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Surgeon: Dr. Elariny, Falls Church, VA
by Katherine F.:
I topped off around 235lbs in just 7 years. I couldn't believe that this had happened to me. I have to admit that I'd always wondered how people could let themselves get so heavy... but then I saw it happen to myself and I was just as helpless! Humbled me right up, it did. The things I used to do that kept me thin I could no longer do--it was one of those vicious circles in reverse. If I was thin, I could dance. If I was thin, I could ride my bike. If I was thin, I could stay thin. But since I was fat, I couldn't do any of that! Just racing from my desk to answer the phone left me wheezing. So I hit 30 and my thoughts turned to surgery. I decided to poke around on the ‘net to see what it was all about. At first all I had been thinking of one of those balloons they put in your stomach to make you feel full, but my web searches led to more and more information and more and more procedures. I brought up the subject on a public forum that I belong to and found that several people I knew had actually gone through WLS. They had had the RNY and told me it was great and that I should look into it. And so I looked into it. I was iffy on the restrictions, but I was talking myself into it. I don't really remember how I learned about the DS. Just another web search result, I'm sure. I suppose I have Google to thank, when it comes down to that! Once I started reading about the DS there was just no question in my mind. That was what I wanted. I went to Dr. Elariny's discussion group with my husband, who was skeptical of the whole WLS "thing" to that point. Afterwards, when he had all the information, he became very supportive. My insurance, UnitedHealthcare PPO, approved my surgery without batting an eye--I was very fortunate. There were a few ugly personal details that delayed my actual surgery date (people butting their noses in and trying to talk my surgeon out of operating on me!) but on November 29, 2002 I "got switched" at Inova Fairfax hospital in Virginia. I spent Thanksgiving on the potty "clearing out" in preparation for surgery! The first month was unpleasant. No question. But I learned to adjust. At only 6 months out and I had lost almost 70% of my excess weight. At 11 months, I had lost 104lbs and reached my goal. I now seem to be floating anywhere from 113 to 120lbs (BMI 20-21) and I'm very happy! My capacity to eat has grown to the point where I can eat an "almost normal" sized meal. |
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Growing up I was a "normal weight" and sometimes even slim. In my early 20s I hovered between 105 and 120lbs and didn't really even try. I gained weight after I had my son when I was 23. I doubled in size and then a little more! I watched it happen in horror but nothing I did slowed it down or turned it around. I tried Jenny Craig (lost about 15lbs, gained it right back) and everything else I could afford. Nothing really worked, and all of it was unpleasant. And it was going up.