Just thought I would give an update. I had surgery on July 2nd (4 days ago) with Dr. R. in Las Vegas. I can't remember anything about the surgery itself. I just remember waking up in my room..... extremely nauseous, to the point where I couldn't even turn my head without feeling like throwing up. Luckily the nice nurses at the hospital gave me a needle and I dozed off for a few more hours, then woke up nausea free. I didn't really feel pain per say, but a great discomfort on the top left side. Luckily everyone had the same feeling so I wasn't too worried. There were 6 of us that had the surgery on the Wednesday and everyone did really well, no complications. I'm still not feeling 100%, still feel icky some days, not in pain.... just icky. I never got Thrush (thank goodness) and I don't think I've felt dizzy or light headed, just tired easily. I've been drinking lots, lots of soups and Gatorade, haven't had any problems keeping it down. I am having some difficulty taking deep breathes (my chest feels tight), but breathing normally is not an issue. Anyone else felt the tight chest when breathing deeply? Let me know if you went through the same issues I am going through, wouldn't mind hearing that this is normal.

Anyway, that's it for now. I must say, I can't wait for Tuesday so I can get these staples out and head back to my home in Canada.

I have lost 73 lbs and I'm playing soccer, swimming, have joined karate
and last night I had 20 people over for a BBQ......there was lots of
liquor and beer and ll kinds of soda......and I sat there drinking my
Gatorade and having a ball and of course basking in the glow of having
people tell me I'm looking great and healthy....Still got a ways to go,
but it's a happy journey for sure.....

While I am a daily reader, I rarely post but feel that at my tenth month from surgery with Dr R it was time for me to let everyone know what a trip this has been. I had my surgery on May 24th, 06. Things were pretty normal for me after surgery with all the usual issues everyone writes about. I have had not any vomiting at all since surgery as I have been very careful about what I put in my mouth. I had a few instances of agent orange and that's all it takes to become very cautious about the fat intake. At this point in time I am eating pretty much what I want in small quantities which I should add totally satiates me. I do of course avoid totally fried foods, high fat dairy products and anything that I consider not healthy. For the first time in my life I really think about what I put in my mouth as I only have the appetite for so much and I need to be sure I get in my protein, veggies and fruits. All of this has not been a problem for me. I have adjusted very well to my new eating/life style. I was on four blood pressure meds prior to surgery. Now I am on none. My blood pressure at times has been very low and other times like now it's a bit high. I have been told to be patient. My weight day of surgery was 352 and now ten months later its 208.7lbs!! Down 143.3lbs!

Needless to say many personal issues I dealt with when I was morbidly obese are now almost completely gone. Anyone out there considering this life changing surgery, please feel free to contact me

Best Regards,

Hi,

A quick update to my contacts, new friends and my littermate's sister Kelly who is 9 months out... Michelle Williams (littermate)and I are doing good. She is on her way to see Hoover Dam with her hubby and I am getting ready to walk to the local shops. Today is the best day so far. Ribs still sore on left side but I don't feel so bloated and no pain in the surgery area. Thanks to a contact's advice I brought a heating pad which really helps. I do have thrush--yuck, but brought my meds with me so started right away. Litter mate didn't get it--lucky her. I have been walking a lot and getting lots of rest on the other end. No big problems--just hurry up and wait to go home. Pre-ops--the packet is worth the work and frustrations--trust me!

Hi Juliann:

No need to fear never having a steak dinner again... I have prime rib every other Saturday night!! The difference between now, at one year post-op and prior to MGB is that one prime rib feeds me 4 meals!!... Yep I eat what I like of it at the restaurant and bring the rest home. I reheat it on my George Foreman and it is deelicious all over again. I end up having a luscious cold steak salad with the remaining bits--and I even end up having some to give to my chocolate lab, Emma Nem, who is always ready/willing for a handout!!!...

I guess it wouldn't be "normal" or "healthy" to not have a certain amount of fear---but re-evaluate your feelings, and I'll bet that there is also excitement and anticipation mixed in.

Personally, I had so much DRAMA from my PCP in the days just prior to my leaving to have my surgery that actually having it was a RELIEF and a GODSEND!!!... I was soooooooo ready for them to "take me away" (like the Calgon commercial).

You've been through surgery before--and this one will be an easier go for you as you won't be under for long...you will be awake and be so surprised that in such a short amount of time, your life has changed for the better!!... a new begiining for you, Juliann!!..

Keep positive thoughts going all the time--think of the future--of being more active and enjoying the coming summer months--of all the good things that you will get to enjoy. A new life awaits you, my friend.

From: Margaret Cooper <cooptwocats@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:11 pm
Subject: Re: [Mini-Gastric-Bypass] Frusterated

Sorry you are feeling so frustrated. It can be aggravating and I am not belittling this. However, the process will help solidify your decision for you. It is your future and you deserve to explore all the options and even discover somethings about yourself you might not have faced, or might not know about yourself. If/ when you have the surgery...you will be ready for the change. It is not all a walk in the park in some areas of change.

