I had my surgery 7/8/3 287, today  I float between 132  & 135,
wear a 30X32 slim fit wrangler jean or a loose size 4.

Living a life  like I never imaged before. I go go go all the time. Like the others - my  biggest problem is remembering to eat. I take my vits for insurance. I eat  everything, from Steak, to snickers, just can't eat a lot. I got down to 130 and  started drinkin Dr. Pepper to help me gain some back, Im now 57 and most of my  girlfriends are in their 40's cause those my age cant keep up with me. My hubby  chases me around a lot more than I want. lol, but at least I can outrun  him now.

Would do this every year if I had to, Im never sick and have so much  energy these days. Life is great.

The staff here has been really nice and they are very attentive to us.

I definitely recommend this surgery to anyone who has suffered with their weight and weight related issues for years like I have. I am finally going to be on the same playing field as thinner people....this is so exciting to me!

I want to thank the CLOS staff, Leslie Harper, Grizz and the rest of the board for all your support.

I also want to give a shout out to Tiffany and Scott have been great litter-mates.

Suzanne
Dr. R - Las Vegas 7 foot bypass

To all my littermates: It was great meeting all of you and I feel a special bond with all of you. It is nice to gain new friends with such a great group. I wish you all health and happiness. I hope we can all keep in touch.

Anyone who has questions (Pre op or post op) can e-mail me at pilot61 "@" comcast.net. I guess now that we are 30 days post op I can put together a patient contact letter to send out starting Monday so those who need a contact letter can e-mail me directly with the subject "need a contact" and I'll send it out. I will be flying back to Vegas on Monday night to attend the Tuesday clinic. Maybe I'll see some of you there Well that is about it for the 30 day post op update.

I am an RN who is very interested in having the mini gastric bypass. I first heard of it on the TV, during the program covering 'Buck Rogers' experience with it. Since that time, I've received information via email and the web site and brochure, but I'm overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and the cumbersome list of 'to dos' in order to just get on the list for approval.

Is there anyone out there who can answer my questions; someone who's been where I am? Someone who can tell me that it is indeed worth all the time and effort?

I am all ears! Thanks to you, in advance.
Cheryl B.

From: Cynthia M <sissynicu@yahoo.com> Date: Sun Apr 8, 2007 10:03 pm Subject: Re: [Mini-Gastric-Bypass] So confused, So put-off, Need 'the skinny' on going through all this work

Cheryl,

President Clinton was in town today and when he saw me, he said, "You're skin and bones." He said, "How much weight have you lost." When I told him 108, he said that's enough. I told him that I still have a few pounds to go.

I wish I could convey to you how good I feel. I actually feel totally healthy after 30 years of carrying this weight around.

A young man came by my office this afternoon to talk about my weight loss. I gave him your web site and he was on his way home to "look you up."

It's a glorious journey I'm on. Thank you again for everything you've done for me.

Hey all,

I'm not sure if I ever formally introduced myself. My name is TC. I am 35. I had surgery with Dr. P on March 1st 2007. First of all, Dr. P was great: down to earth and completely competent. An excellent doctor and surgeon! When I confessed to Dr. P that I was a lawyer, he did not judge me whatsoever*, but did seem very eager to begin the surgery.....

Speaking of the surgery, I will admit I was just fine until they told me it was my turn. The person scheduled to go first was running late so I was moved to the head of the line (the eagerness I spoke of earlier). Now, as a former Marine who served in Somalia and was known to volunteer to "go in first" and never worry about it, this was whole new territory for me. A very kind nurse said she was going to give me a shot of 'who cares' (slight paraphrase) and thank God she did, because I was scared. My fear completly shocked me. It wasn't until that moment that I realized that I had given consent for major surgery and in a matter of seconds, once the shot of 'who cares' kicked in, I wasn't going to have a say about anything. All that worrying for NOTHING. And I mean NOTHING. It can't be said enough: Dr. P and his staff were literally awesome!

The surgery was on a Thursday, I was back to work on Monday. I worked about 60 hrs that week, including 11.5 hours that Monday. After 3 days I had virtually no pain, was not hungry and was satisfied drinking soup, etc. 10 days after surgery I played 18 holes of golf, with more energy than before surgery and I beat my trash talking, but loving, neighbor for the first time over 9 holes. I have lost 42 lbs, sleep through the night, and increased my bottom line 20% - the highest month ever. Finally, my wonderful wife admitted that she was wrong about the surgery and I was right. All that for 17k. YOU CANT BEAT IT!

I am very satisfied with my decision.

TC
Dr.P 3/1/07 361/319/225

First off, I need to apologize to everyone who wanted a contact letter from me and didn't get one. Believe me, it's not that I didn't want to send you one!! I have found that after losing 155 pounds, I actually have a life now and I've been enjoying it!! I don't sit at home in front of the computer all the time. So please for give me!!

Secondly, one year ago yesterday I weighed 311 pounds wearing a size 26/28. I had always been overweight my entire life. Today I'm wearing a size 10 and weigh 156 pounds!!! I owe my new life to Dr P. and the CLOS staff. They have changed my life in ways I never imagined. I never knew what life could be like being "thin" and healthy until now. There are so many thing I want to achieve with my new body that I couldn't do before. For example, I'm flying to Ohio in April for my niece's wedding and one of my goals is to check out the airplane bathroom. I know, it sounds weird!! I have always wanted to see what it looked like but my weight kept me from leaving my seat. Sorry, NO mile high club here...I just REALLY want to check out the bathroom...lol

Thanks again Dr P. and CLOS for my new life!!!!

Here is my contact information..... My name is Hope Skidmore, I live in Venice, FL, and I�m a 35 yr old single mom to a 5 year old little girl. I know first hand what obesity can do to a body. My dad died at an early age of 51, and I was only 14. Not only was he obese but he also had several co-morbidities, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, knee problems, and the list goes on.

I started researching the MGB after one of my co-workers had her surgery in March of 2003. I knew in my heart that this is what I wanted for me but I was scared because being a single mom and hearing all the horror stories about gastric by-pass I didn�t want something happening to me and leave my little girl with no mother. I talk to my family and they really weren�t that supportive at that time so I didn�t proceed like I wanted to. In November of 2005, I decided the heck with what other people think, I knew the MGB was for me. I joined the mailing list, went to a seminar in January of 2006, and started my packet.

