My weight lose journey began back in 2002. I decided that I had enough and was determined to loose the weight once and for all. I met a lady in a group that I belonged to who told me she was going to have a Gastric Bypass, I was surprise because she was over weight but I didn’t think she would qualify for WLS. She stated that you only had to be 100lbs over weight. That’s when a sparkle came to my eyes. She told me the name of her surgeon a Nicolas Bertha MD.I started to do research on the Gastric Bypass and was determined to get it done. I had no problem with the BMI, mine was 38.8. Also, I had a diet history which span over 30 yrs and I just happen to have saved a lot of receipts, 12 month Diet Doctors, Diet Pills, Weight Watchers, Nutri System, Richard Simons , videos, equipment, gym memberships, etc. I had it all. I had notes from orthopedics showing stress fractures and arthritis. Family history of heart and diabetic problems. I made an appointment met with Dr. Bertha he went over the RNY (which at the time was the operation of choice). I made an appointment with a Nutritionist than a Psychologist. Then I had to go to the dreaded Gynecologist I really don’t enjoy that one, guess what he found something after many test  we find that it’s a mass behind my uterus which must be removed before I can have WLS. Dr. Bertha did the surgery and removes the mass the size of a grapefruit I don’t remember the name of it but it had (bone, hair, teeth and tissue in it) yuck! He said it could have been an old twin from either me or a pregnancy. WOW Strange. Surgery done now I was ready to submit to insurance…Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ Plus. Got a phone call from surgeon’s office DENIND. I couldn’t believe it. I asked surgeon’s office to RESUBMIT ALL 50 Pages with all the info that I had compiled, within a week I was approved. I guess from start to finish I was approved for the surgery in less then 6 months.

 
I had my RNY done on 9/22/02 at Morristown Memorial Hospital . The operation was done Laparoscopic in about 4hrs. I stayed at the hospital for 3 days. I had no complications and was loosing weight. Within a year I had lost over 100lbs, I felt great, my self –esteem was high, and I looked wonderful. People actually said I was to skinny. Bull *&^$. I still was not below the numbers on the chart and loved the way I looked.

 
I’m not really sure how this all happened when I look back but I started to gain weight , I was having a lot of trouble in my marriage, got depression and started eating the wrong things and too much of them. I just put my head in the sand and kept eating. I was always hungry. I’m sooooo embarrassed to say that I gain back 93lbs. Felt like a total failure. I mean who goes through all that pain and trouble to loose all that weight just to gain it back, what a looser…so I felt. I was at my new PCP on 6/26/07 and was talking to his PA and telling here about how I felt about gaining all the weight back and my depression. She turned to me a told me that she had the RNY Open (showed me her scar). She then matter-of-factly said have them REDO IT! My eyes opened up I had never even thought of the idea of revision I didn’t know that it was even an option…. I was on my way!

 
 I want on-line and found this site and got a lot of input and ideas.  On 7/18/07I went to see my surgeon Dr. Bertha with my tail between my legs….so embarrassed. We talk a lot and he told me that he felt that there was nothing wrong with the original surgery that I most likely just over ate my pouch. I explained to him that I didn’t want to stay this way for the rest of my life that things were happening all over again new broken foot, new surgery for a torn meniscus in knee, my depression and self-loathing. I told him that I was determined to get a revision (second chance). That even If I had to pay for it myself it was something that I had to do. He started to go over all the different options and said he thought the BPD was the surgery for me I add that I heard the DS might help along with it. He said that he does not do that type of surgery but if I was willing to travel he had someone in Boston(I didn’t get his name, yet).Dr bertha said that first we had to check on the old surgery, get an Upper GI, Endoscopy, Blood Work, Nutrition eval., and Physiological eval.. I was ready… On 7/27/07 had an upper GI done it showed nothing wrong (I don’t know if that’s good or bad). I go for my Endoscopy on 8/7/07 and my nutrition eval. on 8/27/07. Well I’m on my second journey now I’ll let you know how things are going. I will continue to go to the OH site daily to learn as much as I can so, that my new dream will be fulfilled and I’ll fell better about myself and have a healthy, long, happy life. Please wish me luck

 One thing that I forgot to add my snoring has also came back with the weight gain I wonder if it’s the sleep apnea that I hear about. Well I guess I’ll find out. 

8/14/07
I do have sleep apnea I hope now I'll be able to get a good nights rest ,once the help me. I'm just so tired of being tired and having no energy. I meet with both of my surgeons this week old and new I'll find out if  they'll do the DS. Wish me luck