I'm 1 yr. and 1 mo. post-op. The day of surgery I was almost 40 years old, and weighed 350.4 lbs. Fortunately, I didn't have many serious co-morbidity's, but I did have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and even more prevalent in my mind, all the discomforts, embarrassments, self-esteem problems, and the fear and sadness of what my future held for me. I had lost hope for my future...The diets didn't work, and I knew I would never be "normal", my health was only going to decline, and I would continue to miss out on what life could offer me. I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful children, and I was missing out on so much. I was truly hopeless, and that's a terrible feeling.

Today I weighed and I've lost a total of 145.9 lbs. It's been about 19 years since I weighed this amount. I feel GREAT, I look so much better, my blood pressure is down, I no longer snore...I'm involved in all kinds of activities with my family...We just went on an 8 mile bike ride, and had a blast! I no longer break out in a sweat when we are seated at a booth in a restaurant, or when I try to get on a ride at an amusement park...And my future looks bright again. I don't have the fear that I'm going to die of a heart attack, or end up in a wheel chair, because my knees just won't support my weight anymore. I have hope again...Dr. R. and the MGB have restored my hope, and given my life back to me. What more can I say? If you don't have your health, what do you have? Well, mine is improving each day.

I just wanted to share...And especially to any pre-ops considering the MGB, or newly post-ops, going through recovery right now. The good things in life are worth working for, and this is definitely one of them.

I have posted pictures and my monthly loss amounts on NING at the following link, if anyone is interested. http://minigastricbypassrus.ning.com/profile/GeoWash

Thanks, and have a great day!! ~Georgia

I was told that you are writing an article about Dr. Rutledge and his MGB procedure. I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know of our experience. My husband, Mike, and I both had the MGB surgery on Nov 2nd (Karyl) and Nov 3rd (Mike), 2005.

We decided to do the surgery as a way to help Mike with his many health issues. He had severe diabetes, High blood pressure, Sleep Apnea, and was taking 5 different medications (10 pills) daily.

Karyl was borderline diabetic and was having borderline high blood pressure. I weighed 302 lbs and was gaining weight monthly as my metabolism changed and as menopause approached.

After our surgeries (actual time for surgery for Karyl was 34 minutes and Mike was 36 minutes) we were in the hospital for 24 hours and we were out and about shopping in Las Vegas the day after our surgery.

From that day on Mike has not had to take any of his medications. His blood sugar is normal, his blood pressure is normal, and his sleep apnea has gone as the weight has come off. Both Mike and Karyl's test results are now in the normal range for all indicators.

We can eat whatever we want (in small portions) and we are feeling healthier and stronger everyday. As of today we have each lost 75 lbs since our surgeries 3 months ago and we are enjoying feeling healthy and strong and vibrant. We did not expect such positive results after so many years of ill health but we are exceedingly pleased with the results. We continue to improve our health every day and enjoy our new start in life with no debilitating diseases.

We researched all the other types of Gastric bypass and chose the MGB because of the high success rate, low mortality rate, and low future complication rate. This procedure has provided us with a new start in life and a tool to assist us to be healthy for the remainder of our lives.

Thank you for you time. If you would like to contact me the best way to reach me is by email since I live in Hawaii but I will include my numbers and address for your information.

I suggest taking them to a support meeting or an informational seminar. Where are you located? All of us on the boards can direct you to the nearest support group.

I am in Greenville SC and we have a great support group of over 60 people. Not all of us attend every meeting, but we will always have some at every meeting. My husband went with me to my first few local support meetings and now 2 years out, he still attends from time to time. When we attended an informational MGB seminar, he was convinced that this was the answer we had been praying for. The surgeons and post ops have a way of making everyone feel comfortable with the decision. They need to know that this is NOT the RNY and things are a lot different and much healthier. They can hear it from you but until it comes from those who have experienced it or from medical professionals, it does not carry the influence that it should.

In addition, I knew that this was a controversial topic so I kept emails and contact stories in a notebook. After I was convinced that this is what i was going to do, I sat down with my family and poured out my heart to them. They knew that I had struggled all my life with my weight. But there were things that they knew nothing of struggles that I went through every day. I educated them on the differences of the surgeries and told them why the MGB was best choice for me. They had LOT of questions. Not all of them could I answer, but a most of them I could. I told them that the RNY had a 1/200 death rate and the MGB had 1/2000 death rate. I told them the recovery time was significantly less. In addition people were returning to work in less than 3 days. ( I went to work the NEXT day-by the way) I had researched for over 4 months before I told anyone other than my husband. It is amazing what you can learn on a topic in months. If I were you, I would get really educated and when/if you decided to do this, THEN sit down with all the information and share from your heart what you feel needs to be done and why you need their support.

Hope this helps!

I met Dr. R. in Statesville last June. In the clinic meeting, a woman asked him if we had an eating disorder. He said, "No, maam, your genes are different. When I get full, my genes say, "Robert that is enough." When you get full, your genes say, "That was great. How about some more." For the first time in my life, I heard someone way, "This isn't your fault." I knew that I could lose weight, I just couldn't keep it off. Not feeling so guilty for being a failure was great. It still is. I have lost 101 pounds in not quite 11 months. The loss has slowed down considerably, but it is consistent. Dr. Rutledge, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Take care and God bless.

The best advice is to go to the web site www.clos.net, explore the information there, download and read the manual, watch the movies and look at the pictures in the manual. To put the MGB simply, the surgeon creates a new stomach pouch, vertically, on the small side of the stomach, then loops up the small intestine, bypassing approximately 6 feet and creates a connection at the bypass point to the new stomach pouch, down low to avoid bile getting near the esophagus. The surgery is done laparoscopicaly and is reversible and revisable laparoscopicaly.

Here is my contact letter if you would like to use it.. good luck on your journey!!!!

Debbie in St. Louis

Name: Debbie S. e-mail: spink705   "@" hotmail.com pre/o weight: 288lbs post/o weight: 184lbs(as of today 7/8/04)
 

Well, I don't even know really where to begin!!!

I started researching WLS for what seems a life time ago. I looked into having the Open RNY in Chicago at the Bariatric Treatment Centers in Jan. of 2003. I knew that after my husband and I drove up there and talking to the dr. that would have done my surgery, that there was no way that I could go thru with that procedure. It scared me and I left feeling worse than when I came in. I had seen the CLOS website on the internet a few months before my trip in Jan. but thought.. ok, a dr. from the internet.. right!!