I knew I didn�t want the co-morbidities or die at an early age because I saw how my father struggled with weight and all his health issues. I too, have struggled with my weight my entire life. I saw how my life was going down the same path as my father�s life did, except I knew I could change my life with the help of the MGB.

When I went in for my physical and blood work, the doctor said I was obese...lol. I told him to tell me something I didn't know. Well, sad to say, 1 week later my blood work came back as me having diabetes. He also felt I probably had sleep apnea too, even though I was never tested. I knew I had no choice. It was either take a pill the rest of my life or maybe eventually a shot and die at a young age or have the surgery that would change my life forever. So I opted for surgery. I have never been "thin" so I didn't know how much it will change me. I do know what I've lost has made me more outgoing, I smile more, I have more energy, and I don�t take any diabetes medication.

The first week wasn't bad at all. I really had no problems after surgery. It felt like I had done 100 sit-ups, NO PAIN just soreness. At this point in time, there has been nothing that has disagreed with my new tummy. I do have to remind myself to slow down my eating and chew, chew, chew. I was always a fast eater.

All in all, this has been the best decision I have ever made for me, my health, and my daughter. Being a single mom and working fulltime I've gone through some financially hard times. I do have insurance through my work but like everyone else I had to pay for this up front. $17,000!!!! WOW...that's a lot of money. Just recently, I did get reimbursed from my insurance company, United Health Care. Not the full amount but something is better than nothing.

I never imagined how wonderful the MGB is as a tool to help me lose weight. I now crave healthier foods and my biggest amazement is that I'm not hungry. I have to remind myself to eat and eat SLOWLY. I see the results on the scales, in my clothes, and I have more energy. This is truly an amazing surgery!

1 month - 31.5 pounds lost 6 weeks - 42 pounds lost 2 months - 60 pounds lost 3 months - 72 pounds lost 4 1/2 months - 90 pounds gone!!!! 5 1/2 months - 100 POUNDS GONE!!!!!!! 6 months - 108 pounds lost 7 months - 123 pounds lost almost 8 months - 134 pounds lost 9 months - 140 pounds 10 months - 144 pounds 11 months - 147 pounds 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - 155 pounds GONE!!!!

I just had my surgery with Dr. P on March 23. I've lost 24 pounds and 17 inches in 16 days. I've had immediate relief in my aches and pains. I'm no longer on blood pressure medication. Actually, it's difficult to remember that I had major surgery just a short time ago.

My main problem is learning how to pace myself. Since I feel so good most of the time, I want to do too much.

Dr. P is not only an incredible surgeon, he is an incredible person. Very patient and caring.

Flo will hold your hand all the way through the process. She is very knowledgeable and supportive.

You can also feel confident about the hospital. CLOS would not work out of a facility that was less than excellent.

I am from New Ellenton SC, and another friend of mine lives in Sumter and Rock Hill and still another lives in Columbia. So, this is great. In several weeks we should be coming down there during Bike Week, maybe we could connect then!

Here is my contact letter, I am up for other questions/comments/contact...so feel free to email me at cooptwocats@yahoo.com and lilsis816@bellsouth.net- I hope this answers the majority of your questions. My name is Ann Cooper and I am 53 years old. I weighed 316 lbs and felt awful mentally and physically. I have been larger before, but this was the second time around I had visited the 316 mark. I think I actually topped out about 335 the first time around! The last time around, I gave up losing the weight on my own for good. I gave up on life too! When I began completing my packet for the MGB surgery, I also began losing weight! I had given up all hope and felt like I would not live another year. Doing the packet helped me to finalize in my mind what I needed to do for myself. Two days before surgery I weighed 309 lbs. And the day of surgery I weighed 307 lb. the day of surgery. At almost 5 months out, I weighed 234 lbs. I weighed on November 13th, and weighed 228 lbs.

I had the MGB on June 8th,2006, Dr. Rutledge did a 7 ft. bypass in 37 minutes. They filmed my surgery via the IPOD and seven minutes were lost because of a cable malfunction. I had no physical complications as long as I took the medicine as prescribed. I walked and moved about within an hour after surgery. The next morning I was very dizzy…I NEEDED SALT, but a salt packet or two really helped me feel much better. On the third day, I walked 1 mile with a friend who encouraged me. The next day I walked at least two miles in the Nevada sun. I was drinking, resting and getting salt. I did fine! My first bump in the road began a at the ending of the 2 month out level. I got nauseated and began to throw up virtually everything. I was sustained because occasionally, I would be fortunate to be able to retain what I had eaten! I grew sick of the all the fruit flavors, the different taste were very upsetting to my system. I begin backing off Pepto Bismol, then fruit flavor Tums…and well, you get the picture…The routine got very tiring very fast! BEWARE… this so far, has been one of the hardest parts! Just remember, the broth and medications are given for specific reasons, and it helps keep things coated for your new stomach. The changes are do-able…but difficult from time to time.

You will have both positive and negative changes to go through, and you will need to be mindful of the possibility of depression rearing up. It may not seem so, but you will fare better giving yourself time to adjust to everything. I have predisposition toward depression so I monitor my emotions pretty closely anyway. Don’t expect too much too soon! The weight is coming off, but I still adjusting in so many different ways! I am just now, getting a clearer picture of how one is suppose to feel with the MGB. The ulcer issue should have been addressed a lot sooner!

