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  • Name: Kelly Jo W.
  • Username: glugunkwen
  • Location: Altoona, WI, USA
  • Member Since: 4/26/2006
  • BMI: 47.4
  • Surgery date scheduled
  • Surgery Type: RNY (06/12/07)
  • Surgeon: Tim Pitchford
Before & After

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Goals

give up all coffee

3 People
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this

Give up all soda

4 People
 in progress, 
3 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Surgeon Testimonial

Tim Pitchford
Dr. Pitchford is a soft spoken, matter-of-fact surgeon. I first met him at an informational group meeting and though his presentation was very thorough I had a lot of questions. I felt like he listened to each one and had no hesitation answering anything - even the questions about morbidity and mortality rates. The only complaint I have is that when I had my initial consultation with him he was very late for the appointment and seemed to rush through my appointment. He did stress that this surgery was not an \"easy way\" out and I should only think of it as a last resort. I did get all of my questions answered eventually by his office staff. Speaking of his office staff - they are wonderful. Sue, his nurse, is VERY kind and patient with my many, many questions. I'm still waiting for insurance approval, but Dr. Pitchford's staff has been just great at getting the additional information required by my insurance company. Bonnie is my contact in patient services (the area that is faxing and coordinating all my information) and she has been very patient with my many phone calls and questions!
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by pgb812 on 6/14/07 9:25 pm
    hoping everything went well on tuesday...just wondering how you are doing now! let me know!
  • Comment by Mig on 6/12/07 1:57 pm
    It's time!!! I'll pray all goes well for you and you can come home quickly. Just keep your faith!!
  • Comment by berts4 on 6/12/07 7:13 am
    Dear Kelly Jo: I have just sent up a prayer for your surgeon and an uncomplicated surgery with a speedy recovery! I wish you all the best. Welcome to the losing side! The wait will be worth it. :wave: Dawn
Click here for the surgery support page
Kelly Jo W.'s Blog
Kelly Jo W.'s Blog


Think I'll make it . . .
on November 27, 2006 8:38 pm
35 days till insurance change

It was touch and go for a while . . . but I think I'm going to survive as a non-smoker. This is really the hardest thing I have ever done. I cheated a couple of times before I finally realized that I either was a smoker or a non-smoker but I couldn't be both. I will always love smoking, and will probably keep dreaming about it for a long time. And that's something I have to learn to live with. 

I've already noticed some differences in my health. I'm not coughing morning, noon and night anymore, and my morning allergies aren't bothering me nearly as much. Today I laughed really long and hard at something someone said and it didn't turn into a coughing fit. 

I'm turning into a crazy crocheting woman, just trying to give my hands something to do. So far I've finished 5 scarves. I may just crochet myself a new car - lol!
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Bye-bye to my "frienemy" . . . smoking!
on November 18, 2006 8:21 pm
44 days until new insurance!

I know it's not PC to admit . . . but I love smoking. Next to food, it is the best frienemy (friend & enemy) I have. I absolutely love Sunday mornings with a pot of coffee, a pack of smokes and a newspaper full of ads. I love trolling around on the computer for hours, chain smoking Virginia Slims until the ashtray overflows. I love lighting up a ciggie in the car and singing at the top of my lungs with Aretha Franklin. I love that a cigarette has the ability to calm me, pump me up and keep me company. Smoking is a part of my identity . . . actually . . . smoking was a part of my identity. Today my identity changed.

I know I have to give up smoking in order to have WLS. My surgeon won't even meet with me unless I've quit. Even knowing that, I have been resistant to quitting. Then, something clicked with me this week and I knew it was time. Yesterday I went out and bought patches and gum and sweedish fish and hershey's kisses and licorice and more gum. Last night I stayed up as late as I could, finishing off my last pack of ciggies. Today I have stewed and cried and eaten candy and called a million people . . . and I haven't smoked. I think I will be proud of myself in a few days or weeks. For now, I'm just very, very sad. It's much too early for me to appreciate all the benefits of being a non-smoker, I'm sure that will come in time.
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