Hello,

My name is David, aka Scubagecko, and I am from Canada living in Seoul Korea for the past 10 years. I am currently over 300lbs, 140kg, and I have been Obese for the entirety of my adult life. I am tired of losing the same 30lbs over and over again. Something has to change.

I've been thinking about doing this for a while now. I have to thank a woman I worked with years ago that got her sleeve over a year ago and was amazed watching her transformation. Like me I only knew her as an overweight person. She decided to take her story to the public forum of Facebook and track her changes nearly daily for the past year. I'm not brave enough to do that.

I live in Korea, although originally from Canada, it looks like I'll be able to get my surgery within this month. I met with my surgeon and am in the middle of pre-surgery checks and have a date of December 20th, a week away. I really wasn't expecting for it to happen so quickly and I am still quite nervous to be honest. But, how long do I continue to struggle with the challenges of being obese" how long do I suffer with sore knees and ankles. How much longer can I force a smile on my face when my size becomes a part of the discussion. My favorite is David, your face is so handsome but the rest of you...no...not handsome. Again I live in Korea where pointing out the flaws in others is seen as culturally acceptable. The fact is that in the west it's not as if people don't think this way they just don't say it. As if I chose to be this size. As if I refuse to try to become smaller.

I will be getting my sleeve in the only, actual, hospital in Gangnam Seoul Korea. My doctor has only done a few hundred sleeves but he is the second most famous bariatric surgeon in Korea and thanks to the forums and all of your experiences I was able to ask all the right questions that make me feel confident I'm doing this with the right surgeon.

The reason I'm getting sleeved is for my son, almost 2 years old, and my wife. playing with my son one day I was laying on my bed and my son was playing on my belly and my wife got it on video and watching it after I was shocked by the size I have become. I generally try to avoid being in pictures or videos which is difficult when you are a new dad as taking pictures is a daily act in documenting every act of your child's activities. But, what concerns me more than my present is my future.

As I work for a major company in Korea I get an annual medical check and I have been fortunate that even being obese, not exercising as much as I should, and not dieting as much as I could that my cholesterol, diabetes and other numbers are generally not high enough to need medical intervention, yet. But, this year I was much closer than ever and it now isn't a matter of if but when. But, even going for a brisk walk now hurts my knees and ankles. I'm only 36 and if I don't change my life drastically I may not see 50.

I look forward to learning more about you all.

Scubagecko aka Dave

Thank you so much for sharing you story Dave. I wish you the best of luck and please keep us posted!

Good Luck!!

Hi Dave!

You have an amazing story...and a great spirit!!

I am also 36 and a single mother of a rediculously awesome 5 year old little girl......which is exactly why I had my sleeve done last Tuesday (12/4). She is my world and I want so badly to be a better example for her. I know this is my answer and I can't tell you how excited I am to be past the surgery and in this part of the journey.

I have also made sure not to be in pictures for years and now I am sick of that. I can't wait to have a picture of the two of us out in our house that I truly love.

This site has been an amazing source of information and encouragement and h am so happy and proud for you and your family.

Please let us know what we can do to help as you prepare for the big day. I believe my recovery has gone so smoothly because I had so much information and was soooo ready!

Congrats and soon we will both be chatting about our losses!!!!

HI Dave!

I am an American living abroad too. I live in Lebanon. I have a similar experience, saw the doc one day and was scheduled for surgery within the same month. Things are different outside of the States, lol

I am two months post surgery and I've lost 20 kilos. within ten days my knee and ankle didn't hurt anymore, and I didn't toss and turn all night due to my back pain.

I wish you all the best, and look forward to hearing about your success.

Great story!!! I am routing for you!!!

Hahaha Koreans are so beautifully blunt aren't they? Just got back from there teaching English in a high school ... and have just recently been sleeved. Fortunately no-one ever commented on my weight!!! Does wonders for your self esteem that country though. Brave decision to be sleeved there! Their hospitals just dont seem equipped for waygooks. Do u mind if I ask how much won it is costing you? Or is it covered with medical insurance?

Dave and SleeveNZ,

I think foreigners are so honest (brutally honest at times).....but think about it, Americans (some) are polite to you and talk about you behind your back :/ I'm not sure which one is worse ??

Hahaha Koreans are so beautifully blunt aren't they? Just got back from there teaching English in a high school ... and have just recently been sleeved. Fortunately no-one ever commented on my weight!!! Does wonders for your self esteem that country though. Brave decision to be sleeved there! Their hospitals just dont seem equipped for waygooks. Do u mind if I ask how much won it is costing you? Or is it covered with medical insurance?

He said in his post that it's 100% covered by insurance.

Hahaha Koreans are so beautifully blunt aren't they? Just got back from there teaching English in a high school ... and have just recently been sleeved. Fortunately no-one ever commented on my weight!!! Does wonders for your self esteem that country though. Brave decision to be sleeved there! Their hospitals just dont seem equipped for waygooks. Do u mind if I ask how much won it is costing you? Or is it covered with medical insurance?

Beautifully blunt had me rolling as it is the perfect phrasing of it. I've been in Korea for a long time and I do love Korea and most Koreans and I should say they are not trying to be mean when they point out your flaws it is actually seen as an endearing quality, though no less annoying.

I am getting some insurance coverage but I will still be $8,000 out of pocket, but it is tax deductible. I am saving the additional $2,000 they charge to foreigners. This hospital is set up for foreigners as they are a hospital that is part of the growing plastic surgery tourism. As well I speak and understand some Korean and my wife is Korean so I'll be in good hands. Though recovering in a tropical locale might be nicer.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and the openness of your experiences which have been exceedingly helpful in making this decision and getting to this point.

Hi Dave!

I'm in Seoul as well and wanted to see how your surgery went? I'm having mine done at a hospital in Itaewon at the end of February.

Hope you're doing well!

^^