I have diagnosed ADHD inattentive type and I did the packet. So, I am just saying you can do it too! hang in there and don't look at the process as being such an obstacle.

Answer your questions throughly, but you don't have to go overboard. If you are honest with yourself, the answers will be there. You are not being punished I promise. I had some complications, but I am glad I had the surgery. I weigh 193 right now down from 316...and I am just now beginning to realize so many of the changes I have gone through in a year. I have a sense of self respect I have never possessed in my life. I wish the same for you.

Please take care of yourself...and relax and do things methodically, check it off and move on. If anything else is needed, they will tell you.

By the way, don't beg your doctor to support you. Tell them you have made a decision and what it is. take a picture of it, and a description of the Excellence part of the manual, and the risk of complications.  You just need someone to do some blood work from time to time. This is not anything more than they have done in the past. You will most likely have to guide them, so just do it. You are the patient and all doctors don't agree with everything we do, or don't do. you will survive...I promise!

From: Christy Zito <cz_60@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:45 pm
Subject: Re: [Mini-Gastric-Bypass] Frusterated

Don't be frustrated. Be glad that you have the opportunity to educate your self. My husband has had two laproscopic surgeries in the last three years. Neither worked. They were not weight loss surgery, how ever they did involve the stomach. I am convinced that had he been as educated about his surgery, and how to take care of his self after, the results would be different. Just remember, if it is worth having, it is worth working for. I feel that having to to all of the package is a prerequisite for the surgery to help to insure the success of the patient after the surgery.

I am 4 months post-op and down 80lbs. I feel great! I just got back from my first trip to Europe (Italy)! It was so nice to be able to fit in an airline seat! I also walked a million miles (so it seems) and couldn't have done it before the surgery! Thanks again Dr. P.!!! My life is changing everyday thanks to you and the MGB! Good luck to all of the pre-ops! It was the best decision I ever made!!!

My name is Marc, I'll be glad to talk to you and help in any way I can. I just had my MGB march 15 with Dr. R.. He's awesome, Its' been 9 days all ready and I'm down 25 lbs. I've acquired new energy that I didn't know I had. Before the operation my back would not allow me to stand in 1 place for even 5 minutes without hurting me badly. Walking hurt also at the short distance of 1/2 mile, Now I'm waking at work in excess of 1 mile and standing without problems and when I get home after working for 12 hours I walk for 2 miles daily. I've got all sorts of energy. My mood swings are in the happy section, don't let to much get me down any more. Looking forward to a weight loss goal of 180lbs. My surgery was 45 min long and had 7 feet of bypass. I was very sore the following minutes and days from the surgery but it was not from the procedure but from the time I lied on the operation table. I had hard times lying on my back even for a few minutes prior to surgery. My back finally freed up an the pain when away. I never felt any pain from the actual procedure. I find myself willing to show off Dr R work to strangers just knowing I'm loosing a lot of weight and that soon ill have a nicer looking stomach. So you can use this letter as your contact. letter, keep after the paper work and study allot. Its well worth the post op feelings and results.

I think it can be compared to breast cancer for women. Years ago the medical community was convinced the only way to cure breast cancer in women was to cut off the breasts. Just cut them off. Now the medical community knows that it's not necessary and thus they are doing lumpectomy and other procedures that by comparison are extremely mini.

I asked a surgeon that my daughter had at Washington Hospital Center why some doctors were still doing certain surgeries...like RNY...and doing them open. He said it's because it's what they've always done and it's their habit. They feel confident doing it that way and would have to completely retrain to do it another way. Most don't want to. They have fat folks lined up outside their door to do it the old way...open RNY. So they feel compelled to defend the only thing they know and the easy way.

My belief is that Dr. Rutledge is a visionary. There are naysayers when all visionaries come up with an idea that is better. They'd have to learn something else. They'd have to research. Things would change. Many people in all walks of life do not like change.

In 1988 and for 22 years total I was Operations Manager for the State's Attorney's Office (District Attorney) in the jurisdiction where I lived. Two things happened in one year that almost made me leave my job. A job that I loved. I introduced computers to the staff. They hated them. They resisted.

They had to be forced to learn how to use them. I endured personal attacks, complaints and extreme resistance from the staff I was responsible for. And today they wouldn't ever want to live without them.

The second change was the use of DNA evidence and the use of criminal profiling. The attorneys were skeptical. The police were skeptical. And some attorneys just outright refused to use DNA and refused to allow me to bring in a criminal profiler to a case. But I persisted, and I had a boss who stood behind me, and today both technologies are used as a routine.

The visionaries who created computers and DNA and profiling were laughed at.

But today they are the norm.

As with everything new, people are skeptical. However, that said, a large percent of our MGB patient population in Florida (and I'm sure elsewhere) are members of the medical community. Doctors and nurses, respiratory technologists, etc. Why? Because they know that it's a better surgery. That it's up to date and modern and that it just plain makes sense.

