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Surgeon: Dr. Daniel M. Herron, New York, NY
Surgery date: November 15, 2000
Pre-op weight/BMI: 453/70
Current weight/BMI: 250-260 (as of October 19, 2004)

Most recent update: October 19, 2004

Left: Pre-op (453lb.); Right: 3 months post-op (369lb.)

 
Left, Center: One year post-op (285lb.) Down 170 pounds; Right: October 2002 (260lb.)

 
Above (both): October 2002 (260lb.)

By Bob:

I am 51 years old and had my surgery on November 15, 2000. I chose the BPD/DS procedure after research of my own and consultation with Dr. Daniel Herron of Mount Sinai who advised that I was not a candidate for a "lap" procedure and that the procedure would be done "open". At the time of surgery, I weighed 453 lbs. (the heaviest weight I ever reached). Unlike many people who are morbidly obese, though I was a fat baby and young child, I was normal weight (170 - 180 lbs.) until age 31 when I joined AA and stopped drinking alcohol and taking recreational drugs. I was told that I "switched seats on the Titanic" when I started eating compulsively after getting sober. I am proud to say that I have been drug and alcohol?free for almost 20 years. My weight fluctuated wildly during most of this time (depending on whatever diet or weight loss program I was involved in) but the general trend was up, up and up. I won't bore you with all the weight loss programs or diets that I have tried…suffice it to say that I've done a whole bunch of them…..enough to have gotten me to where I was pre-surgery!

Three years ago, I visited the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C., a world-recognized weight loss center. I even took a 6-month leave of absence from my job and stayed in North Carolina in hopes of FINALLY getting a handle on my "problem". I always did great while in that tightly structured environment but could not maintain the "program" when I returned home. In April of this year, the psychotherapist with whom I worked at Duke asked if I had ever thought about surgery. I was devastated and angry. I felt that they were giving up on me and I was a lost cause! However, she gave me the names and phone numbers of three clients of hers who had done the surgery and suggested that I contact them, which I did. Slowly I became more accepting of the concept and, finally, decided that it was an option for me. I started doing my homework, putting out little "hints" to my family and friends (nothing but positive support) and finally decided to take action by going to open support meetings at St. Luke's Roosevelt and Mount Sinai Hospitals. Dr. Herron happened to be the physician doing the presentation at the Mount Sinai support group meeting, and I was taken by his professional yet very approachable manner. In a consultation with him a few weeks later, I became clear that he was the surgeon for me. No rushing, clear concise explanations, deeply caring demeanor, and a direct honesty, all of which I respect. I conferred with my own PCP who is totally supportive of my decision.

The wealth of websites and support groups related to WLS is amazing! I am very grateful for those who have "gone before me" and for all the work they've done in setting up these incredible sites and "egroups".

3/3/01 Update:
At my 3-month post-op checkup, I had lost 84 lbs. My recovery continues and I am learning about my new body. I believe I have become lactose intolerant or gluten sensitive since the surgery and am exploring ways of eating to lessen the symptoms. However, most areas of my life have improved tremendously. I no longer have the severe lower back pain I had pre-op and my sleep pattern has improved tremendously. I can walk much longer distances and I have resumed aerobics classes in a local pool and find it much easier than before my surgery. I was a virtual shut-in pre-op and have become more willing and interested in going out into the world. I have a ways to go but I am enjoying the journey!

5/29/01 Update:
At my 6-month post-op checkup, I had lost 121 lbs. Hooray! I continue to learn about my "new" body; i.e., which foods make me feel good and which cause problems. I spent Easter in Oklahoma with my family and it was wonderful to be able to hide the Easter eggs instead of sneaking chocolate whenever no one was watching and hating myself for it. What a difference! I have increased the frequency of my exercise program though I want to become more committed in this area. I try to do water aerobics twice or three times per week and walk two miles or more three or four times per week. I plan to add strength training to my program but haven't been able (yet) to achieve this goal.....surgery did not cure my dislike for the gym! I have so much more energy than I did pre-op and every day brings a new awareness of the joy of movement. My sleep pattern continues to improve and I haven't felt so good in many years. For all of you considering this surgery, it is important to do your homework carefully. This is major surgery and should not be considered unless you are absolutely certain it is appropriate for you and your lifestyle.

10/2/01 Update:
I am 10-1/2 months post-op and have lost approximately 160 lbs. I feel wonderful and the bloating and gas problems I was experiencing previously have all but disappeared. My choice of diet determines whether I have problems (too many carbs are the culprit) and I have no major complaints at all. This surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have quite a lot of "hanging skin" but I know that will be taken care of in a year or so when I have a tummy tuck. I need to post some new photos on this site and will try to do that promptly. I can't believe it's almost a year since my surgery date! For those considering weight loss surgery, read everything you can get your hands on, join the appropriate discussion groups in Yahoo groups, ask questions, send emails, and do your homework! This is life changing surgery and should not be taken lightly.

