>laparoscopic chronicles

LAPAROSCOPIC ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS
Testimonial by Alan

Early in 2002 I sat down with my personal doctor frustrated after having spent probably half of my life being overweight, being told I was overweight and suffering in various ways because I was never really comfortable or happy due to being to heavy or otherwise hindered by my size.  I had taken prescription weight loss aides as well as other over the counter medications and fad diets and nothing had worked.  It seemed that even expensive exercise programs and clubs were failing me.  Then I felt like I was failing me too.  In April of 2002 I married and began a new life with hopes of a family and a future and my weight was threatening to take this away.  My doctor had no faith in other weight loss medications and he knew I was trying hard to change my life and becoming depressed about what I perceived was my personal failure.  It took a few months for me to make the decision that would change the rest of my life.  After meeting with my doctor again I announced my decision to have Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery.  He looked at me as if trying to find something that signaled that I might be unsure but he didn’t find it.  I was ready to change so I moved on to the next step.

I knew that surgery was a serious solution that would require patience and support and I wanted to find someone who knew what they were doing.  I didn’t want to be a patient of a text book surgeon I wanted someone with experience and more importantly a heartfelt desire to help me change my life for the better.  Someone who knew what I was going through as an overweight person and could see my desire for a better life.

I spent a lot of time investigating doctors on the internet all over the country who had experience with this kind of surgery and there are a few that I was interested in.   Everyone I found claimed they were masterful in their craft and listed there successes but they always explained the procedure as a doctor and usually without emotion or much hope.  This is what makes Dr. Rosser different.  Dr. Rosser, “Butch” as he’s called by friends, not only has the know-how he also has the experience of having been in my position.  He knew the struggle I had been through and knew that this procedure offered me the tools I needed to succeed after so long.  He had the same surgery I was to undergo and was happy to share the positive impact it had on his life and his family.  Butch offered the hope, relationship and space I needed to move forward with my plans for  new life.  I was given an extensive list of medical tests that were necessary for me to take before the procedure.  Dr. Rosser checked and then re-checked my results to be sure that I was ready and able to have the surgery.  I was comfortable knowing that my doctor cared more about me and my success than anything else.

History And A Hopeful Future:

I was a big baby at 10lbs 11.5oz but perhaps this was only coincidence.  In grade school I was the tallest boy in my class and later I played football and wrestled in High School.  I never gave much thought to my size then because in many way I benefited from being large.  It wasn’t until trying to enter the military and the recruiter showed me a chart that showed how much I should weigh at my height, which was 240lbs, and how much I actually weighed that my battle to lose weight began.   I started by doing more outdoors work and participated in exercise programs and diets.  I gained more weight over time and at 22 years old I reached 325lbs and I couldn’t get it off easily or permanently.

I avoided certain social situations and amusement parks were simply out of the question.  I  learned to limit my pain and embarrassment by limiting my experiences and ultimately cheating myself out of a healthy or fulfilling life.  Fast forward - years later.

I moved to New York City and seeking to change my life professionally as well as personally.  I found that there were so many people I needed to engage that I was always somewhat uncomfortable as buses had smaller seats and trains were overcrowded so literally I found it more difficult to fit in.  During the first year I reach 338lbs!  I knew that my family had a history of diabetes and other problems and that I was headed down the same road as my grandfather, grandmother and father who had either already passed away or close as a result of those issues.  I had found a wonderful new wife and we were expecting a baby and I wanted to be with my new family and enjoy them as long as I could.  I had dreams of going to the zoo with our baby or riding bicycle around central park and at 338lbs it wasn’t likely to happen nor was I likely to get any thinner doing the same old time tested failing methods of weight loss that I was used to doing.  I was ready to jump now and live rather than fall later and leave my family too soon.  The operation was scheduled after running the gauntlet of appointments, making sure I was healthy enough to heal fully and succeed in my goal of weight loss and ultimately succeed in being around to be there for my new family.

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Gets Brighter:

I called Dr. Rosser’s office at spoke with Diana in the fall of 2002.  She had all the information I needed to attend a seminar where I could see and hear Dr. Rosser and hi colleagues.  I walked away from it armed with knowledge and feeling more comfortable about myself and my decision.  I knew that Butch was more than a capable surgeon and felt absolutely certain he knew what I was going through because he had been through the same thing.  Also I’d be lying if I told you that his references to some of his sci-fi interests made me uncomfortable.  In fact they helped me to realize that Butch is a man with a heart who is not untouchable and not a robot working with numbers and seeking medals but a man with amazing skills seeking to benefit you and enhance your life.

In May of 2003 the surgery was completed and my new life began.  My wife was now expecting and I was ready to take on the world as a new person without depression as a “fat guy” but as a normal person with a wonderful family and a lot of hope.  Six months later in November I now weigh 244lbs and dropping.  My daughter was born on October 10^th at 1:50pm.  My wife, Nancy, and our daughter, Angelica,  go for long walks through central park together every weekend and we plan lots of activities for the following summer.  It is as though I am living life for the first time doing things I’ve done before but this time I’m doing them the way I want.  Cherishing my life with my family secure with the knowledge that I’ll be with them for years to come with many thanks to Dr. Rosser and his amazing staff.

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