I consider myself a pioneer. I read what Dr. Rutledge had to say and it made complete sense to me. He staked his career on the end result of what he believed in. And he was right. What did I have to lose? Nothing more than if I had chosen what was considered the gold standard, RNY. And my belief was that I was risking far less. The death rate was lower, the complication rate was lower and I was putting myself in the hands of a surgeon who had done trauma surgery for 20 years. I figured he could pretty well get me out of anything that having the surgery got me into.

And I had way more to gain because if it didn't work out, I could get hooked back up again.

I didn't mean this to be so wordy. And I didn't mean to give so much personal information. But this is a subject near and dear to my heart.

People who dare; people who step out of the box and do something different..and often better...are often ridiculed. Others are slow to emulate them. But eventually they do. And we're all better for what they took by way of indignities to do so.

I am ever so grateful that Dr. Rutledge staked what could have been a much more lucrative career in order to move forward with what he believed in...the MGB...a better way to do weight loss surgery. And I'm also happy and grateful that I came out of mothballs, after retirement from a career in a way way way different field, to tell and show people what it's done for me and for my daughter.

OK, off the soap box now.

Welcome to CELOS. Please find enclosed my contact letter regarding my surgery. We are available by cell phone and email daily so please don't hesitate to contact us for further assistance.

Congrats on making the decision to begin a healthier lifestyle. ************************************************************************ *

I had the surgery on 7/19/02 with Dr. Rutledge, weighing in at 285 lbs. I had been heavy all my life, trying different diets and diet pills just to lose the weight and regain it all back plus more. This was my last chance for a healthy life.

My surgery took 45 minutes because I had some scar tissue from having a spleen removed in 1989. I had no nausea after surgery and only used the pain pump once to get some sleep. I was up walking in the hall by late evening. My girlfriend picked me up the next morning and stayed with me for the weekend. I even went shopping.

It took several weeks for me to get my energy back.. During this time, I was hired for CLOS. The staff is very compassionate to patient needs and care and is there to answer any questions you may have.

Our doctors are very skilled, knowledgeable, compassionate surgeons.

The hospital staff is also great. Everyone is understanding to your needs and very caring.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. The first 2-3 months are the hardest because there are so many changes taking place. It is quite a challenge to see what your body will tolerate after surgery.

Do I have any regrets? Yes, just one..My only regret is that I couldn't have had the surgery years ago. WOW, what a difference it would have made in my life.

This is a very special gift that has been given to me and I thank God that it has changed my life. I have lost 155 lbs.

I do not post often so I will introduce myself all over again. I am Brenda C. and I live in Greenville, SC and I had my MGB on 12-22-03 and just celebrated my 6 month anniversary yesterday. My surgery was in Statesville and the great Dr. Rutledge did a great job. My surgery lasted 41 minutes and I had no pain, no problems. It is just a lifestyle change where you have to get used to your new plumbing. I can eat almost anything in small portions. I do eat more now than I imagined I could in the beginning. I am always satisfied.

Yesterday, I had my appointment with my PCP and she was thrilled by my progress. I have lost 71 pounds since surgery and I feel great. I was diabetic, had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and my joints ached and screamed because of the weight I carried. I rolled out of surgery and I was off all medications and I have not required them again. I have faithfully kept my appointments with my PCP and my comparison of blood work from visit to visit tell a wonderful story. Everything is within it's normal range and yesterday she deleted the terms, morbidly obese, diabetic, and sleep disturbance from my chart! What a great feeling!

To all my MGB brothers and sisters, I say thank you for steering me to this wonderful solution to my health problems. To the new folks, trust this group and trust Dr. Rutledge and his staff of Doctors and support. They will guide you, they will support you and they will never steer you in the wrong direction. Follow the manual and you too will be on your way to a new life!
Contact me directly at "bccccc5751" "@" "aol.com" (no spaces or quotes) if you have any questions.

Brenda C.
Surgery 12-22-03-Statesville Dr. Rutledge 263/192/???

It has been a while since I last posted a message. I have been on vacation for three weeks--went to California to spoil my two-year- old granddaughter. Had no problem fulfilling that job!!!!! We went to Yosemite for four days and I couldn't believe how much easier it was this year than last summer for me to get around the park. I was able to do all of the hiking and biking that everyone else did! I felt wonderful!!!!!!! We got home Monday (21st) at 1 a.m. and are leaving again on Saturday (26th) to go to the east coast for three weeks--we will be going to Charlottesville, VA; Washington, DC (to celebrate the 4th!); to Williamsburg, VA, and to Boone, NC. I can hardly wait to do all the sightseeing and visiting!!!!!!

I had my three month check-up on Monday afternoon. Everything is going well. I have lost a total of 54.5 lbs. and a total of 53 inches! My energy level is out of sight and I eat nearly everything. I do have problems with chicken; it seems to sit heavy on my tummy, so I don't eat it! I am having no problems at all. I take my vitamins, Actigall, and Citrucel daily, exercise at least three times a week, sleep like a baby, drink my Gatorade (even though I think it is way to sweet!)! I have gone from a size 26-28 clothing to a size 18!! I had to go out and buy new undies today! Have gone from a size 48C bra to a 38 C! and from a size 15 panty to a size 8!!!! This whole adventure is just totally amazing to me! I wouldn't change anything about the surgery or the healing process!

