Rob

I was born prematurely, weighing only about 3 1/2 pounds, but genetics took a toll quickly and I was wearing “husky” sized clothes before my teens. Both of my grandmothers were very large women and my maternal grandfather was a large-framed man, so it seems that I was predestined to have weight problems.

Not until my mid-thirties did a doctor, Dr. Perlman, discover a number of endocrine system problems that were probably major factors in my weight problems, but by then my poor eating habits and minimal level of physical activity had me trapped in a downward spiral. I was already taking drugs to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Then to make matters worse, some of the new medications caused even more weight gain. I was also having frequent gout attacks and joint swelling that made walking very difficult at times.

Spring 2004, Dr. Perlman cautioned that I was on the verge of becoming a Type II Diabetic and gave me three months to attempt dietary and exercise corrections to avoid medication – this was the final motivation in my decision to have surgery.

I read about RNY gastric bypass in Men’s Health magazine about two years prior to it becoming available here. I was immediately interested in the notion and did a fair amount of research about it in the interim. There seemed to be a window of opportunity opening up right before me when Dr. Davenport and Medical Center Hospital began the Bariatric Services program at Medical Center Hospital. I talked with my nurse, consulted my doctors, and finally met with some of the people who had been through the procedure and, after about 10 weeks, my insurance approval came through and I got myself on the surgery schedule.

My surgery started around 7:30 a.m. (Tuesday, July 27th) and lasted about four hours – a bit longer than average because my liver was enlarged. The staff had told us during the educational workshop that we’d be up walking after the surgery and, sure enough, I was on my feet even before all of the anesthesia haze had worn off. Another two hours later and I was walking!

The “leak test” performed the following morning was a bit problematic because the contrast wasn’t emptying out of my newly-formed stomach “pouch.” Even after repeated attempts my stomach was still holding the contrast and there was a chance that I’d have to go back into surgery to correct the problem. The problem seemed to stem from swelling where the re-routed portion of tract attached to the new pouch. After a stressful 24 hours, however, everything eased up, my stomach was emptying out and everything was working properly.

My blood sugar levels also spiked very high after surgery and I was given insulin several times before it finally leveled out. I was released from the hospital on Friday, July 30th having spent a day longer than expected and definitely feeling ready to be home.

Once home, I walked often, but tired rapidly and took frequent naps for the first three weeks. I returned to work after four weeks of recovery. The first week back at work was exhausting – seems like I had become a little too accustomed to those midday catnaps!

I’ve lost 88 lbs. in the six months since surgery. My BMI is down to 38 (from 52) and I’ve been off of the medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides since the day of surgery. I’m now wearing size 2X shirts, where before I had worn 5X, and I’m down 5 pants sizes. Even my feet have shrunk! I’m able to walk much further now with very little joint pain.

My wife, family, and friends have been incredibly supportive and I was blessed with a very easy recovery. The results continue to amaze! This surgery was, without a doubt, the right choice for me.

Chris

“Living life Again”

Bariatric surgery has let me live life again.  The first few things I heard from people when they heard I was going to have the surgery is that “you want to take the easy way out and look skinny” or “you’re not big enough”. Well I hate to tell you, but only you and the mirror know the real truth. 

I researched gastric bypass for over a year knowing I needed to do something about my weight.   I tried many times over to lose, but always gaining back more than I had lost. 

So considering this procedure wasn’t taken lightly.  I knew the risks and knew I was changing my life for good.

I have been overweight since a teenager, to becoming obese from giving birth to 2 children to the death of my mother and father then my sister last year.  I am sure everyone will understand that you hurt from the inside so you eat to comfort yourself.  Then telling your self, oh I can loose that weight.  But it didn’t happen that way.

Every night I would lie down in bed and feel like I couldn’t go any longer.  My health was getting so bad I felt like I was dying a little each day.  I was taking so much medication for arthritis in my back, to knee and leg pain, swelling in my feet and gastric reflux.  I hurt so bad every night I didn’t sleep maybe 2-3 hrs a night.  Telling myself, you can get up tomorrow and it will be better.  Nothing ever seemed to ease the pain.  I cried and prayed so many times for God to help me. 

Well, my answer came when I heard about Dr. Davenport starting the Bariatric Clinic.

