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Goals

be able to go skiing by next season!

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shop in a "normal" size store that carries really tall clothes!

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Surgeon Testimonial

David Chengelis
I am 11 days out from having the sleeve surgery performed by Dr. Chengelis. I found the pre-surgery appointment to be informative and he was very straight forward. I am not one to joke around too much about something as serious as this, and he was a good fit from a bed side manner. I also suspect that if you are a patient who prefers more small talk that indeed this would not be an issue. Most importantly, he reviewed the procedure and the pros and cons. His staff did an outstanding job of quickly securing the preauthorization and my surgery date of the 19th. I am a teacher and wanted the recovery to be finished sufficient enough to return to my classroom and the office went out of their way to maximize my break. Didn't have to miss a day of work :)

On surgery day the process was very easy. The husband was with me to check in and the staff made it super easy. Beaumont had a nice lounge for my husband to wait in with a monitor that he could look at to see updates on my status. This was very appreciated.

Post surgery I had some nausea issues so I stayed in the recovery several hours longer than expected. My husband was worried, but Dr. C did go out and update him on anything. My husband is just one to worry :) During this phase the staff was attentive, medicines given to help subside the nausea, and I was too groggy to remember much more. I do remember the second I asked for something somebody was right there.

Next stop was my room with my husband waiting. I used the pain pump maybe twice, then stopped thinking that it was causing part of the nausea. Turns out I didn't need it anyway, surprisingly little pain. I had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time, and I found that more uncomfortable then the stomach surgery. Use the spirometer and get yourself up walking as soon as you can, as that really helped overall. I was discharged the day after surgery, although if I wanted to stay an extra day that was an option. I loved that they let me go home as I was able to rest much better! My only very minor complaint about the whole process is that it was loud. My room was across from the nurses station and that noise was a little loud for my light sleeping pattern.

The nurses in the room were highly attentive and I felt exceedingly well cared for. I don't remember Dr. C coming to visit, but the hubby said he did. I do remember a resident or something visiting.

I was tested for leaks the morning after surgery. It went well, but I was a bit scared about swallowing the barium. I was still a little nauseous, but managed to keep it down. Overall that was as bad as I expected. (I was more nervous about that then waking up from surgery for some reason.)

Recovery at home has been a piece of cake. I had surprisingly minimal pain the first few days. Enough to be cautious getting up from a chair, but nothing terrible. Within a few days I was up out of chairs without a second thought. Started walking a mile with the hubby a few days after surgery. Overall, it has been a very positive experience and I highly recommend this surgeon and the Beaumont program. If I can I will update this further down the road to document the weight loss.

Update: I am now about 3.5 months post op and lost 64 pounds. I walk 4-5 miles a day and many times do the elliptical also. What a difference! I feel like I have my life back! The pre surgery loss was 26 pounds, and overall it is difficult to put into words how much better I feel! I am completely satisfied and look forward to even more success.

Update: August 9th, 2012
Month 1- 21 pounds
Month 2- 16 pounds
Month 3- 12 pounds
Month 4- 13 pounds
Month 5- 11 pounds
Month 6- 10 pounds
Month 7- 10 pounds
Month 8- 6 pounds
GOAL!! 8 MONTHS, 6 DAYS 132 POUNDS LOST BMI UNDER 25!
Month 9 -5 pounds
Month 12 -2

Total post op: 114 pounds.
Pre op: 26
Total Loss: 140
BMI 23.9 ... Starting BMI was 42 or 43
106% EWL

Update: June 1st, 2013. Maintenance thus far has been no problem. Weight has been stable within a 5 pound range or so since goal. Still go occasionally to the support meetings and I make sure I follow-up with labs to confirm there are no issues. Looking into plastic surgery now.

Loving this sleeve!
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