AW with pictures--Starting BMI of 55.5

Since I had a starting BMI of over 50, I thought I'd share my recent attention ***** post here, too, especially for newbies considering their options.
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Before I had my duodenal switch (DS) surgery nearly 2.5 years ago, these "look at how far I've come" posts were some of my favorites. I still enjoy reading them. (And, as a post-op, doing these fulfill my attention-***** needs!)

My hubby and I went to a dear friend's (95-degree PLUS humidity outdoor) wedding the other day. I barely broke a sweat while everyone around me sweltered, including my hubby. Pre-DS, I would have been grinning and bearing it for the sake of my friend but I would have been purely miserable in my own aching, sweaty body. Instead of focusing on MY discomfort, I truly got to be present and enjoy my friend's beautiful day. THAT is living!

BEFORE
Here I am a few days before I flew to San Francisco to have the amazing Dr. John Rabkin save my life via the DS (www.paclap.com). I am 344 pounds, wear a size 30/32, have Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea: 





AFTER
Here I am today, at about 150 pounds. Same hairdo, but very different lady! My Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea are long GONE. This dress is a size 8. I take my vites, get in my protein, have no bowel or gas issues whatsoever and love, love, love my DS! I am 3 weeks out from my tummy tuck and brachioplasty. Life is sweet!

B**** the wedding, I ate about EIGHT of the world's best appetizers (brie and raspberry preserves wrapped in phyllo dough), a filet mignion steak, mashed potatoes, zucchini, wine and 2 pieces of wedding cake. Have I said I love my DS?




If you are considering weight loss surgery, I encourage you to do your own INDEPENDENT research on the types available today. (Unless your surgeon actually performs all four of the WLS, he/she may not be the best person to guide you on this choice--they likely will tell you the one they actually know how to do is the one you should have and badmouth the others.).

Pick the surgery you want FIRST based on what you honestly know about you as a person. Now is not the time to give into wishful thinking about the "future" you, about how you will become a calorie-counting, exercising machine:

--Do you have a high BMI?
--Do you have any conditions that are contra-indicated for a particular type of WLS (i.e. you cannot take NSAIDs for arthritis if you have the RNY)?
--Are you good at maintaining a low-calorie diet for a long period of time?
--Are you likely to be compliant and take vitamins?
--Do you have Type 2 diabetes (the DS resolves over 98% of cases)
 
Think hard about the quality of life you would like to live afterwards. This is a forever decision. THINK TWICE, CUT ONCE--revisions suck.

Once you decided which surgery fits YOU best, THEN pick the surgeon. You may have to travel to get the one you want but YOU are worth it. My DS surgeon actually comes to Chicago for most of our monthly support group meetings, since he has so many patients here.

If you would like to learn more about the DS, I urge you to visit www.dsfacts.com. Feel free to PM me, as well.

Nicolle

Congrats on your fantastic loss! I am excited for your life victories!

Thanks so much!!!

Nicoll

Wow Nicoll,

You look terrific! This is so inspiring to those of us on the very other end of things. I'll definitely check out dsfacts, although it's much harder here in Canada to get one.

Thanks for sharing!

The creator of dsfacts.com is Bev and she is Canadian. I'll bet she could help you with some info on the system. Just send her a note via the site. I think she also hangs out in the Canada forum here with a Muppet avatar.

Best of luck to you!

Nicolle

So nice to have a face to put with your personna. I've followed your posts on the DS board.

Thanks for photo-whoring here! You've really rocked your DS.

Thanks, Patty! Your "other" intrigued me so I saw that you are considering the DS.

You know, Dr. Rabkin is just a hot skip and jump from Oregon. I came from Chicago to use him, so you seem downright close to him to me!



Best of luck to you!

Nicolle

Yeah, Dr. Rabkin is very high on my list if I go with the DS.

An hour to the Portland airport, then a short flight down is a blessing compared to the travels that I've seen others under go.

And even better, my DH is from the Bay Area, so he would not be lost trying to find things if he was along as my helper - however, he's not a good helper if gross medical stuff is involved.

Congrats again on your success!

Sounds like a winning combination to me! Let me know if you need any help.

My husband was my helper out there and there was no gross medical stuff involved. He has a queasy stomach, so that was a good thing!

Best of luck to you!

Nicolle

Thanks for the GREAT post Nicolle! I agree with you... if you have a BMI of over 50 BMI (I did), please consider the DS... I'm SO glad I did!