Have had wonderful results. 75lb gone in 6 months. Yes, you will still get hungry, but you can only eat small amounts at a time. I would be glad to visit with you about the surgery.

I had my pre-op on Tuesday. My daughter and I went and met with Dr. Dasher and Debbie and my two littermates. (Hey, Joycelyn and Christy!!) Felt a little less anxious afterward talking with them.

We only live about 45 minutes away but decided to stay close to the hospital because my husband works second shift in Greensboro and it would be easier on him. We made reservations at the Radisson. We checked in, turned on the AC and left to do some last minute running. When we returned the room was still hot. I called the front desk and they sent up this little guy, spoke no English that I could tell, and he looked at it, opened it up and shut it back up and said, OK and left. It was so hot in that room all night. I forgot that I had to fill out those last minute pink papers required for surgery so about 11:30 pm I started on those. I finished and decided to write a note for Debbie to give my family after they got the news that all was OK after the surgery and I had just folded it and picked up the envelope, the lights went out. There was no power for two and a half hours. There was a wreck down the road. It just so happened that my husband that got there about half hour later had a flashlight. The power came back on about 3 am and I finally laid down. It was so hot in that room that none of us got any sleep. I literally got only about 45 minutes sleep. I got up at 5:45 to shower and low and behold, THERE WAS NO HOT WATER!!. I called the front desk and asked about it and they said they were sorry but no one would be there to help until 7 am. So guess who had a cold shower. It did get a little warm before I got out. Not trying to bash the Radisson, but it just didn't go well with us.

I was beginning to wonder if someone was trying to tell me something. But I quickly tried to forget that thought. We got to the hospital and the nurse that was taking care of me had my late mother's name, which is an old fashioned unusual name. It just gave me great comfort. I know it was probably a coincidence, but it made me feel better.

I will compile my contact letter to tell all the surgery stuff but everything went great. I didn't panic like I thought I might. That little time you spend alone before they sedate you is a good time to contemplate all that has been going on, what you are just about to do, think of how you are just about to change what the future holds for you and talk a little with your companion during the surgery and the surgeon co-pilot. I just felt a sense of calm. I knew I was doing the right thing. When Dr. Dasher (my hero) came in to speak to me before surgery, I grabbed his hand and said, "You know that I am trusting you more than I have trusted anyone in my life?". He said yes and everything will be alright. I just could feel his confidence, his compassion and there just seemed to be a connection of some kind. But my family and myself think there is absolutely nothing like him. He is just good at what he does!! His bedside manner is great.

When Dr. Dasher came in to talk to my family he said everything went perfect and I then was back in my room in a couple of hours. I wanted to sleep, my daughter kept telling me I needed to wake up so I could walk. I remember saying, I will, I will. I finally woke up really good about 7 pm. They were laughing at me because they said that every five minutes, I would open my eyes, grab onto the bed rails and shake my head and say, OK, I am awake now and in 30 seconds I would be gone again. You have to remember I only had 45 minutes of sleep the night before. I was catching up. HA!!

Anyway, I am choking down the soups, and broths and Gatorade. It is amazing how quick you get tired of that stuff. But no one said it was going to be a bed of roses. And I just close my eyes and think about June 2005. HOLY SMOKE!! It will be the biggest change 12 months has ever made for me. I can't wait.

To all you pre-ops, I was so nervous and scared, but they put you so at ease at the hospital you just breeze right thru. It will be worth it all!!!

LOVE TO ALL!!

I'm down 85 pounds and feel physically wonderful with more energy now that I can ever remember having in my entire life. Much of that of course is due to the tremendous weight loss, however at this point I do attribute my excellent physical condition to the wonderful Melaleuca vitamins/supplements I take. Very rarely do I have any problems with gas, odor, or any problems eating things... rice and/or pasta do seem to fill me up VERY QUICKLY. Other than those items I can eat just about anything. Losing an additional 30 pounds would be icing on the cake at this point but I'm in a size 14 very comfortably (from a 20/22 last year). I've been doing Oxysize! recently to help with the excess skin and I think it is helping. Other than a little bit on my thighs and stomach I don't think I would need any PS and the stomach is getting smaller and smaller so we shall see. I'm giving this a good shot (Oxycize!).

I'm still appealing with Aetna (HMO) insurance to please pay some of my costs which has not happened yet but I'm still hopeful and not easily giving up!

This past year has been a blessing beyond what I could ever express.. even though I'd hoped to be down 100 pounds by now I never want to complain... 85 is definitely something to feel great about. My heart breaks for those who have not lost much at all and my prayer for those is that some miracle will break through for them somehow. Along the way I had more plateaus that I could ever list here... one time I went 3 months without losing a pound! Then it (finally) started coming off again but again, it is slow... I've learned so much patience through this time.

