- Name: Amalia S.
- Username: amasot
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Member Since: 12/14/2009
- BMI: 29.0
- Surgery Type: VSG (01/26/10)
- Surgeon: George Skrekas
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Surgeon TestimonialGeorge SkrekasDr. Skrekas is a fine surgeon specializing in Bariatric Surgery and especially in VSG or "The Sleeve".
My first impression was excellent. He struck me as extremely knowledgeable in his field and I knew almost immediately that if I ever decided to undergo WLS he would be the one that I would want to perform it on me. Although I know other fine surgeons that perform the same procedure in the Athens area, the fact that dr. Skrekas specializes in this type of surgery was the deciding factor for me.
His staff is friendly and well-mannered, however, they are reticent about giving information or advice. I disliked one of his surgical assistants who kept trying for a long time to find a vein for the anesthesia, resulting in great pain for me. When I suggested that he put me out or give me pain medicine before continuing, he threatened to stop the operation right then and there. The truth is, I have very deeply seated veins and I saw how hard the team was struggling to find one, but the pain I was feeling did not allow me to be too forgiving at the time.
The only trait I disliked about dr. Skrekas himself, is that he is quite strict in having patients follow his directions exactly. Not a major fault since his goal is to get the patient healed as well as possible but his manner could stand to become a little less abrupt.
Dr. Skrekas gave me explicit directions in writing to follow post-op and has a structured program of exams and visits I have to go through post-op and for a year thereafter.
He was very open about the risks of surgery pre-op, without being overly discouraging. I appreciated his candid manner and the opportunity he gave me to discuss my own concerns with him.
Overall, I would rate him an excellent choice for Bariatric Surgery.
In my opinion, although a good bedside manner is highly desirable in a surgeon, his surgical competence is what counts the most in the end. After all, your life may depend on the surgeon's skill!
Amalia S.'s JourneyClick Here To View
Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.I had been a yo-yo dieter. It seems I was always on one diet or the other since I was 16. I was rarely happy with myself and it seems that the few times I finally was, my other problem - MS - would raise its ugly head and send me back to where I had been before plus interest. This cycle made me nervous about having WLS. On the other hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained and the combo of MS + fat was painful and deadly. i decided to take control of the one thing I could - fat. I don't know how it will work out, but a girl can hope, can't she? |
OT - Financial troubles getting to me on January 19, 2012 2:15 am
I realize that this is as OT as it can get for OH but it's something that's affecting me terribly right now and endangering all my relationships, which MIGHT drive me to bad food for comfort and thus, weight gain. So...as you can see, I managed to make the connection! LOL
Here is the short version of the story: Greece (where I live) is undergoing the worst economic crisis since WWII. People are out of jobs, businesses are closing, food lines are forming. Hubby underwent a substantial pay cut. My disability pension hasn't been effected - yet - but who knows? Banks are clamoring for their payments, money is scarce to non-existent, even essentials, like power, heat and yes-food are endangered. This is not a general assessement. I am living it RIGHT NOW!! I have cooked what might be our last meal, because once it's gone there is NOTHING - at least until I get my pension, which may be Friday or may be Monday. Hubby and I are fighting all the time about stupid things, my brother is angry at me for who knows what, sister is in worse shape than I am, MIL decreed she will stop helping hubby.
With all this going on, HOW am I supposed to focus on weight loss? (which may come anyway... no food, no gain!!)
Sorry, I had to vent.
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New Year and FINALLY not obese!! on January 6, 2012 1:00 am
Happy 2012!! And here is some good news - I am no longer OBESE! Yea, it's been a long time coming, I know. I'm still OVERWEIGHT though, so you are not getting rid of me that easily! LOL All this according to this site's BMI calculations. It has taken me TWO YEARS to get to this point but considering that everyone (including my surgeon) discouraged me from hoping I'd EVER get here, I suppose I should be delighted!
A word for newbies: NEVER GIVE UP. This is our chance to join the world of NORMALS, something most of us have only dreamt about. No matter how long it takes, no matter how others think, this is YOUR battle, YOUR body and YOUR life.
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BIG mistake! on December 8, 2011 2:52 am
I was really desperate. I haven't been losing weight and I've been wondering why. I've been counting every carb since I've been on a low-carb-Atkins style kick (which I like BTW) and I was losing VERY SLOWLY.
The slow rate of loss was confusing me. What was I doing wrong?
Maybe here I should mention to my defense that I have serious sight problems. I got eye surgery to correct my severe near sightedness in October which did a good job but brought to the surface another problem I didn't know I have. I'm now very far-sighted.
Anyway, I finally (with a little help because the print is tiny) was able to read the ingredients of my sweetner - I only use it in my coffee- and did some research on it online. What a terrible mistake! My sweetner contained maltodextrin which is made from carbs!! It also can purpotedly cause cancer.
I threw it out. I'd rather not drink coffee than use that stuff!
I'm now starting over. Minus the coffee. Pray for me that I'll do it right this time.
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My second September on September 17, 2011 2:55 am
Here it is again, September. And this is my second September since my VSG. September always makes me feel a little sad because it reminds me that winter is ahead. Hubby is back to work since schools opened and I'm mostly alone again, trying to fend for myself.
What does all that have to do with weight loss? Nothing. Except that I was secretly hoping that I'd be normal weight by now and I'm not. I weighed at 81 kg this morning, which is a far cry from the 130 I started with but still 11 away from goal.
People who know me tell me not to worry that even if I stay where I am I'm good, but I do worry. Perhaps because it brings to mind all the times that I ALMOST reached my goal by dieting (pre-WLS) only to gain everything back and more. *Sigh.
I'm hoping fervently that this time it will be different.
So, I'm now digging in for the long winter ahead and hope this will be a better year.
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Leaving on vacation! on July 19, 2011 11:30 pm
It's been a long and difficult year and I'm ready for vacation. Weight-wise I'm about 40 lbs lighter than last summer and 103 lbs lighter than the year before. Since we are going to the same place we go to every year for the past 6-7 years I do expect some comments, although I still do feel uncomfortable around comments. Perhaps it's because I haven't reached my goal weight yet, which is about 30 lbs away so I still feel obese.
It's a slow process for me, which is frustating, but at least I'm heading in the right direction!
I have learned some valuable lessons this past year and I hope I remember them during vacation. The most important thing I've learned is that carbs are POISON to me! Not just white carbs, but ANY type of carbs except maybe leafy, green salads. Also, the fact that I CAN'T exercise I'm sure slows down my loss. There is very little I can do about that last part.
If you've been reading my blogs you'll know that I TRIED earlier on this year, but an MS attack, plus my brother's and husband's unwillngness to continue taking me for walks put an end to that. I'm hoping that swimming now will start up again my lazy metabolism.
Have a nice summer!
4 comments | Leave a comment.
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