Weight Loss Surgery Directory

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Cheryl R.
Pisgah Forest, NC, USA
Post Op - BMI: 25.1
Surgery Type: Other
Member ID: Romanow940650318
Surgeon: Robert Rutledge, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Click here for Cheryl's surgery support page
Click here for the 04/2000 Reunion Page
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you can help print cards for your friends as well!)

April 1, 2001

I'm doing well and wanted to update my profile. I will be
one year post-op 4/17/01. I've lost 138 lbs and my BMI is
25.1 - "Ideal". I wear 12s & 14s now (was wearing 26s & 28s
this time last year.

December 31, 2000

Happy New Year to all!! I'm hanging in there and doing well. I
weigh 190 lbs now (down 128 lbs). I'm 8 1/2 months post-op. My
BMI is now 26.5 and my measurements continue to come down also.
I'm wearing sizes 14 & 16 now.


November 4, 2000

I wanted to let everyone know that I am still doing great. I weighed
203 lbs this morning (down 115 lbs). I am 6 1/2 months post-op. I
have lost 9 1/2" in the bust, 19" in the waist, 13" in the hips,
6 1/2" in the thigh, and 4 1/2" in the bicep. My BMI is 28.3 (in
the Overweight category - not even Very Overweight category!!).
I have gone from wearing a size 28 to a size 16. I feel absolutely
wonderful!! I am still on the Prilosec and Paxil, but that is a
small price to pay for the results that I've had. I turned 50 yrs
old last week and feel better than I have in years.

August 27, 2000

I am continuing to do well. My weight this morning was 230 lbs
(down 88 lbs!!). I have lost 6 1/2" in the bust, 14" in the waist,
7 3/4" in the hips, 4 1/2" in the right thigh, and 3 1/2" in the
right bicep. My BMI is now 33.0 (no longer morbidly obese). I did
go on Paxil (antidepressant) about a month ago and this has helped
my emotional roller coaster (which was down more than it was up!).
I have also had to stay on Prilosec 20mg daily because of a gnawing-
crampy feeling that I kept getting in my stomach. I go to the gym
2-4 times a week and workout for about an hour. Still not having
any regrets about having the surgery - would do it again tomorrow.


June 10, 2000

My weight this morning at the gym was 270 (down 48 lbs!!!). I have
also lost 10 inches in my waist, 4 inches in the bust, 2 inches in
the hips, thighs, and biceps. My BMI is now 38.7. I'm still feeling
fine and not experiencing any major eating problems.

May 19, 2000

Pre-op weight 318 lbs, 5'10 1/2" tall, BMI of 45.6

4 weeks post-op weight 288 lbs (-30 lbs!!!!) BMI of 41.3

Feeling great, absolutely no regrets. Still having problems with
dairy products, but that is only foods I haven't been able to eat.
Energy level is wonderful!!

May 5, 2000

Well I'm almost three weeks post op and still feel great. I've lost
23 lbs already!!!! I'm back at work full time which includes traveling
and eating in restaurants. So far no major problems, found a few
things that didn't work - orange juice and cottage cheese & peaches.
I've had some twinges of nausea but no vomiting, no pain at all though.
I go to the gym three times a week and walk 20-30 minutes on the
treadmill. I've not regretted my decision for even 1 second so far.


April 19, 2000

I had my surgery on April 17th, and I am feeling pretty darn good!!
I had some pretty severe nausea the first day after surgery, but none
since then. I am anxious to start losing the pounds now!!

Mar 11, 2000

I have had to reschedule my surgical date a couple of times
because of a skin problem I was having. Hopefully, all is
corrected now ("problematic gland" surgically removed) and
I will have the mini gastric bypass on my NEW surgical date
of April 17, 2000. My insurance company has been very
cooperative with the changes and extension dates that I have
needed to make. Keep your fingers crossed for me that nothing
else happens as I am very ready for the gastric bypass to
be done - I was hoping to have lost about 35 lbs now instead
of still waiting to have the surgery!!

I'm a 48 yo widow with one great son married to a wonderful
daughter-in-law. They have an adorable 8 month old and are
expecting a new baby in April, 2000. I have fought weight all
of my life and decided about 10 yrs ago that I was tired of
fighting it and didn't care any more. Well.........I do care
after all!! A niece of mine had gastric bypass surgery done
about 6 months ago and that has gotten me thinking about having
it done, too. I have recently moved to western North Carolina
and want to be able to go hiking in these beautiful mountains
around me instead of just looking at them through the car window.
I am a registered nurse and have seen first hand what health
problems can occur from morbid obesity. I have been lucky so
far with my own health in that I don't have diabetes or high
blood pressure - yet. I have been having more and more problems
with my knees hurting and lower back pain (I had back surgery in
1993). I have also been having more problems with acid reflux
and shortness of breath with minimal exertion. I don't like what
I see happening to me and I am ready to try anything. I have
been the diet route many times and have lost hundreds of pounds -
and gained them back. My father died of a heart attack at 59
yrs old and my mother has heart disease and high blood pressure.
My cholesterol level stays around 250 even though I try to
control the cholesterol in my diet. I am just tired of being
tired all of the time and want to enjoy life again.



Weight Loss Survey Responses
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Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Robert Rutledge, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I had my first clinic appointment with Dr R on 12/11/99 and was very impressed with him and his office. He truly seems to be interested in his patients (and prospective patients) and also in helping the morbidly obese in general through public education. He has a very strict criteria in place for qualifying for having the surgery done that leaves 'no stone unturned'. In going through the steps required you learn about yourself (you really aren't a failure in life because you can get/keep this weight off), your family gets a good understanding of what you are going through and wanting to do now, and you are required to talk to at least 10 patients that he has already done the surgery on to get their opinion of the surgery and the surgeon. His office staff is very knowledgeable in the insurance nightmare and willing to help you in your battle (they also require that you have a part in this battle, too). I have found nothing negative in this experience so far. His aftercare appears to be just as structured and strict as his pre-op requirements. This is very important for the patient as well as in collecting important statistics for the care of the morbidly obese in general. The risks of the surgery are spelled out to the inth degree and you are given ample opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. So far, I would rate him a 10 out of 10. In working in the healthcare field for many years as an RN, it is just as important for you to have faith in your surgeon's competence as it is for him to have a good bedside manner. A patient is much more likely to adhere to the post-op instructions if he/she feels like the surgeon is "really" interested in the patient and not just in it "for the money". You also need to feel comfortable in asking questions of you surgeon and that you are given the time that you deserve.
Insurer Info:
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Teachers and State Employees C
I really didn't have any problems. My doctor's office filed the request for approval and then I also called after the pre-approval was given to make sure that it was a covered procedure. The BCBS office that I called was very friendly and helpful, absolutely no complaints so far. 4/1/00 update: I've had to reschedule my surgery twice and had to get an extension on my approval both times. Tammy at the BCBS office has been very helpful and a pleasure to work with.