There are a few people who emailed me with specific questions awhile back that I was supposed to get back to, however my email folders were deleted accidentally somehow so I apologize if you are one of those and hope you will get in touch with me again!

I am thankful to all those who have helped me along the way... most thankful that I found Dr. Rutledge ...only wishing I'd found him earlier in my life but we cannot sweat the things we cannot change so I am going forward instead of looking back. God is good and I thank HIM that HE provided a way for me to have this surgery - it was a miracle that I was able to come up with the money and although I'm still paying it back I'm forever grateful.

I've personally met and emailed some wonderful people throughout this past year that I also want to thank for all their encouragement. I realize this is a different journey for all of us in many ways, but our ultimate goal is for our good health and self esteem for a better and better life.

Thank you Dr. Rutledge; thank you Trish, Penny, Dana, Nancy, and Sean (and anyone I failed to mention that has helped me along the way)!

I had my MGB 6-6-03. I was 60 years old. I took Thursday off from work to drive to Joplin for my consultation with Dr. H.. My surgery was at 8:30 am Friday. I was dismissed from the hospital by noon Saturday and my friend drove me home. I rested Sunday and decided to stay home from work on Monday. However, by Tuesday I was back to work FULL TIME and enjoyed going to my grandchildren's swim and dive meets nearly every evening. I too sit at a computer most of the day. But, I certainly DID feel like doing the evening activities after all day at work.

I have lost 80 pounds and I feel so good. I would do it again in a heart beat. I can do more now than I have in several years. My mental attitude has improved soooo much. I have the desire to get off the couch and do something constructive. I can trim my toenails and tie my shoes without cutting my breath off. I can slide into my car and not struggle getting out. Before the MGB my knees hurt so bad I could hardly get through grocery shopping. Now I can grocery shop and shop shop all the same day.

My cholesterol was over 200 before the MGB and without any meds it now is 167. My weight has really slowed down since Christmas, but my body is still shrinking. I will buy something on sale that is too small and in a couple of weeks I can start wearing it. WOW. It is just an amazing miracle.

I have had no side affects. However, when I take a bite that is too big or if I don't chew well enough it has to come up. It is my own fault. Those old habits are hard to break. I especially have trouble when I am eating with friends and we are talking and relaxed and the old habit of shoving food in the mouth comes back. It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

I only wish I had known about this surgery years ago. If you have any more questions I can help you with, just fire them my way.

You go Girl. Don't wait another minute.

Connie in Liberty

6-6-03 Joplin Dr. H.

I consider this my second chance God gave me the original body and I blew it! LOL So Dr. R gave me a second chance - I can do the same things I did the first time and get just as large as I was before or I can take advantage of this fresh start and do it right this time.. ALL of my regular size friends watch what they eat - I do have the ability to overeat and to gain weight - JUST LIKE anyone else in the real world. I will be four years out in July - My PCP has told me I am his WLS poster child as most of his other patients that have had WLS have gained back a lot of weight - some of them all of it and some are bigger than when they started. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results that's why I know its up to me to make this work. I LOVE TO EAT!! I try to eat 2nd stage South Beach which is healthy whole grain carbs (brown rice, whole wheat pasta/breads etc) lean meats and lots of veggies 80% of the time - but I LOVE sweets and am a carb addict. I chose to be in the gym 4 - 5 days a week 1 to 1 1/2 hours everyday so that I can eat a bit more --I do not chose to gain this weight back - I am in control of what goes into my mouth it is up to me to make those choices.

The MGB is your second chance - if you are lucky you will reach your goal weight if you are really really lucky you will retain that goal with little to no effort if you are NORMAL - you will have to work hard all your life to maintain the loss and live a healthy life at a normal weight just like most normal people do....anyone telling you something else is in denial or is one of those few really lucky ones.

Good luck :-)

This is my first time writing - but thought I would say HI!  I had my day at the dance with Dr. R. on 6/11 too, with Yvonne - and I must confess I have stopped weighing every day. Rather than that number fix, I have been getting my rewards from family, friends and coworkers.... and clients who haven't seen me in a while who are surprised by my appearance.  So, don't get caught up in the numbers - keep doing what you know is right and keep the faith!

I thought I had best let everyone know I am still here. Very quietly, sitting on the side. It has been over two years since Dr R. did my "mini." February 6, 2002. On that morning, I weighed in at 373 lb, today I weigh 173 lb. and have been hovering around this number for about 6 months. I had concerns that I was losing TOO much and might have to go back for a revision. I've talked with Dana and my own PCP and both think I can "control" my weight with diet and not need a revision. Now doesn't that sound funny!!! Now that I don't want to eat fattening foods, because they don't appeal to me, they tell me to pig out. Anyhow, I seem to be somewhat stable at my current weight, going up or down 5 lb depending on what I eat. I am not complaining, this is a good situation.

