"I'm going to try to be as truthful as I can without coming across as calloused or rude. When I first met Dr. Kim int he consultation he just seemed abashed at my weight. He had nothing comforting to say he just said he what he wanted me to do and left the office. It took an entirety of five minutes. I understand that Doctors are busy, so I let it go, and seeing how nice the staff was I decided to go with him.
I never saw Dr. Kim again until the day of the surgery (about 3 months later) -- I don't think he even recognized me. I was scared, and pretty lonely and he had nothing positive to say. The entire time the only impression I got was "how could you let yourself get this way."
I've been struggling with ulcerative colitis my entire life, and he seemed to have forgotten that aspect. With most UC patients, even though I don't eat much and live a somewhat healthy lifestyle -- the steroids and other problems cause weight gain or loss. I got the weight gain end of the stick. I'm not trying to make excuses, I just wish that I had someone there that was a little more comforting since I was about to do something that was life altering, that I've been waiting for for 10+ years...and hoping and saving all my money (I paid out of pocket) -- I had just hoped it would have been taken a bit more like it meant something.
After surgery 6 other patients and I were herded like cattle into a room to do a check to make sure there were no leaks (as they always do) -- but that was the first time there was something wrong. All the other patients could walk faster than me, and my parents literally had to told me up by my arms to help me down the hall. When I sat down, I wasn't allowed to have clothes under my gown -- so everyone there got to see my pretty bum. Either way, no other person that was there, who had the same procedure as I had, had near as many problems making it from point A to point B.
I wanted, so bad, for things to be okay -- for this to be my big life changing goal -- that I just ignored it. I figured I'd go home and be fine. Maybe my pain tolerance was just a lot lower than those around me? Either way I shoved it off, and convinced myself there wasn't a problem.
Once I was home from the hospital I started experiencing very odd things. The main thing that I was somewhat "throwing up" white foam. I looked it up online and some people said it was normal so, once again, I paid it no mind. As the week went on, I was in more and more pain. Nothing seemed to help. I was becoming more and more scared so I called the doctors office everyday trying to explain that I was beginning to think something was wrong. I was assured everything was fine, and that it was normal. To be safe they wanted me to come in the following week.
I didn't make it to the following week. I ended up passing out in my apartment alone. I threw up foam, I couldn't keep any liquids down, I could barely move. My Mom ended up flying in from Florida (I live in Texas) to get me to hospital where they found out I had developed many infections from the surgery.
My kidneys, uterus, and stomach were all compromised in an entirely new way. I was hospitalized for three weeks -- and I saw Dr. Kim twice in that entire time. He made it very clear that he didn't want to speak to me. So I finally decided to stop asking questions and just asked the other doctors on the floor. I learned later, through other reviews, and other forums -- that Dr. Kim absolutely DOES NOT like it when complications arise. It doesn't matter what the complication is. In this case it was completely out of my hands, I stuck to my diet (I could barely keep down liquid anyway), did everything I was supposed to, and called every time I was scared.
By the end of the entire ordeal, and three more painful surgeries later, I developed a severe form of PTSD. It has been about a year and a half since my gastric bypass -- the office stopped calling me to make appointments. When I called to make appointments, I was told I would get a call back, and never did. I've decided to find another surgeon to manage my wellness. He is also suggestions that I get a correction done to the original procedure so that I don't have to be in constant fear of infection.
I've been suffering since 2011. I did lose weight, but I didn't lose it in a good way. I wasn't allowed to eat solids for almost 4 months, and there were two weeks while I was in the hospital they wouldn't let me have liquids. All my nutrition was through a TPN bag. I'm not scared of hospitals and doctors to a point that I panic. I nearly lost my life. Dr. Kim never offered any apology, and explanation or any care for me what so ever. I understand it's his job. I understand he sees lots of patients everyday...I just wish I got somewhat of a care. I felt like he gave up on me the moment he met me..he just wanted my money. I also feel like he may have wished I would have just passed away, in order for him to not have to deal with me. That may be pushing it, or paranoid..but when your'e laying in bed for weeks on end with no direct answers and your kidneys failing -- when all your hope was to get "better" -- and no one seemed to care. Thats really all that will run through your head.
I do not recommend this doctor. If you think that you will make it through the procedure with no complications whatsoever -- i've been told he is the most amazing surgeon ever. If you have any sort of complication though -- plan on being treated with no respect. No dignity. You're just another shadow. "