In Feb. of 2003, I received an e-mail from both Margaret and Bev. here in the St. Louis area. We made arrangements to meet at a rest... there was Marg., Bev, Dave W. and his wife Carol and Sara and Marg.s daughter! This meeting would forever change my life and I am soooo grateful to the two of these women who done nothing but share their stories of success and knowledge with us that night. I sat in awe listening to them thinking, this surgery is for real... it has worked for the two of them and I know it can work for me! I remember going home and just rambling (like I still do now) to my husband about this surgery... I was so hyped up I talked for 3 hours straight. My/our only concern was coming up with the $17,000. We have 5 children and it would not be easy coming up with that for us! I am forever grateful to Dave for setting me straight. I had tremendous guilt for wanting to spend the money on my surgery but ultimately, he told me.. Debbie your children need a mother to raise them.. thanks Dave!!

Fast forward almost 10 months.. to October of 2003! (Yes, it literally took me almost 10 months.. trying to acquire funding and then I switched jobs so that their health insurance would cover my surgery ... or I hoped it would.. and eventually, UHC covered all but $10 of my surgery!) I was the first that day.. I begged them to take my littermate, my best and only friend from Boise, ID.. Kimmie!!! On that Monday morning I weighted in at 288lbs! My surgery lasted one hour and 10 minutes due to some scar tissue from my c-section with my twins. I remember waking up in my room with my sister and husband there! Dave had left flowers and Ray was on the phone with Margaret! I woke up in a little pain, but mainly feeling bloated, big time. I hit the pain pump right away! One, because I didn't know if I was going to be in pain and two, because I paid for it. LOL

I was up walking the halls by 5p.m.(or I think) I walked several times that night both by myself and with my littermate Kim. I tired easily and wasn't one to want to go shopping the following day!!!! I left the hospital the following morning and we went to wal-mart for the essentials. Went back to the hotel and rested. On Wednesday morning my husband drove back to st. louis for our 2 1/2(at the time) year old twins and drove back that evening. I hung out with my littermate and we went to the movies and grabbed a bite to eat. Meaning soup!

The hospital was very, very nice! The nurses were wonderful!

Thursday and Friday we spent a couple hours at the park across from St. John's playing kick ball with our twins. I still tired very easily but this surgery was easier than my c-section and having my gallbladder removed. Those two days being at the park was such beautiful days and I knew I had a new lease on life! Almost like a miracle had happened in my life! After everything it took me to get to this point.. the denial, the financing, I just felt so relieved and so grateful for everything that has happened to get there!

This has been such a wonderful experience for me and the only issue I have had was in my first month post-op I did take meds for H. Pylori. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't that bad either and my weight loss out ways the H. Pylori! I do take the acodphils(spelling is wrong) pills everyday in addition to a yogurt! I am very faithful about taking my meds but will admit that I screw up once in a while and get right back on track!

My life is so much better almost 100lbs lighter. My self-confidence is wonderful, for the first time in 7/8 years I am comfortable in my own skin/body and that is an accomplishment in itself. I am more involved in my own life as well as my step and my children's lives. Having 5 kids, I am able to keep up more and do more with and for them without constantly complaining about how bad I hurt because of my weight. I am a much better friend/wife/lover to my husband then I ever could have imagined.. and don't think he is not grateful either.. ha-ha..

I thank god almost everyday that I was lead to this website and Dr. H. I don't know if the good Dr. realizes just the impact he has on my life! Seeing him, it's very emotional for me.. I think he probably thinks I need therapy.. ha-ha.. But, I guess I am finally finding the way to deal with just how much pain emotionally) that my weight caused me. It still is very emotional to talk about. Elizabeth is wonderful, I love her dearly and I am grateful she is always there to answer my questions!!!

I have met some wonderful people on this board and will forever be grateful for their input, the friendships and the uniqueness! I love each one of you to death!

After a laborious flight from St. Louis to Chicago to Raleigh-Durham with Milk of Magnesium on her tummy (oh yeah, baby...it gives new meaning to "flying the friendly skies!"), Bev was born at 2:10 p.m. by attending physician and genius surgeon, Dr. Robert Rutledge.

Spending 20 hours in the hospital allowed little Bevy to leave the facility WALKING and with the uncontrollable desire to SHOP before going to Home Sweet Hotel.

It has been quite a journey for the girl! She now weighs in at 120 and seems to be half the woman she used to be! The chick has emerged. The dating frenzy has begun. And celebrating her 2nd birthday with a happy hour (Propel with a twist of lemon) Bev never was healthier or happier. She will present herself with lots of presents to mark the anniversary of her new life. Skorts, shorts, skirts, swim suits, high heels, and the like will be among the many treats she will enjoy today as her Master Card has not yet expired and the numbers (while not quite visible) are still readable when scanned.

While only two candles light the 54 year old "cake", this birthday marks the beginning of a new and wonderful life. It closes the many chapters on obesity, the frustrations with diets, the layered-look cover up clothing years, and many missed activities because of shortness of breath, high blood pressure, and swollen and achy joints.

The girl gets what the girl wants. Spoiled? Yep! But she spent years trapped in a large body and years shopping at the "Lane" but wishing she was at "Victoria’s." Now the butterfly has emerged and she's not content to sit on the sidelines...nope, she's not going to sit it out anymore...she's going to dance (like nobody's watching)!!!! She's going to the beach and this year she'll leave the cover ups behind, don the bikini (OMG, I can't believe I'm admitting to that one), and prowl Florida for Mr. Right (yeah right, in Mom and Dad's condo community where the average age is 94)!

You get the picture though, right? This birthday is special. Dr. Rutledge is special! And I'm one happy camper to say the very least. I wish everyone the journey I've had. Now if you'll excuse me, I must continue to sing "Happy Birthday to me!"

Bev in St. Louis

Easy surgery. Ports still weeping. I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but it's probably a result of the two nights without sleep (the one before the surgery and the one after the surgery). I also wasn't prepared for black liquid bowel movements but am told that's ok. Blood pressure up and down. I'm taking it and reporting it daily to see if I need the meds back. I'm grateful for being able to have the surgery and for getting through it. I'm still wearing those awful stockings, but they're coming off when I take a shower later today. This is my first post op report, and I will go on the web site and do my duty ASAP. Suzanne A Chino 7/8/04.