For those not decided on this surgery, or nervous about going forward, believe me when I say it was the best decision I have ever made. Obese people do not live to a ripe old age.... especially with any sense of health. I believe this surgery has added ten or more years to my life, and improved health as well.

Were there any complications to my weight loss... only a small bout with H-pylori which was easily resolved. Everything else went according to Dr R's anticipated recovery.

In closing, I cannot say enough praises of not only Dr R and his staff, but also all those MGBers who preceded me and gave me the encouragement to seek out this life saving surgery. I am forever indebted.

Tom Hickey....Cape Cod

Dr. H. in Joplin, MO. did my surgery with his trusty companion Dr. Rutledge by his side and I can't forget Elizabeth who feeds the fish back at the office when Dr. H. is out restoring lost hope to lives. Actually Elizabeth is great help in all she does and a hoot and a joy to be around. Dr. H. and Elizabeth each would not be where they are without the other at their side. They are the best team. Not to short change Brian and all of those behind the scenes around the country because they too are just as important to the big picture. Everyone associated with CLOS is so caring and willing to help. I promise you that you will never find such a group of caring people all focused on the same goal. To restore life to you. To help hurting people that have lost hope. CLOS is a true blessing from the Lord. The night of the surgery in the hospital I walked 5 laps around the floor. For me there really was no pain. The more you walk the better you feel.

DR. H. released me to go back to work 2 weeks after the surgery but my employer requires all that have had a surgery to return to work through the company doctors approval as well. The company Doctor released me to go back to work with a 20 pound weight lift restriction for 30 days. Well, my employer will NOT let anyone work with any kind of restriction unless of course they get hurt at work and to prevent them from getting an OSHA recordable accident, they will actually send a cab to pick you up and bring you to work. ( Shame of the corp. world to play with people like this). Anyway I felt great after 2 weeks and was perfectly ready to return to work. It was just the case of the company doctor not totally understanding laparoscopic surgery. So, I did miss a month of work but like I said that was due to the politics of dancing in the Corp. world and had nothing to do with the actual surgery or healing time. We are a union shop and I am a shop steward. It constantly seems like the company is forever testing the unity and strength of the union by doing things like this but we shall prevail. Everything in Joplin is right at hand. It is a nice city. I actually wrote to the Chamber of Commerce and they sent me a bunch of Joplin travelers guides with hotel and restaurant listings in it. If there is anyone from out of town that would like one, just let me know and send me a mailing address and I will gladly mail you one or contact the Chamber of commerce of Joplin and they will gladly send you one as well. If you do not need assistance with locating a hotel then you can pick up one of these pamphlets when you get to Joplin. We stayed at The Best Western. Best rates we could find and it was nice and close to everything. It is impossible to get lost in Joplin. We tried to get lost and could not. The only negative we had was that none of the restaurants were willing to strain the soup to make me some broth. One lady did at Bob Evan's but she told us that she got into trouble for doing so. I wanted to go to bat for the girl but then we thought it may get her in more trouble after we left for telling the customer she got in trouble for trying to help them. So, we let it ride. The most amazing thing about it all is that somehow the surgery does something to your mental status. From the minute I woke up from surgery, I have felt that desire for life again. I have hope again. I know that all the cures that the post-op talk about sound too good to be true, I thought the same. I am telling you that every bit of it is true or at least it has been with me. Follow the orders of Dr. Rutledge and Dr. H. and eat slow. Thank you to the Lord, my family, friends I have met on the way and every single person at Joplin and NC that make this miracle blessing a reality for those in need. Believe me when I say this surgery is a blessing from the Lord. The Lord is only an invitation away from leading each and every one of us through a victorious life. When you need someone and their is no one, just ask him to forgive you of your past and ask him to come into your heart and change your life. Then if you cannot find anyone in your area to help you, write me back and I sure will help you get your walk with the Lord started. You will not be sorry. It is just hard to take that first step. After you actually feel the presence of the Lord in your life then you will be running to him. You will want more. Ask anyone on this site how comforting it was to know that the Lord was watching over them while having this surgery. The Lord is real and he makes a huge difference in lives. If anyone at all ever needs more info on the MGB or to talk more about the Lord, please feel free to contact me anytime for any reason. Dave White, (636)240-0663, Iwitness4u@aol.com Ps please forgive me as to the way my story does not have paragraphs. I actually have it nicely saved on a floppy but when I copy and paste it to an e mail it all runs together like it does here and I do not know how to fix it. I am sorry because I do realize it makes for unpleasant reading and I am trying to figure out how to fix it. God bless, Dave Dr. H. / Dr. Rutledge 2 Docs. 4 the price of 1 (3-4-03) 293 / 220 (4-14-04)

Choices

I have been lead me to give you a copy of choices because every single one of us need to make the choice as to accept the Lord into our lives or to deny him and what it will mean to our lives here on earth and in our spiritual state once the Lord returns or we die.