I finally called Dr. Rutledge.. I have suffered needlessly, because I backed off on the medication too soon. I just wished I would have called Dr. Rutledge sooner! The way I am seeing it, is over the next few months-up to a year, I am adjusting to a new life. The MGB is not a magic bullet, but our new tool must be used wisely! It will be up to you to follow the rules. If something is unclear, or you have symptoms which don’t feel right, let the staff know immediately so they can help you! In spite of my “bumps in the road” I am very thankful I had the opportunity to complete the packet and have the MGB surgery. My “story” is like so many others, but it is my story. I was the youngest of five children and I remember having basically the same breakfasts until I left home. My mother fixed forty biscuits every morning, and by that nightfall, these were gone! We survived on grits, eggs, fatback, bacon, sausage, or ham for breakfast. We always had syrup and plenty of Blue Bonnet on the table too. At lunch, we had pinto beans, or pinto bean soup, onion and cornbread or whole-cakes. On school days, I would have the pinto beans for supper. Our Sunday meals usually were fried chicken ,cubed steak, and sometimes a roast. I also remember getting more vegetables in the spring and summer. My father would also bring home all types of processed “goodies”. I remember him bringing home wonderful cheese cakes in pie tins and I would eat most of them all by myself! When I was older and could be left alone, my mother and father would leave me at the house with a loaf of bread, mayonnaise, and bananas. I would literally make myself sick on banana sandwiches. I would follow it with a large Coke. It was also nothing for me to down a whole container of ice cream and eat a Pepperidge Farm cake by myself. My father was a big eater, and it was one way all of us children received attention from him. I was forever having sugar lows and highs and once I found out about dieting, I was on a perpetual diet. I binged and purged many times. To compound the problem, I had ADHD-undiagnosed and all the excess sugar gave way to some explosive episodes at home. At school I couldn’t focus and had a difficult time. The other children made horrendous fun of me. I weighed one-hundred fifty pounds in the sixth grade. I remember because the teacher yelled it across the room to a nurse recording the weights and the heights of the children. I was voted the Halloween queen for my classroom and it was in jest. The teacher couldn’t do a thing about the students making fun of me. It was an awful thing to endure! Later in middle school and high school too, the “popular” students would call my house and tell my mother they needed to speak with me. My mother would give out my friend’s phone number and these people would call my friend’s house to harass me. I was also made terrible fun of on the bus and hated riding it to school. If I were walking on the side of the road, people would yell awful things out of the window. I was harassed and hated school. I had also been sexually molested by a friend’s grandfather, the taunting reinforced an already very low self esteem. My confidence was nil, but I had a silly, sense of humor that I have always loved about myself. It has helped me endure many of life‘ storms. In high school I went on a second major diet. I lost down to 160 lbs. The mini diets were too numerous to count! The attention I received was overwhelming, especially from the boys. I gained all the weight back because I lacked the emotional security and nutritional knowledge to maintain it. I continued resorting to all types of methods attempting to lose the excess weight. I fasted, binged ate, and used laxatives. You name it, I have attempted it! About 3 years ago, I got down to 243, and I was very proud of my accomplishments. I had seen several counselors and some of my work was beginning to pay off. However, life happened and I gained the weight back. This effort to lose weight wiped me out emotionally. I began researching weight loss surgery, but did so only dreamingly. I never thought it would actually work out! When I hit fifty, my body began not to cooperate. I almost couldn’t go. My years of yo-yo dieting, mind games, and binge eating, caused me to be in an awful mess. I couldn’t go through the process of losing the weight, only to gain it back again. I knew of some friends that had the MGB surgery, and I spoke with them in detail. It was amazing how things worked out! God can make a way when there doesn’t seem to be a way. By the time I decided to do the packet, I was at the end of my rope and had ran out of options, I had heard all the horror stories about weight-loss surgery, and one of my good friends had died from complications from the earlier gastric bypass surgery. The risks of not having the surgery were just as real for me! I knew my time was short without major interventions, so I chose the MGB surgery. Once I began to work on my packet I had many scary thoughts. However, the application process while frustrating, helped me somehow! The process actually empowered me and I did the packet by myself with very little help from anyone! The ADHD was alive and well during the process, so, if I can do the packet, anyone can! I was intimated to ask my doctor about a support letter. Much to my surprise, he was extremely supportive. I felt he would manifest his disapproval of my me/ my weight issues at this time. I was wrong! I fretted over this really bad! Finally, after reviewing the manual several times, I realized I wasn’t asking his permission! I was asking him to help monitor my progress, or to help me out if I needed him with lowered blood levels/deficiencies of any kind. This made it easier! I took the highlights-Reader’s Digest version of the manual and left it with him. I think it was my determination which “sold” him on the process. My family and friends have also been there for me in spite of my difficulties with my taking the medication properly. Some of my family actually acted as if they were proud during the broadcast about Gil Gerard. I also felt that Dr. Rutledge would turn me down, or he would be condescending to me…he wasn’t! I had a very pleasant surprise! I was treated like a queen! The staff or Dr. Rutledge did not brow beat me at all…and I felt very comfortable with everyone! Dr. Rutledge said in the pre-op meeting a hormone called ghrenlin was to blame for obesity. This was one of the most important things I remembered. He helped me to be more accepting of myself and present, temporary, circumstances. I have learned you are not your weight. You are worthy of being saved and we are all viable human beings who deserve a chance at life! I can only tell you about my story. I cannot tell you what is best for you. Only you and your gut feelings can make this decision. I didn’t have another option. I did not feel I had another year left…and I definitely had no quality of life.

Any surgery you have can be risky, but my very life was in jeopardy before the surgery anyway. The MGB gave me another chance at life, so I will be forever, grateful! I do advise you make yourself very familiar with the medicines and procedures after the surgery. Read and reread the manual, in my opinion, it is impossible to do this too much! It will always be of benefit to you. Also realize the MGB is not a “cure all”. You will be required to make some choices you might not like, and there can be some trade-offs. . You can even have some down times! Do your part and maintain the agreement you will make to take your medicines and choose your foods wisely. Don’t blame anyone, if you know you are not complying with the directions given in the manual and the surgeon of your choice. The surgeons who have trained with Dr. Rutledge and each staff member meets a certain criteria of expertise. If you have any questions or concerns let someone know. If you feel more ill than usual, let someone know this too! They will call and check up on you the first week, but you have to talk with them about any concerns you have. You have a responsibility in your own care! It is only fair to say, if you know there is something you are not able to do, or you are not doing, don’t blame the doctor.

I quit some of the medicine too soon, and the chances are great, it caused me to develop an ulcer. I went for months without letting anyone know. I even questioned if I had made the right decision about having the surgery. Any surgery involves risk, but in my opinion, Dr. Rutledge and all the MGB surgeons, do not take their profession lightly, and are very methodical.

By all means, do not hesitate to try anything they suggest, and call sooner than later, if you have a problem. I know completing the packet can be trying, but I can assure you, the efforts you make toward completing the packet, phone calls and your research will not be in vain!

My name is Val. I had mgb three years ago in August. I went from 238 to 150 in about a year. (I did not exercise - probably would have done better sooner) anyway - I had the surgery on a Thursday was out on Friday, had staples removed on Monday and was on my way back to MA on Tuesday. When I returned home I returned to normal everyday routine. Cooking, cleaning (even sex with the hubby). The only thing I did not do is lift anything heavy. About 1 week later school started and I was back to work as usual. Yes I am still doing great no side effects although I do have one strange side effect - it seems that when I eat too much I sneeze ???? what one has to do with the other it is beyond me!!!!!!!! By the way eat too much means 5-6 bites of spaghetti

Take care and good luck!

