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Surgeon Testimonial

Paul Cirangle, M.D.
My impression of him was that he was very matter of fact but that he seemed passoinate about what he does. After a number of seminars and surgery I know he is passionate about what he does and how this amazig surgery saves lives.
He is not the warm fuzzy type but he is avalible to answer all of your questions at any time. But I didn't want a best friend, I wanted the best surgeon I could get and I believe I did.

He is adament about aftercare and group meetings. He has monthly meetings all over California and Hawaii and he is at all of them so that you get the correct information straight from the surgeon. Also on your follow up appts he really pushes you to lose the weight and get out and exercise

He goes over all of the risks and benefits of the surgery. There are risks but they are so small compared to the benefits you get with the weightloss.

I would rate Dr. Cirangle as the top surgeon in California based on how many surgeries he has done, his success rate and his lack of leaks and complications.

I would take surgeical competence over bedside manner in a minute. Bedside manner is nice but that's what his PA's are for and the nurses are fabulous at CPMC. Give me the top surgeon any day.
Member Interests
  • Animals - My husband and I are owned by 3 cats and a pond of goldfish.
  • Travel - I have so much of Europe and the US yet to explore.
  • Museums & Art Galleries - I love them! I've been lucky to visit many in Europe.
  • Needlework, Knitting & Crocheting - Love to do needlepoint and crocheting, just ran out of time.
  • Music - Alternative, rock, dance, hip hop. Give me a beat & I'll dance.
  • Outdoor - I want to go hiking and not be out of breath.
  • Flea Markets - Garage Sales, Junk stores, estate sales.
  • Gardening - After WLS I can't wait to get back in my garden some more.
  • Artist/Muralist - It's what I do for work and pleasure.
  • Secret Pals - If I told you they wouldn't be secret now would they?

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by corky1057 on 3/23/08 12:47 pm
    Two more days!! Wow! wishing you only the best results and a swift healing. Please let me hear how it goes. I'll be 5 days behind you.
  • Comment by judyanne on 3/22/08 7:58 am
    Monday is your day! Just remember you are on the journey of a lifetime. Try to enjoy every minute. It may sound weird now, but know that you are cared for and prayed for here, and all too soon this will be but a memory and you will be an inspiration to someone else. I am waiting for you on the losers' bench! ~JudyAnne~
  • Comment by Michelle D. on 3/21/08 2:33 pm
    Margo, I am so excited that your surgery time is almost here...don't be surprised if my hubby and I pop into the hospital for a visit!! You have all my love and support! Michelle
Click here for the surgery support page

faufins's Blog



Weight loss record
on April 3, 2008 7:52 pm

03/25/08       290         
03/29/08       283          -7
04/02/08       274          -9
04/14/08       269          -5
04/21/08       264          -5
05/05/08       260          -4
05/12/08       256          -4
05/19/08       254          -2
05/26/08       250          -4
06/02/08       247          -3
06/09/08       243          -4
06/16/08       245          +2
06/23/08       243           -2
06/30/08       242           -1
07/07/08       242           -0
07/14/08       240           -2
07/21/08       237           -3
07/28/08       234           -3
08/04/08       234           -0
08/11/08       232           -2
08/19/08       232           -0

1 comment | Click here to leave a comment.

Told DH about surgery...
on March 3, 2008 6:58 pm
Well I told him on Feb 25th that I was going to have VSG.  He was fine with it which I fiqure he would be.   But he did tell me that his boss was scheduling a China trip for then.  He goes a few times a year but I had asked a few weeks ago and he said nothing was planned.  Sigh.

So he leaves March 15th and returns April 5th.  I have surgery on March 25th.  My girlfriends will fill in the gaps.

That's all for now.
2 comments | Click here to leave a comment.

My Story

I'm 52, 5' 2", (5' 4" when I don't have a big stomach pulling my posture out of wack). I weigh 285 on my home scale and 291 at my surgeons office. I'll go with my scale.

I was a normal healthy weight as a teen and into my early 20's and then started to gain and lose and gain some more and lose and gain some more and so on and so on until I hit my top weight of 315 in 1988. Then I went on Optifast and lost 100lbs in 6 months and kept it off a year and a half and then gained it back.  Then I went on Optifast again and only lost 40 lbs and my gall bladder.  Gained it back.  Then there was Phen- Fen.  Lost 80 lbs.  Gained it back. Here and there I have managed to get my weight down to about  255 when I was taking Boot Camp 5 days a week. Then I had to have my other knee scoped last March and the weight came back and I'm where I am today.
I take high blood pressure meds, a diuretic, potassium, statins, I go back and forth being pre diabetic, both knees have been scoped, my feet hurt, my knees, my hips, my back.

I'm a decorative artist. I paint murals and faux finishes.  I've owned my business for 20 years and I can't climb ladders anymore and that upsets me because I love what I do. 

I've been researching WLS for the last year and was going to get the band until  discovered the sleeve at a seminar by my surgeon.  I'm so glad I did and I've never looked back.  Surgery is March 25, 2008.  

I guess I could fill you in on some other stuff.  I'm child free. I've been married 21 years and we've been together 27 years.  He's watched me gain and lose weight so many times he doesn't even blink if I say I'm going on a diet anymore.  If fact as I write this (02/22/08) he doesn't even know I have looked into WLS or gone to seminar, had my 1st consultation, scheduled a date, scheduled my tests and will pay the surgeon on Monday.  I guess I will have to tell him huh?  I do need a ride. lol  

We are owned by 3 house cats. One named Pinky (he's 8) who is the apple of my husband's eye and one named Aragorn (Arry he's 2) who is the center of his mommy's universe.  The last one is Boo Boo Bear (he's 7)  he is more independant and will take love from anyone but on his terms.  
We have one male Crowntail Beta inside named Dragon and a 850 gallon fishpond in the backyard that I dug 5 years ago before I had my 1st knee scoped.  I have about 14 goldfish out there but I won't know for sure until it warms up and I see who made it through winter.  They are pretty hardy so most usually make it.

I can do all kinds of stuff but don't have the time or energy. I love to work in the garden, crochet, needlepoint, paint, sew, go to flea markets, farmers markets, ride my bike, go to museums, travel.  I used to race cars.  I had a car I Drag Raced for about 6 years.  I love old cars but I'm too fat to work on them any more.  Love to be with friends and to do new things.  I am so ready to start this journey.

I want to live my life the way I should be living it.  Not tied down to a chair watching it go by.  I want to be actively participating in it and in a couple of months I will be.

Let the journey begin!

 


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