By way of background, I'm 36 and have two daughters, 17 yrs and 5yrs. I've been married for 18 years and am very busy with the girls and their activities, work full time and also care for my mentally disabled brother. In other words, by the end of the day, I typically look like hell, am tired and use all my strength to be patient and a good mom and wife to my family.

A few weeks ago, I was getting out of the car at home with the girls, our bags, the mail, etc., trying to juggle everything, saying hello to the neighbor, yelling at the dogs to get off the fence, and this guy walks up from a bottle water company. I'm sure I looked like I was a haggard mess but he asks if "your mom is home?" to me! At first, I wanted to smack him because I wasn't in the mood to be smoozed. But instead I said, "I'm mom". and he looked really surprised, looked at my 17 year old and myself and said he thought we were sisters and asked how old my daughter was. Well, by the time I put my things down, got rid of the sales guy, shepparded the 5 year old in the house (yelled at the dogs again), I ran to the mirror to look for what this guy thought he saw. I just don't see it. Not too long ago, one of my daughters new friends though I was her cousin. It's REALLY strange!!

Just wanted to let the world know that I'm 101 lbs lighter as of Monday. I'm currently 6 1/2 months out and I'm truly loving life. I hope that everyone continue to progress and enjoy your weight loss. Some of us my lose weight faster than other, however the only thing that matters is that we all are losing weight. Take care and enjoy.

In regard to the coffee I was a 15 cup-a-day drinker and I did not have any trouble with withdrawal. I drank coffee right up to the night before the surgery. I am 2 months out and I tried a drink of my wife’s coffee a couple of times and for some reason I now don't like the taste of coffee at all. Weird huh. I do have 1 or 2 cups of decaf tea a day but for the first 6 weeks I did not have anything and really did not crave it. I went through the worrying about everything just like you are and you know what: just relax and don't worry everything will work out.

I would be glad to be a contact for you and if you have any questions email me at gregroyd@personinternet.com. My surgery date was May 12, 04 and I am down 47 pounds today. My PreOp weight was 300 and I am now 253. My age is 51 and I had a BMI of 43. I am 5ft. 8 inches tall. I had Dr. Rutledge and Dr. D at Bay City Michigan they were great and explained everything before the surgery. The surgery went well and I would do it again in a minute. It is challenging to slow down my eating and limit my quantities but your body will teach you, although the lessons can be rough. Lol Well I hope this helps and best of luck.

I had the surgery on May 15th, 2003. Since then I have lost 107 pounds, have been able to go off most of my medicines and feel so much better. I was suffering from hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, chronic edema, stress fractures in both feet, and knees and back that nearly killed me to get up and move. I had begun falling asleep during the morning staffing meetings at work and was really embarrassed when this happened--though my director never mentioned it. I had to use either crutches or one of the wheel chairs at work and this was a great inconvenience for me and I'm sure for my co-workers. I had tried every diet on Dr. R's list and two others that weren't. Since I had the surgery, my life has changed so much for the better. I dreaded the surgery but had gotten to the place that I felt like I might as well go ahead and die. I was that miserable. I am no longer on meds for the diabetes, have normal blood sugar. And can walk without any type of support. I have gone from a tight size 26 to a 14-16 and am still losing, but at a slower rate. I no longer have the stress fractures in my feet and haven't been to my podiatrist in over six months. I see my regular physician and he does blood work every three months and so far, everything looks good. Shortly after the surgery, I had terrible diarrhea and this was an inconvenience but I work in a place where I had ready access to a bathroom. It lasted for about six weeks or so. I sometimes have a problem now with constipation but when this happens, I increase the Citrucel. I had to pay up front (as do we all) for the surgery and so far, Blue Cross has refused to reimburse me. I am still fighting with them and plan to continue to do so. Good luck on your new life.

I never in a million years would have considered WLS let alone picked a Dr. from a website but hey my odds of living a long healthy life were becoming increasingly small so I went for it.

I arrived in Joplin on a Saturday evening, had pre-op with Dr. H on Sunday afternoon and was in surgery on 2pm Monday. It was a very nervous time for me as you can well imagine. I was very worried how I would adapt after surgery and if I would be throwing up all the time and miserable.

Well it just gets easier from here :0)....my surgery was 1 hour long. I woke up in what I call no pain, just the feeling like you did 100 sit ups. I spent the night in St. Johns Hospital and was released the next day early afternoon. That evening in the hospital I did walk the halls often and sip Gatorade and broth and some yogurt. All went down fine with no pain.

I spent the next 5 days in Joplin, had my staples out and went home. I lost 3 pounds the first 5 days. I felt great on the flight home. Since surgery I have had absolutely no problems. I did throw up twice due to my own inability to LISTEN....when people tell you to chew well and eat slow they really mean it. This small bit of advice will save you much self inflicted agony.

I am now 7 months post op. I have lost 77.5 pounds. I no longer have high blood pressure, cholesterol, joint pain or acid reflux. The weight loss has not been as fast as others but I am very pleased. It has been steady and consistent.

Dr H is a fantastic surgeon and a very caring person. His office staff is the best. The nurses at St. Johns were also very kind. Over all a great experience.

I did have my appendix out 5 months later. My surgeon here in Boise said it had nothing to do with the MGB and it was just one of those things that happens.

I am able to eat most anything I like. I have noticed that breads are just too much for my tummy and I don’t go near them if possible, they make me feel stuffed in a minute and I can not eat anything else. Rice and pasta are fine. My tummy is best with sea food…..yeh OK, I like the expensive stuff.

I have gone from a size 28 to a size 16/18 in 7 months. I just returned from my honeymoon and was able to walk for miles around Seattle and up hill I might add without joint pain or getting winded. I feel fantastic.

I am so very happy that I had the MGB. It is a feeling like finally, I can escape this non-existent life of fat and live again. It feels nice to cross my legs, tie my shoes, fit into a restaurant booth....the list goes on. Everyday life has gotten so much easier and better.

I hope this information helps you make a wonderful decision for yourself.

And one last benefit of the MGB you meet so many wonderful people willing to listen and help. I meet Debbie Spinks from Missouri and have made a good friend for life.