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to tell everyone who is wondering if this MGB is really all that it is cracked up to be, well IT IS!!!!!!!!! I can personally tell you all that it has been a MIRACLE for me. I feel like I have added many healthy years on my life. I am a brand new person in a short almost 9 months post op. Someone said the other day, "Wow the weight is just dropping off every time I see you you are thinner". I see this person 3-4 times a week. Then she asked when will it stop?? I said, I do not know but I am LOVING this. I do exercise regularly now but exercise for me now is NOT a chore, I really ENJOY it. I do have a Whey protein shake everyday and I eat like a very normal person. I have lost 18" in my waist going from a 53" pre op to a 34 3/4 now. I was wearing a size 28 and now I wear a size 8 jeans. I am a better mother, wife, friend and best of all a happier and healthier me!!!!

Thank you Dr. R for your wisdom, commitment and desire to help the morbidly obese. You are my hero!!

So, to all newbies go for it!!!!!!!!!!!! You have a whole world waiting for you to live in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any questions feel free to ask away!!!!

I converted from the band to an MGB and would like to post something here to help others who are thinking of conversion.

First of all, I had my conversion on October 12, 2006. It is the best thing I've ever done and I know that this is the answer I've been looking for to help me get to a healthy weight. I'm amazed at how much easier it is to have a normal life with the MGB verses the LAP-BAND®. I can eat anything and as long as I don't overeat or eat too fast then I have no problems (I haven't done either yet). Other than eating a lot less, but more times a day, that is the only difference than before either surgery.

To those of you who have had problems eating with the band (especially healthy foods), I had the same problem. If I tried to eat chicken, or broccoli, it would get stuck and then I would have to be on liquids for the next 24 hours. After a while, the liquids became milk shakes because that was the only thing that satisfied my hunger when I couldn't eat. I could eat chips, cookies, anything unhealthy, but I couldn't eat REAL FOOD. That is not the case with the MGB. You can eat healthy and often have to remind yourself to eat because you don't feel hungry all the time like you do with the band.

If any of you want to talk more or need more information, please e- mail me at "sthelb" "@" "aol.com" and I will gladly give you comparisons between the two from my own experience.

It's a highly personal decision. I would support anyone who made a decision not to tell also. Everyone's circumstances differ.

When I first started telling people, there were raised eyebrows. I didn't care. Did it hurt my feelings? Yes. Did I waiver? No. For once in my life I was going to make my own choices and not worry about what anyone else felt or thought. If they had a problem with me having surgery...then they had a problem and the problem was theirs not mine.

I felt that I was VERY damn clever to have finally found a solution to a lifelong problem! Very clever indeed. And now almost seven years later, I know in my heart that it was even more clever than I thought it was back then and I'm very proud that I made the choice to take control of my biggest albatross and restore my health.

For me, this whole thing has been a life altering decision and change. It's been unlike anything I have ever done. Maybe because I'm 64 I don't care what anyone else thinks. It's me that had to struggle to get out of a chair..or fit in one..or be stared at..or worry that I didn't take too much food at a buffet..and had to order everything from Lane Bryant, etc....you know the drill. Clever? You betcha! I found Dr. Rutledge and that lead my daughter and lots of friends to Dr. Rutledge. And if I hadn't shared, some of my friends and family would still be suffering in a morbidly obese body.

I am woman. Hear me roar. LOL

Yeah! I am so excited!

I just hit the 100 pound mark this morning and I am thrilled!

Last year at this time I was overweight and unhappy, clueless about any options for me. But now, after eight months I have gone from 255 and a size 16, to 153 and a size six! I am only five feet tall, so I still have about twenty-five more pounds until I reach my goal weight, but I think by the year mark I will definitely be there.

What a blessing!

I discovered this place last November 2005, and I have been faithfully returning almost every day since then. I was so encouraged and pumped up by the posts. I began my packet a few weeks after the discovery, and I had my surgery on Jan 16, 2006. I am a little over 7 weeks post op and I have lost 44 pounds and 2 clothing sizes. I already flew on an airplane without having to squeeze into the seatbelt, in fact my seatbelt had a little tail!!! (I love it) I know exactly what you mean by "needing something so drastic". I feel the same way, even now. In fact, I told my Mom not to spread around that I had the surgery to my friends and acquaintances in my old hometown. I told her I was not trying to "hide" it, but it does not make me proud to have had to go to such a drastic measure to lose my weight. She (who has never had a weight problem) said that I was crazy, no one was thinking that I was a slug that had to resort to paying $17,000 and take the risk of going under the knife just because I was undisciplined and a glutton with food (which is how I was feeling). Then another woman, who is obese now and had WLS over 10 years ago, agreed with me when we discussed it. I guess it is all in your perspective. The bottom line is that my weight is no longer going to define who I am. My weight will no longer be what I consider the reason I am less important than other "thinner more successful" people. I have done something about my problem, and someday soon it will seem like a bad memory with lessons learned. I don't ultimately care what people think when it comes to the benefits I will reap from this surgery. Research well, talk to others, take a deep breath and move forward with a plan. Believe me, you will not be sorry. At least not sorry if you have an experience like mine and so many others I have read about. Take Care

Liz and I are home from our little trip to Bay City, Michigan. We were able to attend a clinic at Dr. Doroghazi's office, and the local support group meeting... but the most exciting thing was to be there when Gail Huber returned from having her MGB done. When we left her yesterday she was doing wonderfully!!! Her husband was referring to her as Wonder-woman! She asked that I post a hello from her and that I let everyone know she did extremely well and will be back posting as soon as she feels well enough. Truth be know, if we would have had a laptop in her room yesterday when she returned from the OR, she would have posted something herself!

What a treat this whole experience has been for me. I met Gail at an information session in Bay City last June and we were both working on our packets and doing our OHIP applications. Now, 9 months later, I am 6 months post-op and Gail has finally had her MGB. It really was the first day of the rest of her life... and I was there to be a part of it... and for that, I am thankful!

Now, I just can't wait to be standing in Liz's room when she returns from the OR!!!!!!!!! hugs Kim

ps... the driving was pretty good, but it's still nice to be home!

