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Surgeon: Dr. Aniceto Baltasar, Alcoy, Spain
Surgery date: October 15, 2001
Pre-op weight/BMI: 265/42.7
Current weight: 170/27.4 (as of August 15, 2002)

 
Left: Pre-op (265lb.); Right: December 27, 2001 (220lb.)

 
Left: 5 1/2 months post-op (190lb.); Right: 10 months post-op (170lb.)

by Pammi:

In following the weightloss of those "famous" people i.e....Rosanne and Carnie--I envied their success, yet I was uncomfortable with what was done to their bodies to help them lose weight.

Then one day while hauling a wheelbarrow of dirt, after planting some bushes--my heart started to pound, got so short of breath and weak-- I went inside to lay down, it took me all afternoon to recover. As a nurse, I was scared to death, I knew it was time to quit dragging my feet. My body was starting to fall apart because of my wt.

Got on the puter--typed in "weight loss surgery" -- and started at Obesityhelp.com. While looking for ’peers’ in my home state, there was someone who had went to Spain and had the DS. Yikes!! That's radical--that's desperate!! What is the DS??? Being a fair-minded person--I dug deeper-- dug and dug---

Well, here I am-- now I'm going to Spain!! When I understood the DS procedure--the sleeve grastrectomy portion--that just sounded so reasonable and less scary to me than the fobi or RNY. I really didn't want a "frankenstein" stomach. And the malabsorptive portion was incredible to me!! This I can do!!

Dr. Baltasar is top notch in experience, competence and patient care--I really would prefer lap--but the kind of surgeon he is--his talent is the "open". I want him to do what he's best at. I also liked that he uses the transverse incision--going across the body at about the waist line. This incision falls at a normal crease in the body, when it heals it is more flat, and it seems less prone to hernias.

Another issue for me, is that being a Jehovah's Witness, I wanted a careful and meticulous surgeon to minimize blood loss. Dr. B has never given blood in primary WLS surgery. He doesn't require pre-donation. Three surgeons operate at once, so there are more hands available to stop bleeding--and also they are able to go faster, shorter operative time lessens the amount lost. If there are unexpected problems, a Hospital Liaison from my church will be on hand to consult with Dr. B on alternatives for my treatment. None of us however, expect any problems in this area.

Well, I hope that most of this story will be postop!! I hope to give updates, pics and stats as much as possible.

For anyone considering this surgery--I am always free to explain things from nursing prospective--however there are some people who have done incredible amounts of research that far surpasses my expertise!! I am so thankful for all the information they shared both here on this site, and on the yahoo groups.

Preop Stats:
wt: 265
ht: 5'6"
BMI: 42.7
Age: 40
Size: 24
Surgery Date: 10/15/01

Update 12/27/01:
My personal observation: This is going wonderfully!! The first weeks after surgery are a little difficult--because you have to remember that you had major surgery. It takes time to heal and recover. I really started to feel normal between 6-8 weeks, and not get so exhausted. I have a hernia--it isn't over the insicion, so I think it was something that was starting before the surgery, I hope that it can wait to be repaired until I have lost most of my weight.

Dr. Baltasar was great. He is incredibly sweet and caring. I had a wonderful time in Spain--many friends from my Church came to visit and took my sister places. Made many new dear friends. I am returning to Spain the end of February as my husband will be having surgery as well. It will be nice to show Dr. B some results of my surgery.

Update March 29, 2002: (5 1/2 months post op)

-75#'s
current wt. --190
current BMI 30.7
down to size 16 from a tight 24!!

Where have the past 5 plus months gone? I was at the store shopping for clothes and thought how did the time go so fast? I am so pleased with how everything is going. I graduated from the plus sized stores to "regular" woman shops---whoo hoooo!!!!

I returned to Spain the end of February for my husband to have surgery---his too went off without a hitch. He has lost 42#'s in 1 month!! It was such a treat to see Dr. Baltasar again and to see all the wonderful friends I made there from my church. They were so incredibly generous--we stayed at their homes, had us for several meals, washed our clothes---we are going back to see them all in another year!!

Keith and I feel so blessed to have had complication free surgeries. We know that those that have them eventually heal and too get to enjoy the gift of weight loss--but feel so badly for the grueling time they must endure. The gal who had surgery the day before Keith, ended up with a leak the night before we left. She had to stay another 2 weeks, and still has infections to deal with.

I have a hernia that will need repair, I hope that it will keep until I can have a tummy tuck as well. I wear a binder to support it during the day which helps it alot.

This was the best thing I did for myself. My cholesterol has dropped 80 points, and I feel like the person that I once knew is coming back to life. I am starting to know that person in the mirror again!!

Update August 15th, 2002:
My 10 month anniversary. Had a lengthy plateau this summer. But over the long haul, I lost 10#'s since May, nothing to wrinkle my nose at. It has been an incredible summer. So busy, and having the time of my life. So much fun when people seeing me for the 1st time with so much wt off--have been basking in the adulations. Most of all have been enjoying the freedom to move and do things with ease.

In June several of Dr. B's patients as well as my husband and I went to Las Vegas to meet him during the American Bariatric Surgeon's Conference. That was very special. He spoke of how the intestinal portion of the DS may be a surgical option for those with type 2 diabetis and high cholesterol. I think there are some studies being started in that arena.

Also, went to New York. Keith and I walked our buns off--and never got tired or short of breath or got sore feet---and last summer--we would have been near death attempting to do the same. What a liberating feeling!!

Keith is doing incredible. He has lost 120#'s in 5 1/2 months!! He feels overlooked sometimes as most people notice my wt loss and not his.

I am fitting in 12's. Some things that I bought--I never wore before they got too big--now that is a first!!!

The emotional journey has been interesting too--for awhile I was so self conscious--as though I was on display and everyone inspecting me. Then I went through a period where I felt a little lost--I saw pictures of myself and didn't know who I was, weird.

My one year anniversary will be both happy and nerve wracking. 2 more people near and dear to me will be traveling to Spain for the DS. My nephew's wives--one day after another will have it done!! So my sister, her sons and wives are going to Spain together!! I wish I could go too--but we are paying for 2 surgeries yet!!

Life is wonderful. My only regret is not being able to do this 10 years ago. I am so happy for my neices in law--they will have that extra 10 years.

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