Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery and Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Richard J. Strauss, MD FACS FACRS              David Buchin, MD

SAVE THE DATE:

Support Group Meetings

· December 11th at 5:30pm

· January 8th at 5:30 pm

Free Informational Seminars for New Patients

· December 11th at 4:30pm.

· December 26th at 5:30pm.

· January 8th at 4:30pm

 

IN THIS ISSUE

             I am 51 years old and I am in the best shape I have been since I was 25. I had Gastric Bypass surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center on January 17, 2007. My pre-surgical weight was 385lbs and my highest weight was 450lbs. Like most obese people, I lost over 100lbs by eating less and exercising and I went down to 325lbs. Like most us, I started to put the weight back on. That was when I started to consider weight loss surgery. I started to go to support group meetings  and I had done a lot of research on the internet. I wanted to educate myself because the decision to have surgery was mine and mine alone. I did not let anyone talk me into or out of surgery. People have their own opinions about the operation but most people don't really understand the problem that severely obese people have loosing weight and keeping it off. Some of my family and friends would say things like “you’ve just lost the weight on your own before so why don't you just do it again.” Or “all you have to do is stop eating carbs, I did it and I lost 20 lbs.” They don't understand that  loosing 20 lbs and loosing 150lbs is a big difference. 

After I made the decision to have surgery  my next decision was, lap band or gastric bypass. This was a very hard choice and I went back and forth for months. I decided on the bypass for two reasons, I wanted to loose weight fast and, I knew it would be easy to cheat with the lap band. Lets face it, I did not get that heavy by not cheating.  I went to my primary physician once a month for six months and did all the required preoperative testing and my insurance gave me approval on the first try.

             To say that my life has changed would be an understatement. I have lost  217 lbs in 10 months. My sleep apnea has resolved. My shirt size went from 4X to XL, my waist from 58 inches  to 38inches, my neck from 22 inches to 17.5inches. I work out at the gym, play ball with my daughter and take 10 mile bike rides. I am living a healthy and happy life. I hope my story gives someone inspiration like the story’s I’ve read have given me. Good luck to all of you on your journey to a healthy life.

 

A NEW OUTLOOK ON OUR BARIATRIC PROGRAM

John Deering—after gastric bypass

MY JOURNEY TO SURGERY  by John Deering

Welcome to the new Bariatric program at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Since July we have been working extremely hard to make improvements to the program. We are proud to offer one of the finest techniques for Weight Loss Surgery in the country. All our surgeries are done laparoscopically, which means a faster recovery and less complications. We also do close routine follow ups that goes beyond the first 2 years after surgery. We are here for you for life.  We are always easily accessed and  someone is available in our office 5 days per week.

One of the greatest additions to our program is Sophia Mcleod-Pearson, RPA-C.  She has become an asset to me and LIJ.  She is the new Bariatric Coordinator / Physician Assistant , as well as the first assistant in the OR for the minimally invasive Bariatric procedures.

I am excited for this inaugural issue of the LIOS Monthly Newsletter and welcome your recommendations and your stories.  Please, consider this is as much your program as it is ours. In addition to the newsletter, come and visit us at one of the support groups on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30pm.  We are making great strides in making it as educational and as entertaining as possible.

We look forward to seeing you soon, either in the office or at the support groups.

Dr. David Buchin

December 2007

Volume 1, Issue 1

L.I.O.S. - SUPPORT THROUGH THE JOURNEY   WWW.LIOBESITYSURGEY.COM

Dr. David Buchin General & Bariatric Laparoscopic  Surgeon

 

Helping you on Your Journey to a healthier and happier life

John Deering  - before gastric bypass