Chellie's Journey

Username: Chellie
Location: North Central, PA, USA
Member Since: 1/12/2003
BMI: 48.7
Post Op
Surgery Type: Revision (01/13/04)
Surgeon: Luciano A. DiMarco, D.O.

Photos

Mine (18)

I'm in (5)

My Callie Uploaded on 2/6/07 4:29 pm	Jelli Uploaded on 2/6/07 4:29 pm
Little Lexie Uploaded on 2/6/07 4:29 pm	Jasmine Uploaded on 2/6/07 4:29 pm
Jazzy Uploaded on 10/17/06 2:37 pm	In Pittsburgh Uploaded on 10/17/06 2:34 pm

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Friends

Chellie has 14 Friends

Gwen E.	Shannon	Mark Luethold
Karen Coppens	maureen	Kirk Thompson
JC	B. McCoy	Cally S.

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Goals

No Public Goals Yet.

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Surgeon Testimonial

Luciano A. DiMarco, D.O.
I really liked Dr. D'marco when I first met him. He was very laid back...but very confident in his knowledge. He introduced himself to both my mom and I. Started the meeting by first looking at the upper GI films that I had with me, then let me ask questions, filled in information, and gave me details to the surgery that I needed to know. Basically, he told me much of what I already knew...only because I have researched the surgery. But for someone who didn't have any knowledge of the surgery...he was thorough... very much so.

His office staff was very nice...they were easy to talk to and answered questions. One thing though, as a new patient, I do not know who functions in what capacity, and was a little put off at one point when I stated a concern and felt I was brushed off by a staff memeber. It turned out that she was the nutrionist, and had knowledge that i didn't...therefore she wasn't concerned. I would like to have been introduced to various members of the staff before hand. IF I had I would have understood better why she was stating what she said and why I needed to believe her.

Aftercare is provided by his staff...and emphasized. Both with himself, then later with his associate, Dr. Weiger and a nutrionist.

The risks of surgery were covered very well. He had a list of information that he covered... things that were risks along with things that were possible complications, and things that i as a patient would have to do as followup.

I definately got the impression that he as well as his staff would work hard on my behalf.

There is quite a wait to see him and to get appointments with his office. It seems to me that he has a large amount of patients. I also feel that his practice is worth the wait...but know you will be waiting.

Member Interests

Cats - I have three cats that I absolutely love...jelli, jazzy, and callie
Teaching - I teach deaf children
Computer Games - addicted to tetris and pogo.com
Radio & Television - give me music from the 60's and 70's and 80's
Volunteerism - I am the outreach coordinator for our local Special Olympics
Christianity - the lord is my strength and my salvation

Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

Hospital Reviews

(Harrisburg, PA) - Community General Osteopathic Hospital

Latest Surgery Support Comments

Comment by jfaria on 9/7/04 7:45 am

Chelle, Congratulations - you are doing awesome! I can't believe the success that you've had - I can only hope that I am that lucky! I wanted to let you know that you might want to look into Curves. I have back issues from a car accident and some days are better than others. I joined Curves in July of this year and it went really well for me. (I can't wait unitl I am 6 weeks out, so I can go back). They suggest doing 3 circuits, but I was only doing 2 because that's about all my back could handle. If I did more, I wouldn't be able to walk the next day - literally. Try it out - it was the perfect choice for me and maybe it will be for you, too. Jen

Comment by Tracy B on 7/16/04 8:55 pm

Chelle, It sounds like you're doing awesome! You should be so proud and happy :) I hope to join you on the losing side very soon! Enjoy your great accomplishments! Hugs, Tracy

Comment by brepau on 1/13/04 8:37 pm

Hi Chelle , Just want ed to say Hope you have a smooth recovery and you are a big loser. Take care and Get Well Soon

Click here for the surgery support page

Pittsburgh Convention with some Awesome friends and Staff-teammates. Working with OH has been one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Chellie's Journey

Update
on October 8, 2006 4:48 pm

Hi all, With starting this new profile system, I thought it would be a good time to update my story. I am almost 3 years Post-op from my revision surgery. I have not lost all the weight I have wanted to lose, BUT I have not gained it back either... I struggle between 5-10 pounds that I need to keep fighting. My goal is still to lose another 75 pounds. But, life is much better. I can move! I can do things I couldn't think of doing at 500 lbs. I've even started taking for granted "little things" like walking from the car to the store and not getting out of breath...

