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  • Name: deborah L.
  • Username: angelkisses2820
  • Location: dallas, TX, USA
  • Member Since: 8/24/2004
  • BMI: 53.8
  • Post Op
  • Surgery Type: DS (11/13/06)
  • Surgeon: Daryl A. Stewart, M.D.
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Surgeon Testimonial

Daryl A. Stewart, M.D.
New Surgeon: Daryl Stewart rnFIRST IMPRESSION: He is a very serious guy, but maybe he is really just shy, and I am NOT LOL I was impressed with his seminar, and I mean that. I have been to numerous seminars, and his was by far the best I have attended. Dr Stewart spoke, took questions, and never once rushed to finish \"on ti8me\" he was all about making sure folks had the answers to any and all questions they had. The longer he spoke, the more you can see his care and concern for people. Now we will see what kind of cutter he is LOL Actually I am fully confident to be one of his uhhh number 1-99 surgeries LOL. Dr Stewart is new to DS by the numbers, but has done 1000's of RNY ect. I know he is a capable surgeron, and humble enough not to take on something he has not mastered. I respect that in him. His staff are GREAT, KIND, SWEET, FUNNY folks, you just have to love em. Although I am betting Leah/corrdinator would like me to have lost her number LOL (love ya woman! )rnrnrnrnBELOW IS LAP BAND SURGEONrnrnFirst impression: knew he was a good surgeon. It was only recently that I really discovered I had made a huge mistake in using him. I really NEVER thought aftercare was of any concern to me. Heck I actually never even thought I would need it. I am here to tell you...that was a HUGE MISTAKE! Little Miss 10 foot tall and bullet proof NEEDS aftercare...lol as well as a support group. Dr Hamm doesn't seem to care much about his patients after the surgery is finished. His office staff are all very nice and friendly people. Some in the office are a little slow, and not quite as honest about what and when things have been done. That was disappointing. I would highly suggest that one thinking about this surgery really consider the fact that with the band, you have to have this doc in your life for a long time. Since that is the case REALLY interview docs & their patients and find one who REALLY CARES ABOUT YOU!! Not one that seems to care more about the \"cattle call\" and how many can get \"done\" in a week. I know this sounds very critical, and I am sorry but I have waited a few months before I would comment on this, in case it was just me being moody or something....lol. As far as telling you the risks of surgery he goes over it, lol almost the same as a police officer reading you your Miranda rights. LOL Now remember I am writing this from my OWN POINT A VIEW. Y'all may have another perspective on him as your doc. Best Wishes to y'all on your journey :)
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Melissa Mermaid on 11/13/06 3:00 pm
    Congratulations on taking this huge step in your journey and becoming an official member of the "fellowship of the switch." We hope that your surgery and recovery are swift, smooth, and uneventful. It is an interesting experience and certainly not "the easy way out" of being unhealthy and obese but each day will get a little better and be further proof that you dared to dream and had the courage to act. Good luck and God bless!
  • Comment by P566 on 11/13/06 10:38 am
    Best wishes Deborah L ! May all turn out well with you DS.
  • Comment by Anne S. on 11/12/06 11:55 pm
    My prayers have been sent for God to lead your journey in the safest way possible. Good luck, dear, and let us know, please when you feel up to it - how things are going for you. Know that you are loved and thought about here. -anne
Click here for the surgery support page
Hello my name is Deborah. I live in Dallas, TX. I am 48 years old. I am having a revision from the Lap Band which has basically been a failure from the get go. Such is life....probably just God's way of keeping me from making a bigger mistake. At the time I went with the Lap Band it and RNY were the only WLS's I knew about. I am very thankful to have discovered DS and truly believe this is the direction to go to make the 2nd half of my life the BEST!
angelkisses2820's Blog
angelkisses2820's Blog