This is Elizabeth, your motivator! I had the surgery!!?! I was last on the surgery schedule, since I had the most allergies and asthma, I just say they saved the best for last LOL (just kidding litter mates). I didn't go in until 3:45 -4:00ish, it was hard to wait so long, not eating wasn't hard but I was so thirsty from going without any liquid from 11:00 the night before, I did have a few ice chips around 10:00 that morning, and I admit that I talked my boyfriend in to a cap full of coke from the coke bottle at around 2:00. . . .(ahhhh my last coke so long fair friend) . They gave me a shot of decahedron before they started the anesthesia, just to make sure everything would be OK. They pushed it kind of of fast and I had the worst pain I almost jumped off the gurney, it felt like my groin area was on fire, I mean like I had been torched down there, they said that was a normal side effect from pushing it so fast, ( I just thought I'd warn anyone who ever gets in the same situation) Surgery went well, they played my music in the OR for me, Carlos Naki a Native American who plays the flute in the canyon and a CD cascade by my friend Larijai, It really helped to calm and center me. Before I knew it I was waking up in recovery and the anesthesiologist was calling my name. I was in pain, whoa, I thought what have I done, they hit me with dilaudid and I was much relieved. I did some healing touch techniques of raking the pain off and then I was out again until I got to my room. I got out of surgery and was back in my room by 5:00 something. My friends and boyfriend were there waiting for me, they said I told them all to shut up because they were laughing and telling jokes and I told them I didn't want to laugh. I hit the pain pump and was out, when I woke up I was able to get up to go to the bath room, thank goodness I had help. I didn't walk until around 9:00, it was very slow going, but it is a must. I also had a JP drain in one of my ports, and it had to be emptied every hour to two hours, it was not all blood mostly serous fluid (the clear liquid you get from a zit or road rash). Maybe that is why I had extra pain, also I have never had children or any surgery other then knee and nose surgery and that was when I was 17 and younger, now that I'm 42 I guess those years make a difference. I did stay an extra day and night in the hospital, because of the drain and my breathing was a bit off, I had to use my inhaler a lot to keep my lungs clear. the next morning they removed the drain and I was off to my friends house for recovery. I didn't eat much at first part of a popsicle, and Gatorade, a part of a saltine and that's about it. It was rough going, I had to wear a maxi pad over the port that had, had the drain in it and I had to change it every hour, the excess drainage stopped by Saturday and on Sunday I was able to have just a Band-Aid cover that hole. The worst part was the red rash left by the surgical tape. (and trying to get that sticky tape glue off) but by Sunday I was feeling better then before surgery. My parents picked me up and Monday I had my staples out at CLOS. The hospital was super, the staff was excellent, they were there for you all the way and so attentive. DR Welsh is an excellent surgeon and I'm so happy I did it despite all of the doubt I had right after surgery (that was just the pain talking LOL) SO girl finish up that packet send it in What are you waiting for? Ask me any questions I'll answer them. I here for you if you need me!! Good luck and get going!!

Hugs,
Elizabeth 06/22/04 HighPoint NC
339/306/121 -someday

PS it's really 305 I found out my silver jewelry weighs a pound.

I was 2 months post op on July 4. I don't know if normal if the correct word for how I feel because most sensations having to do with my stomach are different than they were pre op. Hunger feels different and full feels different than they did before. 2 months is definitely better than 1 month or even 6 weeks. I can eat almost anything now and more than I could earlier on. Sometimes I feel like I have eaten too much - uncomfortable for a 1/2 hour or so after eating - but never to the point of throwing up or dumping. I have found that it is not always the same things that make me feel uncomfortable. I had Chinese for lunch one day and it was great, so at supper time I thought I would just eat some of the left overs from lunch. Well, the second time it didn't agree with me at all. I think you will find that over all you will continue to feel better every week post op, with maybe a little set back once in a while. As we always say this was a pretty major thing that we have done and we really don't want things to be the same as before so I guess we will have to put up with a little discomfort once in a while. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will do great!

I was pleased to hear from one of your staff members today. They were calling for Nancy but she was at work. Somebody around here has to make some money:). I am home recuperating from hip replacement. I am doing fine and as I have said it before, I owe it all to you. When I was heavy, I went to my orthopedic doctor, Dr. Steven Kouba, of Fayetteville, and complained of right hip problems. He noted on the x-ray in (circa 92") that I had broken my hip at one point in my teen years and it healed 2-3 degrees off line. He said he could do the surgery but I would be in a wheel chair because of my weight bearing on the new joint. He said if I lost 100 lbs he would reconsider. After meeting you in Chapel Hill (that seems so long ago) and my weight success, I returned to Dr. Kouba and he was excited that I had lost the weight (125 lbs). I had so much bounce in my step that he said in his special bedside manner (I believe both of you had the same medical language instructor for that class because both of you are great communicators) that I would have to drag my leg in and hand it to him. We had a laugh and I left. He has seen me for rotator cuff surgeries and finally last November my hip was locking up so I made the appointment for June 04. In December, Dr. Mark Miller of Fayetteville removed 11 lbs of skin and repositioned my nipples (abdominoplasty and gono*&^%something plasty for my chest). I weigh 192 lbs from top weight of 365 lbs. My diabetes is non-existent. Since my stroke 3 years ago, I have aggressively managed by blood pressure. My last blood pressure was 110/68 at rest. After strenuous work, it is 130/80. I continue to take blood pressure medicine and a catapres patch. I also take Ticlid for post stroke control. I know that the insurance industry feels that this is weight reduction surgery and fat people need to cowboy up and loose the weight without medical help. I call this philosophy "BOVINE FECES". If it was not for your determination and trail blazing strategies to cut through the bureaucracy and combing other illness as additional concerns for pursuit of the procedure, the only people that would be capitalizing would be the funeral home businesses. As I told you in my initial interview, I had tried all of the diets and weight control plans. If I would have taken that money and put it towards the surgery, I gladly would have done just that. People like me, who did not have very good eating habits and were raised in the south with the "Clean Plate Club"; we were destined to have the basis for failure along with gene pool that lent itself to the heavy side. Daily, we see in the news where obesity is at epidemic proportions but no one has a plan. I see Hollywood stars that had the audacity to have their surgery on television and then do their best to defeat the surgery by eating unhealthy and going back to their old eating lifestyles. There is "bounce back weight" and this needs to be addressed pre-surgical. Their diet needs to be followed up closely and examined when they get near a baseline weight. I too had to address this issue. I went as low as 188 lbs but when up to 235. When my 38' pants did fit I told myself I am not going to get fat again. I did the dairy thing for a couple of weeks to find out where the gremlins where. Once identified, I tried to move them around in my diet so that I would get the satisfaction of the food but did not put myself into a denial phase which would probably trigger binge eating. I incorporated healthier liquids by replacing soda with flavored waters. I try to have a bottle of water while I get ready for work so I can flush out the system by the time I get to work. The water helps me satiate my appetite better and makes food taste better.

