JROLFSON
Hi Everyone on OH...
WLS Story #1
My story begins in 1979 with a Gastric Stapling in San DIego, California. I was one of the Pioneers of WLS. Didn't know much about WLS but I met someone in Bakersfield, CA who had been one of the first 20 people to ever have it and I was amazed that she had lost over 100 lbs in less than a year. I being 5'2" and almost 250 lbs had to know what her miracle cure was. She gave me the name of Dr. Caitlin in San Diego and the rest was history. But, not before I almost died from not eating for over nine months. I had a terrible time with my Stapling. I threw up literally everyday for the first 1 1/2 years, and could barely keep water down. I finally got strong enough to get up and get around but just never had much energy...mainly because I wasn't eating over 1/2 oz of food per day. So I went in for surgery in September 1979 and by Christmas 1979 I was 138 lbs. and almost at goal.
After the first 5 years I of course figured out a way to eat, and eat I did...Because I got so thin, I didn't think I could ever get fat again, basically ate anything I wanted and for 5+ years stayed thin. And then one day I began to notice that uh oh! I could eat a lot more than before...When my weight gradually began to climb I went to see my bariatric surgeon in San Diego, they did an EGD and found out that my stapling had pulled apart and a revision would be necessary.
WLS Story #2
So almost exactly 10 years to the date from the first surgery I went back to San Diego (September 1989) to receive one of the First RNY's...My Dr. almost gave me a written guarantee that this one would not fail me like the first had. What he should have said was, the staples would not pull out because they sewed across the staple line disallowing that to happen.
Again, by Chrismas 1989 I was almost at goal and did much, much better this time. From June of 1990 through January of 2006 I kept my weight under 170 lbs...For 12 years under 130 lbs. So this was quite successful to me. But in 2004 I moved to St. George, UT and didn't quite do the exercise or keep tabs on my eating like I had in California. Therefore, in the last 3 years I have gained 50 lbs and my weight is up to 200 again.
WLS REVISION
So now here I am on this boarding seeking advice, and a ERNY Revision. Wish me luck as I intend to make this my once and for all attempt at being thin,
I'M APPROVED!!!
On May 20th 2009 at 7:30 am I will go in for ERNY Revision with Dr. Schlessinger. I will have a hernia repair as well as partial bowell obstruction. I am so excited as I am really going to work at this thus making this my final attempt at weight loss....Loser's Bench here we come...
STORY #3
I had surgery in Arizona with Dr. Schlessinger on May 20th 2009...All went very well. I understand he repaired a hernia, a very small bowell obstruction and shortened my common conduit to 100 cm giving me a ERNY.
I had dropped 29 lbs to date and I'm very excited. I had a 2 week stall once I returned home but with the help of Dr. s and friends I think I'm through this one as I dropped 4 lbs last week after I returned to work.
I'm very happy, hoping for my continued success...
My Best To All
JRolfson
