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Surgeon: Dr. Baltasar, Alcoy, Spain
Surgery date: April 30, 2002
Pre-op weight/BMI: 335/57, size tight 28
Current weight/BMI: 167/28.7, Size 11/12 (two years + Post-op)

 
Left: My friend Tammy, Dr. Baltasar & me 2 days after surgery in Spain; Center: 1 week after surgery when I got home; Right: My one year anniversary

 
Left (the double one): One week after surgery when I got home: Two years post-op.; Right: Some people don't recognize me two years later!

by Rosie:

My story is like many others. I’ve been big all my life... since my first memory at four years old. My mom had me at the doctor in Elementary School and I was given medication to lose weight even then. My guess it was amphetamines.

I’ve lost and gained hundreds of pounds with my weight going higher after every loss. I tried the medically supervised liquid diet and lost 103 pounds. I looked very unhealthy. I didn't eat a bite for a year but as soon as I went back on food, back came the weight with a vengeance. I even lost 80 pounds on Atkins but regained it and more pretty fast once I got sick of meat, eggs and cheese. I've been on too many diets to mention. I even tried speed in my younger years. Same results. Weight lost, weight regained plus more.

Over the years I’d get heel spurs and would be put on some radical diet or another to lose the weight to get rid of the pain of the spur. Then at 45 years old, my excess weight caused me to get spurs and neuroma of the foot to the point of having foot surgery on the bottom of my heel.  It was a nightmare to be well over 300 lbs and only be able to put weight on one foot! Then my one good foot started getting symptoms of the same problem. I knew then I had to do something permanent or I’d be an invalid soon.

I was only able to walk months after surgery with a cane, and then only very small amounts. It was affecting my health, my work and my life. I started researching bariatric surgery. I didn't like what I read about RNY and Lap Band. Then I saw a mention of the DS and researched it. I went to RNY and DS message boards and corresponded with hundreds of people who have had both procedures and realized the DS had the best success rate if one followed the simple rules of staying healthy... like supplements and protein intake.  The quality of life was much better also with the DS.

I collected all my diet info, and several doctors' recommendations for surgery and with the help of Dr. Keshishian's office, submitted it all to Blue Cross of CA in June of 2001 for the DS. I was denied the DS on the basis of it being investigational, but was approved for the RNY. There was no way I would put myself through the RNY even if insurance paid for it! I fought and appealed for 6 months and after 3 denials, decided I’d have to find a way to do this myself.

My husband was dead set against it and would not support me in this at all, financially or otherwise. I believe it was fear driving him. I had to keep up my resolve to do this even though everything seemed to be blocking my getting this surgery. I had heard of Dr. Baltasar in Spain on the main DS list and started researching him and his patients’ results. I heard excellent reports of him as a surgeon, and found he was well known worldwide. I decided to go to Spain. I had no money at all but had kept my credit cards paid off so I used that to pay for the surgeon, hospital and trip. The whole thing for me, my friend, plane fares, doctor fees, surgery, hospital fees, motels (even on the Mediterranean), taxis, food, medication, EVERYTHING, cost $14,500 total for us both! I then transferred the balance to an introductory no/low interest card. Got myself a no interest then low interest loan doing it that way.

It’s been a little over two years now and I have lost 167#. In the last three months I’ve lost ten pounds though I thought I was finished losing and was perfectly satisfied with my weight loss at that time. I walk two to three miles a day with no foot pain and feel absolutely fantastic! I fit into chairs, I can cross my legs and sit with my legs under me or bent up to my chin very comfortably, it’s fun to shop now and I can find clothes anywhere that look good on me, I don’t need seatbelt extenders, I eat what I want, when I want, I’m light on my feet, I feel like I fit into my skin, and my labs are great! It was a blessing to find Dr. Baltasar and this surgery! I’m even glad now that insurance didn’t pay. It was the best money I’ve ever spent!

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