Hello,
I found this thread while doing a Google search for Dr Anthone. I was curious to see if he was still in Omaha. I had my surgery with him in 8 years ago, April 2009, and joined this site because I feel compelled to chime in.
I am a 5'10" tall female. At the time of my surgery I was 40 years old and 331 pounds. He gave me a common channel that is 150cm long. I too had my concerns about weight loss with that length cc, but had read success stories about him. I had also read many stories of severe complications due to malabsorption from people who had a very short cc. I was willing to have a longer cc in order to lessen complications due to malapsorption. The weight came off effortlessly. My weight dropped to 145lbs, which is normal for my height and frame. I lost 186lbs. My ideal weight for me has always been between 145 and 155lbs, and I have been able to maintain that for the most part. The only time it goes up is when my bad habits come into play and I eat too many carbs and sugar. As soon as I eat more paleo again, the weight drops back to my goal zone.
I have found the malapsorption component to be tolerable. I take my vitamins in spurts. Sometimes I am taking at least 20 different vitamins and supplements a day, sometimes none for months at a time (which I do not advocate. I'm embarrassed to admit that, but for the sake of transparency, I will. I need to be more diligent about my supplement intake). My D tends to migrate down, but as soon as I diligently increase my dry D, my levels increase and stabilize. I was having some issues with low ferritin, and had to receive ferritin infusions every 6 months for about 2 years. But my ferritin has now stabilized and I haven't needed one for over a year. In fact, during my last visit to my hematologist, I learned that my ferritin had increased on it's own! That was a welcome surprise.
I was not too keen on open surgery at all, but after much research, I was sold on Dr Anthone. Much of it had to do with his reputation, training, location (he's just the next state over), insurance accepted, and timeline for surgery. I also learned that he chooses to do open surgery so that he has a full view of the internal anatomy. Personally, I felt more assured with someone who had a full view of things and could access any potential complications immediately. While he's in there, he also does a check on other organs and removes the gallbladder to avoid future gallstone problems. Recovery was tough, but then again I do not have any personal experience to compare it to the lap version of this surgery. I was not crazy about the long scar that resulted from the open surgery and have learned to live with it. It has become a part of me and I no longer notice it as much. Nor does my fiance whom I met 3 years post surgery.
I am not trying to sell anyone on Dr Anthone. I have no vested interest. I just thought it might be valuable to hear from someone who actually had this surgery with him. Hope this helps.