Who am I, and why I chose Weight Loss Surgery & Advance Laparoscopic Surgeons

Get yourself a comfortable chair, a big pot of coffee, and you may want to go to the bathroom - because this will be long (and maybe boring). In the end, I hope it is helpful

Ok, my journey has been a long one – but I will not bore you with all the details – just the highlights.

I was born and breed in Brooklyn NY. And like most Italians, I had a “nickname” growing up. Since there were two Tommy’s on my block (and in my family), I was tagged as either “fat Tommy” or "fatty-boy". Therefore, it only goes to show you I have always been overweight. I fought the “battle of bulge” my entire life. Many times, I’ve won the battle, but in the end I eventually lost the war.

About 5 years ago, I started to think about weight loss surgery. In the past (we’re talking late 70’s-early 80’s), I knew people who had their “stomach stapled”, and some had disastrous (almost fatal) results. I knew that was definitely out. So I needed to do my homework before I choose anything. It took almost another two years before I really started to research all the different options out there.

As I am getting older, being morbidly obese was definitely having an adverse affect within my life, and it appeared to be getting worst.

My current position at work is a Computer Tech Support and Server Administrator. I was finding it difficult to lift desktop computer and walk long distances without either being winded or having to stop numerous times to catch my breath. When I worked on the second floor, I had to climb stairs with these items, and would need to take “breaks” halfway up. And climbing down the stairs was also difficult, because I could not see each step – so I had to go down 1 step at a time.

Over the past few years, I have gone on numerous job interviews, and once I entered the room, I can tell the interviewer had already prejudged my abilities because of my size. I can actually see the nonverbal “gasps” by the way their eyes open wide. Since many of the jobs dealt with “customer interaction”, I could see they were apprehensive in hiring me, because they were afraid how their potential customers would view me.

I was finding it to be more and more difficult to enjoy the extra-curricular sporting activities I do. Two years ago, I bought a commercial stationary bike – hoping it would help me loose weight. While I was able do the bike, my behind was too big for the seat, and I found it extremely uncomfortable to sit on it. I contacted the manufacture concerning purchasing a larger seat, and was told that the seats did not come any larger. As a result, I gave up on the bike. In addition, I have a regulation weight lifting bench. Since I have difficulty getting up from the bench, I stopped doing exercises that require lying down.

Personally: my weight was becoming such an issue I would no longer go to functions with friends/families. I have cancelled going to parties, weddings, funerals because I was ashamed of my size. I also stopped going to my favorite vacationing spot – because two years ago I broke 2 chairs – and I was embarrassed to return. I am also begun to avoid going to recreational facilities (movies, concerts, theater, restaurants, etc) because I have issues sitting in the seats, and I also have an ill rational fear of breaking chairs. I felt I could easily see myself have some sort of agoraphobia, if this progressed further.

In the summer of 2007, my doctor said that I really should think about doing something surgical. She stated I am young enough and healthy enough to do it NOW, but who knows what a year or two may bring. So that’s when I decided to seriously consider weight loss surgery.

The question was: “who should do it”? After interviewing approximately 15 strangers (they were basically friends of friends), and more on-line checking, I decided to go with Advance Laparoscopic Surgeons, located in Florham Park, New Jersey. In all my research (on line, and word of mouth) Dr. Abkin’s (and his partner Dr. Bertha’s) names were always regarded very highly in the field. On October 24, 2007, I went to their seminar at the Parsippany Tara Hotel. What I really liked about Dr. Abkin was his straightforward honesty. He listened to what I had to say, and respected the surgery I wanted. He never talked me, or any other participant, into one procedure or the other - unlike other Doctors from other practices I met with.

Come mid-November (2007) I had “all my ducks in a row”, and was ready to have the operation. I could have had it in either November or December, but I decided to wait until after the “New Year” – because I thought I would be in too much pain to enjoy the holidays. If I knew then, what I know now - I would have had the operation in November.

I had the Realize band operation on January 29, 2008 at Saint Peters Hospital, in New Brunswick. I arrived at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. for my 9:00 a.m. surgery. I was wheeled into the operating room about 8:45 a.m. I was in and out surgery in about 45 minutes (no complications). When I awoke I felt nauseous, and I had dry mouth because of the anesthesia. I had this feeling for about 2 - 3 hours, and all I wanted to do was sleep some more. Since I never had anesthesia before, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I hear this is quite common.

I was in recovery from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I was home by 3:00 p.m., and I rested for most of the day. The only discomfort I experienced was a feeling that I could only equate to when someone does a lot of sit-ups, and an inner chest pain (which I later realized was caused by the intubation). No other pain.

The next day I still had the “sit-up discomfort”, and chest irritation, but felt relatively normal. By the 2nd day after the operation, I was back to normal. If I wanted to I could have gone back to work, but I decided to stay home because I had vacation time coming to me.