I need those reminders back... and I need to set new goals and new focus. I have a huge part of my health back, but there is more I can have if I can get that focus. A messsage to all of you out there-- life changes... but we do need to stay on top of the process and on target with the tool, the eating and the water... My head is struggling to stay in that game.

I started volunteering for OH in the photos dept, I now am one of the co-team leaders for the department.

Gwen and Shannon are awesome coworkers. And, the photo team volunteers that stuck in there with us (maureen, karen, and mark) you guys are the best.

Blessings and Hugs
Chellie

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My focus, My Goal
on November 20, 2004 12:00 am

Hi All...
Wanted to take a moment to say hi and update a bit... I am now down to 322lbs. This is 178lbs from my absolute heaviest. I have gone from a 7x to a 22/24 top and to a 26 pants. Starting to have a problem with the saggy skin under my arms, breasts, and especially my thighs... strange... as I lose, my thighs are the last place that I am losing... like it's leaving everywhere but there... oh well... this too shall pass. I am planning on buying myself a total gym for Christmas, my present to myself. I know if I want to keep losing I have to get with the exercise. No way around that. After being almost 500lbs, I will be happy if I can get to 250 and get the loosened skin taken care of and toned up. I don't see myself as ever being under a size 16 and you know, I'll be okay with that if I can be a HEALTHY 16. My focus is trying to be the healthiest I can be. I may get slack from others who have had surgery that will say, but that is still obese.... yes it is, but look at how far I have come... I've already lost more weight than most adults weigh. I'm going to keep on my path (which is slow, but steady) and one day be the turtle at the end of the race.

Blessings and Happy Holidays,
Chellie

Exercise??? UGH... Ive gotta do something!
on September 6, 2004 12:00 am

Wow... time flies huh? I am still losing... my doc says it's slowing down and I need to start exercising to keep my metabolism up... which I know... but truly I hate exercise... which is partly why I gained the weight in the first place. I'm going to have to change my thinking and start with some form of program... as soon as my back heals... oh that ... forgot to share that... Getting ready to go back to work for the next school year ... must of lifted or moved something wrong...for the last week my back has been killing me ... the doc says it's a sprained or strained muscle... so it's flexeril and anti-inflammatory... ugh... well if it isn’t one thing its another (grin) ... this too shall pass...

Blessings... Chelle

What a Tool
on July 13, 2004 12:00 am

Hi... I am so excited... almost six months out.. and am down to 350... that is -148... awesome!... I just cant believe it... I am off my meds for my knees. I don’t use my CPAP anymore... and I am gaining so much energy... and on the vanity end... I'm down from a 7x (tight at that) to a 28W... I am thrilled... I know this is where many of you start... well... it's a stop on my way down... I sit here grinning... wow...how awesome is this tool!

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Searching for the the Public and Private Me
on May 12, 2004 12:00 am

Hi All, It's been a while since I have written. Truthfully, not sure what to write... Tomorrow is 4 months since surgery and I go back and forth between chomping at the bit to weigh in and dreading it. Between being ecstatic that I am making progress and fearing that I won't progress anymore. I think I can see some loss in my face and upper body in the picture I just posted, and I just squeezed into a size 3x pair of pants... sure they're tight... but they zip and fasten (*smile*). But you know, I wish I wouldn't want to focus on that number, like it is a "status symbol" -- it's not, it doesn't indicate who I am, my values, my beliefs. It doesn't define me as a person. I won't wake up being anyone other than who I went to bed as the night before, or will be the day after. I'll still be me. The person who is caring and sensitive; fun and whimsical; the one who enjoys and gets solace from music. The one who can be a total introvert one minute, and outgoing the next. The same one who loves to travel and explore, who searches for more knowledge; the one who loves celebrating the success others on this journey have made. The one who someday wants to join others on the downhill side of the jounrey. And for all that I am also still the one who is afraid. Afraid to fail again, afraid that I will never be the me on the outside that I am on the inside. Afraid that I will never find all the things I so want to find in life.

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