Everyone please read

Will you please do me a favor? A co-worker of my husband is interested in WLS & called me today when she found out I was planning on having it done myself. I'm getting info for her so she can attend Dr. Whitehead's seminar. But I'm wondering if ya'll will all do me & her a favor. She (Cathy) doesn't have internet so I can't direct her to ya'll. Would ya'll please each post for Cathy & include your starting bmi & current, pre & post op weight, maybe surgery date, your doctor & anything else you think of that I may have forgot. I'm hoping to print the posts for her. She wants this (WLS) more than anything. Thanks in advance! Melissa

Hi Cathy. My starting weight the morning of surgery was 277. 11 months after surgery I was 9 pounds below my original goal of 145 weighing 136. I weighed that for almost a year. I have now had plastic surgery to remove some excess skin and I weigh anywhere from 130 to 134 depending on what time of the month it is. I was wearing a size 24. Now, I wear size 6. My surgery was done in Mobile, Alabama at Providence Hospital laproscopically on January 15, 2004. So I am now over 2 years out. It is the best thing I could have done for myself and my family. If you have any questions you can contact us through Melissa, and we will be glad to answer what we can. Good luck to you. Melissa

ARGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! The things we admit for other's!!!! Hiss!!! BOO!!! Oh, well, it's not like everyone doesn't aready know!!!! (I am teasing!!! I think....) starting bmi: 79 current bmi: 43.6 pre- op weight: 521.2 current weight: 287.2 pounds lost: 234 surgery date: Jan 11, 2005 doctor: the LOVE of my life, Dr. David Jenkins, of Keesler AFB Medical Center Anthing else: I would have this surgery once a month EVERY MONTH to feel the way I do now! Even tho the last two months, I have been pretty much at a standstill on the weight loss, and have picked up on the swelling of the legs and feet, I feel so much better I can hardly stand it!!!! On the negative side, this surgery RUINS eating, which is actually a GOOD, a VERY GOOD thing!!!! I must admit I have had no difficulites to speak of. Your Queen Smoochies Arlies

okay sure will---- starting BMI 54. starting weight 338 surgery April 2005 one year anniversary just passed and I weigh 210 today. Weight has slowed down so I will probably have to work on getting the last 20 pds off. That is my goal. Around 180. I was a 5x or size 32 dress now wearing xl or size 16-18. I am feeling good. I had a leak 4 days after my surgery and had a bad experience with the tube down my throat but otherwise doing great with it all. Doing things I have never done in my like. More energy than ever and more mobile. Glad to help with the info. Dr Salameh University Med Center in Jackson--Voc rehab Only do this if YOU want it. Don't do it for anyone else because if something goes wrong it is only on you. You are the one to ultimately make this decision. It is something you will do and succeed in if YOU want it. Best wishes Cathy Jane

Hi Cathy and Melissa! After 5 years of careful research and emailing and tracking numerous patients who had had WLS, I decided to have surgery last summer. I live in Hong Kong, and since they do not do this surgery in Hong Kong, I contacted Oschner's Hospital in New Orleans. They have a Bariatric Surgery Clinic. Dr Richardson did my surgery on June 30, 2005. He and Dr. Kennedy are in the clinic and both are terrific doctors. My BMI was 42.5 before surgery and I weighed 235 pounds. I am 5'3", so I looked like Little Lotta! LOL!. I also had other problems including Hypertension, family history of diabetes, spinal problems and osteo-arthritis. I came thru surgery fine but during the Lap procedure, the staple gun misfired and knicked my lower stomach (they cut the stomach into two pieces). About 24 hours later, when they did the leak test, they discovered the problem and I was rushed back to surgery, and stayed in intensive care for the next 3 days. However, the next surgery worked well and little by little I have recovered from the surgery. It was tough going the first few months, I returned to Hong Kong at the end of the summer and went back to work. I was very tired and when not working, my husband commanded me to go to bed and sleep, which I did and little by little I healed. After those first few trying months, I got better and better! I am now 11 months out and have lost 80 pounds, I weigh 155 pounds and wear a size 14/going into a 12..... My doctor set a goal of 145. I feel great and my doctor here in Hong Kong and my husband have been totally supportative! This is a very serious procedure, but now I feel that my trauma was worth it, Today, my doctor reduced my medication for Blood Pressure by half! Think carefully, this is a life changing surgery, you will not be able to eat lots of things that you love ever again, except a spoonful now and again...... Good luck to you both, we are here if you need us with advice and moral support to help you on your way......... Cheryl Lee

Congratulations!!! I am so so so happy for you. Wish you would post more often. Have missed you!

I used Dr. Whitehead. When is the seminar? I will try to make it. Height 5.7 - before surgery weight 275. Current BMI - 24 -- weight fluctuates between 150-155. My surgery date was 10/7/04 - I will be 2 years out this October.

I have an interesting one. I'm a two-timer. Nonadjustable band first, now roux-y. I'm 5'8 (used to be 5'9", but I think obesity over the years compressed my spine) In 2001 I weighed 300lbs. BMI = 45.6. In June 2001, I had the nonadjustable band with Dr. Molina in Houston, TX. In January I found out I was pregnant, and after the birth of my son in September 2002 I weighed in at 135 pounds (that's 165 pounds in less than 1 1/2 years). BMI = 20.5. Then in November 2002, I had the band removed. Apparently vomiting due to pregnancy (I threw up from the week before I found out I was pregnant until the week after my son was born), I had twisted my stomache beneath the band and it had to be surgically removed. At that time, no one in my area (or I was too sick to research it and had no family support for WLS) did revisions. By January 2004, I had gained all my weight back. I fluctuated 250 to 300 pounds, losing the same 25 pounds and gaining it back. By January 2005, I realized I had to do something. I found a surgeon here in Jackson who would do a revision. I had lots of scar tissue from previous surgery and then the removal of the band. But I got a Roux-en-y (didn't know till post-op what was done...i was prepared for a duodenal switch or Roux-en-y). So....here's #2. Feb. 28th, 2006 day of surgery 300# BMI again 45.6. As of today, my weight is 240. BMI = 36.5. Wow. amazing what just a couple of months can do! I'm totally pleased with how things are going. now if i could just make the time to start exercising....(chasing my 3 year old doesn't count, right?) I'm a nurse and have been through both these surgeries with good results...I'd love to talk to anyone who wants to about it. I think I can offer a unique perspective (because trust me, the band and the bypass are really different!) mary

Come on ya'll!!! PLEASE?!?!?!?! If all goes well I'm going to print out the replies tonight so DH can take them to her at work tomorrow!! A few more please???? & thanks for those of you who've posted!!!

starting bmi: 43 current bmi: 19 pre- op weight: 240 current weight: 112 pounds lost: 128 surgery date: Mar 1, 2005 doctor: Dr. Michael Mann,formerly of Keesler AFB Medical Center This surgery literally saved my life. I now have the energy and health to do the things in life that I enjoy. My energy level was so down that I did not want to get out of bed some days, now I jump out of bed. LOL.. Each person is different and will lose weight at a different pace and have different results, but any weight at all lost is better than none. I wish your friends the best of luck with their decision and hope that all goes well. Rhonda