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Surgeon Testimonial

Todd Eibes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
The first time I met Dr. Eibes, I was completely at ease. He has a wonderful personality, a true understanding of what overweight people go through such as criticism and prejudice. He has an awesome aftercare program with a great support group, dietician, exercise program, all of his staff are friendly and helpful!! He now has a plastic surgeon and psychologist on board as well!
Member Interests
  • Business & Career - I work for Dept of Human Services - just celebrated 25 years on the job!
  • Fitness & Exercise - Right now, I enjoy my Tony Little Gazelle - easier on the joints!!
  • Sports - I don't play sports, but I love to watch football, NASCAR, softball, basketball
  • Cats - I have a cat named Quincy
  • Bingo - Loved playing Bingo w/ my mom; she passed away 08/2004
  • Music - Love my rock music and cranking it up to exercise!!
  • Sports Cars - I have owned a few Mustangs in my lifetime - not great for Iowa winters lol
  • BMI over 50 - I had to lose weight in order for insurance to pay for the lap band
  • WLS in your 40's - I am 45 and wish the lap band had been around when I was in my 20's!!!!!
  • Reading - Love to read (esp. in the winter) James Patterson, Tami Hoag, etc.

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Amy B. on 7/16/07 6:57 am
    Congratulations on your surgery JoDee! You are going to rock the band! I am praying that your surgery is uneventful and followed by a lifetime of success and improved health. You have already done a HUGE thing to improve your health by giving up smoking - WAY TO GO! - on that. I look forward to hearing about your MANY wow moments as you progress through your WLS journey. Take care darlin' and welcome to the loser's bench!
  • Comment by Laura H. on 7/15/07 5:51 pm
    Well tomorrow is your day!!! All will be great and well!!! We will see you on the losers side!!!! ~Laura~
  • Comment by erikag on 7/15/07 5:41 pm
    Congrats on your big day tomorrow! Please let me know how you did. Erika
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JoDee's Blog



Today is THE day!!!
on July 16, 2007 3:05 am
Well, it is now 5:05 AM and I will be leaving for the hospital shortly.  I have to be there at 6:30 AM.

Today is finally the day of my surgery.  I am so excited!  Guess that's why I couldn't sleep....lol

I have waited my entire life for something like this to happen, and now that it is, it's almost surreal.  To think that I may someday actually be thin - how amazing is that?  I have never, ever, been thin my entire life.  I look forward to seeing the new "outer" me!!

Okay, gotta go make sure I have everything together!   Wish me luck!!!

I'll post as soon as I feel up to it to let everyone know how things are going!!

Hugs,
JoDee
3 comments | Click here to leave a comment.

Let's Get This Party Started!!
on June 10, 2007 12:25 pm
I had my pre-surgical visit on June 7, 2007 with Dr. Eibes and set my surgery date for July 16, 2007 at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines.  I will have my pre-op physical on July 12, 2007 with my local doctor.  

I know it's only a few short weeks away, but I am ready to get this party started!   I know it won't be a cake walk, and I will have to really work at eating right and exercising, but I look forward to starting a whole new chapter in my life - one that I can be proud of!!  And I really look forward to having that "full" feeling and from what I have heard, you have to remember to eat - that's amazing to me and I can't wait to experience everything, the good and the bad!!

JoDee

1 comment | Click here to leave a comment.




Archive

My Story

I have been overweight my entire life.  I have never been thin, don't know what that would be like!!  I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!  That's when I finally got serious and did my homework and research and found that the lap band appeared to be an answer to all my prayers.  I was constantly losing my voice, getting laryngitis and sinus infections along with the problem of edema in my legs and ankles.  I was just miserable and not happy.  I know it won't be a quick fix, but it's a start.  Since I made up my mind to do something, I felt better.  I attended an informational meeting at the end of November 2006.  In order for my insurance company, BC/BS, to pay for the lap band, I had to lose weight.  I was over the BMI of 50 and they consider that experimental and won't pay.  They would pay for the gastric bypass, but I am a weenie and not inerested in that surgery.  There are just too many risks and complications and with my luck, those would happen to me....lol.   Since January 1st I have been smoke free, which in itself is a miracle.  Although I lost both of my parents to cancer (dad died in 2000 at the age of 72 from lung cancer, even though he quit smoking 20 years earlier and my mom died in 2004 from colon cancer after she had been declared "cured" from throat cancer), I had no desire to quit smoking.  Until I learned that you had to be smoke free for one month for the lap band.  I talked with my doctor and he put me on a prescription called Chantix - and it worked like a charm!  I have been smoke free since January 1st and I have no desire or craving for cigarettes - and I only took one month's worth of the medication.  Next up was my Diet Pepsi.  I gave that up as well and have only had it when I have been out to eat.  But once I have the surgery, at least I know it won't be a problem.  I now drink plain water or flavored water with no calories.  I have finally found the protein drink I can actually get down without gagging - Isopure - it's delicious!!!   It seems like it has taken forever to get to the point of getting approved and setting the surgery date, but I know for a fact, it was relatively quick.  There are others who had to wait 2-3 years for it to happen for them.  God bless them - I don't know that I could have waited that long!   July 16th is the date and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 


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