Weight Loss Surgery Directory

Before & After

There are currently no before and after photos for this member.

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

Live a healthy life

16 People
 in progress, 
2 People
 achieved this

Fit in a tub with space

0 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this

To ride a roller coaster again!

61 People
 in progress, 
24 People
 achieved this

Cross my leggs comfortably

0 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this
Surgeon Testimonial

Anita Courcoulas
What was your first impression of him/her?
That she is very confident, young, intelligent, way above expectations. Answered all my questions before they was specifically asked. Very Thorough and assuring to let my life be in her hands. I got a huge sense that she is a perfectionist-which I like and performs higher than others expectations. I think she is kind, and does not make her patients the next number on the chart.

How did your impression change over time? She takes pride in her work, of course and I have much respect for her and her staff.
How would you describe his/her office staff?So far they are helpful and courteous.
What did you like least about him/her? will update when needed
What should future patients know about him/her? Dr.C is the best choice
How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?Extremly!
Does he/she have a structured aftercare program? very much so
How did he/she address the risks of surgery? casually, personal as very caring yet direct, making sure I understood everything involved.
How would you rate him/her overall? will update
Which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great? waiting surgery- will update afterwards. :)
Member Interests

 Surgery Date OCTOBER 26,2010 

    
FireFightersWife's Blog
FireFightersWife's Blog


2013!
on January 9, 2013 8:45 pm

I have a serious problem with keeping up with blogs! SO.. alot has happened in my life.. some personal and heartbreaking, and events involving my 15 year old son.. Im thinking of doing a blogspot or something on my general life..hmm who knows.. but.. my son just had reconstructive surgery monday at childrens hospital in pittsburgh..they are awsome! ok..reason..he stabbed himself..I can laugh NOW.. but pretty serious..complete severe of flex tendonin left hand thumb, it retracted down into hand.. 1 hr surgery, went very well..but found out a serious allergy to morphine..scared me so bad.. m y son was like..ehh whats wrong with me..calm..lol.. SO 4 months of therapy.. anyways.. about ME! I almost lost my marriage in aug.. extreme personal... working all out..and doing much better.. and he and I are RENEWING our vows! new me, new us.. fits in so well..he surprised me for christmas by taking me to JB robinson international diamond jewler..yes I researched..and created a new engagement, wrap and wedding band.. got the band paid off, the rest is on payments...will be out soon.. and its beautiful! I dont care about diamonds..but wow.. So planning a renewal on our actual date..JUNE 18th 2014... summer themes beach water..but not really..we wed beachside with just us, the comissioner and the kids.. still in navy at time..so parents never witness, father never walked me down the isle, and never had a wedding reception, a first dance or cake.. SO we are ssurprising our family..and im adding a bonus.. a memorial for his father who passed while he was in the navy and never got to say goodby,, so it will be a special dinner with a special way of having his father there in memory.. this wont be anything glitzy, simple, pretty, budget friendly and family oriented...but.. I will definitly stand out with the new me.. I went from a 24/26 NOW fitting into 10s and some 12..heck a 14 will fit if made right.. and last night I tried on my soon to be 11 yr olds size 6 in women skirt..and it fit..just had to arrange some skin..lol.... SO this year is going to be saving, budgeting, planning a fun summer with the family..and I now can fit the rides..but cant ride them! serious spinal damage..need cane and wheel chair.. ugh.. but.. I got back into hobbies, crocheting, doing my nails yes acrylics..but takes alot longer to do them due to hand tremors and fibromyalgia and of course arthritis.. but I painted them so pretty.. Ill have to upload some pics.. which I have not uploaded any recent pics lately... will see if can upload to this laptop.. other than this.. most of my days Im on heating pad..spinal pain..and in my woman cave..my bedroom with remote, satellite tv, cell phone.. drink stash.. bathroom 2 feet from bedroom door.. heck..I am doing good..lol.. I been bad on exercising though...pain alot in my back.. Been keeping dumbell weights new bed and using this sitting at bed side..and doing what I can.. but cant walk far..miss walking.. but I will get there.. even if I walk 2 feet and drop..get back up..keep going..and we are joining a family group rate plan at the ymca and a pool center near home.. Im buying new picnic tables and outdor grill..serious need one..and alot of outdoor stuff..IF weather is not too dreadful hot..if so..grilling will be at sundown..haha.. SO another topic.. I had to be on antidepressants and have increased and anxiety meds.. they are helping.. so much stress this past fall and holidays.. and I found I can eat more..scares me.. I been hungry more..and my diabetes did come back..but not bad..I just have reactive hypoglaucimic heck however its spelled..so whether I feel like eating I have to.. and I gained 5 pounds over holidays! freaking me out..it had to be the potatoes n gravey..omg yummm.. SO cut them back and redirected my eating to fix the problem..1 pound down..yay! Ok so Tv viewing is my other past time...Real house wives of Alanta, and New jersey..Heck I even watched Snooki..yeah I know.. I even got twitter!!!!!! hahahaaa..I was so lost on using it..but getting swing of it... look me up..FFWIFE247 is my handle.. I also got email.. FFLDY77@yahoo.com I do not do alot of personal msg alot..but I try..so busy with kids, husband.. crafting.. Drs appointments, fixing myself..and watching TV! .. Im not embarrassed to say I like tv now.. and reading.. I love to keep reading.. Anyways..going to read boards and get to bed! GOD BLESS!

