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-   -   RV-7 N159SB Brian Chesteen (Brantel) (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=75045)

arains 08-23-2012 06:26 PM

Great job!!!

Brantel 01-12-2013 04:12 PM

Strange things you run into when searching Google.

I just found this article and thought the pic was cool. I remember stopping at this airport on my way to Osh last year. I had no idea I was posing for an article.....

http://archives.lincolndailynews.com...2812_LCA.shtml

Turns out this out of the way place is where Chad Jensen learned to fly. I had no idea when I landed there for fuel.

Cool pic of my plane or at least I think so.



I had my Ipad. I remember stressing about the huge storms that were looming just North West of Osh and making the decision to go for it or not... I went for it and the storms fizzled before making it to Osh.

Brantel 03-14-2013 01:34 PM

1st flight after instrument panel overhaul was on 3/9/2013.

Here is a rendering of the current panel:



Not shown are:

Garmin GDL-39 Dual Band ADS-B receiver
Garmin GTX-23ES remote transponder
Vertical Power VP-X Pro Electronic Power System

EDIT 7/8/14:

Latest revision to the panel...




APACHE 56 03-15-2013 07:37 AM

Nice...
 
Nice ride.
Nice panel.

Brantel 06-03-2013 02:11 PM




dealfair 06-03-2013 04:27 PM

Ditto...
 
I'll ditto Don Stiver, Brian!! :D

Brantel 12-09-2013 01:24 PM

Updated 12/9/2013 to show the Dynon D6 that replaced the Gemini PFD.

Click for big version:


EDIT 7/8/14:

Latest revision to the panel...




Clarkie 12-10-2013 06:12 PM

Why'd you dump the Gemini?

Brantel 12-10-2013 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkie (Post 833397)
Why'd you dump the Gemini?

See http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&postcount=236

Brantel 01-03-2014 09:05 AM

While this is OT for the general forum, I think it fits in this thread since this thread is all about my airplane and me.

I have had a few questions around my occasional mention of surgery I am having on Monday. I shared this with all my FB friends a few days ago so I thought I would post it here to let my VAF family know what I am doing and why.

Without this tool to help, I know that my days of flying N159SB are numbered due to the increasing difficulty in maintaining my medical certificate. Most if not all of my medical issues are related in one way or the other to my weight. This should end up helping me in my goal to keep enjoying this amazing aircraft. (It should also make upgrades easier! :) )

"Happy New year to all my family, friends and acquaintances!

I thought I would go ahead and let the cat out of the proverbial bag so to speak on what I have been working on for the past 4 months and what I plan to do on 1/6/14.

Monday I will be checking myself into the Turkey Creek Medical Center to have a procedure called the "Biliary-Pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch" performed on me. This surgery is one of the many forms of bariatric weight loss surgery. The procedure is very different from the "Gold Standard RNY Gastric Bypass" that many people are familiar with. The BPD-DS is considered by most as the "Platinum" standard for non experimental WLS.

For those that may be interested in knowing more about this surgery, what they will be doing to me and what the expected results are, you can go here for some good information:
http://www.newlifebariatricsurgery.c...-knoxville-tn/

My surgery will be performed by Dr. Stephen Boyce which is regarded as one of the best bariatric surgeons in the country. This coupled with his amazing staff and the fact that the BPD-DS has the best statistics for long term success out of all of the WLS options, I feel confident that this surgery will be just the tool to help me meet my goals!

We all know that these sorts of decisions and topics are very sensitive areas in our relationships. I want everyone to know that I am doing this to hopefully increase my quality of life for me and my family. I have three young children that are counting on their daddy being around for many years to come. Also since my mind was made up many months ago to go forward with WLS, I am not looking for anyone's permission or approval of my decision.

What I am looking for however is your long term support of my decision and most of all for your prayers that everything goes well with the surgery, the recovery period as well as the long term weight loss and maintenance phases. I trust that God is in my plan as I have felt his presence and influence on the entire process all along. He has made all the steps required for me to have this surgery fall into place like clockwork and I give him all the credit.

I have met many new friends on this journey all of which are amazing people with amazing stories to tell. They have been very informative and supportive during all of this pre-op process and I thank them for helping me get ready for surgery.

Last but definately not least I want to thank my wife Shantel for her unending support of my decision, helping me get ready and what I know she will do for me in the future as I recover.

This time next year, Lord willing, I will be half the man I am today writing a followup letter to you all!

Happy New Year, looking forward to my new life starting on Monday!"

Mike S 01-03-2014 09:13 AM

Good Luck
 
Brian, good luck with the surgery, sounds like you have all the ducks marching at 100%:D

Keep us posted on how things are going.

Prayers on the way.

MS19087 01-03-2014 09:19 AM

Wishing you great success!
 
Brian - I wish you the best with your procedure and a rapid recovery!

Jackm 01-03-2014 09:33 AM

Prayers for you
 
Brian.
Praying for you and your family. Your trust in God will provide you with peace as you travel forward. Recover quickly because we need your valuable input here to answer questions:)

Bavafa 01-03-2014 10:00 AM

With best wishes and a fast and full recovery.

TX7A 01-03-2014 10:13 AM

Looks like you've done a good bit of research & planning, Brian.
Best of luck to ya'!

boom3 01-03-2014 11:55 AM

You'll do great Brian, but best of luck anyway!

BillL 01-03-2014 12:03 PM

Best of Luck and Prayers, Brian! Let us know when you are up and able again.

It is good to do these things while young (er) and able to heal and recover.

Pat Hatch 01-03-2014 02:32 PM

Brian,

Looks like you approached this surgery like you did your panel upgrade: logically, practically and deliberately. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and renewed airworthiness. :)

Pat

dealfair 01-03-2014 02:48 PM

Best wishes & you are in my prayers Brian.