The good Lord created us in his own image. God is a supernatural spirit that lives forever and never changes. Mans soul will live forever. No one can totally explain God so please do not waste precious time trying to figure him out. His ways are so far beyond our ways that we simply cannot comprehend all of his ways. Just know that ALL things work together for the good that love and trust him. When the Lord created us to have a life long loving relationship with him, he wanted us to choose him because we wanted to spend eternity with him and not because he programmed us to want him so he gave us the free will to make our own choice. Our having the God given gift to make our own choices is the reason why this world is in the shape it is in but this is NOT to mean that God is to blame because we have the choice in life as to which path to take. The worlds condition is NOT because we have a unloving God. It is because of mans choice of sin, selfishness, pride and rebellion towards God that the world is a reflection of mans choices. The free will to make our own choices is the most amazing attribute that God gave to man but man since the beginning of time, has made the wrong choices of trying to live a life directed by himself instead of the Lord.

The most important choice we will ever have to make in our lives is the choice to accept or deny the Lord into our lives as our personal savior. I cannot begin to tell you everything the Lord can do for you in your life if you would just trust him and invite him into your life. The Lord will guide you through a victorious life. He will comfort you when no one else can or will and it is a comfort and peace like you never knew was possible on this side of heaven. He will fill the void in our hearts. He created a void in our hearts that only he can fill. When he fills your void, you will know without a doubt that it was he that filled the void because the Lords presence is like nothing else in this world. Now, if you choose not to accept the Lord into your life, you will never know what true peace and being set free from the bondages of this world really feels like. This peace cannot be obtained from any other source here on earth other than from the Lord Jesus Christ. We can expect to have that emptiness in our hearts throughout our lives. We cannot expect any help in our times of troubles. We can only hope for the best outcome without the Lord in our lives.

If what the Lord will do for us here on earth is not enough for you, then when we pass away, our soul will go to Heaven to spend eternity with God in his kingdom which will not have any more suffering, no more pain and sorrows, no more tears, no more sin, and last but not least no more death. It will truly be Heaven and it will be forever for every one that chooses to accept the Lord in their life. It does not matter how bad we think we have been in our life. It does not matter one bit the things we have done (and I have done many in my earlier years). The minute we invite the Lord into our lives and ask him to forgive us of our sins, we are forgiven just like that. He will then give us the strength and power to overcome sin and our shortcomings in our lives. The Lord is for every single one of us regardless of our past and no we cannot clean ourselves up enough before we accept the Lord. His love and acceptance of us is purely based on his loving grace and mercy that he blesses us with NOT because of a single thing we have done or will do. He WANTS us to come to him as we are for one simple reason, to show you what he can do in your life. It does not matter how good of a person we are. We have to be forgiven of our sins, believe in what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross in giving his life in order for us to be forgiven of our sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We are born into sin through the sin of the first man (Adam). Sounds unfair, but wait, through one man our savor Jesus Christ each and every one of us can be saved, if we just accept him into our lives. God was manifested in the flesh and walked the earth as the man Jesus Christ, the son of God. He preached the Word of God, he forgave sins, he healed and performed miracles to build our faith in the kingdom of God and also because he loved us that much. Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago (not that long ago) for the main reason to be a sacrifice for mans sins to be forgiven. Jesus was sent to die on the cross so you and I did not have to die for our sins. Life is in the blood so, blood had to be shed for man to be forgiven of his sins. All of this is because God still loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son to die for our sins instead of us. God still wanted and wants today a loving relationship with us in spite of our sins we committed. He wanted to forgive us and forgive he did. All we have to is receive his forgiveness. For those who do not know Gods love, mercy, grace, power and strength are all very real and just waiting for you to ask for it. For those of you who are struggling with anything right now, the Lord will help you today if you would just ask him to. God will give you the desire, the power and strength to overcome anything in your life, if you would just invite him in and trust him. He will fill you with the Holy Ghost, that will guide you through every step of your life. He really does have a real plan for each and every one of our lives. It is so awesome to know that there is a whole different life awaiting us, if we just ask him for it. Those who accept the Lord will spend eternity in heaven with him. Those who deny Christ will spend eternity in forever torment while being separated from God. Those of us that do nothing or put off accepting Christ until another day, may not have another day coming. We are NOT promised one more day from the Lord. There are two things that will seal or fate. Once our bodies die then the free will choose is gone forever or when Lord comes back to earth (which he IS going to do) then it will be too late as well. Life really has no meaning without the Lord in it. I ask you to ask yourself, what is the purpose of all things that happen to us here on earth? What is it all for? If we just die and that is it.

