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Surgeon: Dr. Hazem Elariny, Arlington, VA
by Kathleen:
January 29, 2001: Well, I received my insurance approval! Yay! It wasn't at the level of coverage I'd hoped for, but I'll take it anyway! I have my surgery date scheduled for March 14, 2001 at 8:45am with Dr. Elariny at Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. I will be working on completing the pre-op testing now. I have been speaking with the Lactation consultant at Fairfax hospital about breastfeeding my son after surgery, and she is going to work with me and the Dr. to try to help us continue nursing. Neither my son (first birthday 2/19/01) nor I are ready to give it up yet! I am a proud member of the La Leche League and firmly believe in extended nursing. Hopefully it will work for us, because this baby doesn't want to wean. He is quite stubborn like his Dad! At this point I only nurse him upon waking and before bed, more for comfort than nutrition now. We'll see how it goes! All I know is I am thrilled to be moving closer to my new life as a Switchee! April 1, 2001: On March 14, 2001, I had my lap BPD/DS with gallbladder removal performed by Dr. Elariny. It was an uneventful surgery and a remarkable recovery! I am feeling great now, although I tire easily and still enjoy daily naps! I have been trying many of the foods I enjoyed before surgery and have not had any complications. I am down 23 pounds at just 2 1/2 weeks out! I couldn't be more thrilled! I am not trying to paint too sunny a picture, beacuse it is MAJOR surgery! I realise I am one of the lucky ones who have no problems or complications. It is a huge adjustment physically and mentally, but for me it is well worth it! So many thanks to everyone who offered me support and encouragement before surgery. I will keep you updated of my progress! Update July 3, 2001: Well, I can hardly believe it has been 3 months since my switch. Every day gets better and better! I am now down 75 pounds and am just in disbelief about how wonderful this procedure has been! I have had a few minor problems, but nothing that hasn't cleared up or worked itself out. Nothing that would keep my from doing the whole thing over again if I had too. I am down several dress sizes now and am fitting into clothes from before I was pregnant. It feels great! My energy has increased tremendously already, too! I take my son for swim lessons at a public pool and I actually appear in public in a bathing suit. I am not saying that that is easy, but I just tell myself I look good in that bathing suit, and that by next year I will look even better! I went for my 3 month check up and had my lab work done. Everything looked good! My levels were all within normal range and the doctor was pleased with my progress. I need to work on getting in more protein shakes. I notice that I do feel better when I get those in. But, overall, I am more than satisfied with the variety of foods that I eat and most importantly the quality of life that this has brought me and my family. It was the best move I ever made! Update November 12, 2001: Hi All, I have been meaning to do this update for so long, but never seem to find the time with an active toddler running around! Well, as of today I am down 117 pounds at just 8 months out! Naturally I am thrilled! I revel each time I go down another clothing size. I have continued to have a few minor problems heer and there: kidney stones and hemorroidhs. Both quite painful! The kidney stones passed, but the hemorroids continue to flare up, and I am now facing having them removed. Oh well. It's still all so worth it! I eat totally normally, and enjoy any and all foods! I can no longer tolerate fried foods though, but that is no great loss. I feel terrific and my energy level goes up every day! I am finally able to roll around on the floor with my son and am even able to get back up! All my labs have been right on track also. I was a little low in the manganese, but Dr. E told me to add a trace element supp., which I have done. I assume it's working. The skin sagging thing is definetly happening! I have started a plastic surgery fund, because there is no way I am to be able to get away without a tummy tuck and a boob lift. Maybe the arms too. I am going to be like the "Bionic Man" soon: "They have the technology, they can rebuild me" !! I don't care, I am just lovin' life, unbelievably enjoying going to the gym and working out, and getting skinnier by the minute! I am thrilled to no longer be "morbidly obese". For now I am just regular old obese, soon to say good bye to that as well. OK,I'll try to update again after the holiday season. Good luck to all of you who have bothered to read this far!
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My name is Kathleen Braun, I am awaiting insurance approval from Capitalcare Carefirst BC/BS. I intend to have the laparoscopic BPD/DS with Dr. Hazem Elariny of Arlington, VA in early March. I have a son, age 9 months, whom I committed to breastfeeding until he is one year old, so that is why I have chosen early March, 2001, for surgery. I am now at a weight of 365lbs, my highest ever. Like so many others here, I have tried every diet known to mankind with varying degrees of success. I have not maintained any significant losses for more than 10 minutes! Also, I have not been below 200 since 1990. I have always thought that someday I'd do it - be thin, that is. Well, That someday is now. I want to be healthy, I want to be able to crawl on the floor with my son and watch him grow up to be a man. I believe the DS is my last hope and my best choice. I have been inspired by the pictures and stories of so many of you here. Thank you! Good luck to everyone at whatever stage of this journey...