Dennis Belk
My story is a typical one. I was the heavy kid growing up and I got my share of ribbing about it. I seemed to not let the taunts bother me by acting like I was uneffected by it. The fact is I learned early on how to hide the pain and set it aside where my self esteem wouldn't be compromised. As I matured through Junior HS and HS I grew taller and my bigness was more acceptable. In HS I played football at 5'11" and 195 lbs. In college I played at 215 lbs. During every off-season I would gain weight from the lack of activity but would work hard to 'get in shape' for the next season. After my sophomore year in college I decided that would be the end of my football playing and after gaining once again I started my first diet. It was the Stillman Water Diet. I worked out 3 hours a day in a rubber suit and ate a few meals a day. Usually fish and veggies. Yogurt and 8 glasses of water a day. In 3 weeks I lost 20 lbs., I was 20 years old and more than able to work the pounds off. I went on to lose another 15 in the next two weeks and was down to 180 lbs. I felt great, I only needed 4 hrs. of sleep a night and hey I was still very young. I maintained that weight for about 9 months. I eventually got back to old eating habits and cut back on the workouts and regained all the weight I lost + 5. I was 220 at 21.
After college I married and started a family and by 25 I was 250, but I was still young so I would got back to the gym and work on my weight, but unfortunately I would still yo-yo.
By 30 I was 260, at 35 I was 280. At 40 I was 300 and pretty much gave up on exercise, but now I had hypertension and was on meds for the first time in my life. By 45 I was 330 and diagnosed with diabetes type II and more meds as well as a major mental adjustment as to what it means to be diabetic. Through meds and dietary changes I was able to keep my glucose under control and my weight went down as a result. Eliminating sugar and carbs caused me to lose 20 lbs. in 2 months. My PCP, Dr. John Gray of Bethlehem, PA, was very pleased. After another month my glucose readings were lower than they should so we cut back on my meds, but they were still low, due to the lack of carbs. I introduced carbs back into the diet and started to gain extra pounds. My blood pressure and glucose remained favorable but my weight continued to climb. At 48 I reached a high of 360 and was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
My PCP knew I worked hard on being compliant. My BP and glucose remained steady, but my weight would eventually compromise my health further. My doctor talked to me about gastric bypass surgery for the first time in April of 2004 and I must admit that I didn't think much of the suggestion. I felt like it was giving up and I wasn't interested at all. In the 3 months between visits I focused on losing. I walked more, I ate less, I ate healthy and I lost weight. Ten pounds in 3 months, damn. The next time I saw my doctor I was in a better frame of mind to discuss the surgery. I agreed that it MAY BE for me. Dr. Gray gave me the name of Dr. Richard Boorse of Bethlehem, PA, an experienced surgeon who performed Roux-En-Y. A few of Dr. Gray's patients went through the surgery and after program with great success. It changed their lives. When I called Dr. Boorse's office he had a 6 month waiting list for consultations. I submitted my name in July '04. I then started the process of research and education about WLS and other choices for surgery and surgeons. Five months later I've come to realize that yes WLS can help me and I'm onboard with it. I told my PCP in December of 2004 and he was very pleased.
The previous months of research has brought me to Barix Clinics. (I did not hear from Dr. Boorse's office until March '05). After a consultation with Dr. Alan Brader in January of 2005 the ball has been steadily rolling. Received insurance approval in late January and supplied A1C, sleep study, cardiac consultation since. Tomorrow 3/7/05 will be my final test, a stress test. I'm 49 and currently 340 lbs. Hopefully all will go well and my surgery date will follow close behind.
3/7/05 - All Pre-Op Testing Completed! Passed my stress test today and received clearance for surgery from my cardiologist. He wished me the best of luck. Called Barix on 3/8/05, after they receive the clearance letter the next step will be confirmation of my insurance and then my name will be submitted to the scheduler and a date will follow. Also attended my first support group meeting at Barix. It felt really good to meet and share info with my group members. WOW - the journey continues.
3/22/05 - I got the call today from Barix. I have a date for surgery. It's April 18. I calmly took down the info and scheduled my Pre-Admission Testing (3/31/05). I gathered my thoughts and went into my bosses' office and told her what transpired. She congratulated me and was so happy for me. Then I sat there and cried, all the emotions and thoughts of the last several months just overtook me and I was overwhelmed. She consoled me and told me what a good thing this would be for me - which I know - it was just hearing a date that was so soon really effected me, but I gathered my thoughts and wiped my eyes and just releasing those feelings has prepared me. I know I am more than ready for the journey ahead.
3/31/05 - Drove down to Barix today for PAT's. Everything went well and I'm on schedule for the 18th. The staff was great, thorough, friendly and caring. I gave up some urine, several tubes of blood, signed some forms, answered more questions. Got my blood pressure taken, chest x-rays, had a ultra sound for my gall bladder, had a EKG and pulmonary test and they took arterial blood from my wrist to check the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels (a check to see if I'm compliant with my CPAP unit). All tests and levels were acceptable although I do have to take iron supplements to raise my hemoglobin, just a tad low. Otherwise, I'm good to go. Just a few more weeks for the next big step. And hey I almost forgot to mention - I lost 19 lbs. since my consultation in January, 358 to 339, awesome for me because I've been trying so hard.
4/12/05 - I attended my 2nd pre-op support group meeting. I arrived late to a huge group of 20 people including my new friend Nylla Wons. Her surgery is this Friday, the 15th and I'd like everyone to give her the good OH show of support. I'm so glad she was able to make it and she took the opportunity to visit Chldrn 1st while she was there. As usual the meeting was informative, sharing and comical. We all left feeling so much better than when we came and that is what it should be about. And hey I lost another 5 lbs., I'm down to 334. Hallelujah!
4/15/05 - 3 days and counting to my new birthday and new life. I called Barix today just to confirm that I'm still on schedule. While talking with Pat, the pre-admission testing nurse, I asked about Nylla Wons and Pat told me everything went well and she was being moved to recovery as we spoke. Way to go Nylla, it's your birthday!
4/17/05 - My family and I are heading down to Langhorne this afternoon to Barix Clinics. I'm going a day early so as not to have to make the long trip on the morning of my surgery. I've got my wife, Mom and sister Tammy with me. Mom and sis traveled up from North Carolina and arrived Saturday. I'm meeting my Dad and two other sisters, Annette and Revonda, as well as my best friend Jared. It will be a reunion of sorts because I haven't seen my father in many years, but our complex issues have been put on the back-burner so that the focus can be on my surgery and a positive outcome.
