Around this time, Yasmin had been looking up bariatric (weight-loss) surgery options online. One day, information about a free virtual bariatric surgery seminar, hosted by the experts from the Temple Bariatric Program, came across her Facebook feed. Led by some of the region’s most experienced bariatric surgeons, Temple’s program offers a range of bariatric surgery options, which can often be performed using minimally invasive techniques.
Yasmin made an appointment with Temple bariatric surgeon Rohit Soans, MD.
“I just love Dr. Soans,” Yasmin says. “He explains everything so nicely, and he’s so soothing and calm.”
After a thorough evaluation, Yasmin learned she qualified for bariatric surgery. Dr. Soans determined that a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the best option to meet her specific needs. The surgery reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the small intestines.
Paving the way for a successful path forward
Yasmin’s Temple team walked her through the pre-surgery preparations she needed to do.
“It’s a whole lot of mental preparation,” Yasmine says.
The most challenging part was following a liquid diet for two weeks before her surgery date, Yasmin says. This helps achieve rapid weight loss and reduce liver size, making the surgery easier to perform safely.
Temple’s nutrition experts also helped her understand the eating habits she would need to adopt after her surgery. And they made sure she was mentally prepared.
In April 2022, Yasmin underwent bariatric surgery, performed by Dr. Soans. She returned home the next day to begin the next steps in her weight-loss journey.
No more watching from the bench
Four years after her surgery, Yasmin is more than 100 pounds lighter than when she first met with Dr. Soans. Everyday activities, like climbing stairs and taking long walks, no longer tire her out.
Yasmin feels like her fitness and energy have increased, too. She started a new job as a daycare teacher and finds it easier to keep up with the kids on the playground and in the classroom.
What’s more, Yasmin is enjoying more active time with her family, including visits to the park.
“Every now and then, my son — he’s 8 — will say, ‘Mom, come on, let’s race!’“ Yasmin says. “And my 7-year-old would live in the park if you let her.”
“Now I can play with her and sit on the swings for her and push her and run after her,” Yasmin adds. “I’m a bit more active and engaged in what they want to do at the park.”
Before her surgery, Yasmin often had severe heartburn, a condition that is linked to obesity. That issue has also improved significantly with her weight loss.
“My heartburn is zero to none,” she says.
Yasmin isn’t just feeling and living her best. Her new, healthier habits, such as cutting back on fried foods, are now a permanent part of her life.
“I use my air-fryer a lot — that’s my best friend,” she says. “It keeps me from using oil.”
Bariatric surgery isn’t an easy solution, Yasmin points out. You must prepare your body and mind and commit to lifelong healthy eating and exercise. But, as she’ll also tell you, her journey was “well worth it.”
“In the long run, you’re going to see the difference, and you’re going to feel much better within yourself,” she says.
Yasmin credits her Temple team with helping her achieve her life-changing goal.
“They enhanced my willpower,” she says. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it on my own.”
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