Kim Nash

Dear Mr. Jones,

I understand you are writing a report on the MGB.  I am Deborah L., a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist by profession, and an eight month post-op patient of Dr. Robert Rutledge.  I decided to have surgery and went looking for the safest and best possible choice.  I live and practice in Nashville, TN, and have many fine surgeons whom I trust, love and admire. 

They, however, do not offer the Billroth II type procedure for weight loss. This is a procedure that has been done in the United States for other reasons than weight loss surgery for over one hundred years. We have a lot of data on how these patients fare and it is very favorable. 

My only choices in Nashville would have been the "Lap-band" and the "Roux-en-y" procedures.  After thirty plus years in surgery and lots of info and experience observing these surgeries and following the progress of these patients, I was convinced that I did not want either one of them. 

I found the MGB and Dr. Rutledge and after months of research, I chose to have this procedure on May 11, 2005.  My surgical and post-op course were pretty typical and I have had a normal and uncomplicated course.

My surgery took about thirty-five minutes and required a night in the hospital. . I have lost eighty-five pounds and am doing well.   

By Friday I felt well enough and ready to hike the Red Rock Canyon just outside Las Vegas, near the hospital.  I stayed within three hours of the hospital until Monday and then flew home. 

I was back to my anesthesia job on Tuesday, May 18, 2005. 

I have done very well and I have found that is the pretty typical experience of most of the MGB patients.

In July, 2005, I accompanied my friend, Penny, to Las Vegas for her surgery. 

Since I am an anesthetist, Dr. Rutledge invited me to observe surgery that day. 

I accepted the invitation and was able to observe Dr. Rutledge and his team, including his anesthesiologist, perform the Mini-Gastric Bypass surgery. 

I have seen many surgeons and surgeries in my thirty plus years of surgery and anesthesia. 

Laparoscopic surgery has evolved during my career and I have seen the best and the worst. 

Dr. Rutledge far outshines any laparoscopic surgeon I have ever witnessed. 

He is competent and, really, elegant as he works. 

I thought he was stunning in his technique, his post-op program caring and personal. 

He just does an outstanding job all the way around.  I can recommend this procedure, Dr. Rutledge and his team without hesitation. 

This choice has changed my life and I am grateful.  My hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and reflux esophagitis   are all faint memories.   Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance to you now or in the future.  I hope you can educate more people to the choices available to them. 

A report such as yours could save lives and bless many people.

Sincerely,
Deborah L., C.R.N.A.,

A.P.N.Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist,

I would be honored to be a contact for you. I WAS a type II diabetic before the MGB, taking 3 pills a day and heading for insulin. Now I take nothing for my blood sugar and mi A1C is perfect. My doctor is completely on my side now, (was not originally), but she now thinks Dr. R is the best thing since sliced bread. My husband and I run a custom frame shop out of our home, so getting back to work for me was no problem. But I could have gone to work anywhere as good as I felt. My original weight was 278 and now, at 20 months out, is 160. The weight loss has slowed down considerably and I may be through losing, but that is okay, too. I am 68 years old, one of those "older" people. Hanging skin is a reality for us older people. I had considered having a tummy tuck later on, but I have just about changed my mind and decided to deal with what I have. Pantyhose are a great cover-up. No one would know about the hanging skin if I wore 3/4 sleeves and pants or longer skirts. But I am 68 and I don't have any illusions about being a skinny, tight skinned me. What I do have now is something I haven't had in many years - feeling like a different person, much more relaxed and confident. I haven't taken any of the supplements , other than the vitamins. I am taking the fiber capsules and had thought about taking the creatine, but decided that since Dr. R. said they were only suggestions, not requirements, I would leave that off. I can't think how it would have improved my results. The surgery experience was all I expected and more, all good. No pain after surgery or since, except when I ate too much twice. You think once would be enough to teach me a lesson, but I had to do it twice. No more! . I didn't need help in bathing, I took showers and that made it a lot easier to bathe certain areas. I haven't exercised at all, just walking. I stayed on the liquids almost 2 weeks and on the stage 2 foods for about 8-10 days. I got really tired of not chewing. I have lost 118pounds in 20 months. and a ton of inches. I have gone from wearing 2X everything to misses medium for sweaters and blouses and size 16 skirts. I just bought some slacks, size 16-18 and they are a little baggy. No complications. When they stapled my stomach, my spleen got caught and they had to stitch up the spleen. There was some blood in my belly that had to come out one of the ports. That was not really a problem because it could have happened at any time to anyone. The staff at the hospital in Statesville, N.C. where I had my surgery, was very competent and helpful.

People have asked me if I was scared before the surgery and I will have to say, no, I wasn't, because I had already turned the whole process over to God and I trusted Him to keep me safe. Medicare did not pay nor would my supplemental insurance. My husband and I are both retired and we were fortunate enough to have savings. I spent my new car money in North Carolina, but I think I am worth more than a new car. I can eat anything, just not much of it. My meals consist of between 1/2 to 1 cup of food, 6 times a day. I had thought portion control would be my biggest problem since it always had been. But it didn't take me long to discover that I couldn't eat everything I put on my plate, many times not even half. But I did eat some of everything. I have had some sweets, but I guess I am afraid that if I start, I won't be able to stop. I eat lots of fruit and I do have protein bars and shakes, which are fairly sweet. I have not had dumping, probably because I haven't eaten sweets. Agent orange (that orangey, oily stuff in the toilet) is nothing more than undigested fat. I have had it a few times, mostly when I have emphasized protein in my meal, mainly meat. That is what I seem to crave and sometimes I have meat only for a meal. I will say that the only food that gave me any problem was ketchup. Plain old ketchup. I dipped a chicken nugget in it about 2 months after the surgery and before it hit my stomach, I knew I was in trouble. The pain was tremendous and I thought I was going to throw up, but managed not to. I didn't try ketchup again for several weeks, same thing. At about 6 months out I tried it again and no problem. At about 3-4 months, I noticed that my hair brush was collecting lots of hair and my hairdresser told me that she could tell a big difference. Nobody else noticed it and she started me on a Paul Mitchell product for thinning hair and the hair loss stopped and now has regrown any I lost. I have enclosed my contact letter and if there is anything that I have not answered, please email me and I will be glad to help. Ask questions of those on this site. I have never found anyone to be untruthful, some rather severe in their advice, but always truthful.

