Duodenal Switch Information Zone

Previous patient
Next patient

Surgeon: Dr. Clark Warden, Ocean Springs, MS
Surgery date: September 11, 2001
Pre-op weight/BMI: BMI 50

 
Left: Me and cutie Dr. Warden 9/10/01 pre-op consult; Right: A sad day for America.. The service outside Ocean Springs hospital on 9/12/01.. Lord save us.

by Suzy:

Here I am four days away from my DS surgery with Dr. Warden. I cant believe its here already. I say already, and look back at the last few years of my life.. no wonder I’m fat.

I started off in 1963 with a real good start. Very excellent family life and thus it continued throughout childhood and adolescence. I was smart and strong and healthy and oh so full of myself. The fourth of four daughters and though my parents were very strict, I could almost do no wrong in their eyes. No wonder my sisters hated me early in life. One of them even tried to cover me up with the fall leaves they had to rake in the back yard!

We moved to Florida, I loved it here, there were lots of activities. We lived on the water and I was proud of the bruises I had earned in a well played softball game, a rash from the truck tire inner tube we ‘rocked’ out in the bay and of the back handsprings I could perform for my mother in our living room.

I graduated from high school by the skin of my teeth, not because I couldn’t do the work, but because by that time I was much too interested in a boyfriend. I think I started to feel my first bouts of depression around this time. I couldn’t seem to attach myself to any of the ‘cool’ activities at school and it was important for me to feel accepted. I didn’t. I responded to this with rebellion. Maybe that would get me some attention. Just draw a big L on my forehead… I felt like a loser.

College brought little relief. I had dated boys but by then was more interested in getting married and seeing how far I could make my mothers eyebrows raise before she got mad. I ended up going to work for my father, and this was where my weight started to pour on. I was his administrative assistant and right hand gal. Great job but very sedentary. Since my father owned the place, it was no problem to eat what and when I wanted, take long lunches and then nap the rest of the afternoon away when I could.. Why not, that’s exactly what he did.. only, he didn’t seem to gain any weight.

I worked for dad for 12 years and by that time was not meeting people and had gained a lot of weight. I left dad’s business in hopes of finding that elusive husband. Well, I found one just in time to get married, have a beautiful baby boy and gain another 100 pounds. During that time, I had dieted just like any other morbidly obese person. I thought, who cares? I have a husband who loves me anyway, why diet? What a stupid excuse! Now that I have a child, how about making a good life for him, or for my husband? Diet after diet, nothing worked. I just love to eat too much. I also found that another person is NOT the solution to my problems. My husband has had a string of extramarital girlfriends for at least two years. I resent him deeply for that and we are now divorcing. I can’t control him and I can’t control my food. I needed to be a better friend to myself. I needed to do whatever was necessary to gain control over my eating. I needed surgery.

I finally got a job that had good insurance. My husbands insurance was awful. It was hard enough to get them to pay for a simple office visit, much less an expensive surgery. I had looked around at a few web sites about RNY but boy did I wake up when I met Kris Sanchez. She explained to me about DS, I saw her pics, spoke to her in detail and I was convinced. Now, to convince my insurance company.

Did I say ‘convince’ my insurance company? How about nearly have to sue them? The State of Florida is making them pay for it! I fought for 8 months to get this surgery approved! They kept referring me to in network surgeons for an RNY because it was cheaper I’m sure. The cost is not my problem. I eventually did win and since I have to go out of state for the procedure, I will be leaving two days ahead of time. Its time we got a good DS surgeon in the State of Florida, the RNY is just not good for everyone!

I can’t wait. I leave Sunday, and I’ll update when I can. Wish me luck! Suzy.

Update 11/29/01:
Im doing real well.. Ive lost about 65 pounds so far and its coming right off.. clothes are quite a bit looser.. amazing how much I tried to stuff into a size 24. Check out the pics.. Isnt Dr. Warden just adorable?? He's a great surgeon and I'll always cherish him for saving my life.

send email to Suzy

back to top of page

[Home] [Procedure] [Surgeons] [Patients] [FAQ] [More Info]

Email the site administrator with questions, corrections, or suggestions.

Copyright © 1999-2006 by The Duodenal Switch Information Zone, all rights reserved. Text, graphics, and HTML code are protected by US and International Copyright Laws, and may not be copied, reprinted, published, translated, hosted, or otherwise distributed by any means without explicit permission.