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birder I. has 3 Friends

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Michael Garren
My surgeon was absolutely wonderful. When I first saw him speak at information night I introduced myself to him because we have a mutual friend. He was absolutely delightful to chat with. I am on the high end of BMI and age range and it never was an issue with him. He told everyone at the info night that his commitment to us was for as long as he lived! His statistics are excellent and were also thorough. The whole program was beyond thorough. I was taught everything I needed to know and more. Aftercare is also marvelous and so is the staff. They are always available by phone, even on weekends. I live about 60 miles away and they bent over backwards to schedule as much on one day as possible to avoid extra driving. Also Meriter Hospital was the best hospital I have ever been in. I work in medicine and this was a phenomenal experience. they certainly deserve the Center of Excellence rating!
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Long year
on December 23, 2012 4:56 am

After I had my revision I had a perforated bowel which ended up being a huge deal. However, it's now a year later, 135 lbs gone, and I'm doing fine. If you want details, message me. I am really enjoying my life now and am amazed as I shop for the holidays that I have so much more stamina than I did before the revision. I guess I wasn't totally aware how little I was able to do before.

I have started a book club and have taken some courses in advanced knitting which is my favorite thing to do these days. I'm grateful for my wonderful partner who made this last year worth while and for my surgeon who has always been there for me and saved my life. As we go into the new year I go in with a new life!

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Revision
on November 11, 2012 5:32 pm

In July '11 my partner and I had a civil union after 25 years together and when I saw the pictures I realized I looked far worse than I was aware of and I contacted my doc about a revision to RNY which is what Medicare would pay for. I had the surgery in October and had lots of complications but now am doing fine. It's a year later and I've lost over 130 lbs and am the smallest I have been in 30+ years. Despite the problems I'm now glad I did this. I'm certainly willing to talk about the complications but it's too much for tonight.

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August 14
on August 14, 2008 1:35 pm
Hello, I have had a hectic summer traveling. The good thing is I didn't gain weight. The bad thing is I didn't lose either. The band lets me start again. I also wasn't very hungry while traveling and I did get in my water and protein. it was the other stuff since I was in Germany and Austria and you know what that kind of food is like. I need to learn to make better traveling choices since I will be traveling more this fall--but shorter trips.
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May 23, 2008
on May 23, 2008 8:19 pm

Well I got the message I hadn't updated in 90 days so here I am. Kind of stuck on weight loss. Most days I do great, about once a week I eat something I shouldn't and so I go up and down. I have stepped up my exercise and tightened up my choices so it should start to move soon. I did lose really fast in the beginning and now I am balancing. 

I am so ready for the weather to be just a bit warmer. I don't really like hot, but jackets at the end of May is crazy, even for here. I'm enjoying the Illinois board a lot. We post almost daily and between support group and the folks who live in Chicago and get together I feel like we have a real family here. 

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New picture
on March 11, 2008 5:49 pm
I think the picture got squashed when I put it up as an avatar. The one in the photo looks better. I have lost 75 lbs and even though I have a ton more to lose, I can see the difference.
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My Story

I have been overweight all my life and have done everything everyone else has. I decided to have the lapband surgery when a close friend had it and has done well. Previously I was afraid I was too old (63). I went to Madison to UW and Dr. Garren and have been quite impressed with the whole program. It is a Center of Excellence which made a big difference to my insurance company. I am now three weeks past surgery and have lost 36 lbs. More than that, I have so much more energy! I think the protein really helps.