I have the highest regard and respect for Dr. Rutledge and his staff. I had my surgery in Statesville, N./C. in Aug 03. The whole surgery experience was good, except for the IV. I have terrible veins and they had trouble hitting one. I had no pain or nausea following the surgery or since. Well, I had nausea when I tried to drink Gatorade. After I got back home, I was back at work within a few days, since we work out of our home. My beginning wt. was 278 and now it is 162 at 14 months. Yes, I would do it again and again just to feel as good as I do now. I work out of my home so being here with food all day long could be a problem, but at this point, it isn't. I know what I am going to eat each day for meals and snacks and just don't get involved with eating other foods, unless it is fruit or sugar free popsicles and fudgesicles. The vitamins have never upset my stomach because I take them with meals. Trading the 3 blood sugar pills and the blood pressure pill for the 3 vitamins a day is all in my favor. If I don't need the blood sugar pills, I don't have to worry about complications of the diabetes. If I don't need the blood pressure pill, I don't have to worry about having a stroke. I have heard that some insurance companies have refused to pay for other medical bills after refusing to pay for the MGB, if the patient had the surgery anyway. I talked with my doctor about this and she said that she had never put in my record that I had had weight loss surgery. She said that she had put down that I was controlling my diabetes with diet, which is entirely true. She also said that it isn't any of the insurance companies business how I lost the weight and controlled the diabetes. I think I will keep her for my doctor. She is definitely on my side now. Before the surgery I had done my homework thoroughly. I was taking Prilosec for acid reflux before the surgery and I have tried to stop it since, but have to take it half the time now. My doctor said to just continue with it. I guess not being hungry has been the biggest surprise. For the first 2 weeks after surgery, I didn't care if I ate or not, but knew I needed to. I still don't have the cravings the actual hunger pangs that I did before the surgery. I went to Wal-Mart and got one of those pill boxes that have each meal separately for each day. Once a week I fill up the boxes and keep the whole thing on my kitchen counter where I prepare food. Each day of this box is removable for you to take along to work with you. I don't feel like the same person that I was before surgery and people tell me that I don't act the same. I alwalys knew there was another person inside me wanting to get out and stay out. That was my problem. I couldn't keep the weight off. I have probably lost and regained at least 5000 pounds over my lifetime. No lmore!!! I am doing great, feel fine, working when I want. My husband and I operate a custom frame shop out of our home and some days we are very busy and others we are not. My overall health is much better now than it was before surgery. I don't have to take my blood sugar medicine(type 2 diabetes) or my blood pressure medicine. I just had my 1 year. 6 months check-up with my family doctor (the one who gave me such a hard time before surgery) and she was very pleased. I hope your surgery and recovery are as successful and uneventful as mine. My blood work is great and myi doctor just smiles and shakes her head. By the way, I am 68 years old. I had the MGB in Statesville, N.C. on Aug 11 03. The hospital was clean and efficient, personnel caring and helpful, even in the middle of the night when you have buzzed them the 5th time. I had a problem with needing to go to the bathroom every hour and I couldn't get up because they had those pressure boots on my legs and I couldn't unhook them by myself. I had some bleeding from one of the ports because of my spleen being nicked in the process of stapling my stomach. What was coming out of the port was old blood that had collected in my belly. Dr. McKenzie told me not to panic, that it needed to drain out. They took the drain tube out the next morning after surgery and then I went back to the hotel. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and my husband was with me. I didn't feel at all luneasy being 9.5 hours away from home because he was with me and we were within minutes of the hospital. When we got home that weekend, I was tired, mainly from the long drive, but I didn't feel like I had had major surgery. I have had major surgery before, and knew that it felt like. This was a piece of cake for me, and I stress, for me. Not everyone has as easy a time of it. Dr. R. has compassion for obese people that most doctors do nothave. Most doctors think your exercise program should begin with pushing away from the table, but most of them have never had a weight problem. In June of 03, my daughter and I drove to Statesville to visit the clinic, and meet Dr. R. My daughter has neighbors who had the RNY in Memphis and both are doing well. I talked to them and considered having the RNY, since they were doing it laparoscopically. My physical problems had escalated in the last 5-10 years. I had developed type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, acid reflux, incontinence, painful feet and ankles and back pain. I guess it would be easier to list the things that didn't hurt. I was taking 11 pills a day. When I called Memphis to get an appointment, they told me that Medicare wouldn't pay. Their insurance fee was $65,000 and their no-insurance fee was $40,000. When I told my daughter, she told me about another woman she knew who had been to North Carolina to have the surgery. My first reaction was "What's in North Carolina?" She said that this doctor had done more of these surgeries than anyone else. I talked with this lady and she was very positive about the surgery and said she would have it again if need be, that it had changed her life. She gave me the web site to find out more. That's when we decided to drive to N.C. to see Dr. R. We live 9.5 hours away, but that didn't seem too far to go to get what I needed. Thbere were at least 30 people in the clinic that day. Dr. R. came in and talked to us and told us to ask whatever we wanted and he would answer it. We found out that he had 1 death in mroe than 2000 cases. He told us what had caused him to use this form of surgery. He said that it had been around for more than 100 years, used for stomach cancer and ulceers, but not for weight loss. He adapted the surgery and started doing the MGB. My daughter and I were both impressed with him and his knowledge and his compassion for obese people. So many doctors have no understanding, much less any compassion for people who are overweight. During the clinic someone made a statement about previous surgeries preventing the MGB. I totally panicked because at that time I had read the patient manual and had not seen any reference to previous surgeries. I had had surgery in 1969 and it left a very large long scar in my upper abdomen. Dr. R. examined me that day and said that it was a nasty looking scar. Lori, my heart just about broke when he told me that he probably wouldn't do the surgery because of the scars. He told me to go home and contact the hospital where I had the surgery and get a copy of the doctor' s notes about the surgery. On the way home, my daughter said, "Mother, please don't give up." I had a friend who died during the surgery in Memphis. She was having the open RNY and I never wanted to have that surgery. I had prayed for God's leading in this matter. I told God that I wanted this surgery and that I was going to go ahead with it unless He stopped me. I had asked Him to put up road blocks that I could not get around. When Dr. R. said what he did about my scars, I nearly gave up. I thought I had reached the unremovable roadblock. I got the hospital records, sent them to him, and got a call from Kathy Goodman that he said that he didn't see any problem. I know he didn't really want to do the surgery, but I had been praying for weeks about this surgery and I knew that if God answered my prayers, he would do the surgery. I have no doubt that God led me to North Carolina and to Dr. Rutledge. Doors that should have closed, opened. I have a family doctor who gave me a very hard time. She said the surgery wasn't medically necessary and that it was just something that I wanted. I told her that she thought the 11 pills a day she prescribed for me were medically necessary. She made me go to see a cardiologist and have a stress test before she would agree to support me. Needless to say, the tests were normal. What really turned her around was reading the patient manual. I made a copy from my computer and told her that I wanted her to be my doctor, but I wanted her on my side - and would she please read the manual. Well, she did and she was a totally different person after that. Now she can't seem to do enough for me, ordering blood work, which I wanted anyway, to check my cholesterol and potassium levels. Mly cholesterol in June of 03 before the surgery was 245. One month after the surgery, it was 157 and has stayed there. My triglycerides in June of 03 was 250+ and it has dropped to 98. I haven't always had a weight problem. I was never overweight in high school and when I got married I weighed 118. AFter the babies started coming, my weight increased and I could never seem to get a handle on the problem. I would lose and then regain. That is the #1 characteristic of everyone I have talked with on this site. After I developed diabetes, I controlled my blood sugar for nearly 10 years by diet. Family stress caused me to eat to comfort myself. Blood sugar went up and so did my weight and my blood pressure.After a while I just gave up. I was tired of failing, so I just quit trying. I would recommend this surgery for anyone who needs it, but I never know how someone would respond if I brought up the subject of their weight, probably like I would have responded if someone had mentioned my weight. I can eat any food now, but still only a small portion of what I used to eat. Some foods, like meat, fill me up very soon and I probably don't get more than 1/2 cup of that down. Other foods I can eat more of, but still only about 1/4 of what I used to eat. I apologize for the length of this email, but sometimes when I get started, I have a hard time finding a place to stop. I hope you can use this. I would do this again and again just to feel as good as I do now. The weight loss has been a marvelous added benefit of the MGB. Email me if you need other questions answered, I will be glad to help. Take care and God bless.

