden standard for weight loss procedures. There are many people who get revised from sleeve to bypass. I take medications, and never needed a higher dose of anything.
As far as I can tell the lack of absorption means that, no you won't absorb everything you put into your mouth, so you won't get those calories either. Which is a good thing if you're trying to lose weight and maintain for the rest of your life.
Both surgeries you have to take Vitamins daily.
I, too, was concerned about hunger. Before surgery I was worried that I'd be hungry still, well no - not for weeks and months. I am 2 months out and my hunger is returning, BUT a tiny meal and I'm stuffed for hours. Lol. I am able to feel very satisfied all day long on about 400-500 calories a day. However, Head hunger (cravings) won't be going away with either surgery.
Also, the complication rate is less than 1% with the bypass. Higher than the sleeve? Sure, but still it's very unlikely.
I've gone from 237 hw to now 189 in 2 months.
Good luck to you on whichever surgery you decide.

I was set in doing the bypass for a long time and then I decided to change it to the sleeve for a few reasons. The number one reason is that after some thought I decided that it was not a good idea to create a condition that would mean that my body cannot absorb all the things I put in my body. With the sleeve you can't eat as much, but at least what you eat is what you eat and all the nutrients and Vitamins you put in your body will be received and not bypassed. Since you have a medical condition already....and I'm assuming you take meds or might have to in the future....your body will have trouble absorbing all of your dosage which means that you will need higher dosages for everything. I personally don't like the idea of having to take higher dosages of any medications that I might have to take in the future. Also the bypass is way more invasive and requires rewiring your stomach. I thought I was going to be okay with that, but with much thought I decided that I really wasn't. Bypass also has more complications and it seems to me, that the side effects are worse than the sleeve. Since you're losing weight at an even faster lost than the sleeve...it means more hair loss, more loose skin, and dumping syndrome seems to be worse (although some people think of it as a pro). I would suggest watching youtube videos with people who've done both the sleeve and bypass, and do as much research as possible. I have nothing against the bypass as an option and I'm sure it's a better option for some people, but since you have a heart condition you might consider doing the procedure with fewer complications. Also ask your doctor what she thinks. Good luck!
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My insurance did. I live in MA and I have BMC Healthnet and Masshealth. My PCP gave me the script for Unjury. It is expensive. $2 a serving.
I called my insurance company and asked if they covered it. To my surprise they did. I just had to go to a certain pharmacy, they even delivered it.
Just call your insurance company. They probably do cover it.
Best of luck to you

Hi, I am so so sorry your going through this. I am on 120 mgs of morephine everyday due to my endometreiosus.
I had a HUGE problem after my surgery.
What happens is you build a tollerance up and they needs to almost double or double in a half your pain meds or change to a stronger medication.
Because you have been on pain managment for a while, you feel pain more then a regular person having the same surgery.
Then after about 14-16 days on the new meds, you have to dertox down to your regular does.
It is a tough road but I hope your PCP, Pain Doctor AND surgeon should get on a confrence call and fix this asap!!!!
It's NOT in your head!!!!!
Go to the ER if you need to, to get relief.
Good LUCK!
WE ARE HERE FOR Y0U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim

I some medical issues that were never linked to my obesity. Those "issues" have required pain management and I'll be lucky if I can make it to 50 and not be in a wheelchair (or at least need a walker to get around).
With the management of my pain I am taking a semi-powerful narcotic and I have noticed after surgery it is not as effective.
Prior to surgery I had asked (repeatedly) if any adjustments to my meds were needed after surgery. Not my PCP, my PM, my Surgeon or my Rheum had any concerns with MOST of the meds I was taking. A few adjustments were needed but my pain meds went untouched.
Today I mentioned the issue of effectiveness to my PM and she said "it is possible, let me do some research." Okay, that's nice but in the meantime I am kinda in a lot of pain. Actually no, not kinda am in a lot of pain.
There is a thin line in the Pain Management community between getting the meds you need and asking for more, or stronger or something different. I don't cross that line even though I am a legit patient.
So I left her office and wondered, "has anyone else in WLS community experienced something similar?"

I am shocked. I am 2 years and 4 month post op. I still have a hard time getting more then 1000 calories in.
I am not trying to scare you but don't waalk RUN to the hospital. DEMAND a scope that goes down your throught (sorry I forgot what it's called)
This will let the doctor's see your new pouch. They give you a dye. This DOES NOT HURT, no not one bit!!!!!!
They give you IV sedation. So just take a 15 min nap.
At 2 months I was still trying to drink 12 oz a day. I even got the dumping syndrome cause I had a very small bite of toast. It was so bad it took me OVER a year before I tried any kind of bread.< /p>
You should ONLY be on protien shakes.< /p>
I have no idea WHY your surgeon is not very concerned.
I DO NOT mean to scare you at all. I am sorry if I do. But I AM CONCERNED.
I had a thighplasty 6 weeks ago (this is when they take the extra skin off your thighs and hips. I had a Tummy Tuck in March of this year)
But for ome reason since I got home from hospital, I have to eat tums after even 1 bite of food. Don't know why. I am having a scope tomorrow.
Please keep up with the post. If I was you I would either go to the er tonight OR I ould be sitting at the door when the office opens bright and early first thingf in the morning.
GOOD LUCK
AND WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am shocked. I am 2 years and 4 month post op. I still have a hard time getting more then 1000 calories in.
I am not trying to scare you but don't waalk RUN to the hospital. DEMAND a scope that goes down your throught (sorry I forgot what it's called)
This will let the doctor's see your new pouch. They give you a dye. This DOES NOT HURT, no not one bit!!!!!!
They give you IV sedation. So just take a 15 min nap.
At 2 months I was still trying to drink 12 oz a day. I even got the dumping syndrome cause I had a very small bite of toast. It was so bad it took me OVER a year before I tried any kind of bread.
You should ONLY be on protien shakes.
I have no idea WHY your surgeon is not very concerned.
I DO NOT mean to scare you at all. I am sorry if I do. But I AM CONCERNED.
I had a thighplasty 6 weeks ago (this is when they take the extra skin off your thighs and hips. I had a tummy tuck in March of this year)
But for ome reason since I got home from hospital, I have to eat tums after even 1 bite of food. Don't know why. I am having a scope tomorrow.
Please keep up with the post. If I was you I would either go to the er tonight OR I ould be sitting at the door when the office opens bright and early first thingf in the morning.
GOOD LUCK
AND WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is definitely not normal. I'm 13 weeks out and I'm still under 1000 calories. I would be stuffed to the rafters if I even attempted a Lean Cuisine.
I'm just curious as why you tried a Lean Cuisine this early out, as I was still on liquids at this stage. Are you experiencing extreme hunger as well?
I'm very curious to hear more of your experience as it develops. I hope your situation improves and best of luck!

