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Goals

exercise at least 3-5 times a week

284 People
 in progress, 
76 People
 achieved this

Have WLS this year-2007

0 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this

Lose the rest of my 200 lbs. this year

2 People
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Surgeon Testimonial

Paul Kemmeter
Can't say enough about Dr. Kemmeter and the staff at Grand Health Partners in Grand Rapids, MI. He is such a great person and an excellent surgeon and very thorough in everything. The Bariatric program at GHP is very structured and complete. All aspects of care are done there as well as all testing. They have their own nutritionists, exercise physiologist, psych evals, and all foods needed for pre- and post-op. They do all their own endoscopy, sleep studies, gall bladder scans, etc. They have a very strong emphasis on after-care and are not there just to do your surgery and then let you go. rnI would definitely rate Dr. K as a 10 out of 10!
Member Interests

mittenfarm's Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
Endless diets over the last 40 years. I can lose weight but cannot keep it off. I had finally gotten to the point of not even being able to make myself diet anymore because I knew I would fail at some point. I had thought about bariatric surgery for years and finally decided to do it.
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by little_bank_robber on 10/18/07 2:55 pm
    Hi Wanda, Here's to hoping you get that easy surgery and an even easier recovery time. It was so nice to meet you yesterday. God bless and good luck tomorrow. I will say a prayer for you! Anna
  • Comment by LeaAnn on 10/18/07 11:29 am
    Sending my best wishes for a safe surgery and smooth recovery! See you on the losin' side, SwitchSistah!
  • Comment by Lori Black on 10/18/07 6:26 am
    Wanda, I'm wishing you the bestest (as my 6 yo would say), easiest surgery and recovery! I'm excited for you as you go into this new chapter in your life. Don't forget that we'll be here for you every step of the way. No question is too personal! Hugs, Lori
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mittenfarm's Blog
mittenfarm's Blog


July 13, 2007
on July 13, 2007 10:49 am
Well, it's Friday the 13th so I thought in celebration I would do a July post/update. Today is my son's 19th birthday-Happy Birthday, Heath!! I had my first consult appointment this week with Dr. Gawel at MMPC in Grand Rapids. She is an internist at the surgeon's office. They weighed me, measured me, did a body mass assessment, an EKG and took my picture. I can't believe it...this journey has officially begun! Dr. Gawel then went through all my history and asked a lot of questions and did a brief exam. We reviewed what Priority Health ins. requires for this to go ahead and since my BMI is over 55 I don't need any co-morbidities to qualify, but I do have hypertension  needing 3 meds to control. I also am scheduled for a Sleep Apnea consultation on Aug.1, so that may also be a co-morb. She seemed very confident that surgical approval would not be a problem, so I'm hoping that's the case. I've read of so many fighting insurance that I try not to get my hopes up too high. I have my Psych eval. on the 25th and see the surgeon on the 31st. She ordered tons of lab work which I had drawn yesterday, and I also have to have a gall bladder scan and Upper GI endoscopy. So the fun continues!!
I have also come to the decision over the past week that I am going to have the Duodenal Switch(BPD-DS) After endless research and living on the message boards here on OH, I have decided that this is the best procedure for me. I just don't want to risk some of the problems that can occur with RNY and don't think the Lapband would be enough for me without malabsorption. I prefer the much more functional stomach of the DS and can much more easily live with having to take a lot of vitamons for the rest of my life than to find out that I have pouch/stoma problems that I can't control, such as strictures/ulcers, etc
So, I'm hoping all goes well over the next month and that I can get the surgery in September-that's my goal!
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