Bariatric Surgery in NJ: How Jaime Lost 181 lbs with Gastric Sleeve
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I have been overweight for most of my adult life and tried to lose weight repeatedly. I would lose 70 lbs, but then gain 80 back. After trying numerous diets with no lasting success, I felt I had reached my limit and searched online for bariatric surgery in NJ. That’s when my weight loss journey with New Jersey Bariatric Center® began.
Prior to finding NJBC, I constantly followed various diets and weight loss programs. Weight Watchers, the grapefruit diet, LA Weight Loss, pills, Keto - you name it, I tried it. Initially, I had success with Fen-phen, a medication with two ingredients, fenfluramine and phentermine, used for weight loss.¹
However, once I stopped using Fen-phen the weight came back. Then I tried the Keto diet which was easy to follow but my hair fell out in clumps, so I stopped. As a result, I subsequently regained the weight I had lost.
My last attempt to lose weight was taking Ozempic®, an FDA approved prescription medication for use in adults with type 2 diabetes.² However, my body did not adjust well to the medication and it made me feel sick.
What Led to My Decision for Bariatric Surgery
The main issue was that I could barely walk due to my weight. I wanted to cry every week when I needed to go grocery shopping because the pain in my legs and back would be excruciating. Walking up the stairs was absolutely draining; I would be out of breath and wheezing by the time I reached the top. I did not look forward to going anywhere I might need to walk for any distance or climb stairs.
My breaking point was when I went shopping with my daughter one day. At every store I had to find a place to sit or lean. I could not even stand with her while she shopped. I knew then that I needed to make a change to save my life. After doing my research and finding New Jersey Bariatric Center®, I opted for gastric sleeve surgery and lost 181 lbs.
How Gastric Sleeve Helped Me Lose Weight
Gastric sleeve jumpstarted weight loss for me by reducing the size of my stomach so I eat less and feel full faster. It also causes the secretion of fewer hunger hormones – grehlins – resulting in less overall hunger leading to weight loss. I knew that this was a life altering surgery, that I needed to make a permanent change in my eating habits, and be committed 100% to the plan.
The bariatric surgery made it possible for me to stick with my weight loss plan and be able to exercise. It honestly gave me my life back and much more. This decision was the best I've ever made for myself; my only regret is not doing it sooner.
At the time, I felt like I was taking the easy way out and was afraid of what people would think. After that experience with my daughter, I realized that I needed help to lose the weight and I could not do it with a diet alone.
The Role New Jersey Bariatric Center® Played in Achieving My Weight Loss Goals
I cannot say enough good things about the NJBC staff and Dr. Goyal. The staff is amazing with scheduling and dealing with insurance. Once I had my consultation, I knew I had made the right choice. There was not an ounce of judgement from him. Dr. Goyal listened to my issues and my concerns. He made me feel at ease with my decision.
Registered Dietitians Clarissa and Karen are wonderful nutritionists. They always have the best advice and listen to any of my concerns or questions. I have never felt rushed with any of my appointments and always leave feeling good about myself.
How My Life Has Changed After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
My life has changed immensely. I went from laying on the couch to actively going to the gym and participating in yoga classes. My self-esteem has greatly improved and I am not embarrassed to go out anymore. I love to go shopping and out for walks. Stairs are no longer a challenge for me; I don’t wheeze nor cringe at the sight of them. Breathing is easier and I haven’t used an inhaler since my surgery. Furthermore, my bloodwork shows no prediabetes or high cholesterol.
What I Recommend for Others Considering Bariatric Surgery in NJ
I would definitely recommend New Jersey Bariatric Center®. The doctors and staff are extremely knowledgeable and walk you through each step of the process. They really care about you and are not judgmental about your weight. They are there for the long haul.
I am two and a half years out from my bariatric surgery in NJ and still have all the support from Dr. Goyal and Karen. They have offices that are convenient to get to in Central Jersey and also have virtual appointments to make it easy to see your doctor and nutritionist.
Since my weight loss, I love that I can now enjoy my life and be active. I am so happy I found and chose New Jersey Bariatric Center®. They have completely changed my life and I am forever grateful!
FAQs on Gastric Sleeve Surgery
To qualify, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater or a BMI of 35 with obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Calculate your BMI here to see if you are a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery.
As with any surgery, there are side effects and risks to consider with weight loss procedures. Side effects occur with weight loss surgery mainly because of the amount of weight lost in such a short period of time. Many of these side effects are seen in people who have lost a significant amount of weight without surgery also. Nausea or vomiting, gallstones, transient hair loss, and lactose intolerance are possible side effects from gastric sleeve. The risks are a leak from staple lines, reflux disease, and the narrowing of a passage (stenosis). For more information, call our office at 908-481-1270.
For many patients, health insurance coverage can substantially reduce the costs of gastric sleeve. At New Jersey Bariatric Center® our patient navigation team offers extensive support in verifying insurance benefits before initial consultations and work to optimize coverage while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. We accept many insurance plans except Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. For patients facing coverage gaps or high deductibles, financing options are available through CareCredit. To find out more about the costs of gastric sleeve or other bariatric surgeries we offer in NJ, get your insurance verified upfront or discuss financing solutions at NJBC by clicking here.
Gastric sleeve surgery removes more than 75-80% of the stomach, reshaping the remainder of it into a sleeve similar to the size and shape of a banana. Due to the characteristics of the procedure, it is unable to be reversed.
Sources
- Jennifer L. Carey, Nathalie Nader, Peter R. Chai, Stephanie Carreiro, Matthew K. Griswold, Katherine L. Boyle, Drugs and Medical Devices: Adverse Events and the Impact on Women’s Health, Clinical Therapeutics, Volume 39, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 10-22, ISSN 0149-2918, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2016.12.009. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149291816309225)
- "Ozempic for weight loss: Does it work, and what do experts recommend?" Cultivating Health, UC Davis Health, 3 June 2025, health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/ozempic-for-weight-loss-does-it-work-and-what-do-experts-recommend/2023/07.
