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Surgeon: Dr. Robert Rabkin, San Francisco, CA
Surgery date: October 22, 2001
Pre-op weight/BMI: 328
Current weight: 185 (as of June 9, 2004)

 
Above (all): pre-op

 
Left: Pre-op; Right: June 8, 2004

 
Above (all): June 8, 2004 (185lb.)

by Cynthia

June 9, 2004

Hello, My name is Cynthia. I had the Duodenal Switch done by Both Drs. John and Bob Rabkin in San Francisco, CA on October 22, 2001. On November 1, 2001, I experienced great pain in my stomach. I was rushed to the Emergency Room where we discovered that I had developed a major infection where my Gall Bladder had been removed. It was touch and go for about 4 days, but I pulled through. I am completely healed now.

I was 328 pounds before surgery. I was diabetic with a blood sugar level of 150-200. I had high blood pressure of an average 145/95. I was taking medication for both health issues.

I am now over 2.5 years out from my surgery. I weight an average of 185 pounds. My blood sugar is about 60-80, and my blood pressure is 100/70 last time it was checked on June 1, 2004. I am 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

I love how wonderful I feel now. I have so much more energy. I can walk for long distances without any pain. I can fit into any car, plane or amusement park ride! I am not embarrassed to wear a bathingsuit in public anymore! I eat just about anything I want, except after the surgery I can no longer tolerate any foods with MSG or nitrates. I had been Lactose Intolerant also after the surgery, but I have slowly rebuilt my tolerance back up. I can have pure dairy products in small amounts without having discomfort or bad gas.

Emotionally the journey has been a tad harder. I had "issues" before the surgery. And afterwards I had to face up to them. I became an active alcoholic and drug addict. And I almost killed myself. I am now clean and sober, and I have learned to face the issues of my past. I understand them now, and I accept them now, and I am able to move on. I Have so much more love and acceptance of myself. I am actually grateful that I had to deal and face these issues. I am emotionally stronger then I have ever been, and slowly I am making my dreams come true. I no longer accept any putdowns from anyone. I refuse to be in any verbally abusive relationships. ANyway....Life is GOOD!

I still need to lose about 20-30 pounds. I still need to have a lower body lift, and a breast reduction. I was a 50DD before surgery. Now I am a very flappy 38D. :o) But I am happy with this surgery, and so grateful I was able to have the DS over the RNY.

The worst part of this surgery is the extra foul gas and BMs. It takes some adjusting to accept this part of it. It can be controlled by several different methods and it is up to each individual to figure out what works best for them. I find that I keep to a high protien/low carb diet the gas is not so bad. But I like to eat carbs and candy and that can make me pretty stinky.

Feel free to email with any questions. SFCynthia@aol.com

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