Weight Loss Surgery Directory

By Location By Map
Before & After

 
—  
* move mouse over the picture to see “after” photo

See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos.
Surgeon Testimonial

Hugh Houston
Dr. Houston is a very caring, compassionate man who cares deeply about his patients. rnrnAfter you get to know him a little better, he can be downright funny. I like him a lot.rnrnHe knows his stuff. He does not take chances with your health... He has a great \"better safe than sorry\" approach to little medical worries that pop up in the hospital.rnrnHe visited both me and my husband while we were in the hospital at least 2-3 times a day, sometimes four. His bedside manner was/is an excellent compliment to his amazing surgical skills.rnrnHe never hid stuff from us. He was very upfront about all the risks (and the benefits). rnrnDr. Houston deserves a great big 10!
Member Interests

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by princesssplenda on 12/27/04 6:32 pm
    Congratulations on your recent surgery and much success on the losing side! Big hugs from my heart! Candy RNY 11/16/04
Click here for the surgery support page
Bariatric Blathering by Bodatiously Beautiful Babe
Cathy Spencer's Blog--and she's modest too


Birthday Reflections
on January 29, 2007 7:32 pm

In March 2004 I was given a death sentence.  My doctor informed me that due to my Super Morbid Obesity, I was going to die.  Soon.  She very bluntly said that it could happen while I was sitting in her office right then, the next day, or a year from then—but definitely with in two years.  I was only 34-years old.  

The shock was overwhelming and mind-numbing as I tried to process what she was saying.  She attempted another approach to make it even more firm.  She theorized that I would probably make it to 35, but so sick that I would hardly enjoy it.  She believed I’d be “darn lucky” to make my 36th birthday, and that I would DEFINITELY be dead by my 37th Birthday.

This was my wake-up call, smack in the face, come-to-Jesus meeting, reality check.  I had to do something… and do it immediately.  So I did.  I had the Roux-en-Y GBP Surgery on December 20, 2004.

Now, 25 months out I am healthy.  I’ve lost 216lbs and 14 clothing sizes.  All my obesity related conditions have resolved.  I’m thrilled to be alive and enjoying life.  I still deal with some self-image issues, but overall my life is better than it’s ever been.

January 30th, 2007 is my 37th birthday.  The one I was supposed to be dead by.  I’m not dead.  I’m alive and well… and living life to the fullest. Thanks to God, CMC, Dr. Houston and his staff, I will live for years to come.

DEATH SENTENCE REVOKED!  I’ve been pardoned and am humbly moving forward, totally embracing my second chance at life.

 

 

 

Be the first to leave a comment.

Some Things Never Change!!!
on January 22, 2007 5:42 pm
I found this poem on an old disk on January 19th.  I wrote it about 12 years ago.  Seems that some things never change!  I STILL have issues with mirrors! 
 
I suppose the reason I'm sharing this one is to remind everybody that the surgery is NOT a magic fix-all... we still have to work on our issues.
 
THE MIRROR
by C.J. Dodd
1995
 
Through the glass
She stares at me
accusing, vicious and crass.
Rudely forcing me to see
the things I'd rather pass.
 
Why is she so cruel
to the one who gives her life?
But my questions only give her fuel.
"You'll never be a wife."
Playing on my emotions is her wicked tool.
 
Sometimes I try to fight.
Sometimes I even win.
Once in awhile I dim the lights
and tell myself I'm thin.
But evilly she points out that my image isn't right.
 
I always say I like myself.
And I really believe it, too.
Talents, family, friends and good health
Help me know it's true.
But she undermines my faith with deviousness and stealth
 
I try to stay away from her,
this reflection that is me.
trying to keep my self-image pure,
the person that my loved ones see.
But my desire to befriend this fiend is an effective lure.
 
So back to the mirror I go
time and time again
even though I really know
that she is not my friend.
Only too aware of the reflection (of me) she'll show.
 
She'll never go away from me.
She's a part of who I am.
Fighting her I'll always be—
In my search for the woman
that other people see.

And then this one from November 2005; this was written during my WLS journey and I still feel like this....

STRANGER
by Cathy Spencer
2005

Who are you?
Where did I go?
My head says you're me.
My heart tells me no.

Simple mirror on the wall,
you reflect what you see.
When I look into your depths,
I'm supposed to se me.

The woman reflected in your eyes-
Svelte, Slim, Lean-
Is someone I don't recognize,
someone I've never seen.

Inside I feel the same.
I haven't changed at all.
But then I glimpse this stranger
in the mirror on the wall.

I'd like to get to know her-
This lovely woman that I see.
Oh mirror, mirror on the wall
Is that beauty really me?
Be the first to leave a comment.

Perceptions
on January 10, 2007 9:13 am

Today I am confused.  

My shirt tag says medium. 

My pants tag says 12. 

Why do I look fat to me?

The same eyes that see

Such tiny sizes on tags

Look into the mirror and

See the woman from two years past

Then the very same eyes

Will glimpse in a window

A woman whose size makes me wish

That I could be as lovely

Only to discover that she is me!

Perceptions abound, confuse, and deceive

But daily I go on, learning to recognize… me.
1 comment | Leave a comment.

FUNKY!
on January 1, 2007 9:00 am
I'm posting the response I sent from a Yahoo! group member.  It was a "APB" on me!   They'd noticed I was gone.  Made me feel good.  Anyway, here it is....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm here.
 
I was just... funky?  (Wasn't that your word Jill?)  Anyway, I had a "Geez Louise Cathy... you've got a big mouth... do you have to comment on EVERYTHING?" moment.   Plus, the group was cooking along, so I thought I'd chill for a few days.  But I read everyday, and I cheer for you all.  I rejoice when you do, and I agonize with you too.
 
I just passed my two year anniversary.  I've been working on a list of all the things that have changed for the better since my WLS.  One section is all the "serious" stuff (medical problems that have resolved, etc) and one section is the "goofy & fun" stuff (like being able to see veins and bones, and not having to check to see if chairs are armless).   But I've also added a section of things that haven't miraculously changed. 
 
For example... my funk.  WLS didn't magically stop feelings of insecurity.  We all have them, and we'll all have to keep dealing with them.   Even two years out, we have times when we get funky.  "I'm gonna get fat and sick again."  "people don't care about the me inside." "I'm still fat, no matter what the scale says."  "Nobody would notice if I disappeared. "  "Why do I always have to be the strong one?"  Stinking thining.  Poor me... whatever.  
 
Thanks for thinking about me guys and gals.  I know you all call me your cheerleader and inspiration, but please know I need you guys too.  You inspire me too.  And when you cheer each other, support each other, love on each other, it makes me feel good too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank the good Lord for friends!
Be the first to leave a comment.



Archive

Tags
  • None