2 months
on January 21, 2007 7:04 pm
I certainly am not very good about keeping this thing updated LOL I am down 42 lbs . I get VERY hungry these days and seem to have to eat ASAP as soon as I feel the hunger or I get nauseated. I have been feeling that I can eat to much, but everyone seems to think this is normal. I have GOT to get better about getting protien in! I have committed to my self to supplement the protien until I can eat enough of it. Ekkkkkkk and I hate the protien supplements, but I start tomorrow :)
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Week 2
on November 28, 2006 4:11 pm
Saw doc today, down 14lbs. The drain again still attached to me grrrrrr. There is a lot of fluid still filling it up, soooooooo it stays for another week. I still have a ton of pain in right side, which has not been explained as of yet. Graceful me last night....I received the most beautiful poinsetta and was putting it on the counter, I stepped away and the drawer caught my drain tube......about dropped me to my knees, that HURT! Doc says I have an infection in the incision where the tube is, so antibiotics and still off work. :(  I need to get with some folks and figure out what I should be eating, no one at my docs has a clue on the DS routine. Kinda scary but, heck that is why I am so thankful for this board :) Well hoping everyone else is doing well, and continuing to keep all in my prayers.
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Weight loss
on November 23, 2006 1:53 pm
11/20/06  -9.5 lbs
04/10/07 -60 lbs
06/01/07 -82lbs







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Surgery
on November 23, 2006 1:44 pm
 I truly believe a positive attitude is of utmost importance, and knowing that you are in God's hands. I have several folks praying for me and I just KNOW THAT I KNOW that this surgery was soooo much easier than my lapband was. Yes, there Has been pain, but nothing like I felt with the Lapband. That can only be explained by me as a "God thing" considering the complexity of this surgery verses the band. Praise God!

I got to the hospital the morning of Nov 13th at a little before 6am. Seems like that was the longest waiting of anything on this journey lol. I went into surgery at 7;30am and was not out until 2;00 pm. They took me to my room around 3pm. That is my 1st memory is waking up in my room, hurting, and being so very thirsty! They gave me pain meds in IV, why I didn't have a Morphine pump I don't know, BUT that WILL be my question Tuesday at the doc lol. I was not allowed anything but sugarfree breath mints.....so MAKE SURE that is on your "things to take to hospital list", certainly made me feel somewhat better.

My doctor is new at the DS thing. Matter of fact I am his 1st lap DS patient. Yeah yeah yeah I know......lol everyone screams make sure your doc has done at least 100 of em before you use him, well hellooooooooooo who is gonna be 1-99 then?  LOL I am not afraid to die, IF it is my time I am gonna croak sitting right here, I cannot change that fact. Now I don't mean we just choose any Joe Shmoe.......but I feel if you choose a GREAT surgeon, as in my case he has done MANY RNYs the ability to do the DS isn't such a leap.

 On top of everything else I am a revision which explains the extra time I was on the table. My doc had to cut the band out of my stomach as it was burying into the flesh. I have 6 incisions, all but one are less than an inch. The one on my left side-about waist line is about 2-2 1/2  inches. This is the only incision that had any pain (cut pain). This is where everything came out of ect...band, port, excess stomach. 

The muscles are where the pain is I believe. Maybe the gas that they blow your belly up with too. My pain meds were given by IV morphine & Tordal (SP) on the day of surgery and the next day ( Monday & Tuesday).  They also gave me antibiotics by IV those days.  Weds. they took my IV away......no one has given me an answer yet about why....another Tuesday question for doc  lol. They had me take Loratab by mouth.....ok that just plain HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was like pouring alcohol on a cut. Goshhhhhh that was tough to take, but soon I went to sleep.....LIFE WAS GOOD AGAIN!!!!!!!  LOL

I am not sure how long it was before I was made to get up and walk, it was late in the night the day of surgery. I hurt getting up, but actually felt better standing and moving. Just a piece of advise.....get drugs before you are to get up.....lol it helps keep you relaxed and makes it somewhat easier I found.