I knew this was going to be a challenge, but I knew God had given me the answer to my prayers.  I gathered all my diet information, got letters from doctors about my health problems.  It took time for the insurance to get everything together to approve my surgery.  Finally I had a surgery date and I knew it was really going to happen.  The hardest part was telling my kids and family.  In all the news around the world there was so much controversy about gastric bypass.  Turning the television on all you would hear was all the bad stuff.  My daughter just knew I was going to die and yes the chances were there.  But I wanted to live for them and I wasn’t this way.  I was scared, but I knew I had to do something.  I had a talk with God and my sister had a talk with my family in heaven to be with us.  I woke up the next morning and knew I was making the right choice. When the big day came God and my family in heaven was with Dr. Davenport and his team.  What more could one ask for. 

Don’t let anyone fool you it is a hard surgery.  The next day after surgery I wanted to tell Dr. Davenport just put me back.  Well, of course that is just being scared and this was major surgery. Plus all you hear, you will never eat again.  This is somewhat true.  You will never eat the same again, but you will be able to eat. You now have a tool to help you change your life.  The first 6 weeks were awful I was wondering what have I done.  Well, after 3 months is got better or easier.  There are still days that I have problems, but to feel good and be able to do the little things in life that we all take for granted is worth it.   

Now is has been 6 months and I have lost 91 pounds I am doing things now I never thought I would do again.  I haven’t taken any medication since the surgery. My back no longer hurts, my knees work again.  My feet look so small.  (Ha ha)   No gastric reflux.  I can get my self up and down with no help.  My coworkers make the remark that I can keep up with them when we walk.  I even went out for the first time in a LONG time and played catch with my son and daughter and even ran after the ball. 

So if you ask me what has bariatric surgery done for me?   “I would say it is a blessing”.  Thanks to God and Dr. Davenport for helping me “Live Life Again”

Mary

I have a lot of strong feelings about this surgery and my experience with it.  I hope that my thoughts and opinions both inspire and inform those who read this.

Like many of the patients who seek this procedure, I have struggled with my weight and dieting for many years.  My parents put me on my first diet when I was 11 or 12 years old.  From that time on, I was always dieting and gaining back my weight loss and adding more.  Likewise, the older I got, the heavier I became.

As my weight increased, so did my health problems.  Both of my parents were dead by the time I was only 45 years old!  They both had diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Both had their first heart attacks at age 56.  By the time I was 50, I was on medication for diabetes, hypertension, gastric reflux, high cholesterol, depression, low thyroid, pain medication for arthritis and joint and back pain.  My pharmacy expenses were running $200-300 per month with insurance!

I had always wished I could end this battle through the surgery, but until July 2004, insurance coverage was not available.  My husband’s insurance announced that it would begin providing benefits on the basis of medical necessity.  It was then I began my efforts to qualify for the procedure.  My nurse told me that this would be the hardest thing I ever tried to accomplish, and indeed it was an ordeal.  Insurance companies, even the best ones, take time to assess each request.  I began the qualification process in August 2004 and had surgery on March 2, 2005.  So be prepared to hurry up and wait.

The surgery itself was not so bad.  During the procedure gas is injected into the body cavity to allow better access and room for the surgeon.  Residual gas remains in the body after surgery and settles into pockets.  When this occurs, so does pain.  In my case it was in my left shoulder, neck and head; and it was horrible.  By the time this occurred, I was already off the morphine pump and had a pretty bad time of it.  My hospitalization lasted 6 days; longer than usual.  This was not due to complications; my surgery was postponed 1 day due to an unusually long procedure ahead of me.

I had done my research on this surgery and thought I was prepared for everything. I know that everyone reacts to surgery in his or her own way.  My postoperative period was absolute agony for the ensuring 3 months.  I had severe nausea and vomiting constantly during that time.  I had 2 ER visits to stop the vomiting and get hydrated.  I was close to the end of my rope.  My nurse kept telling me her own recovery was like that and that soon I would reach a turning point where things would calm down and I would begin to feel better.   She was right.