On the 3rd day I started my “semi-solid” (soft/puree) food intake. I had no problem swallowing or keeping anything down. However, I followed all the eating directions verbatim. I did not deviate from the recommendations. By the 4th day, I noticed I have not had any hunger pangs since before the operation.

Since the operation, I realized (no pun intended) I have not had any hunger pangs that I used to experience before the Realize band. It gets to the point that I have to “force” myself to eat, because I do not feel hungry. I also realized any “hunger” I did feel, would quickly disappeared when I drank something. It was a wonderful feeling, and is an experience I never thought was possible. It’s an experience that I still have. Plus, I would have never expected 4 - 6 ounces of “protein”, and some vegetables would fill me, and keep me satisfied for hours.

My weight loss has been called remarkable. On my two week review I lost 17 pounds. On my one month review I lost an additional 30 pounds, for a total of 47 pounds. On my three month review I lost an additional 28 pounds. On May 21 I weighed myself and lost another 5+ pound. On July 11th’s weigh-in, I lost a total of 100 pounds. As of February 28 (2009) I lost a total of 150 pounds. As of last weigh-in (this past Monday), my total weight lost is 165 pounds. I am now averaging 1 - 2.5 pounds a week - which is still a great rate of loss. In addition, my General Practitioner Doctor has taken me off of all my medication. She stated while there is no guarantee, she doesn’t think I will need to go back to them.

My typically daily eating routine, is .. well .. very routine:

5:00 a.m. - breakfast - 1 cup of either: oatmeal, Farina, Oat, Grits - made
with skim milk

9:00 a.m. - 4 ounce protein drink

Noon - lunch - about 4 - 6 ounces of protein (mostly chicken) with some mixed vegetables and/or lentil soup mixture.

3:00 p.m.. - 8 ounce protein drink

6:00 p.m. - dinner - about 6 - 8 ounces of protein (mostly chicken),
and mixed vegetables.

That's it.

As a for vitamin supplements, I take: a multi-vitamin daily, Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D twice a day and a B12 vitamin. I have no regrets, except maybe had it done sooner. So far I haven’t had any complications and/or adverse reactions to any of the foods I’ve eaten.

After all the research, I decided that the lap-band was the best choice for me.

Ok, less talk about me, and more talk about the band. While it is true people see faster result when having a Gastric Bypass, however over a 3 - 5 year period, Bypass and Banding folks tend to loose the same amount of weight. Please remember, this isn't a cure-all. It's only a "tool" that will help you loose the weight. YOU WILL NEED to adhere to what is required. If not, it won't work.

Currently there are two “bands” approved in the United States. The Lap Band and the Realize Band (formerly known as the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band).

There is not too much difference between the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) and the (regular) Lap band. The way I simplify it for most people is I tell them one is a Honda and the other is a Toyota.

Here is brief band history.

In 1985, the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) was released within Scandinavian countries, but it was not done laparoscopic. In 1992, the SAGB was tested to be implemented using laparoscopic techniques in Switzerland, Italy and Germany.

In 1993, The BioEnterics company released the LAP-BAND (Adjustable Gastric Banding System), and was quickly FDA approved. In 1994 the SAGB was done through-out Europe.

Around 2004, Johnson and Johnson began working in conjunction with the SAGB parent company.

In 2007, the FDA finally approved of the SAGB - which by then was renamed by J & J to the Realize Band. My research showed there were fewer issues with the SAGB then with the Lap-Band (i.e. port inversion, inflammation, etc)

Since the operation, I consider myself an “unofficial” walking testimonial commercial for the Realize Gastric Banding procedure. I speak to anyone who is willing to listen, and even to those who don’t :-) !! I tell everyone about it, and I highly recommend this operation to anyone who asks about Bariatric Weight Loss surgery. I always reinforce that the decision is a personal one, and I would never sway a person one way or the other which operation to have. The bottom line is to loose weight.

When it comes to weight loss surgery, I tell people it's like going into New York City. Some people take the George Washington Bridge; some the Lincoln Tunnel, other the Holland Tunnel, and still some may take a ferry; train or bus. Bottom line is "we all get to the same destination."

My final advice to anyone who wants to do a WLS is to do your research before you decide the procedure and Doctor you want. Make sure you ASK AROUND – speak to everyone who had either operation, and see what their experiences are. Also ask for the name of their doctors, and do some research on the doctor. I must have spoken to 20 friends of friends (strangers to me) concerning this, and listed what they said - and the doctors they recommended. A majority named my doctors, but other mentioned other doctors too. When you visit the doctor, ASK QUESTIONS!! I asked about 30 questions (I still have my questioner if you would like to see it). Also, go on line and do research. I went to various seminars, before I decided to go to Advance Laparoscopic Surgeons.

As I said, I did my homework - you should too.

Hope you're still awake. ... I hope this was helpful.

Please don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have. I am here to help in any way I can.

Good luck to you on your Journey !!

Tom

"Nothing I will ever eat will be as good as losing weight"