I am only 2 months out and I can carry my 19-month old granddaughter up the steps without stopping for breath, or feeling my legs getting weak.

You talked about guilt regarding your children, and I have that, guilt that I did not do this when they were younger so I could play with them, run with them, and enjoy them more. I already play harder and longer with my grand-daughter than I ever did with my own kids.

There is an upside and a downside to everything. We sold our home in order to build a new one, and I used a good portion of the sale proceeds for the surgery. Paying for the surgery meant we had to put off building a new home for another year, but I have been blessed with a caring family, and we are living with my parents until we save up enough for the new house. It can be hard living with your parents at my age of course, but we are all thankful everyday that this is the path we all agreed on, because it has made such a difference in our lives.

It has been an exciting and amazing journey for me. I have lost 159 lbs in little over 2 years now. I went from a tight size 26 to a wonderful Size 12! I am thrilled to say the least.

I love looking in the mirror and feeling so good about myself. Shopping is pure joy. Crossing my legs is cute! Wearing an ankle bracelet is terrific. Feeling like a sexy woman and a hot momma is unbelievable! I have such an enthusiasm for life! Love planting my flowers and washing the car! Even climbing the stairs and not gasping is cute! Feeling small in a theatre seat! Hugging family and friends and feel their arms go all the way around me! Dancing the night away in hubby's arms is so special! Not being ashamed of how I look but feeling proud of who I am!

I have come to terms with so many of my weight issues and now understand so many things in my past and past relationships. I love feeling free - free of so many things but most of all free to be the real ME!

I hope your journey is as joyous as mine! Losing half of me was great but finding all of me was heaven! Thank you Dr. Rutledge and Dr. Hargroder with all my heart!

Hugs,

From: tricia slade <tntslade@yahoo.ca Reply-To: Mini-Gastric-Bypass@yahoogroups.com To: Mini-Gastric-Bypass@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Mini-Gastric-Bypass] Atten Jenna Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 15:06:16 -0500 (EST)

I have asked people for a sample menu of what they eat in a typical day and no one has gotten back to me would you mind telling me what a typical day for you is meal wise? Thanks Tricia

Jenna D.  wrote:

Hmm, with all this Pepto talk, I would just like to say how happy I am to not be taking it anymore. I made it to my fourth month and went beyond to finish off the bottle I was working on and then stopped. Oh joy of joys! I am still doing Prilosec right now, but only one a day and then I will start to taper it off. Trying to go from 2 a day to none kind of made my stomach feel yucky, so I am trying to wean off and it seems to be working thus far. I tried those Pepto chewables once and decided they were far worse than any liquid Pepto....ugh! I also did generic pepto as opposed to the brand name stuff and that helped. Also putting it in the fridge worked well. Cold and nasty is much better than room temperature and nasty.

In other news, I am at 250 and I want to be down 80 pounds by 6 months out. 16 more pounds to go! I think I can make it. I will settle for 80 pounds gone by 6 1/2 months out, too. I have a friend coming in to town to visit and I haven't seen her in 2 years. She has lost a lot of weight, and I want to be able to have her notice a difference too. Nothing malicious, I just want people to notice! I am a far cry from my goal weight, but something is better than nothing.

Actually this past weekend my brother and his fiancee came down to visit and THEY noticed I lost weight. Finally! I was so happy. :) My brother just took it as is, but my future sister-in-law was asking the: "how much have you lost? when did you start losing? how do you do it? how can you eat so little?"...etc. The questions were a little too close for comfort, since only my parents know I had the surgery. I have not told anyone else and I sort of fee like I am being deceitful by not telling the whole truth. I'll get over it though. ;)

Also, with all the family and kids in this weekend we had a ridiculous amount of bad food in the house which I ate plenty of. No exercising either.

I lost 3 pounds. All the other days of eating well and getting up at 5am to work out leaves me in a stand still with my weight. I stray for 3 days and I lose 3 pounds. Very annoying. Happy, but annoyed. I want it to work the OTHER way, the GOOD way. The last thing I need is to be able to even have a thought of being able to eat junk food. I am still learning. It is still hard, not as hard as before, but still hard. Especially since junk food still tastes great to me and does not make me sick. I wish it did. :)

Sorry for the long post, thought I would throw and update in there, too!

