My Gastric Bypass Operation

I would like to tell obese people like myself there is help out there for us after the diet rollercoaster. I will explain the operation in technical terms then go on to explain my Gastric Bypass Operation. The gastric Bypass Operation creates a small (15-30cc)proximal gastric pouch which is seperated from the rest of the stomach. A silastic band is placed around the outflow of the pouch acting as a pseudo pylorus to maintain long term control of the emptying into a 100cm long Rouex-en-y limb of small intestine.

I found Dr.Greenbaum over the internet at his web page.You can find a direct link to his page at the bottom of this page. He is a member of the American Bariatric Association and a real cool guy. I called and made an appointment. He spent lots of time explaining the surgery and looked me over quite well. His office is very pleasant. I NEVER wait and I don't mind the long distance drive because he takes his time and explains everything. At the time I weighed 238 pounds. Within one month the approval from my insurance was in and the operation was set for May 17th, 1999. I knew what I was in for because my doctor gave me plenty of information and I read alot of web pages on the subject. The day of surgery I arrived at the hospital at 6:30. I registerd and was given a temporary room and a gown to put on. As my doctor explained I will have a tube up my nose, catheder, I.V., morphine pump, and some kind of weird pants that help with circulation. Dr.Greenbaum and I shared a joke and off to the operating room. I don't remember a thing after that.

When I woke up I had everything I was promiced. The tube up the nose was the least fun of all. I didn't mind the I.V. The catheder didn't hurt and I had a brand new cut down the middle of my belly. I slept alot. Sometimes I would wake up and find the telephone off the hook hanging over the bed. I guess someone called to say hello and I was too sleepy to talk. The same night of the operation I was told that I should start walking. I got up out of the bed and did a lap or two around the nurses station. It wasn't easy! The next day was great! Out came the catheder and the nose tube. It didn't hurt! I was so excited. The only pain I had was walking, sneezing, laughing, or coughing. Your going to find this hard to believe but he didn't cut through my stomach muscles... HE WENT THROUGH THEM!! (He's Good!) I found a pillow pressed hard agenst the incision was the best remedy for whatever bugged my stomach muscles. I was in the hospital for 6 days. After a day or so they started giving me a liquid diet. I was suprized to find out that I could only take in a minor amount of liquid. I was never hungry! I'm still not hungry! Here is what I like to eat and Most of MY NO NO'S! *CLICK HERE*

You should see a sizable differience between the picture at the top of the page and the picture directly above this paragraph. I was on a liquid diet for about 3 weeks. The liquid diet consisted mostly of broth,Carnation instant breakfast,and diet soda. The next 3 weeks I ate alot of babyfood meat. I tried to keep everything high in protein and not much carbohydrates and sugar. Eggs and other pureed meats seemed to satisfy me. I wasn't depended on alot of food and was full very easily. Now I have a well balanced diet. I would like to adhere to the NO SUGAR rule but I find regular Pepsi less carbonated then diet pepsi and thats where I partially cheat.(update: Can now tolerate DIET SODA)Getting sick of sugar...YUCK! I feel sorry for most people struggling on a diet and failing. With the Gastric Bypass it is so easy. I really loose the weight effortlessly. I have gone from 238 pounds to 150 pounds in 6 months. The only hard part is believing people when they tell me I look great and I'm a Medium and not a 3x anymore! I have some before and after pictures. They aren't the clearest pics but I now find them really amazing. I never thought I could feel so good about myself.Check them out There is a big difference. *CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS*

*Over A Year UPDATE*

To learn more about the operation give my doctor a call. He is a super doctor and is very down to earth. The BEST thing I found about him was he is not predujust agenst fat people!!

He can be reached through his web site at: Dr.Thin's Web Site! *CLICK HERE*