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Surgeon: Dr. Robert Rabkin, San Francisco, CA
Surgery date: October 2, 2000
Pre-op weight/BMI: 375/62.4
Current weight/BMI: 200 (as of May 14, 2002)

 
Left: Pre-op (375lb.); Center: 3 months post-op (297lb.); Right: 19 months post-op (200lb.)

by Gayle:

March-2000 I am ready, I want my life back. My BMI is 62.4, with high blood presure, sleep apnea, joint pain, shortness of breath with any excertion. I am still young (43), and I am not able to do the things I love to do, I want to do them again. My job is at stake because of mobility, as is my life in general. I see my PCP on April 14 2000.

April 14, 2000 I went to PCP today, he was very receptive, I had sent him a packet of information concerning WLS and my personel information one month before my appt. He had read all that I had sent him and told me he will submit and there should be no problem. This is going down as the first day of the rest of my life.

May-1-00 Got a approval by phone today for Dr. Rabkin

July-13-00 I had my consultation today with Dr. Rabkin. The experiance I had was very positive. Delphine and Jamie were so nice and friendly, they made me feel at ease. I had made up my decision having a open DS and not Lap. After talking with Dr. Rabkin I will be having a lap if it can be done. I really liked him, very nice and low key, I felt very comfortable with him. They will not schedule surgery until they have insurance approval. They gave me a tenative date of end of Sept or first of Oct. Dr Rabkin wants a physiological evauation and to see a pulmonary doctor because I use a C-pap to sleep with. I was told that I need to bring my c-pap with me to the hospital. I'M GETTING CLOSER :o)

Aug 30, 2000 Dr. Rabkins office called and told me I have a date for surgery, Yahooo. I can't discribe my feeling right now except to say the light at the end of the tunnel is not that damn ole train....lol My surgery is Oct 2nd on a monday at 7:30 a.m.

Sept 28, 2000 Had my pre-op today, all went well. I meet the other surgeon today, Dr. Jossart, real nice,real cute,real young. He told me today that he will probably not be able to do my surgery lap due to too many surgeries. That was a disappointment, but says that I will probably be in the hospital only 4 days. I have up to this point gone full steam ahead until today and now I'm taking a few steps back, with just three days to go I'm getting a little nervous. I will be 90 miles away from home and really don't expect someone to be with with all the time...but it would be nice....time to grow up..LOL. I'm still looking forward to my new life which will begin monday morning just after surgery.... I have all my family going with me so that makes me feel better...even though they may not be able to stay the whole time :O)

Oct 7, 2000 Just got out of the hospital yesterday. I MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE...... I'm tired,sore, and stiff but other than that I'm doing ok. I am tolerating food ok. I had to come home with my drain in but thats ok....I will update later....Thanks to all who had me in their thoughts...Gayle :O)

Oct 12, 2000 Went for my first check up and I have lost 23 pounds in just 10 days yahooo..... I had my drain taken out and Dr. Jossart says I doing great.

Nov 1, 2000 It's been little over 4 weeks now and I'm doing great. I have top end incision pain still, I get tired easy, but I weighed at my 4 week mark and I've lost 38 pounds. I feel so much better.... :O)

Nov 14, 2000 Had my 6 week check-up and I have lost 50#'s, YAHOO. I am feeling soooo much better health wise, I wish I would have done it years ago.

Dec 11, 2000 Weighed today and I now have lost 66#'s in 10 weeks. My life just keeps getting better every day. I am just 10# from going under 300. I hope to reach that for Christmas. What a gift for me...lol. :O)

Jan 4, 2001 I just had my pic put on my site. I continue to receive comments on how good I'm looking and I have been told by my father the the greatest change he sees is my attitude. My will to live is back and my life is getting better every day. I still continue to feel like any day I am going to wake up and this has all been a dream but so far so good. :O)

Jan 6, 2001 Just weighed my self tonight and I have lost 77 #'s, yahoo. I am now under 300 pounds, I am soooo happy.

Jan 24, 2001 Went to my 3 month post-op and I have now lost 88#'s in 3 1/2 months, life is soooo great. Gayle :O)

Feb 5, 2001 Weighed today and I now have lost 97 #s. Just 4 months out. I will update my pic's soon. Gayle :O)

March 12, 2001 Today I have gone over the 100 # mark. I am now 105 #s down at 270 and feeling very good.

March 28, 2001 Had my six month check up and I have now lost 112#s and I'm doing great. I am soooo happy right now it's scary. Gayle :O)

May 2, 2001 I am now at 250#s with a weight loss of 125#'s. I am now 7 months post-op. I have just had my labs done with everything looking ok. I am a little low on iron, I will start taking a iron supplement. I am now taking 1800 mg of calcium, and a multi vitamin. I still am finding myself doing things that I was never able to do, what a great life. I now also have knees, lol. Gayle :O)

June 4, 2001 I am now down to 238.5 # with a weight loss of 136.5 #'s in eight months. A loss of 11.5 #s in one month. My weight is slowing down condiderably, but I am gaining muscle mass due to all the things that I am now doing. Life is great. Gayle :O)

Sept 3, 2001 It's been 11 months since my surgery and I have never been happier or healthier in my life. I have lost 160#'s and now weigh 215#'s down from 375. I have went from a pants size of 32 to 14/16. I can wear my wedding rings again and have lost most of my medical problems. I am getting excercise now because it feels good not because I have to.

I NOW HAVE A LIFE....Gayle :O)

May 13, 2002 I have now lost 175 #'s and I feel great. I am healthy, happy and plan to live a very long time, looking forward to my future. I am now about 10 #'s away from my goal and I feel I will reach that by time my 2 year aniversary rolls around.......Gayle :O)

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