:) Jenna 10/19/04-FL Dr. H & Dr. Raj 315/256 (as of 2/19) 65 pounds closer to my goal.......80 left to go.

Ohh, hmm, I feel like I am not the person to do this. I certainly have my fair share of bad eating days. But, anyway, I will post my typical day which is a workday and I usually do pretty well. As long as some co-worker does not bring in bagels or donuts, I hate when they do that!

Work out first thing in the morning: drink as much Gatorade or Smart Water as I can while I am working out. SW doesn't have the sodium, but for that time of the day and doing what I doing, the water sure goes down better than Gatorade.

Morning: protein drink in the car on the way to work

Morning at work: Citrucel in hot water with a bit of honey.Then I switch back to Gatorade or some other necessary drink.

Snack: banana with peanut butter. I usually can't do a full banana. I spread a but of peanut butter on each bite. This is my "fad" right now, I stick to something everday for awhile until I get sick of it and move on.

Lunch: some kind of meat, either chicken or steak. this varies everyday, really, I try not to eat the same kind of lunch everyday.

Afternoon: more Gatorade, maybe the rest of my banana. Part of a protein bar or another protein drink. I also keep almonds and peanuts in my desk at work and maybe munch on those, as well.

Dinner: whatever my mom makes and I eat the good part of the meal, like the meat and veggies/fruit.

Snack: my own protein shake, more gatorade, another round of citrucel.

This probably hasn't been very helpful, but I try to do what I can. I know I can be better in the choices I make, but I am doing so much better than I ever have in my entire life. I am continually learning about my body and learning how to take care of myself, it is an ongoing process. I try to stick to the protein first, veggies and fruits next etc. However, if I want some carbs I do not deny myself. I have been known to have a small piece of toast with peanut butter in the AM if I don't have my banana. I may have a sandwich at lunch and will eat part of the bread on it. Unfortunately carbs sit fine with me. I can even eat a bagel (not a whole one). Oddly enough, the bread I have the hardest time with is a tortilla. Rice, pasta, etc sit fine with me, but I try to avoid them. If I try and leave them out all the time, I will cave in and go overboard, so I allow myself a little. Sweets sit fine with me, as well, which is not cool, so I have gone out and gotten some Atkins "sweets". They are not the protein bars, but are more sweet and moren healthy than grabbing some M&M's or something. It's sort of a sweets substitute. Also, I like to keep dark chocolate in the freezer. If I have a craving for chocolate, a little bit of it will take care of me. Mainly because dark chocolate is not my favorite and it is more bitter, so I only want a tiny bit. Milk chocolate is where overeating will come into play.

Ok, I have gone on way too long! As always, I ramble on.

I rarely post and rarely read the board anymore, but wanted to post an update. I had surgery 10/23/02 by Dr.R in North Carolina. I weighed in at 220 on the day of surgery, and over 9 months I went down to 138. I plateaued and yo yoed like everyone else, and got excited and frustrated and lost hair and watched it come back, over the 9 month period. I sold all my clothes on eBay and bought new ones there as my sizes changed. I drank the dreaded gatorade and ate the yogurt and followed the manual.

I no longer take any meds of any kind. I threw away the 2 Rx's for blood pressure because my bp is now 120/70. My glucose is normal, my iron and liver functions are all normal. My doctor just scratches his head and says "I can't find anything wrong with you". I now spend way too much on new wardrobes and shoes but that's all ok

A word of warning though. MGB is a TOOL. Recently I fell into the old rut of "bad eating choices". I felt my clothing getting tight and ignored it. I kept eating bagels with butter, cookies, donuts, name it, anything bad and I ate it. I finally got back on the scale and I was approaching 160 again. I had a talk with myself and got on the Atkins diet and I've lost nearly all of the extra weight again. BEWARE!!! The MGB is a great tool, but you can outsmart it! Many of us have joined weight watchers to be sure we eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. Don't be fooled that you can do whatever you want and stay thin forever. :-) If that were the case, I'd pay double for the surgery!

I do believe had I not had the MGB I would have had a heart attack by now, so it saved my life and I still am relatively thin and within normal limits. Just understand that you have to make positive choices in the lifestyle too! You won't be able to live on apple pie and reese's cups and stay thin (I know, I tried LOL)

My best to all in their journey.

Happy in Chicago,

Hi everyone! So I have good news to post and lots of info for you all.

I had my MGB 6 months ago on August 23rd with Dr. R in Las Vegas! What a great journey this has been! I've lost 95 pounds, so many inches...I went from a 26/28 to now being anywhere from an XL to a 14/16 on top and a size 18 on bottom.

For all the new people out there...stop reading and fill out your packet. Stop worrying, your worries are over. We've been given a second chance! I'm living proof that very little goes wrong and thank God this is available to us!

Ok,..here's the bad...Now I've developed acne...worse than when I was a teen. I spoke to Dr. R. about this a few days ago and he suggested I go to my GYN. So I did, and they wanted to put me on the pill. I opted not to because I've read too many articles about it adversely affecting you when you do try to become pregnant. So my next step is I'm going to the dermatologist in a week or so. I'll let everyone know what they say. Dr. R. did tell me that he has had very few calls regarding this. But if there are a few of you out there that developed acne, can you let me know what worked?

The only other things that have happened to me is that have developed dry patches of skin behind my knees and on my inner thighs from losing so much. Not much seems to help (whether cream, body butter, etc.) So if anyone has had that, can you let me know what does work?

Here's one thing that was my fault...if you don't take your Prilosec...you WILL get an ulcer!!! I'm serious. About two months ago, I called Dr. R. on a Sunday and told him that food was making me nauseous. He very nicely let me know I was a bad girl and needed to triple up on the Prilosec for two weeks...boom, it did the trick. Call Dr. R. immediately when something goes even a little wrong!!! He has most answers or will direct you to who does!

So new people...stop waiting...if all you had was what I wrote above, what in the world would stop you from having this surgery?!? You would have done it years ago, right? Do it!! No joke! Life is wonderful. The guys are staring at me from the front and back! I'm loving life...no depression! not even in the slightest! I wore the patch for two months and that was that!!!

Anyway, seriously, if I can answer any questions for anyone, please e- mail me at imaflgirl7@aol.com. I will be happy to help.

To my littermates, Kelly, Noreen, Anne & Lexi...I miss you all so much! I hope you guys are doing well. Please e-mail me to let me know how you all are.