Be the first to leave a comment.

YUP
on October 4, 2012 6:29 pm

Last blog about 4 months, give take some days.. Had alot go on, including extremely depressing events, life changing and Im still taking each day with each moment. It has even effected my healthy eating, I am right now in moment of sick to stomache and not getting enough in, trying to increase shakes for protien, but want to vomit now.. told its from emotions, ..extreme stress can do alot.. I see my PCP tomorrow, He has been not knowing what to do with me but last visit had been very supportive and understanding. So then I also have another visit for routine with my surgeon in Dec I believe, but if I can't eat, may have to be sooner to see if its is really from the life stressing events that taken place not long ago and I am still managing.. But. focus here.. I am at 165 maintaining..ok depends on if I have jeans on at Drs..lol.. I can be 168.  I also been updated on family medical health.. I got so much to look forward to with the poor genetics in my family. Ok lets talk positives. My Daughter's broken foot is healed, dance class here we come all 5 of them..lol.. My 1st born and 3rd born are being home schooled, much positives there. my 2nd born is still public and in AFJROTC program and has done a 360 with his outlook on life.. awsome! My hair is still growing back. had my first "trim" to help healthy growth and cant wait til it is long again...(was to butt) . My oldest got his junior hunting license whoohooo..he is onto driving next, he turned 16..wish I could have done tiara and pink candles..but..he preferred beef jerky and friends..lol.. So not sure what else to update.. but this is me today.

Be the first to leave a comment.

EGGFACE GIVE AWAY
on June 20, 2012 11:41 pm
Another give away  love the recipes! I found my all time favorite protien shake through this woman..such a help to everyone!
Be the first to leave a comment.

Food
on June 20, 2012 1:04 pm

WHOA... I can eat more now... no surprise.. expected this. But have to keep extra eye out so to not go over my limit an sabbatoge anything. I am going to stick to a light eatting plan this week.. weather is hot and I am enjoying the AC..indoors and seeing what I can create avoiding the stove..lol.. Fresh foods and bakin lil as possible sounds great to me! even though I am sitting here munching on cheese..haha.. salads and fresh fruit smoothies.. yum!

Be the first to leave a comment.

Educated
on June 20, 2012 11:14 am
SO.. seems I come across some that are assuming I do not know much or have lil understanding of life.. not just WLS.. but I also do not want to be a walking book.. I retain ao much info.. I love to learn, I HAVE experienced ALOT in life and can say I been there done that with ALOT of situations, not just to talk the talk..as I know a few who do..but hear me when I say ME TOO.. I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT PERSONALLY! I guess it is irritating when I am looked at as a " Miss know it all" Pardon me, but I do know alot.. No I do not know it all, or try too..but if I have the education, life lessoned, experience.. excuse me.. I can not help this.. I did not ask to be born this way..but I stand out .. I feel like a nerd..but oh well.. maybe its a good thing? I grew up in a average home.. heck we even had to get welfare when my dad got laid off... I lived a challenging life... I had kids young, almost died a few times.. just to highlight.. I was not born into money or raised with having everything handed to me.. we was raised to WORK for what you have and to EARN what you have.. So... I have been out there earning and doing what I can to raise my children.oh yeah I was a single mom for 12 years.. 3 kids ALONE.. not depending on family to watch my kids, no partying, no having it easy... I done so much... been through so much.. I met my current husband who is amazing and WE have 6 kids together.and a Grandbaby! YEA... this is just a highlight.. But I am just expressing a few things.. so I do have listed on my profile some updates.. scroll down.. but just to know.. I am VERY intelligent and I can not help this..nor should I be hiding it.. I have for so long to feel normal..but whatever.. if I sound critical....or like I am better than you.. heck no.. I am not.. but I am tired of being looked at as I am nothing... I been through alot of rough times..and I think I am worth my intelligence.. I am not second best....venting here..pardon me..but dang.. I am tired..maybe it is the heat getting to me or is it the menopause.. who knows..
Be the first to leave a comment.