I was not to crazy about the Heparin (sp) shots to the tummy for blood clots, they burn, but it goes away quickly. Those were done about 3x a day. Then there are those wonderful leg deals.......lolol the fill up with air and squeeze your legs........at first it felt pretty good like a massage.......after a while they became annoying!  LOL

I seemed to have a low grade fever most of the time I was in the hospital, I have no idea why......but no one seemed concerned about it. BP was pretty dang high until I started taking my BP meds again. I was discharged Thursday 11/16. I got home and went to bed. I woke up and walked Friday morning about 1/4 mile. I have been very tired. Saturday I spiked a fever, and was achy, fever went to 102. I called doc office, had to leave message as they have a vm w/a different number but I also had extreme pain in right front portion of belly and could not get up to find a pen to call. I took the pain killer and went to sleep. I slept most of Sunday. I would try to wake up and drink......but it was hard. The drinking felt like razors going down my stomach. Doc nor I know why that was, but it is gone now. I went to the doc the following Tuesday afternoon, 11/21. He was concerned about the pain in my right side of stomach, and the fever. Dr Stewart sent me over to the hospital ER to have blood work & a CAT scan done....6 hours later everything proved to be ok.
 
Now the only problem is fitting it ALL in there LOL Basically you have to just drink all day...lol almost non stop. I have not mastered all the other things as of yet like: protein, vitamins, calcium ect. I am working on it though.

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SO BEGINS MY NEW LIFE
on October 22, 2006 9:58 pm

Post Date: 10/18/06 6:53 pm
First I so want to thank each and everyone of you for your postings on this site. I have found the wealth of information incredible. The love and kindness shown to all is amazing!

I have not posted much on here but now is the time, and I so would like to join this "nationwide family". 

I was banded 4/18/05 and had no success. I had a total loss of 45lbs. I played by the rules, but I am the small percentage that the band fails. My body will not accept the foriegn object in it. I was filled, and unfilled. It was crazy!! I would get a fill and throw up......ummm I am a tad bit STUBBORN....lol I figured it would calm down and I would be fine. I threw up for 3 months, so much fun NOT  lol This saga went on and on.....the band never became my friend lol.

I do not even know how I came about finding out about DS. I thank God for His intervention as I am sure it was by His leading. I thank those of you that have personally discussed DS with me, and for all I learned from you.

This all leads us up to today, I have been approved for the revision to the DS. I have heard your advise to seek a surgeon that has done at least 100 surgeries, and that is great advise. I have made the choice to trust a doctor that is in Denton , Dr Daryl Stewart. Dr Stewart has been doing the RNY for many years, and has not done many DS surgeries, but ya know what someone has to be numbers 1-99  lol. I believe god brought me to this surgery, and all those involved in my care including Dr Stewart and his staff. I believe if HE brings me to something, HE will bring me thru it :) I am not affraid, I am totally at peace.

Anyway ladies & gents as it looks today I will be switched on Nov 6, 2006. Look out world here I come :)  Now if I ever figure out that profile gig I will have to create one...lol Sweet dreams y'all