Your co-worker stated that you were out in California. Nancy and I visited several years ago and I have an old football friend that is a retired lawyer/screenwriter living in Brent wood. I do not know if you would be able to recall a conversation we had when Nancy was having her procedure at Durham General. I said that you needed to get out of the confines of a hospital system and open a facility that was designated for the obese. It would have the whole 9 yards. From psychological dispositions, diet clinicians, pre- and post surgical counseling, and follow-up. You would be able to train the doctors who need to perform this procedure. You also need a crack legal team (Johnnie Cochran?) that would cut through the insurance BS and get the help these people need. I said you would have people lining up around the facility. I would also suggest at the time of surgical counseling that you touch on and refer the patient to a plastic surgeon (hopefully in the same building with you). Please make sure he does great work, not just credible work. The procedures that I see on television are mere stepping stones to further work that would make the person feel human again. {Note: Dr. M procedure on me was different than I see on the nip and tuck shows and I am extremely satisfied with his job} The plastic surgeon needs to have the same demeanor as you (refer to medical language instructor) as it will make the person feel less intimidated. Also, in a clandestine way, you need to have a financial counselor there (down the hall from you) that would prepare them for future expenses (i.e. new clothes, new friends (relationships cost :) and to look into ways of paying for the plastic surgery needed for the final tighten up.

Dr. Rutledge, as I said when you were in Chapel Hill and Durham, if you need me call, I'll be there in an hour. Since you’re in the Golden State, it will take a little longer to get there but once I touch down at LAX and get to the Avis counter, I'll be there.

May God Bless you and your family for your hard work and dedication.

Sincerely,

John Adams II NC

I too had horrible left shoulder and chest pain. They said walk it will get better. They thought it was maybe a gas bubble on my diaphragm (sp?). So I was the walking queen. I am about 10 weeks out and still get occasional pain. Some times it is bad sometimes just a dull ache. It passes. I have noticed when it hurts I am tired, stressed or hungry. I have a very stressful job and work 10 - 12 hours per day 7 days per week. BUT, I will take the shoulder pain verses the fat any day of the week! Best of luck but what the heck a battle wound. For me it is a little reminder of where I was and never want to go again.

Hi Amanda, I'm nearly three year post op.

You have done the first step.... joined this mailing list/support group.

The next thing you need to do is go to the www.clos.net website and download the Patient Manual. The Manual will give you tons of information about this surgery and what you have to do in order to be approved to have it. Also, read the website as well. I believe there is more information on the CLOS site than any other surgical weight loss site on the net. If you choose to have the MGB surgery you will know more about weight loss surgery than you can even now imagine. One of the things that the doctors want is for you to be fully and well informed.

Next you need to decide if you want the MGB. After that plan out your strategy of how you are going to full fill the patient packet information.

Welcome to the group and I know everyone looks forward to helping you with any questions you might need answered. I'm always happy to be contact... I've attached my information to this reply... If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Hugs, LyndaV