Life with the Lord in the center of it is so fulfilling. I invite and encourage you to read the Bible through one time. If you want a free Bible, then just send me a place to send it to and I will gladly send you Bible. That is all I did. I had no plans what so ever to give my life to the Lord. I enjoy reading and one day I decided that I was going to read the Bible just to see what everyone else was getting out of it. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. I could not put it down. There were at times, where the words that I was reading would actually transpire into a 3-D state and stand up off of the page above everything else on the page. It was the most awesome thing when that would happen. I would look away and then look back again to try and refocus just to make sure that was really happening and sure enough certain scriptures were still 3-D. I know what all of you that do not believe are thinking but I am telling you that I have been on both sides of the Lord and you are missing out on what life is all about and all the peace and joy that goes with it. The Bible is the inspired Word of God by which all issues of life can be addressed. The Bible will teach you everything about life and how to live it in a way that will bring you mountains of peace, joy and victory not to mention that the Lord will guide you in the way you should go. So, if you trust the Lord and follow his lead, you will never go wrong in this life. If you have any questions at all feel free to contact me for any reason what so ever. I would live to help you with your walk with the Lord, just give me a call. There is a saying that people use that needs to be adjusted to the truth of the matter.

"What you do not know cannot hurt you." (This is wrong, it should read) "What you do not know WILL hurt you." I have personally seen cancer taken from bodies overnight, marriages and families saved, emotionally hurt people restored. These things that I have witnessed are from the Lord not from doctors and that does include DR. Phil as well. Since 1999 when I received he Lord into my life he has taken a lot of things from my life that should not have been there and has manifested many a healing in my body. You do not have to suffer in this world, it is a choice that you are making and if you are not suffering now in this life, you will suffer in the spiritual life to come in the future if you deny the Lord. I promise you that there will be one time in everyones life that they will consider inviting the Lord into their lives. I had never seen my dad show a bit of fear about anything during his life UNTIL I sat by his bedside while he was passing away. I could actually see fear in his eyes, knowing that he was about to find out that there is a true living God that he has denied into his life and he would have given him a fullfilled life and now eternal life (forever and ever) of peace and joy in the presence of the Lord. The most amazing thing that I have noticed in my life since I have accepted the Lord, is that the Lord will bless others that are around you. My daughters are starting to make wiser choices and get their lives on track as well as everyone else around me. Life does not have to be a day to day struggle, we choose for it too be. The minute you ask the Lord into your life, life will never be the same again. Try him for yourself, you will see that the reason why Christians are always trying to get others to accept the Lord into their lives is because we have been on both sides of the CHOICE and we now know that the LORD'S side of the choice is far better than the other side and just want others that do not know, to find out and enjoy life as it was meant to be. There is no comparison. There will be NO excuses accepted from the Lord when we go to meet him as to why we denied into our lives. I promise to you that it makes NO difference what you have done in the past. Each and everyone of else has something in our life that we do not enjoy at times and it makes NO difference what it is. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, adultry, pride, laziness, rude, it makes NO difference what it is and we all have something. When you get tired of it and want to change your life, the Lord is the ONLY long term answer and the peace and joy that comes from the change is a peace and joy that you will NEVER know from any other source. Your life can and will change today if you want it to and if you call on the Lord to do it for you. Do not hesitate for a minute to contact me, if you would like to hear more about what the Lord can and will do in your life for you and your family or if you have any MGB questions.

May the Lord bless this day for you and remember denying the Lord will NOT change one thing in the future and it still remains to be our CHOICE!

I had my staples removed on Monday and had lost 14 pounds in 5 days!!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I can't remember being 14 pounds lighter so fast. Since being home, I have been weak and have to lay in bed several times during the day. I have not had any pain or vomiting. I have had some nausea. I am following the manual precisely. Today is the first day I have actually felt like my "normal" self. I can't wait to get to the Stage 2 foods. I have no regrets about the surgery and have recommended it to my brother. I know that every day is going to be a better day. I will be in contact. I just wanted to share my experience with everyone.

I am 4 years out in Nov. Pre-op wt 350, now 198.I had a baby 18 mo ago, and have not gained any weight, even during the pregancy, and she was fine. My only problem was iron def anemia( my-fault-did not take the multivits as directed)-that was found in a pre-op work up for a tummy tuck.  I had 3 iv iron infusions, and no more anemia, had the tummy tuck about 6 weeks ago( also had my arms done)-my doc took off 8 lbs of fat/skin from the stomach.  I would not do the arms again( very painful, trouble healing) I would do the tummy tuck again--no pain (very little). I have very little reflux, and try to stay away w/ what causes dumping for me( cereal w/ milk, ice cream and high-fat foods).  I can drink coffee and soda, but only 1 a day and the soda has to have a lot of ice/watered down to decrease the carbonation.  I used to be on a high blood pressure pill, sugar pill and depression pill-now nothing. was size 26-28, now size 14-16,

I'm a nurse, and a MGBer as well, and I'm 4 yrs out and another reason to stay away from caffeine is that its also a diuretic, which causes you to lose fluids and since you are already compromised to how much liquid you take in putting you at risk for dehydration, the added effect caffeine gives makes you lose more fluid making your risk of dehydration even higher...sooooo should you stay away from the caffeine? yep.....should you drink gatorade? yep......should you stay away from alcohol and carbonation...yep.... anyhow I thought you would like to know the caffeine tidbit and dehydration!