My name is NB, and I’m sure my story is the same as anyone else’s story who is over 100 pounds overweight — fantastic dieter but horrible at keeping the weight off. This, of course, resulted in huge weight swings, with me consistently ending up heavier after each try. As an operating room nurse, I had worked with three people who had had the Roux-En-Y surgery performed the traditional open way (not laparoscopically). I knew the procedure worked and I wanted to have it done, but I was very reluctant to have open surgery. Traditionally, it’s a very involved surgery with a tough recovery for the first few weeks. I had worked at one of the hospitals where Dr. Champion operated; and when I found out he was doing the Roux-En-Y through the ‘scope’, I called and made an appointment to see him the next day.

I had the surgery in 1999 and have lost 131 lbs. I have gone from a size 24 to size 7-8 jeans (size 5 if they’re Levi loose fit). The change it has made in my life is phenomenal; I truly consider it to be a blessing from God.

Of course, the biggest change has been in my self-esteem and morale, because I feel so much better about myself. I can buy clothes anywhere. I can buy B cup bras instead of DD harnesses. I can fit comfortably in any seat. I can zip through turnstiles. Seat belts fit without being let out three yards. Restaurant booths are no problem. Best of all, I can walk across a room without feeling that everyone is staring at me because of my weight. I’m glad that when people see me they don’t see a "fat" person and think all the stereotypical thoughts that others think about overweight people.

Physically, I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been during my adult life. My back, knees and feet don’t bother me like they used to. I can sleep in any position and turn over without the Herculean effort it used to take. I sleep more soundly and have more energy; I don’t have to take a nap when I come home from work. Now I can walk and not become short of breath, so I’m more active. I have to say that I think I had an extraordinarily easy recovery without complications. I take a multivitamin every morning and takes Tums every night (for calcium). All of my lab work has been normal to date, and I feel great.

I know that the surgery is not a miraculous cure for obesity, but it was the best tool I knew of to help me get the weight off and help establish lifelong healthier eating habits. Many people considering the surgery are concerned that, after the surgery, they will never be able to eat the variety of foods that they enjoy so much now. The surgery is designed to create an adverse affect when you eat sweet or fatty foods — usually the Achilles’ heel of most overweight people. In truth, you can have a taste of these things in order to satisfy your craving, but you have to be careful not to keep pushing the envelope, because you can eventually condition the bowel to accept these foods again. Eating high calorie foods and snacking are the only ways I know of to sabotage yourself, because after the surgery, you will never be able to eat as much at one sitting as you could before.

I eat three meals a day (of course, much smaller portions because it takes very little to get full). I make better food choices since every calorie really counts, and I try to avoid snacking. Staying busy during the times I know I’ll be at high risk for snacking really helps. I only get nauseated if I eat too fast or eat something that is either too sweet or too greasy (the things I am supposed to avoid anyway). My only downsides to the whole experience were some annoying months of hair loss and me focusing on things like loose skin under my arms and inner thighs, now that I’m smaller. However, my goal was to get the weight off for health and emotional reasons, not to try to have a bikini-worthy body. Believe me, it was the best thing I have ever done for myself; and when people ask me if I would do it again knowing what I know now, the answer is always the same: "ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT!!"

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