Before & After Gallery

My name is Jenn Korndoerfer. I am 41 years old and have been overweight almost my whole life. I started my weight loss surgery journey in August of 2019. I had just recently gone through a terrible divorce and lost my brother unexpectedly. Over the course of 2 years, I gained 50 pounds! I was the heaviest I’d been in my whole life! I could no longer do things I used to be able to do…climbing in the attic to get my Christmas decorations became a daunting task, walking up and down the paths at our vacation home in Vermont became impossible, and I was always exhausted and out of breath! I couldn’t even walk up my stairs without huffing and puffing and taking a break on the landing! I hated not being able to enjoy life, but still thought I could never stop indulging and I could never lose weight. Then I received blood work results that showed I was diabetic. I had two choices; go on medicine or lose the weight. I was already on high blood pressure medicine and did not want to have to take more pills. I thought I would make an appointment at Dr. Bilof’s office to see what they had to say. I was very hesitant…I didn’t want to be limited on my food choices and honestly was scared to death of what my life would look like without my food binging nights in front of the TV and snacks whenever I wanted. Food was such a major part of my life and my happiness…or so I thought!

The minute I stepped in that office, I had such a good feeling! The girls at the desk were amazing and made me feel so welcome and at ease. I met with Michael, the PA, and Dr. Bilof and have never felt so good about a decision so quickly in my life! They thoroughly explained the procedures and outcomes and were so kind and confident! I met with Julie, who coordinates everything you need for pre-op testing, and left the office that day with a potential surgery date, a folder of to do’s and a feeling of hope I hadn’t felt in years! I knew with their help, I would finally be strong enough to conquer my battle with obesity! With the encouragement of my family, I checked off everything that needed to be done and had my surgery October 30, 2019.

It was the absolute best decision I have ever made! My life has changed so much and I am filled with such a feeling of happiness, accomplishment and joy! I have changed my eating habits and now live without that addiction to food that was controlling my life!! I can breathe again! I have more energy than I’ve had in years! I started walking and running with a “couch to 5K” app in January and can now run 3 miles without stopping in 45 minutes!! I run slow, but I’m still moving! I can play volleyball with my kids and nieces and nephews. I dusted off my bike and ride it all over town now! I’m finally in a size that does not require me to shop in the plus size sections! The feeling I have when I think about my journey is so hard to describe. This surgery gave me my life back. And I don’t miss that old life at all! I can still have a small piece of cake at someone’s birthday, but now I can enjoy the party for the people, not just the food that is being served! I wake up every morning ready to take on whatever the day brings! I am not dragging myself through the day thinking about what snacks I will eat that night. I have lost 100 pounds in 7 months and am still losing! My goal weight is 179 pounds and I have no doubt I will reach it! If you are considering surgery, do it!! Without a doubt in my mind, it will be the absolute best decision you will ever make! Every single person at Garden State Bariatrics has touched my life and made it better and for that I thank them! I can honestly say I am living my best life!!