Finally, I want to say I think that this surgery is still too glamorized.  Many people including some patients think of this as merely a cosmetic procedure.  Even the medical programming I watched to prepare myself put so much emphasis on the way the patient looks afterward.  I am not going to suggest that self image is not important.  All of us are impacted by our self image, and we all benefit from a positive one.  This is a LIFE SAVING PROCEDURE; serious major surgery is not to be taken lightly.  Getting a new physical appearance and newfound confidence are fringe benefits.  Yes, I am jazzed about my emerging new look, but more important, I no longer have diabetes or gastric reflux.  I am not completely through with my weight loss and still require blood pressure, thyroid and cholesterol meds.  I will likely forever require anti-depressants.  But my pharmacy bill has gone way down.  My aches and pains have diminished as well.

For anyone considering this surgery.  I strongly recommend that you take this very seriously.  It will likely be one the most important decisions in your life.  Be prepared to call up all the courage you have.  You will need it.  The bottom line is that it will be work it and it can save lives.  I wish you good luck and don’t be discouraged.

Anthony

Hello. My name is Anthony. It has been one year since my Bariatric surgery. It has also been the best year of my life. All my life I have battled with obesity. I cannot remember ever having been this thin. Now, when I look in the mirror, I have to remind myself it really is me. I can enjoy my life now. I don’t think I ever would have, had I not made the choice to have the surgery. A doctor sat down with me and told me the future that was in store for me. I was headed for dialysis. I had such uncontrolled diabetes, I often walked around with a blood sugar level of 400 or more. I was so used to it being this high, I couldn’t even tell. The nurses would tell my eyes were glossy. Now I check my blood sugar at least twice a week and it has been great.

My kids tell me they love their new dad. I actually get to spend more time with my family!  It is new and wonderful to experience life again. Like anything else, it is something you have to work at. I know what I can eat and how much I can eat, but I don’t make food my focus anymore. In fact, I feel like I kept my family in the kitchen all the time before. Now we have a healthy life.

 Yes—I would do it all over again if I had to. I never want to see that 320 pound guy again. I love myself too much to find myself there again. I have a second chance at life. THANK YOU Dr. Davenport for making miracles come true. My family and I THANK YOU!

I knew that after I had my son I had to change something.  My oldest Stefanie plays sports and I wanted to be able to keep up with her and not be a mother she was ashamed to say “hey that’s my mom”. 

I came home from work so tired I didn’t feel that I was being fair to my family.  Work got the best of me; my family got what was left of me.  I remembered the brochure so I called MCH, and Linda sent me a packet.  I read it and did a little on-line reading and never filled it out.  Waited a few more months and was in a training class and a co-worker said she had the weight loss surgery and that our insurance covered 100%.  I called MCH again for another packet; filled this one out and went to their first meeting.  My husband went with me.  Dr. Davenport went over all the stats and possibilities.  I thought this is my chance to change my life!  I made a decision, YES I was going to change my life.  I turned my packet in that night and set my first appointment.  Little did I know how I was going to change my life. My friend Amy that had the surgery told me that the first six weeks would be the worst six weeks of life (boy was she right).  Funny thing is everyone that thinks this is so easy or it is the easy way out.  I am here to tell this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and no one will ever understand that unless they have been there.  But all in all I believe that everything in life comes with a price and if you ask me if I am willing to pay this price again you will get a resounding YES.  I have come a long way now I feel better and more confident than I have been in a long time.  I am now the wife and mother I wanted to be.  I run and play with my kids (ages 12, 11, 2, and 1).  I can keep up with them and everything else life has given me.  I am no longer ashamed when I go out in public.  I always hated shopping.  The day came I was going need clothes that fit.  I went shopping with my sister- she handed me a pair of jeans.  I told her I was not going to be able to get my rear in those jeans.  She made me take them to the dressing room.  I was mad. Why had I let her talk me into trying these on?  They are not going to fit.  I will feel like I went though all of this for nothing so I pulled these black jeans up to my thighs and said that’s it, that’s as high as their going……Pulled them up pass the thighs, the butt, the hips.  Oh, my gosh, I can still breath and didn’t need a pair of pliers to pull up the zipper.  I looked in the mirror and I was crying.  I walked out of the dressing room to show my sister.  I was crying so hard all she could say was breathe, and hold me while we both cried.  The other ladies in the dressing room probably thought we were crazy crying over jeans.  But they will never know the journey that brought me here.  The pain, the tears, the hurt feelings, and the tired run down mom…..this is my new life. 

I have arrived and I love it!!!!