Ki H. Oh, M.D., FACS.

Thomas Hirai, M.D.

200 S 333rd St., Suite 150
Federal Way, WA 98003
Phone: 253-275-6030
Fax: 253-946-0428
Clinic Manager: Ginger Rhodes

Patient Testimonials

Ron and Tina before.           Ron and Tina after.

Ron and Tina Torrey   
My name is Tina Torrey and prior to my gastric bypass surgery August 28, 2001, I weighed in at 230 lbs. on my 5’0” small-sized frame. I have been overweight all my life, even as a child. I always remember starting my first diet when I was 12. I remember kids teasing me, calling me names, and to this day, remember my father even telling me that “I’m fat and will always be fat.”

I have been on every diet imaginable (and not so imaginable). I’ve done everything from Phen-Fen to Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig to Herbalife, and even Protein Power (Atkins) to Sacred Heart Hospital Diet—all with no lasting effects. This put my mind frame into the research mode of getting all the information that I could about WLS. I actually knew about this surgery from a friend of mine who had this done in 1994. I tried to have to the surgery back then, actually had a date scheduled on my 28th birthday, only to have my insurance then tell me that “I’m completely healthy being fat.” I never followed through with this again, until now (8 years later).

How has having gastric bypass surgery changed my life? I am 4 years post-op, 110 lbs. lost, and even having lost ¼” in height (starting at 5”0” and now am 4”11 ¾” with that reason being my shoe size went from a 7W to a size 3-5 kids’ size). I am no longer taking any prescription medications (except for my vitamins).

My diabetes is in remission, my asthma is completely gone, as is my back and neck pain and the depression has diminished to a tolerable level. I am able to bend over and tie my shoes with the bows on top (instead of the side) without turning blue. I can now get in and out of the bathtub easily. I am also able to partake in my activities without any difficulties now.

Being in Search & Rescue, I have the endurance and stamina to keep up with the rest of the unit and not fall behind or have to rest because I am out of breath or my back, neck, or anything else is hurting. I am able to shop in the “normal” size clothing (going from a size 26 to size 6—and even find that shopping in the kids section is fun!) and not have to go to specialty shops to buy my bras. I still am tired some of the time, but that’s only because I’m keeping myself pretty busy and not allowing myself to rest in between activities.

I have the best support system around me that have been there for me through the rough times as well as all the ecstatic times (like the time when I was able to fit into a size 6 pair of jeans and button then up without turning blue). My husband has been the best support person to me. He not only is my husband, but he is also my best friend and I feel like we are joined at the hip in everything we do together. I’m glad to have been able to go through this surgery with him by my side.

On 03/03/03, I underwent a hernia repair and subsequent mini tummy tuck. I managed to lose 5 more pounds as the result of the surgery, but have maintained my weight since that time.

During the time that I had decided to undergo the surgery, I also decided to change careers (with the help of being laid off from Boeing) to get my degree in Nutrition and specialize in Bariatric Surgery and help educate Dietitians as well as physicians. I graduated in June 2005 with my degree as a Dietetic Technician.

My husband, Ron has since decided to have the surgery also, 2 years almost to the date of my surgery (08/27/03) and he’s lost 127 lbs. (most of the weight loss was within the first 3 months). He no longer has severe obstructive sleep apnea and got rid of his BIPAP machine only 2 days after he was home from the hospital. (Actually the cat snores louder than he does now!) His blood pressure is no longer on the high side and he’s able to do more now without any difficulty. He has not had any complications, with the exception that it is now harder for him to touch the ground on the Harley with the excess weight gone…..

Would we both do this again if we had to? The answer is yes.
Ron & Tina Torrey
Dr. Oh (Federal Way, Washington)
Both have had a 60” common channel distal open RNY

Sherri McKay
I am 32 years old and I had Gastric Bypass Surgery September 28, 2000. When I had surgery I was 350 pounds, wore a size 30/32 and I had several co-morbidities. I had been on blood pressure medication for 2 years, I had asthma, sleep apnea, chronic low back pain, and pain in my knees and hips. As you can see from my before pictures, I had very dark marks on my face from sleeping on my hands. I was so heavy that I was actually bruising myself as I slept.

Since my surgery I have lost 195 pounds and I now weigh 155 pounds. I am now wearing between size 8 and 10 and all of my co-morbidities are gone. I was 5 foot 7 inches when I first had my surgery and since I lost the weight I am now 5 foot 8 inches. My shoe size went down from an 11 wide to an 8 regular. I never thought my shoe size would change too! This has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself and I am so glad that I made this life changing decision.

I have since had a beautiful baby boy 4 years after surgery and with the proper protein and vitamins all is well!

Sherri before.

Sherri after.

Lynne Bruce   
I had my open RNY with Dr. Ki Oh on October 2, 2001. Before my surgery, I was in a size 24W Plus pants and size 2x Plus shirts. I had high blood pressure, urinary incontinence and other obesity-related problems—all of which I no longer have!!

I have lost 112 lbs! I feel GREAT in my new body & this surgery is the BEST thing that has happened to me! I only wish I'd done it sooner! My thanks to Dr. Oh & others who have provided such wonderful support to me!"

Lynne before.

Lynne after.

Corky Harding   
Hello, my name is Corky! I was 464 lbs. in the first photo. I had a 60-in. distal on March 19, 2002. At 6 months I have lost a total of 160 lbs. The third photo is of me in my 68-in. waist pants. Before surgery I could not fit in those pants any more. I was too big. I remember going to the big and tall store where I buy my clothes—I always buy from the same lady—and she measured my waist and said that I outgrew her store, they did not carry that size in stock and that I would have to buy through their special catalog. Anyway, plenty of room in those pants now!

When I had WLS I had diabetes, glucose blood sugar was running about 180 and I was taking 4 medicines a day. Now I take no meds and my blood glucose is running around 70. I had high blood pressure, I was taking 3 different meds a day and it was still running 160 over 110. Now with no meds at all it is running 117 over 69. So, diabetes and high blood pressure are completely gone and has been normal since my second month after surgery.

About two years before WLS I developed arthritis in both knees, (the right knee being bone to bone), both shoulders and two disks in my neck. I was on crutches, canes, and some days a walker, depending on how bad the pain was. I was taking Vicodin by the hand full for the pain. I ended up with a disability because I could not walk and perform my work any more.

My orthopedic physician said I would be in a wheelchair in a year if I did not lose weight. At that time I did not realize that obesity caused osteoarthritis. He is the one who suggested that I look into WLS. At this time last year I was looking at wheelchairs thinking that WLS wasn't the answer either since my PCP discouraged me from having such a radical operation. He finally came around after I started to research WLS and talked to him about it. He was still against WLS but gave me his blessing because he felt I was going to die with in a year if I did not lose weight.

Since then I feel healthier than I have in 25 years. Even though I still have another 120 pounds to lose, I feel great. I still have some pain in my right knee and my neck, but the pain is bearable most days without pain killers. I went from looking at wheelchairs and maybe dieing in a year to walking 4 to 5 miles most days. Before WLS I could hardly walk to the mail box and back—and to do that I had to use crutches or a cane.

All I can say is WLS has helped change my life physically and emotionally. Before surgery, I stayed home most of the time and didn't associate with my family or friends much because of my physical limitations and embarrassment of how I looked. There were days that I wished I would die. Even though I was morbidly obese for years, I was still an independent individual, and I could not stand the idea of being an invalid. Now I am looking forward to a healthier future and doing things with my wife, kids, grandkids, and friends, including all the new friends I've met who are or were in a similar circumstance.