12/1/01 Update:
I celebrated my one-year surgery anniversary on November 15th. I have lost a total of 170 lbs. and feel terrific, and I hope to continue losing more weight. All blood work is good except for a low iron level (which I have had for many years). I have developed a small hernia at the base of my incision scar and will likely have to have this surgically repaired - most likely in six months or one year when I am ready for a tummy tuck. I have not lost any more weight in about six weeks but am hoping this will pick-up again soon. Good luck to all those researching WLS and please feel free to email me if I can be of help.

10-23-02 Update:
I haven't updated in a while but I finally got some digital photos taken so I can post new pics. My current weight is 260 lbs. This has been an eventful year for me. In April 2002 I had ventral hernia repair performed by the amazing Dr. Herron at Mt. Sinai. This was a pretty big procedure because it turned out I had a "cluster" of 3 hernias. The mesh he inserted was the size of a soccer ball and, amazingly, he was able to do it laprascopically. Since I was going to be under anesthesia anyway, I decided to have Dr. Chun remove excess skin from under my arms and from my inner thighs while Dr. Herron was working on the hernia repair. They double-teamed me! Recovery was relatively uneventful with good results for all the procedures. Had one minor pocket of infection under one of my arms which we took care of with antibiotics and drainage. I will be having a complete lower body lift in February 2003 since Dr. Herron wanted my hernia repair to heal for as long as possible before having an abdominoplasty. I have a tremendous amount of loose, hanging skin in my belly, sides, and back and can't wait to get it removed. It is uncomfortable and restricts movement to some degree (though nothing like when I was 453 lbs.)

A month after the hernia surgery, I had to go to the emergency room with the worst pain of my life. It seems I developed kidney stones and was hospitalized for two full weeks on very major pain medications. Dr. Alex Kirschenbaum performed laser urethro-lithotripsy under general anesthesia but was unable to retrieve any stones. Given the overall presentation of my symptons, he believes I have the type of stones that are uric acid based so I am on two medications to treat this. So far, no recurring pain and I really hope it stays that way! Are the stones related to my weight loss surgery? No one really knows for sure but I believe it is very likely. As awful as this experience was (and it was truly awful!) I would still have the duodenal switch procedure again if I had it to do over because of the extraordinary change for the better in virtually all aspects of my life. The life I have today is one that I could only dream about a short two years ago. In August, I went on a 2-1/2 week vacation to Oklahoma, California and Oregon. What a great trip! Did lots of sightseeing, went horseback riding, and even went parasailing! Unbelievable! Spending time with friends that I haven't seen in years because I was too fat to travel is miraculous.

I have my two year follow-up visit next month so will try to post more at that time. If you are considering weight loss surgery of any kind, speak to as many people as you can who have been through it. Do your homework! Feel free to email me if I can answer any questions or provide any insight on your journey back to life.

Update October 19, 2004:

I am approaching my fourth anniversary next month and wanted to update my progress.  My weight currently ranges between 250 – 260 lbs. and I feel terrific.  The small things continue to astound me…tying my shoes, clipping my toenails, shopping for clothes in department stores, walking up a flight or two of stairs without my heart pounding out of my chest, not being stared at in a crowd…I thought the “new” would wear off but I am as astounded today as I was a couple of years ago.  Sometimes I try to imagine what my life would be like today if I had not had surgery (if I were alive which is doubtful) and it makes me very sad.  I was so isolated, depressed, angry and mystified why I could not get a handle on this problem and “fix” it. I spent so many years and a huge amount of money trying to figure it out. I recently found some pre-op photos taken at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center and I hardly recognized the person in those photos.

I am working closely with my surgeon, Daniel Herron, MD of Mount Sinai here in New York City to normalize my calcium and iron numbers which are on the low side. This is common for DS patients and I am sure we will find a way to bring these counts back into normal range. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want and that is a dream come true.  I would like to lose more weight but am not obsessed with it.  I get a massage twice per week and am regaining feeling in the scar tissue from all the plastic surgery I have had to remove excess skin. 

To those of you who are pre-op my advice continues to be:  “research, research and more research”.  This is major surgery with many potential complications and risks (not to mention the likelihood of additional plastic surgery after weight loss). However, I evaluated those risks and determined that I wanted to take the chance in order to regain my life.  I am very happy that I did and I wish you the very best in your journey back to life.

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