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Goals

make a big damn difference

6 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this
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Surgeon Testimonial

John Alexander, M.D.
Liked him very much. Was very informative and seems his office has a lady named Sabrina that will fight hard. I liked the fact that he was very assuring of safety and risks before I asked. Didn't really dislike anything but I've only seen him once (Jan 15th). The literature said a great deal about aftercare and stressed that they would continue to work with me afterward. So far overall rate is very good. 1/19/01 Received copy of letter that Sabrina sent to insurance company. The letter was very professional and was sent exactly when I was told it would be. I've been scheduled for my EGD and Sabrina called and made sure my appointment was correct. She has been very informative in every aspect of the procedures necessary to try and get this approved.
Member Interests
  • Computers & Internet - Computer guru, artist and generally connected with lots of electronic toys
  • Crafts - Polymer clay, ceramics, art of all kinds
  • Animal Rescue - Went to rescue animals after Katrina, wish I could save all from suffering
  • Cats - I'm a cat addict. That sort of says it all.
  • Dogs - Just got a Bichon and I'm in love!
  • Music - I play Cello, Piano and Guitar and sing.
  • Photography - I've been involved in photography for years. You can see some of it at my site.
  • Golf - Started last March 2003 and I'm hooked.
  • Yoga - Primary exercise for me. Just about anyone can do this in some form.

Yvonne McCarthy's Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I've been on a diet since the 4th grade. The only time I was thin was in college and I was literally starving myself to death. Every time I lost a lot of weight, I gained it back plus more. I was depressed and in the end wouldn't go out in public because I didn't want anyone to see me. I went to the grocery store and work and that's it.
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by wacko179 on 4/18/07 9:23 pm
    Hi Yvonne, I saw you speak at the event in Irvine, and I just wanted you to know that I was really inspired by your story. Thank you so much for speaking and tell us your story. Thanks Again, Beth
  • Comment by Erin E. on 6/12/04 8:35 pm
    Yvonne, you look fabulous! I can only hope that I can look as good as you. I had surgery done May 3rd, 2004. Six weeks post op, I am sooooo ready to really start loosing and gaining my self confidence back. It seems like the weight is not comming off fast enough. I am planning on getting my bachlors in health admin, yet I want to look and feel healthy as well. Congrats on your success!
  • Comment by cowgrlnfw on 12/26/03 6:39 am
    OMG WOW You look absolutely wonderful... what an inspiration you are. I have lost 120 pounds and looking to get some skin removed, I am so embarassed of the excess skin i have especially on my hips and thighs, my tummy i can live with bc i have a 8 inch scar from having Open RNY. Dr. ALexander is my followup doctor bc i had the surgery when i lived in Iowa for a short while last year. Today is actually my one year anniversary. WOOOHOOO Seeing your photos gives me hope that i will be able to wear a bikini someday and not have to worry about my hips flapping in the wind LOL I have been at a 3 month (yes 3 months) plateau now and i hate it, do you have any suggestions? Also I can tell you work out, do you take anything to build muscle or anything like that? Thank you for sharing your story and you look fabulous sister!!!
Click here for the surgery support page
Yvonne McCarthy's Blog
Yvonne McCarthy's Blog


Why I lost an additional 10-15 pounds after almost 6...
on January 30, 2007 7:52 am
There is so much to tell but I guess because of time constraints, I'll keep this simple which is difficult for me.  I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago and have been attempting to not be crazy.  It was becoming harder and harder to maintain goal weight but that was OK because I wasn't going to let the monster win.

I read about bio-identical hormones and knew that was the answer for me but I let some people talk me out of it.  It's a simple SIMPLE idea.  When we go through menopause we quit making hormones.  In the past doctors did and do give you synthetic hormone replacement.  That was the hormone scare a couple of years ago.  The reason most doctors give you synthetic hormones is because you cannot patent a natural hormone.  You can't go pull grass out of the ground and patent it.  Some women take Premarin.  It is pregnant mare urine.  That's not exactly balanced with what we need.  It's long and sort of complicated and there's a book that is very small that you can read in a day.  It's called Natural Hormone Replacement by Jonathan Wright.  You can find in on amazon.  Even new it's only about $9.00.  I won't go into the scientific parts, the book explains it all, but I will relate to you what has happened to me.  In the back of the book there is information on how to locate the necessary doctors and find the compounding pharmacies.

I was in a fog...so thick that I would walk in a room and forget why I was there.  I'd look for a long time and couldn't remember what I needed.  I'd give up then later I would remember.  I would go back to the room and I'd forget again!  I had all kinds of stuff going on.  Dry skin, dry everything.  No sex drive, one eye would run with tears, eyelashes and hair thinning out.  Fatigue, so many many things.  

I tried to talk to my OB-GYN and was telling him I didn't feel good.  I had read a book about bio-identical hormones and decided with the last sane brain cell I had... that I would do it.  You DO go to a doctor.  You DO get them from a compounding pharmacy.  It's real medicine but cutting edge.  Women live longer now and they really don't know what to do with us.  

The short story is that I started the therapy.  Within a week I was coming out of the fog.  Also menopause causes most women to pick up weight right in their stomach.  I immediately lost 10-15 pounds.  My eyelashes started growing back.  They explain that by my replacing my hormones with the EXACT same hormones I lost, that I am throwing my body back into thinking it is in child bearing years.  I don't know if it will always be this way but I am still able to eat much more than before.  I am actually on the thin side for the first time and I'm taking it easy and I will eat back to where I need to be but I'm taking my time!

It works out well for WLS patients too because part of your medicine is in a cream that is absorbed through the skin.  Do not confuse this with hormones that were found to cause cancer.  It was actually because of the bio-identical hormones that the study was done and they found out all the bad stuff about the synthetics.  

Who knows if this works for everyone but it worked for me.  Menopause is starting in women younger and younger every year.  It's easy to be tested.  Let me add just one more really important thing.  My body became even more muscular and lean and I guess I don't need to tell you that the sex drive went back to.....maybe better than ever.  Check out the book, there are many books about bio-identical hormones, but this one is short and to the point. 
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So much to say
on January 28, 2007 1:48 pm
I haven't posted in a while because my old profile wouldn't convert so I did it manually.  I am actually excited because I can post so much easier as well as upload pictures.  I have so much to say.  I apparently didn't figure it out until just recently and the passion to do something has taken me over.  After attending the seminar in Dallas a week ago, I realize that I can make a bigger difference than I thought.  I plan on doing that.  First I will post some pictures from Ramon's surgery.  More to follow....
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