God Bless,

vic syracuse 01-03-2014 04:30 PM

Of Course!
 
You KNOW we all support you here! :)
Best Of luck. Great way to satart off the New Year!

Vic

DeltaRomeo 01-03-2014 04:37 PM

Looking forward to the update after the procedure, Brian!

OF COURSE you have our prayers and good wishes!!!!!!

Go get 'em!!!!!

v/r,
dr

GLPalinkas 01-03-2014 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Hatch (Post 840290)
Brian,

Looks like you approached this surgery like you did your panel upgrade: logically, practically and deliberately. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and renewed airworthiness. :)

Pat

+1 on what Pat said. It's not easy but for the best. Keep us posted.

Brantel 01-03-2014 04:57 PM

Thanks everyone for the well wishes!

Yes, I did not enter into this decision lightly. Many months have gone into preparing and education. Given my situation, most would agree that the risk of not moving forward are worse than the risk of doing it. Everyone is different and have different issues so everyone must make up their own mind about it.

I can tell you also that even though I work for an awesome company and have awesome insurance, they have not updated their insurance benefits in over 10 years. That being said, my employer still excludes WLS on our insurance and I have had to pay all the cost upfront.

Please pray that there are no complications that would negatively impact my family financially. I purchased a self pay insurance package to help protect against the most common complications but one never knows about this stuff!

Again, thanks for your well wishes and prays and I will inform the VAF as soon as I can on how well things went!

SmilingJack 01-03-2014 05:59 PM

Brian, After reading all your posts I don't doubt for a second you researched this procedure and made a good decision for yourself and family. Good luck on Monday and I look forward to your recovery posts! After all, while you recover you will have time to write up more interesting things!

Chino Tom 01-04-2014 05:53 PM

All the best Brian. Praying for a speedy recovery!

rhill 01-04-2014 06:28 PM

Brian, Best wishes for a smooth operation and speedy recovery! My friend and RV9 Builder,Mark MS19087, taught me a new Phrase last year "We use to Live to Eat, Now we Eat to Live!" Never give up, Fight the best Fight you can! Keep your eye on the Prize! The weight will come off,you are the one that has to keep it off. I'll keep you in my prayers,God Speed buddy!
RHill

mannanj 01-04-2014 06:47 PM

Surgery
 
Brian;

Along with the many friends you have here on the forum, I'd like to add my best wishes and add that I'll be praying for you. Speedy ricovery my friend.

jimpappas 01-04-2014 07:26 PM

Surgery
 
Brian,

I'm sure it will all go as you have planned it.

Recover quick and keep us posted!

Skykingbob 01-06-2014 09:55 AM

Best wishes!
 
Brian,

Prayers and best wishes. And unlike some of us who build things.....may the doctor and his crew have no spare parts left over when the job is done:eek:

rv7boy 01-06-2014 11:42 AM

Best wishes
 
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and for that quality of life you so richly deserve. We'll be looking forward to your progress reports as you get your life back.

M McGraw 01-12-2014 06:25 PM

Update
 
Is all well? Just wondering how the recovery has been.

Brantel 01-12-2014 06:35 PM

Yep, all is well the best I can tell. Just taking it easy and following my discharge orders.

Jackm 02-12-2014 12:44 AM

Brian. How are things going for you in regards to recovery? Can you update us pls. Was thinking of you and thought to check on

Brantel 02-12-2014 06:19 AM

Doing great! Had one hickup last weekend but was nothing major.

I am 5 weeks out as of this past Monday. All pain is gone, all incisions are healed. Starting into my exercise regimen.

Diet has now progressed from all liquid to pureed and soft food only. I have a couple more weeks of that then I can move to more solid protein sources.

Here is the good news....

Obviously weight loss has slowed from the 10-12lbs a week I was seeing to a more reasonable 2-4/wk. Typically people that have this surgery I had have experienced a stall around 5 weeks out. Typically this last a week or so and then it starts to come off again.

Here are the averages for my surgeon's patients based on my surgery type:

1 month out 18% Excess weight loss, for me is ~31lbs of loss, I hit ~46lbs :)
3 months out 37% Excess weight loss, for me is ~63lbs of loss
6 months out 60% Excess weight loss, for me is ~103lbs of loss
1 year out 85% Excess weight loss, for me is ~145lbs of loss

To keep this RV related, 145lbs of loss equals ~24gal of avgas, the ability to run with full baggage allowance, and we will see how much of an improvement in T/O performance!

jimpappas 02-12-2014 08:41 AM

update
 
Brian,

Glad to hear the positive update!

Doing awesome!

Mike S 02-12-2014 08:47 AM

:D:D:D:D:D

Jackm 02-12-2014 10:10 AM

Great success story...Thx for update Brian!!!

rhill 02-13-2014 12:32 AM

Slow &Steady
 
Brian,Glad your on the mend.
RHill

BillFear 02-13-2014 06:09 AM

She is going to jump off the ground!
 
Thanks for the update. Keep up the good progress.

Brantel 02-26-2014 08:50 AM

Back in the air!
 
Got back in the air on Saturday for the first time since January 4th which was 2 days before surgery...

All I did was bore holes in the sky and do some doughnuts while calibrating the D6 compass.

Was a little behind the airplane but still well within the safety zone and I made a decent landing!



I am down 61 lbs in 51 days since surgery!

It was rewarding to get in the airplane and have to tighten the lap belt over 4" and the shoulder harnesses over 5"! Last time I flew, the stick hit my gut when full aft, this time I had over 1" of clearance!


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