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Surgeon: Dr. Gary Anthone, Omaha, Nebraska Most recent update: February 27, 2005
by Mark: I have been heavy since I was 5, and was 6'2" and 270 lb. in high school, but it did not seem to bother me until a few years ago when the weight caught up with me. It started with hypertension, then type 2 diabetes, then my knees wore out, severe sleep apania and the need for CPAP use. I really began to put on weight when my knees gave up. I am 52 years old, married (30 years in May, 2005) and have three sons, 24, 22, and 20. I am a high school instrumental music teacher, and for the last 2 years have had to use a scooter because my knees are so bad. In June 2003, a friend of mine who also teaches had a Roux n Y at the Nebraska Medical Center and has had a great recovery and weight loss. He became my inspiration. Last fall I made an appointment (6 month wait) to see his doctor. In January of 2004 I told my family doctor, Steven M. Williams of Physicians Clinic that I was going to investigate having the Roux n Y and he told me that Physicians Clinic and Methodist Hospital in Omaha had just brought Dr. Gary Anthone to Omaha from the USC Medical Center to begin a practice of DS surgery. Dr. Anthone has done well over 1000 DS surgeries with a great track record, and Dr. Williams called him the "gold standard" of DS. I went to his monthly presentation in early February, made an appointment, and within a few weeks was approved by BS/BC of Nebraska (they no longer cover the surgery now). I went through all of the pre screening, and had the surgery on April 1, 2004. At the time of my first appointment, I was 6'2", 485 lb. and had a BMI of 61.5. Dr. Anthone and his staff have been terrific from 1st appointment until today. They performed open DS surgery and it went very well. I don't remember much of the first 24 hours post op because they had to keep me on a ventilator for that time and kept me fairly well sedated. ( I had really dreaded that, but thankfully I don't remember much of it.) Thanks to an epidural the post op pain was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. On the third day post op Dr. Anthone ordered x rays of my tract to check for leaks. He came into my room an hour later and I had not yet been down to radiology, he made a call and I was down in five minutes. He was there to meet me and helped take the pictures and deemed me ready for liquids. The next day I was doing solid food, and on the 6th day I went home. I went back to work in 4 weeks (2 weeks early) but did take a couple days off during my return until the end of school to rest when I got really tired. Problems? Sure, it was not all easy! The first 3 days at home were very hard, with uncontrolled stool problems, and I discovered the wonderful world of acid reflux. Nexium and Prilosec have cured that problem. Before the surgery I could eat a pizza and go to bed without problem. No longer. The first two months were difficult with diet, not because I was not hungry, I was, but because I have become very selective on what I want to eat, or not eat. Soft bread, hamburger, and lettuce (which was my love before surgery) are still not something I eat much of. I enjoy seafood, steak, cheese, green vegetables like peas, brussel sprouts, canned green beans, and broth based soups and tomato soup. Pizza must be a thin crisp crust, yet cake is not a problem. I do like pasta with a lot of sauce, I don't have much problem with that as I have read others do. For lunch I have a frozen entree and snack on fruit cups. I buy a lot less food at the store and leftovers last forever! I have only gotten sick a few times from eating too much. My friend with the Roux n Y still does! That’s why I recommend DS over it every time. I can tell when I have gone over my limit because I begin to sneeze, have nasal drip, and burp over and over. I probably eat less now (Today is November 13, 2004) than I did 2 months after the surgery. I can only handle about a cup of food or soup total at a time. In the first few months, what is left of my stomach would ache every 3 hours if I did not put something in it. I still try to eat 6 small meals a day, but I sometimes just don't get around to it. I faithfully take my pre natal vitamins, calcium, Nexium, and hypertension medicine, and my diabetes is gone (in fact my blood sugars get low often). My hypertension is improving, and my sleep apnea is gone! I still get tired, and often go to bed early to catch up, but I have a ton more energy and my life has really changed. My wife says I am the ultimate "cheap date" as we split a meal now when we go out, which is often. Little things are big after this surgery, like not needing a seat belt extender in my car, or being able to lower my tilt wheel all the way! OK- I know you want to know the vital statistics. Here they are: 1st Appointment: 485 Clothes sizes pre surgery 5xl shirts, 66" waist pants I bought pants and shirts at JC Penney, Shopko, and WalMart in the last few weeks, which was a great thrill. No longer a slave to the King Size catalogue I am lighter now than I was when I graduated from college and got married. This has been one of the greatest things I have ever done and has completely changed my life. I recommend it to anyone. It is worth it!!!!!!! I hope to have my knees done in the next couple of years, and of course, I look like a prune under my cloths, but that can also be fixed. I love to travel and my wife and I will be going to Sweden next summer to celebrate 30 years together. I can't wait to fly and lower the tray in front of me to put my drink on! I can be reached for questions or comment at kmillerm@cox.net. Mark Miller
I am down to a 46 waist and weighed in at 303 after swimming on Friday, 2/25/2005. My wife and I joined friends on a cruise over New Years, and I had a great time snorkeling in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. I also enjoyed driving a rented compact car, comfortably fitting in it. I hope to break 300 in the next couple of weeks. My weight loss is slowing down, but has never stopped for more than a few days. Its hard to believe I have gone through Christmas and a cruise and have lost 23 pounds. My doctor thinks it will soon be time to see the plastic surgeon. I will include a recent photo. |
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Things continue to go well. I have joined a health club and try to swim 3 times a week. I can walk much better than I could before, and now walk into restaurants, small stores, etc. I still use my scooter for longer trips. I stood and directed my band at a December concert, the first time in 2 years! I have had one medical problem, but it was not related to the surgery. I had inflammation of the sack around the heart due to a virus, and even though it felt like I was having a heart attack, it was more painful than serious. It did take a few weeks to get over it but all is well now.