I have received many many email from new pre-ops needing contact
information, first of all I want to welcome all new Pre-ops and want
you to know you are free to use this contact letter for your package
to prepare for CLos. I am glad to help in any way I can, this has
been a wonderful gift I have been given and I am glad to help. Any
other Questions please feel free to email me Genie7368@...
Good
Luck,
Georgene Foster from NC.

Welcome aboard!

This was by far the best thing I have ever done for
myself and my family. Dr Rutledge's procedure is from what I have
researched the BEST and the safest that is why I choose it. I am not
the type person that will say something if it is not true but Dr
Rutledge is a genius pure and simple.
I started this journey November 2003 I asked millions of questions,
called CLOS every day asking questions was on the board reading every
single post and January 5, 2004 I was blessed to be able to have
surgery by Dr Rutledge in Statesville North Carolina. Very lucky I
only lived 1 hour away no motel and home the very next day after
surgery.
If I had to I would have traveled to Europe to have this done by Dr
Rutledge, he is outstanding. I cant believe how fast the time has
gone!! And it will do the same for you too!
I feel wonderful, I am 53 years old and for the first time in many
many years I feel like a normal person. I can fit into airplane
seats without a seat belt extender, I can sit on a chair without
checking to see if it is wide enough or strong enough to hold me. But
most of all my health has been wonderful, so I can play with my
grandchildren.
The Clos staff was very helpful, they are very busy doing multiple
jobs so you have to be persistent calling them sometimes but mostly
all Dr R's staff have had this procedure and can answer your
questions with knowledge and experience!
I did experience some pain when I woke up (nothing like having a
baby, and nothing I wouldn't do every year for the rest of my life to
have this again) so I used the pain pump. Next morning, no pain
hooray but I did feel very nauseous for the ride home. That was the
only day I felt nausea. Went right to bed when I got home, and slept
that day and the next, had to force myself to drink Gatorade. I was
NOT hungry at all, what a good feeling, but I was tired after
operation for about 10 days, after that it was like I had the biggest
burst of energy and 21 days after surgery my husband and I took our
children and grandchildren to Disney world for a week of fun. I rode
rides and walked more that I had in years!! I had lost 16 pounds by
then and felt like life was going well for me.
I listened to what the manual told us to so with Stage 1, Stage 2 and
now I can eat anything at all, no problems with anything. The diet
was very easy for me to follow because I had very little desire to
eat and when I did it filled me up fast so I was very content. I
usually eat something every 2 hours now. It took about 2 weeks once
my packet was in to get my surgery. They had given me a tentative
date which worked out. They know what they are doing and will read
your packet with a fine tooth comb. I had a minor problem with a
bundle block in my heart area that they wanted checked out before I
went for surgery so I have to tell you Dr Rutledge and his entire
staff just doesn't file your package they concentrate on each and
every person. I have never recommended a doctor or procedure before
but feel good knowing you are in good hands!
I feel happy, healthy and I thank God for having the chance to have
this done. Right after the surgery on Stage 1 I had my Gatorade,
yogurt, applesauce, soups anything soft. As far as hanging skin, I
have been very fortunate I have lost over 150 pounds and I look
great, none if any hanging skin right now at least, and to be honest,
if I had it who cares?? At least I feel like I have a life now
instead of huffing and puffing along life with medical problems, and
sex used to be embarrassing and very hard to do with my old body
size.
I wish you luck in your decision to have this surgery, please let me
know how you are doing from time to time.

Georgene Foster
1/5/04 Dr Rutledge
Statesville NC
310/158