Browse pages: next >
My Story

 Like most of you, I struggled, I suffer every day.. tear up when least expect it. I silently cry alone, wondering what did I do to deserve this agoney. Well HELLO, WAKE UP, I do not deserve it, nobody does. I kept doing the diet fabs, I tried ALLI, ATKINS, ACI BERRY, OTC PILLs, starvation, low fat, under 1000 calories a day..are you kidding me! yes I did it.. I also at one point ( before got to physically ill) was an exercise holic.. yes.. every day.. I was trying to loose weight when a teenager.. aerobics was my thing and walking.. I went to the gym too and weight lifted.. lost 60 lbs.. got a scare of being anorexic since I wasnt eating either.. Dr said NOmore.. I was getting sick..

SO then became a mom, packed on the weight.. -diet fads.. and here I am.. long story summed up! I am not living a prisoner in my body no more!.. I chose to have WLS.. I started to want lap band.. then after doing a few more years of research I opted for RNY to be best for me. Right now, I am doing the 6 month weight in as required.. I am on month 5 right now.. and currently, I walk with a cane, can not lift my legg to shave or paint my toes..thats where my DH comes in, he is awsome!
 
I suffer with back injury: scoliosis, sciatica nerve damage-bilateral, herniated disk, bilateral bersitis of hips, arthritis, spasms, etc, I have fibro myalgia, carpal tunnel, extreme sensitivity to weather changes, immunity problems, fatty liver, polycysticovarian disease, endometriosis, water on joints-nees.., edema, rosaca, asthmatic,  morbid obesity, theres more just cant remember..but I am sure you get the part of I am in pain all the time..

I last rode a roller coaster summer 2008, and I just barely squeezed for my kids and was last time I could ride.. now I cant wait until I am physically able to walk the park and ride with my children.  

(Below is how I felt when first coming to this site in summer of 2010 preop)
**I feel like life is living and I am just siting in the out box.. watching everyone like a stiff model in a department store..not able to do anything.. even as I type this, my back is killing me.. feels like its breaking.. I sit and look at my pictures from 10 years ago.. even pregnant, I was not this heavy.. I am the heaviest of my life.. I never ever thought I would reach this.. I know I am not as big as others, but this tops it for me.. I am willing to have the excess skinn and marks so I can live longer, and feel better.. I dream one day... I will be able to wear those high heels in my closet and not hurt just from trying them on, and one day I will ride a roller coaster again with my kids.. **

============( BELOW IS UPDATE )=================
~NOW after surgery, I have made the best decision I could have for me and my family. I am seeing the difference from before as I read my blogs and how I felt emotionally prior to having this life change. Now I am counting down to when, not IF but WHEN I will be riding that roller coaster with my children and function more as a active mother than one who is looking in from the outside, I am enjoying being part of and involved more than I thought I ever could ever be.. I was a prisoner in my own body.. NOT any more..and thanks to this decision and surgery, that release me from my own prison. ~


btw, I am 35 a mother of 6, Navy Wife (Retired) and FireFighters wife.. we live a christian life, we believe in the power of prayer, and miricles. We also look at positives and find laughter in most things, it helps relieve stress too :)

My education is a trained Cosmetologist, nail techn, Paralegal, Nursing Education, life coach, working with special needs children-have been a  fill in TSS and continue my learning. I am also involved with school advocates and will be continuing my education as I go, also went to school for real estate LOL yeah.. never too many degrees or lessons to be learned...

My story is probably similar to many, or maybe there is one that can say, yeah thats me, she is living my life. I have said that same thing myself when reading others surviving obesity, thats right, survive!. This is not a joke or a lazy person, what person in their sane right mind wants to live life like this.. not me.

I want to encourage others out there to not give up, to live life to its fullest, and of course thank God everyday for allowing us this choice in life to survive in ways others can not even imagine.  Good luck to you all and God Bless!