I guess I should have told you all what was wrong with me. Thanks for all the concern. As you all know as an obese person we all have a chance of a somewhat fatty liver. Well mine wasn't real bad, nor was it real good. I was eating biscuits and gravy, steak, potatoes, anything I wanted by end of April. 03. But then I started to notice a profound weakness in my legs. Then they started to swell. I had trouble eating in as much as I could eat two bites of something and then it just seemed to sit there. I felt sick and "puckie” all the time. I had no real heart burn, but did have a sour tummy all the time. The pain in my stomach was soooooo bad that I just simple quit eating any meat. I reverted to old diet habits; you know.....fresh fruits and veg's which seemed to not hurt so badly. I could not and still cannot stand any protein drinks. As it went, I complained and complained to the p.c about it and it just got worse. I got lymphodema in both legs and spent most of last summer in physical therapy for the removal of the excess fluids. I was hospitalized 3 times for removal of fluids using lasix and albumin. I would void 17 liters in a 24 hour period. That is 34 lbs!!!!!!!! I would come out of the hospital weak and "drained" in every sense of the word. I then would start to feel better, but in a couple of weeks it was worse again. For as much as I begged and pleaded with the p.c. to run a scope or x-ray or something on the stomach opening he just shook his head and told me that I just needed to give myself permission to eat. Like I was anorexic. Like I weighted 250 or so during this time and wham.....I was somehow anorexic!!!!!!!!Good laugh. But I started to question myself. I wanted to eat. I knew I needed to eat....I just could not without a lot of pain. So I simply quit..... I could not drive because of the compression bandages on both legs so I was stuck. I tried to find another local doc but no one was taking new patients......So I trusted the wrong person....my p.c. Bad choice. By Christmas I was passing out, could not stand, get off the couch without help, get up off the toilet without help, and take a shower without someone to help me up. I was a mess. Most of Christmas is a blur....I called Dr H who ask me to come in. He ordered a pee test. It came back full of ketones.......He was concerned and talked to pc about it....Pc didn't seem to think much about any of his concerns and told me I just needed to eat........No duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Jan I had a large mass by the belly button which had been growing for months. The therapists noticed it and questioned pc about it. He (pc) told her not to worry about it...Well; it needed to be worried about. It was my liver... I went to the local hospital Jan 8 for water removal. Stayed for 5, which I remember none of.....was taken out and transferred on a Tuesday morning to St Johns to intensive care and there I stayed. I had 4 units of blood, 2 of platelets. I had hemorrhaged while in the local hospital. Dr H was in Little Rock doing surgeon in training and he: God love his soul. Called me in intensive care and told me it was too late to get out Tuesday but he would be on the next flight back to Missouri and would see me by noon the next day...Walla! I hated for him to come back, because I know so many were waiting for their turn and I believe in this surgery 100% plus.....but I was sure glad to hear his voice, and to see him.....I had Gerd. Crappy, bad gerd. The gastrointerologist that came in said "Lady, you have one Hell of A case of gerd" I ask him if it was different from a regular case of gerd.....He say you better believe it........I stayed in St Johns for 6 days and left with a sub clavicle t p n line to feed me.......I went back in Jan 31, had the intestines let down on Feb 6 so I could absorb 100% of what I ate to help me. I was in Liver failure. Pure and simple. I had 2 more units of blood, and stayed 15 days. Dr H was my doctor all along. Now understand this.......This procedure did not cause this...I have the word of several doctors on this......It was the gerd and a %^$#@@%* pc. I would do the procedure all over again.......full speed ahead. I want everyone to know that if I had the r n y it would not have been so easily reversed. I am so thankful for the expertise of Dr H, for Dr. R's careful selection of his surgeons, for the dedication, and compassion of Dr H and all the other new surgeons. I still have issues with my liver enzymes. I take prilosec like it was candy. If I forget it I remember real quickly. My hair almost all fell out, nails were thin and brittle, like paper, my skin were so thin and fragile that anything that touched me was painful. My legs were swollen and covered with weeping watering sores. But now, It is all better and while I have to be very careful with my protein levels. I eat what I want, and drink 24 ounces of Milk every day to get the bulk of my protein early in the day. I don't care much for meat, and any soy products or protein drinks are major gross........I would like to loose another 20 or so lbs, but I have always said that I would be ecstatic at 199. 2 more lbs to go. Have seen a plastic surgeon for the excess skin removal as my insurance will pay for it if I can document skin infections. I can. I plan on having it done later in the year. I wake up every day and face this........I go to bed at night thankful for the day that I have had..........I have been given the tools to deal with my food addiction on my own. My stomach is still altered, which is good. But honestly, I just refuse to go back to the way that I was.....I am much happier, healthier, (yep) and absolutely not as depressing as I was.......I am alive and coping. Considering 6 months ago they called in my family to tell me good by at McCune Brooks Hospital...I think I am pretty lucky. I definitely am lucky to have the family that I have, the extended family that I have with my MGB, all my friends, the staff at Clos and Dr H.....God takes us each one down a path........While mine has been somewhat bumpy this last little way, it has been a path worth going down........ I still preach this procedure to anyone that will listen. I back it with everything that I am......I think this is the future in the search for a "cure" for obesity. Medicine changes daily, and if your pc won't get on the band wagon to help his patients, for heavens sake, jump off and get another doc that will. So far my biggest regret.... Well, now you know.........I see Dr H this month...Lets all hope it works out....Any ole way, I am happy. Take care and please, EAT YOUR PROTEIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had H. Pylori for the past eight weeks now....it starts off with a constant hunger feeling....you might gets lots of growling....but you will notice that food does not calm it....then it will progress into a real bad acid reflux problem where you may not be able to sleep b/c acid will reflux into your throat....it will also feel like constant gnawing and grinding in your stomach....normally your surgeon will give you the Prevpac which contains two antibiotics that are each taken four times a day (b/c H. Pylori tends to be resistant to antibiotics) and an acid reducer like Prevacid or Prilosec that you take twice a day and Pepto which is taken four times a day....this "combo" will be taken for two weeks....in my own experience and others I have talked with who have suffered the same problem, tend to need more than one "dose"....I am just now finishing my third "dose" and STILL have H. Pylori....I now will need to go for an endoscope to see what else is going on....I am also allergic to one of the meds in the regular Prevpac so the Dr. gave me other combinations of antibiotics.....good luck to you....I hope you don’t have it, but if you do please feel free to contact me for some "support" b/c it gets very frustrating

Good to hear you’re doing well there in St. Louis. I definitely agree with you. Approaching 2 years here in a few days (10th), I have stopped losing and notice the more carbs I eat I can gain. When I load up on the carb foods like pizza, bread, sweets, more pizza, all because I get lazy and they are easy to eat. I'll gain about 3 lbs, and then I'll eat protein and fruits and veggies. I'll drop them. I have stabilized for the most part, but have exercised a lot with weights and bilking and have lost inches but not weight.

I still have the old habits too. I have to really try and fight them. I could eat all day!!!

My surgery was 6/30/03 and I have lost 117 lbs total. I have had no health problems, in fact I am healthier and have have had no reoccurence of diabetes or hypertension which I had prior to surgery. My only regret was not having this surgery sooner.

This is my sixth month of joy. I had my surgery on Dec. 29th 2003. I am truly blessed. I have had no complications whatsoever! my energy level is up my blood pressure is normal, my back pain has almost disappeared, I can fit in booths at restaurants, and airplane seats and no additional belts are needed! I can sit at the movies without feeling cramped, I can walk from my car to the store and walk up and down the aisles without panting and stopping to catch my breath or swollen feet or ankles no more snoring. It was all worth every penny!

My start weight was around 360lbs. and my weight today is 285 lbs. 75 pounds gone for good could be more if I exercised more. I have no one to blame.

I am grateful to God, Dr. Rutledge, and Martha in that order for the progress I have made.

Be Encouraged Everyone!

Nell

Holly,

OK, now I know why we guys remain on the list . . . .

This is an interesting question and Dr R has responded with a great medical response. In fact, this past week there was an article which addressed the ED issue in obese men - and the physical relief that came simply from weight loss.

The problem is, my impression is that as much sex happens between the ears as between the sheets. So much of our sexuality comes from how we feel about ourselves and how we think others view us. Having been overweight for most of my life - from the 'husky' 5 year old until losing the 400 lbs over the last 4 years the very last thing I wanted to do was get buck naked in front of ANYONE - much less a woman. Even someone I loved.

Like you, my wife married me not for what was between my legs - although I made the most of what I had my size alone led to restrictions in what we could do. Probably one of the reasons why I have always had great relationships with women - but always platonic friends. They'd even ask my advice in their relationships. For all intents I was the gay friend - only problem is I wasn't gay!! My guy friends were envious and couldn't believe no hanky panky was happening. My gal friends always wanted to find a nice guy like me - but someone not stored in a 'super-sized' container I suppose. So, bottom line, BEEN THERE. DONE THAT. UNDERSTAND WHERE HE IS COMING FROM.

