Re: My experiences as Dr Anthone's patient

[Guest guest]

Hi all!

I was about Dr Anthone's 300th BPD/DS when I had it done nearly 4 years

ago. Can't imagine what his numbers are now. All I can say is that the

man is the anti-thesis of the typical surgeon, kindly, patient, willing to

talk until you feel all your questions are asked.

I had started a search for some type of weight loss surgery after a

friend mentioned an aquaintance who had her stomach " stapled. " " She now

looks positively anorexic. " What would it be like to look anorexic?

I then embarked on a search. My original plan had been to keep this a

total secret from my husband and family till after the weight loss occurred.

I live in Northern California, about 60 miles from San Francisco. I started

my search at the major medical centers in SF, moved on to Stanford and UC

Medical schools. No luck finding any information.

My eldest child was attending nursing school at the University of

Southern California at the time. When I spoke with her after the futile

month long effort to research options, I asked her to do some scouting down

there. The very next day, as she was walking through the hospital lobby

taking her little girl to daycare, she noticed a new poster on the lobby

kiosk. There was a photo of a very normal sized woman extolling the results

of her surgery with Dr. Anthone. God moves in very mysterious and

serendipitous ways.

3 weeks later, I was in LA to help my daughter pack up for her summer at

home. I went to pick-up my granddaughter from daycare at about noon, there

at the University Hospital, and on a whim, walked up to Dr. Anthone's office

to see if I could pick-up a brochure. The receptionist buzzed the back

office. Who should come out, but Dr Anthone. He spent the better part of

an hour talking with me, answering questions, providing me with studies and

articles. Mind you, I had no appointment, he wasn't getting paid to talk to

me, and I'm sure he had better things to do with his lunch break than visit

with this odd woman who had a 3 year old in tow. But he wasn't hurried,

kept asking me if I had more questions, volunteered the information about

his 3 fatalities, and just made sure I was comfortable.

I scheduled a " real " appointment for a month later. He and , his

nurse manager, both insisted I not try to keep this surgery a secret. I had

to tell my husband before they would consider me a candidate. I told him

when I flew home that day.

He was NOT supportive. We had a long two month discussion about the

surgery. Finally, he agreed it was my choice and he would go with me to a

counselor to help the two of us deal with all the issues around my weight

and his. (He is genetically my opposite. At the time, he weighed a

whopping 125 lbs on a 5'11 " frame. He wore 30-34 Levis. He looked like a

refugee. Mutt and Jeff in the flesh!)

After I called telling her I was definitely ready to go forward,

she kind of let the air out of my balloon. It could take 2 to 3 months to

get approval from my insurance company, she said. Just wait, and we will

let you know when we hear back from them.

Boy, was I blue. 2 hours later, called back. You are approved!

They did it while she waited on the phone. YEA!!!! Thank you Mail Handlers

Benefit Plan! (Excuse the big plug! Available to all Federal employees.

Weight loss surgery remains a named benefit. Dr. Anthone is on the PPO

list.)

1 month later, I was in surgery. The staff at University hospital was

superb. I did have one lousy nurse while in the ICU, who turned out to be

one of my daughter's instructors. Very awkward when a complaint had to be

filed about a breach of care that caused me a problem.

I found the food at USC okay, not that I could eat very much of it, but

the biggest problem I had was with the water. Ain't nothing as bad as LA

water, and I was getting it in all the liquids I was receiving including the

supplemental tube feedings. I had this horrid taste in my mouth for a full

week, even when I wasn't allowed anything by mouth. Reflux I guess.

After care has been thorough and very professional. I am not able to

get down there more than 1 or 2 times a year, but I always feel welcome,

well-cared for, and get all my problems solved when I go.

Deborah

BPD/DS

09/24/97

BMI 54

307 lbs

Current BMI 26

154 lbs

size 10/12