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Surgeon: Dr. Bruce MacPherson, Bloomfield Twp., MI
Surgery date: July 1, 1998
Pre-op weight/BMI: 370/58
Current weight/BMI: 175-178/25 (as of December 18, 2001)

by Risa:

Deciding to have this surgery was the most difficult and most worthwhile decision I have ever made. I have always been an active BBW. I am a singer and have performed on stage in musicals from age 16-28 in high school, college, and local professional dinner theatre (varying in size during these years from a size 16 to a size 26). I had an active social life and married a wonderful man, Tom, at age 34, when I was 260 lbs. I must say that becoming thin would never have been the singular motivating factor in making this decision.

I had never had any health problems typically regarded as at-risk for patients with high BMI, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes. However, after having gall bladder surgery in May 1992, I was revealed to have Type II diabetes (for which I am genetically pre-disposed from both my mother and father). I was able to keep my blood counts in control with diet only for about 6 months. After that, for about 2 years I was placed on a variety of drug therapy including Glynase, Glucophage, and Rezulin. Eventually, none of those drugs stabilized me and I began a 2 year term of using a rising scale of insulin. At the time of my surgery, I was a Type II diabetic with heavy insulin dependency (110 units a day in one morning and one evening injection). My situation was growing extremely grim. Due to the vicious cycle of taking heavy daily doses of necessary insulin, which acted as an anabolic steroid, I was gaining weight rapidly (approximately 50 lbs. in the 10 months immediately before my procedure) to a lifetime high of nearly 370 lbs. My mobility was becoming extremely compromised. As my body mass index increased, the pain in my legs and feet became a battle of torture each day. As a full time school teacher, my capability to be fully active with my students was becoming impossible. I am sure that if I had not undergone this procedure two (2) years ago, I would now not be able to work.

Like many of you, I researched different procedures as best I could, (there is so much more info out there for you now then when I investigated about 3 years ago). I had many concerns and took several months from my initial consultation with Dr. MacPherson in April 1997 until I decided to set a surgical date for December 1997. I was especially concerned that the scar would not heal well because of my severe diabetes. After getting a second opinion (from Dr. Hess in Ohio) and third opinion (from a local high-risk endocrinologist) which confirmed Dr. MacPherson's estimation that I would heal well, I set the date for December 1997. I, however, soon moved the date forward to the following summer (July 1998), so that, as a teacher, I would have a full 6 weeks to recover, without having to take any sick leave. On the day of my surgery. I was VERY anxious. (In fact, on the way to the hospital at 5 am, I asked my husband to just blow through red traffic lights and get me there!!) Once I arrived, I was asked to change into a hospital gown. My blood pressure, temperature and pulse were taken. Within the hour of arrival I was taken to pre-op holding. At the time, the decision was made to give me a spinal for pain management post-op. My surgeon came in to say hello and then I was on my way to surgery. The surgery took 3-1/2 hours. I awoke about 3 hours later, already placed in my semi-private room. (I have no recollection of recovery and I was very relieved to learn upon waking that I did not have a central line in my neck nor require any time in ICU as I had been told I would.) My hospital stay was good; as with any surgery, day 2 out was somewhat miserable, but I recovered quickly and was released on the 5th morning post-op

Since my release, 26 months ago, I have lost almost 180 lbs. and have returned to a fully active life with excellent health. My diabetes is completely controlled without the need of any medication or special diet. In fact, for those of you familiar with the Hemoglobin A1C, (which should register between 5.5 and 7 for a well-controlled diabetic), even with 110 units of insulin daily my Hem A1C never registered below 11. On my most recent blood profile, it would not register at the minimum value of 4 for the test to be readable; thus indicating I am not a diabetic. In addition, I have a negative cardiac risk factor including a Cholesterol/HDL ratio which registers below average. Through compliant behavior to maintain proper nutrition (taking daily megadoses of vitamins and consuming the protein first at each meal), I enjoy a very normal lifestyle which is in complete opposition to my circumstances of two (2) years ago.

I thoroughly maintain that all people of all sizes have the right to a safe and caring environment in today's society, but so do those seeking information regarding WLS have a right to learn from the experiences and supporting research. Good luck to all of you in this endeavor :o) Please feel free to contact me at budjakemom@aol.com.

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