P.S. excuse any typos  lol

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My Story

My name is Deborah , and I am a United HealthCare member. I am 48 years old,  single, working in the financial industry. I live in Dallas, Texas I am approaching the second half of my life. I have two little grand daughters that I want to have an impact on their lives. The quality of my life is declining rapidly with increased health problems due to super morbid obesity. I am 61” tall with a current weight of 276 lbs and a BMI of 52.1. I currently have an excess body weight of 150 lbs.I have struggled with my excessive weight problems since I was 9 years old, nearly 40 years, I have tried every diet, health plan, eating philosophy, and life change suggested by doctors, books and healthcare professionals. I started many plans, followed them through for a few months, sometimes, more than a year. I would always loose weight, sometimes, large amounts of weight (25-65lbs), but I would reach a point when I would start gaining again. More often than not, I would gain back the weight I lost and more. About 10 years ago, this became a pattern that I could see and I was determined to change the pattern that had haunted me my entire life. I ate right, I exercised, I read the books, and I prayed. I lost weight, but never could break the pattern of regaining the weight and more.My motivation to lose the weight was always to get healthy and prevent medical problems. When I was younger and would fail at dieting, it didn't seem too bad and life went on. I always "had time" and would eventually try again. I was going to lose the weight before I was twenty, then thirty, and so on. Now, I am in my forties going into my fifties and those health problems are creeping into my life. I have chronic pain in my back, knees, ankles and feet from my excessive weight. Of late, my knees, ankles and feet are always in pain. When I get out of a chair, rise from the commode, and climb stairs, I find myself supporting my weight with my arms until my legs are extended. I am developing varicose veins appearing in my legs (a history of this in my family). I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, reflux.  I have tried to lose weight and get healthy many times, and for as many years.Examples of the many diets & programs that I have used to lose weight are as follows: 9 years old my parents had me taking I believe they were called Aids diet candy along with over the counter diet medications.12-16 years old diet pills & shots from a “weight loss doctor” Weight Watchers…used  this program numerous times, Jenny Craig, Metabolife, Medifast, Nutri System, Herbalife, Atkins- several times, several liquid “fad diets”, grapefruit diet, cabbage soup diet,  Slim Fast, just about any over the counter diet aid available as well as prescription meds:  Fastin, Redux, Xenical, Meridia, Phen Fen, numerous kinds of amphetamines. Belonged to numerous fitness centers & exercise programs, I have had hypnosis, and even acupuncture.I'm tired of all the ridicule, prejudice, and discrimination I take from society on a daily basis. I have been down the path of feeling shame for being fat. I have overcome most of that by only accepting people into my life who accept me for whom and what I am.I have a family history of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancers. I have a brother that now has diabetes so severe he has been on dialysis for the past 3 years, losing his eye sight, and his healing abilities are poor which goes along with the dreaded disease. This, in conjunction to family medical history, was my "wake up call." Other family medical history facts to consider are as follows. My father had high blood pressure as well as type II diabetes, his mother had the same, and several of my uncles and aunts suffered from diabetes.  My mother's parents suffered from heart disease & cancer and my mother's father had heart disease & strokes and they both died far too young.I began to research obesity and began to learn and understand this disease I suffer from. I learned that there are different stages of obesity: obese, morbidly obese, and super morbidly obese. People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 45 are in a high-risk stage. My BMI is 52.1 and places me in the Super Morbidly Obese category. ( A label which definitely makes me fearful for my life!) Having a high BMI along with a family history of high blood pressure (something for which I am already being treated for), heart disease, and diabetes makes premature death just a matter of time. My risk of heart failure is far greater than a person with an average BMI. These aren't "light weight" complications. These are fatal diseases. I learned that my being Super Morbidly Obese is an immediate threat to my life. I also found through research, that the National Institute of Health (NIH) has recognized that only 2% of people who try to lose weight, will lose it and keep it off for a period longer than five years. The NIH has published that surgery is the only permanent solution to keep weight off and avoid death and disease associated with obesity. This was very hard for me to believe at first, but then the more I researched and educated myself, the more I accepted it as truth. After reviewing my 40-year diet history, surgery is the only permanent solution to prolong my life.The surgery I am requesting is medically necessary to aid in prevention of multiple diseases that would lead to more extreme medical expenses. I need to permanently get this weight off which will greatly reduce the high risk of premature death, and eliminate the co-morbidity's I already have. I have responsibilities and to think I could have a heart attack any moment is frightening to say the least. Death is inevitable. However, I would like to live for many more years and not in a state of declining health. I would rather have this surgery and enjoy 30 plus more years of happier health!Without this surgery, I could be looking at the possibility of multiple surgeries. Hip replacements, knee replacements ect.  I have had a few surgeries in my life and it's not my favorite activity. I don't like surgery,  but if I had to choose one surgery or multiple surgeries, I would opt for the one. I have already had the adjustable Lap band, which has failed. This is believed to be a mechanical failure. I do not want to risk this failure again nor do I have the time to waste in not getting this weight off my body.I have read and been told by my surgeon that this one surgery could improve and eliminate all my co-morbidity's and eliminate the need for other surgeries and medications. It seems much more cost-effective to have this one surgery instead of many. This surgery statistically has a 90% five year little to no regain in weight.My insurance approving this surgery will be saving my life, reducing their cost for my medical needs over the coming years, and will be giving me a quality of life that I have never known. I am well aware of the risks, the pros and cons of this surgery, the requirements for maintaining future health and truly have committed to all of the above. I can not tell you just how wonderful United Health Care has been to me. Not only have they approved my surgery, but they were the friendly and kind to me always. They really are incredible folks, and I have prayed for HUGE blessings in each of their lives!

Abundant & Exceeding Blessings be yours,

Deborah