1. does being overweight affect sexual arousal in men? YES. IN MY CASE I HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY SELF-IMAGE. I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE MYSELF NUDE, WHY THE HELL WOULD ANYONE ELSE. Physically or emotionally? PHYSICALLY AS WELL. DR R PROVIDES A GREAT DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL ISSUES. THERE IS PLENTY IN THE MEDICAL LITERATURE THAT CAN HELP THERE. HE'LL NEED TO RULE OUT MEDICAL ISSUES THAT LEAD TO SUCH PROBLEMS. A RECENT ARTICLE IN FACT THIS PAST WEEK DEALS WITH THAT SPECIFICALLY. BUT MEN SEE THERE ENTIRE (OR A HUGE PORTION) OF SEXUAL BEING BETWEEN THEIR LEGS. MANY WOMEN UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN SIZE, BUT TRY TO CONVINCE A MAN WHO HAS AVOIDED PUBLIC SHOWERS TO AVOID BEING HUMILIATED BY THE ENLARGED BREASTS, FLAB AND RESULTING SMALL (OR APPARENTLY SMALL) PENIS SIZE. MEN CHECK OUT THE 'COMPETITION' - FAT GUYS EVEN AVOID PUBLIC TOILETS SO AS NOT TO BE EMBARRASSED BY THE OUTWARD SIZE. WE TELL OURSELVES SIZE DOESN'T MATTER - BUT NOBODY REALLY BELIEVES THAT. LOSING WEIGHT TOOK CARE OF THAT. MOVE THE SURROUNDING MOUNDS OF TISSUE AND VOILA - MR. HOWDY IS BIGGER THAN ANYONE IMAGINED. ONE VERY NICE SIDE BENEFIT OF THE WEIGHT LOSS TO BE SURE BUT DOESN'T OVERCOME DECADES OF TRYING TO AVOID SEXUAL SITUATIONS.

2. does weight loss 'fix' it? MAY FIX THE PHYSICAL BUT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PART IS MUCH TOUGHER TO OVERCOME. BODY SELF IMAGE IS HARD TO CHANGE. I'VE BEEN AT A SIZE 32 OR SO FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS BUT STILL SEE MYSELF AS A FAT MAN. I MENTIONED MY FORMER SIZE TO SOMEONE OVER DINNER THE OTHER NIGHT. SHE HAD NO CLUE. HER RESPONSE WAS - 'I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT. YOU ARE SUCH A BEAN POLE'. BUT I LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND STILL SEE A FAT GUY. MAYBE THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE. I'M ONLY SURE IT IS SLOW AND TRAILS THE PHYSICAL WEIGHT LOSS BY A LOT!!!

3. How important is a healthy sex life to a long-term relationship? I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT - BUT NOT THE ONLY THING. IT ALSO DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE. IN FACT, MY WIFE AND I HAVE SWAPPED SPOTS. AFTER MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN SHE HAD A MARKED DROP IN DESIRE. NOT UNUSUAL BUT NOW THAT I AM MORE READY, WILLING AND ABLE THERE ISN'T A RECIPROCAL DESIRE. FRUSTRATING BUT ALSO SOMETHING I / WE HAVE LEARNED TO DEAL WITH. DO I WISH IT WAS DIFFERENT? ABSOLUTELY. BUT WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER SO LONG THAT WE CAN GET BEYOND IT. MAYBE THE SWITCH WILL GO BACK ON, AND IF IT DOES WATCH OUT. BUT THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF OUR RELATIONSHIP THAT MAKE IT WORK - AND HAVE FOR >25 YEARS.

4. does anybody have any advice out there? I really love this man, he is honest, caring, thoughtful, smart, successful, well thought of at work, ambitious, loves to travel, and is crazy about me. I feel rejected, sad and frustrated that he is not making more sexual advances towards me. I'll stay if there is any hope, but I don't think at my age (38) I should be enjoying my partner on that level as well as our intellectual connection. I'D RECOMMEND USING YOUR SIZE 8 BLONDE BODY TO DRAW HIM OUT OF HIS SHELL. I LOVED IT WHEN MY WIFE WAS THE AGGRESSOR AND MADE ME FEEL LIKE A DESIRABLE MAN. HAVING BEEN FAT I WAS AWKWARD AT SEXUAL ADVANCES, UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE TYPICAL MANLY MAN - AGGRESSOR ROLE. FIND POSITIONS THAT WORK WITH WHAT HE'S GOT. STANDARD MISSIONARY ISN'T THE MOST PRODUCTIVE FOR AN OBESE MAN. THE REASON HE MAY NOT BE MORE OF THE AGGRESSOR IS PROBABLY MORE TO DO WITH HIM THAN YOU. TAKE IT SLOW. SHOW HIM YOU LOVE HIM AND DESIRE HIM PHYSICALLY. TRY SOME ROLE PLAYING OR FANTASY STUFF. YOU MAY FIND THAT HE IS OPEN TO MORE THINGS THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT. IF HE IS DENSE LIKE ME YOU NEED TO BE PRETTY BLUNT. I'M SO DENSE THAT SUBTLE INNUENDO NEVER GETS THROUGH. MY WIFE AND HER BEST FRIEND JUST CRACK UP WHEN I GET HIT ON. I DON'T CATCH ON. I JUST THINK A WOMAN IS BEING FRIENDLY AND DON'T PICK UP ON THE CLUES. I'VE EVEN HAD A WOMAN LEAVE ME A ROOM KEY AT A WEDDING RECEPTION AND WAS STILL - DUH? TRYING TO PICK ME UP? ME? YOU GOTTAS BE KIDDING!!! IF YOUR BOYFRIEND IS CLUELESS TOO HE MAY NOT BE PICKING UP ON THE CLUES. HIT HIM OVER THE HEAD WITH THAT FRENCH MAID OUTFIT AND SEE IF IT HAS AN EFFECT :-))

I'D ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT YOUR SURGERY - BUT NOT IN THE BEDROOM AND NEVER WHEN YOU WANT TO GET HIM IN THE MOOD. NOTHING TURNED ME OFF MORE THAN SOMETHING THAT REMINDED ME OF MY SIZE. DON'T IMPLY THAT HE NEEDS IT, BUT LET HIM KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE HE WILL GET THE DESIRE TO INVESTIGATE THINGS ON HIS OWN, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE HIS THOUGHT, HIS IDEA, NEVER EVER SOMETHING HE FEELS YOU PUSHED HIM INTO. MY WIFE USED TO TELL ME THAT SHE LOVED ME FAT. SHE MARRIED ME FAT. SHE STAYED WITH ME FAT. SHE'D LOVE ME THIN BUT ONLY IF I WERE HAPPY WITH MYSELF.