Like I'm almost 9 weeks out and I can barely eat 500 calories. I've had nightmares where someone offered me a spoonful of rice or a cracker and I ate it happily, then remembered about my stomach, and my stomach would like tear apart or something. Just thinking about putting that much food into a pouch that's only able to hold 2-3 ounces is giving me so much anxiety, I can't even tell you. D: If you start feeling feverish or sick or if your abdomen starts feeling more tender than it has from your incision sites, go to the hospital!

It's also possible that you're actually REALLY hurting your pouch and don't even know it, because when everything is rerouted during surgery, the nerves are severed, and it takes time for them to reconnect and heal. Imagine putting your hand on the stove while it's on high but you can't feel it burning - it is definitely still burning, and you are definitely still damaging yourself. Talk to your surgeon asap! And seriously, I know it's hard because old habits die hard and it doesn't feel like there is any problem with how much you are eating but you really should measure out your food, eat EXACTLY what your NUT says, and generally just eat a lot less than you are. I would hate to find out something happened to you.
Just because you CAN does not in any way mean you SHOULD. Take care, get help soon.

First, you have a really easy going NUT and Surgeon if you can eat a Lean Cuisine at 3 weeks post. I am on pureed food and very limited at that. The amount of food you can imbibe is directly linked to the size of the pouch, if you can get that much food in you, time to consider sitting down with the Surgeon and having a discussion, something about your pouch is wrong. You could have a Fistula (which is a connection to the old stomach) and this would explain why you can get that much food in you. But aside from that, a properly constructed pouch would make it impossible to get that kind of food inside you, I mean 3 lean cuisines at a time, that's crazy. A Fistula can be repaired under a local with an endoscope, not a bad fix, if your pouch is way too big or stretched like crazy, there is but one fix, another surgery, to reduce the pouch size to the correct size.
Best of luck

That's definitely not normal. I would make an appointment with your surgeon asap.

I am 4 months post op and still drinking at least 1 if not 2 shakes per day. Lots of people a year out drink at least 1 shake a day, so do not feel bad about still doing that. It takes a LONG time to get to where you need to be with Protein from food and very few get there during pureeds (I certainly didn't).

Hi, If you wern't scared something would be wrong with you, lol. I had bypass 22 months ago. Actually I just had a Tummy Tuck 3 weeks ago. (Not fun, not fun at all)
But.....
I can walk more then 20 feet without knee pain
I can keep up with my grand kids
I can walk a mile and entire mile in 15 mins
Cloths fit they actuqlly fit
I can go into the store and buy regular clothes, not plus size
I can fit at those bucket tables without my stomach barley fitting in
Up until a week ago, I still saw the fat Kim
Now I have a problem keeping weight on. I am 'under weight' now.
It is crazy that 22 months ago they were telling me loose loose loose, lol
As far as you worring about being stuck up and so.
You will be the same loving person you are now.
The surgery changes the outside. YOU change the inside.
This site is great for aupport I wished I found it saooner.
I am here for you if you need me.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing good things from you!

Hi, If you wern't scared something would be wrong with you, lol. I had bypass 22 months ago. Actually I just had a Tummy Tuck 3 weeks ago. (Not fun, not fun at all)
But.....
I can walk more then 20 feet without knee pain
I can keep up with my grand kids
I can walk a mile and entire mile in 15 mins
Cloths fit they actuqlly fit
I can go into the store and buy regular clothes, not plus size
I can fit at those bucket tables without my stomach barley fitting in
Up until a week ago, I still saw the fat Kim
Now I have a problem keeping weight on. I am 'under weight' now.
It is crazy that 22 months ago they were telling me loose loose loose, lol
As far as you worring about being stuck up and so.
You will be the same loving person you are now.
The surgery changes the outside. YOU change the inside.
This site is great for aupport I wished I found it saooner.
I am here for you if you need me.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing good things from you!

Hi I had a horrible time after I had my gastric bypass (surgery date ward 6\25\13). I could not even drink 1 oz of Water like we were suppose to. It took me about 2 months to be able just to drink 1oz every hour. I still has problems with food. No more then 4 oz at a time. But if I eat meat like chicken or steak. I can usually only take 2 maybe 3 bites.
It does depend on your doctor AND your body.
REMEMBER when your body says your full. LISTEN!!!!!!!!! Eat slow. Ew your food until there is nothing to chew. There isnlting worse then being full and foodstuck in your throat. Or even worse, the dreaded dumping syndrome
Just keep up with it. It is worth it.
I went from 5'7" 301 to 139.
It is soooooooo worth it. Good luck.