Now, my experience is this. My name is Paula Warner. I contacted Dr. Rutledge over twelve years ago via another email list I was on called OSSG. I was also on a list called Bansters. I was considering many different methods of weight loss surgery. At that time, I wasn't sure it was for me. I wasn't ready to admit failure to everything else I tried. But as time past, my weight kept going up and up. I really wasn't doing it on purpose. While I was in England I had spoken to a doctor concerning a procedure called the Vertical band. It was to produce an artificial pouch above my stomach. He was going to do the procedure, but we got shipped out before I could follow through.   My husband is a contractor and we travel. Anyway, I started researching Dr. Rutledge's procedure and did not feel threatened by it because it was not invasive. I joined this email list and started talking with folks. Again, I wasn't sure. I stopped the list for about three months and then rejoined. It wasn't until about December 1999 that I really started on my "steps" to get this procedure done. I asked my sister in law, who happens to live in Durham, if she would support me. She said yes. I started ordering my medical records be sent. I was really scared that my husband would not support me and because we traveled so much, having a PCP was almost impossible. Then it was March 2000, and. all of a sudden, I knew it was right! I met Amy Poe who lives near me and she told me her doctor would support her so I decided to ask too. It was a scary experience since I was asking a total stranger to support me. He did. When I found out when clinic was in April, I talked my husband into taking me to Durham the weekend of clinic. He thought he was going to visit with his sister while I went to this clinic, but I took him. He was totally clueless as to what it was about. I was that scared! By the time the clinic was over and we had our personal interview with Dr. Rutledge, he was completely supportive. At that time, I weighed 214 pounds; I'm 5'3". Everything happened so fast after that. I got my insurance approval, my contacts, all my supportive documentation in and a date of May 29th. My experience with the surgery is hazy. I remember reporting in at 7am on May 29, 2000. Signed a bunch of papers. About 10:30am I got shown to a back room, filled out more papers, changed into a gown, answered a bunch of questions, had to have an EKG because they lost mine from my PCP. A few minutes later, my limo, gurney arrived and I was taken to the holding area. There, they put in my IVs and some medicine. I was really getting restless just laying there. Dr. Rutledge walks by and wiggles my toe and says see you in a few minutes. The anesthesiologist came by and someone else who gave me some knock out stuff. Next thing I know I am in my room. I stayed overnight. I was out of it most of the day between soreness and haziness. I couldn't sleep that night. The next day I went home after I walked around a bit. It has been over eight years now and I have never felt better in my life! My lowest weight was 107. Now I weigh around 131. The complications I had were minimal and the adjustments were tolerable. Now I eat anything and am feeling so much better. I have experienced a true awakening!   Dr. Rutledge and his staff were excellent!  

Advice? Keep in mind that everyone is different. Some folks lose fast, others lose slower. It’s not worth the anxiety to compare. If you are stressed over the scale, use the measuring tape and clothing size as your measure of success. It has been proven across the board on all weight loss surgeries that the first two years are the best for losing the most weight. So, get your healthy eating established, if you need emotional help, get it and get an enjoyable exercise or activity plan established in that timeframe. Also, keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat. As you lose fat and build muscle, it is going to affect weight loss numbers. Most importantly, get support. Find a support group. There are two very good websites to use, http://www.obesityhelp.com and http://bsciresourcecenter.com/products.php?cat=67. Both sites have on line chat boards and a list of support groups. Both are excellent!!! Also, something that is coming to the surface is food addictions and eating disorders. Weight loss surgery addresses the body, but not the mind. Keep tabs on your mental well being.