GOOD BODS WITH BLACK HEARTS (AND LOW IQ'S) SEEM TO BE IN GREATER SUPPLY THAN MANY WOULD DESIRE. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE PHYSICAL IS SO MUCH EASIER TO CHANGE THAN THE INSIDE. TAKE IT SLOW. TRY TO DRAW HIM OUT OF HIS SHELL AND YOU MAY BE GREATLY SURPRISED AT THE RESULT.

SORRY TO BE SO GRAPHIC. I WORK WITH PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS - WHO ALSO HAVE ED ISSUES - AND HAVE LEARNED TO BE OUT FRONT AND BLUNT. MANY MEN ARE LIKE ME - TOO DENSE TO GET SUBTLY. BUT HIT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH THE ISSUE - OR THE OOH LA LA - AND I GET IT.

HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT MORE IF I CAN HELP. BUT MAYBE I'VE TALKED TOO MUCH ALREADY!!

JP

Message: 3

> Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2004 13:00:21 -0400 > From: lisper@aol.com >Subject: MGB MEN/Question about SEX > >This is really personal, but something that is troubling me greatly and I didn't know where to turn and then I thought of our male MGBer's. So guys, please here me out and offer your comments. Also, any women out there with experience in this area, I'd really like to hear from you. I need help badly. >Here it goes, I'm in the fourth month of a relationship with a wonderful man. We are a great match and love each other. He is overweight and I have not yet, but intent to, tell him about MGB. He mentioned stomach stapling just yesterday, so I will have an opening to bring it up soon. I fell in love with what is between his ears and his heart. I love him the way he is, but because he is not happy with himself and for health reasons, I want this for him if he wants it. I was a patient of Dr R March 03 and have experienced life-altering results. I'm 5'10" and size 8, blonde, I have the look that most men go for. My problem is this, my boyfriend who is 38 has penile erectile dysfunction. He has a low libido, whereas I have a very high one. I require a lot of affection, both sexual and non, and he needs less. I understand that testosterone levels decline in men over 35. My questions for the "group" are, 1. does being overweight affect sexual arousal in men? Physically or emotionally? 2. does weight loss 'fix' it? 3. How important is a healthy sex life to a long-term relationship? 4. does anybody have any advice out there? I really love this man, he is honest, caring, thoughtful, smart, successful, well thought of at work, ambitious, loves to travel, and is crazy about me. I feel rejected, sad and frustrated that he is not making more sexual advances towards me. I'll stay if there is any hope, but I don't think at my age (38) I should be enjoying my partner on that level as well as our intellectual connection. Please send you advice. I really am very upset by all of this.

Dave here. It would be nothing short of my pleasure for you to use the story of my MGB blessing and feel free to contact me if needed for anything. If my story fails to answer all of your concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me with your unanswered concerns. Although, I must say please do not just take the easy way out by just taking contacts that are posted and that are newly post-op. Search people out that have had the surgery performed some time ago and learn from them. Look for people that have had the same issues as yourself and call upon them to hear about their MGB blessing. Believe me you will be glad you did. Name: Dave W Age: 46 Date of surgery: March 4, 2003, Surgery time: 57 minutes. Two weeks before surgery I weight 293 pounds. I lost 10 pounds before surgery. Pre-op wt. 281 pounds the morning of surgery Post-op wt. 215 pounds as of April 5, 2004. (updated) Pre-op blood pressure 150 over 90 Post-op blood pressure 110 over 77 Pre-op blood/sugar count between 250 and 300 while taking 2 medications Post-op blood/sugar count between 100 and 110 while taking NO medication. The only pain at all was at first from the swelling in your upper stomach area, when I swallowed food, it seemed to stop about half way down and hurt for a minute then move on. The slower you eat the better this pain is. Now two weeks out it is almost completely gone. Doc said this is normal and can be expected. Ankle swelling is going down. Some people may not take this as a warning but it really is a warning sign about your breathing habits. I do NOT snore anymore per my wife Carol. Before surgery I snored so bad that we could not sleep in the same bed because I kept her awake with my snoring. Although snoring in itself does not present a major health concern, the causes of snoring should be of major concern to anyone that snores. Snoring by far is more than just making noise while you sleep. >From what I understand snoring is a restriction of the air we breath. >Now you be the judge. Does this sound like a serious issue or not? Thank you MGB we are back in the same bed once again and for life this time. Before surgery it had been at least a year since I had slept more than 2 hours in a row due to getting up all night long for the rest room because of the Diabetes. I did not sleep very much the night in the hospital but every night since then I have only been up once per night and it feels so good to get a good nights sleep. Now one year out, I sleep the night away and wake up feeling grand as a piano. Before surgery I would wake up in the middle of the night just ringing wet from sweating. Since surgery dry as a bone every single night. Now, one year out not even close to a drop of sweat throughout the night. I wake in the morning dry as a bone. My eye sight is even improving. My eye sight was changing so fast that the eye doctor would not even test my eyes because my sight was failing so fast that the new prescription would not keep up with my sight. I could not read with my glasses and I could not read without them. A month out and my sight has cleared up and is staying stable and I have my new glasses. Arthritis pain is still there but it is much better and heading in the right direction. ( The Lord did not even create the Earth in one day nor should I expect him to heal everything in one day). He DOES heal in one day but not every single time. Do not worry about why he does not heal every one in the same time frame, just rest in knowing that he will Now let me add in the mental benefits of the surgery. I will be the first to admit that I was not a happy man. Oh, yes I put on the front of being happy when I needed to but deep inside I was not happy at all. I was one that for some reason always wanted to help people to laugh. Maybe I enjoyed laughter so much because deep inside it had been so long since I really had enjoyment. I had very little self confidence at that time in my life. Now, in the current state I can be sitting in a room by myself and think of something and just laugh to myself. Now that is enjoyment when you can laugh by yourself. I may not succeed in everything I do not but I will at least try as to where before I would not even try. Failure only comes when we stop trying. Failure is not the lack of succeeding. Before surgery I stopped trying to enjoy life. I would like to add in that it all comes from the Lord. Yes, even the MGB.

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.

I was released 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  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 W, 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.