Photos
I'm Not In Any Photos Yet.
Before & AfterThere are currently no before and after photos for this member. See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos.
Goals
1 Person in progress, 2 People achieved this |
0 People in progress, 1 Person achieved this |
0 People in progress, 1 Person achieved this |
Surgeon TestimonialPaul Cirangle (COE)I met Dr. Cirangle on January 11,2010. I was immediately impressed with his professionalism and his dedication to his work. My impression of Dr. Cirangle has not changed since our initial meeting. He is to the point and tells it like it is. He has excellent bedside manner and genuinely cares about each patient as an individual. There is nothing that I would change about Dr. Cirangle.
Dr. Cirangle has an excellent staff. At no time did I feel uncomfortable. I felt accepted at all times, like I belonged. I can only talk about the comfort of the San Francisco office as it was the only office I visited. I was amazed to walk in and find no chairs with arms on them. I felt like I had walked in to waiting room heaven. It was very comfortable and my wait was extremely short.
Dr. Cirangle and his staff have put together a very detailed and structured weight loss program. From the minute you start the process with his practice, you are given all the materials you need to understand exactly what options you have available to you, what the do's and don'ts of after surgery care are, the risks and benefits of every option, statistical data on the epidemic of obesity and the comorbidities of uncontrolled obesity. You are given booklets that address all aspects of the program, access to his website that is overflowing with all the information you need to make an informed decision. You also have unlimited access to Dr. Cirangle and his staff who are all to eager to help. I also must say that dr. Cirangle participates in the support groups. I have at no time felt that I was alone throughout the whole process.
I do not think that there is a better surgeon or practice anywhere that can measure up to Dr. Cirangle and his ofice staff. They are all 5 star in my book. Dr. Cirangle is an excellent surgeon with a caring and efficient bedside manner.
As a healthcare provider myself, I have a high set of standards that I rate medical care by. While I know that most people will say "no way" could anyone be this great, I have to say, I have said nothing false here. There have been no negatives and that is really saying a lot coming from me. I hope that anyone reading this review will know that this was my experience and I sincerely believe that this will be there experience as well.
|
Post Op Day 293 on December 19, 2010 3:51 am
I must start this out with an apology! I am so embarrassed that I have not updated my notes in so long. I thought for sure I updated when I made the last round of pictures. Please forgive me everyone. I guess it just goes to show that life has gotten so much more busy for me since I have lost so much weight. I will cut to the chase here and give you the best news....I have lost 150 pounds now!!! I have lost the same amount of weight that I weighed on the day we graduated from high school. I am now 95 pounds from my goal of 150.
It seems like yesterday that I was looking at the daunting number of 250 pounds to lose. I can hardly believe that I am below 100 pounds left to go. Amazing!! I am in awe of what I have accomplished. I must give credit where credit is due. Dr. Cirangle and his staff are awesome!! Without them, I have no idea where I would be today. Certainly not working again, and maybe very little life at all. I owe Dr. C and his staff a debt that I will never be able to repay in a way that will ever let them know how truly blessed I am that they took the time to be there for me. I am looking forward to my trip to San Francisco in March for my 1 year follow up. I hope I make Dr. C as proud of me as I am of myself. I hope to be at his goal for me by then. I am sure that he will lower that goal when I get there, but I am ready for that and have already set one 50 pounds lower than his. I do have to say, that if I only make it to under 200 pounds, then I have been successful. I haven't seen that weight since I was a teenager.
This journey has certainly not been without it's ups and downs. I have been through a lot of changes ranging from emotionally, physically and mentally. I think that I can honestly say that I am a better person for having gone through this. I certainly have found out what the human body can handle as well as what I can handle...and that is a lot more than I would have thought I could handle.
Thank you all for being there for me during this journey. I know it is far from over, but I appreciate the confidence you all have in me and the support that you have provided along the way. May this Christmas season find you all happy, safe, healthy and warm. For those of you traveling, be careful on the roads.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
1 comment | Leave a comment.
Post=op Day 202 on September 19, 2010 12:55 pm
Hi all. I hope this finds you doing well. I have no real complaints, at least none that it would do me any good to complain about. I have been going through a lot lately, and am surprised at how well I am handling it all.
I worked hard to get a new job in California, but there just were none to be had that I could do. That fact coupled with the issues in my marriage, lead me to move home without my husband...hoping that he would decide to come later. Well, I got my answer...he is not coming. Imagine how I felt when I had to get the news from his sister and not him. He told me on Friday that he was thinking seriously about moving here, but I got an email Saturday morning from his sister that she wrote on Friday night explaining that Victor did not want to move and had not ever considered it at all. Well, I guess we all know that this means that a divorce is imminent as he still is not talking to me when I call, or replying to emails or text. At this point, I say good riddance...he obviously does not have the time of day for his wife, but he can't tell me how he feels, either. Well, I made the decision to end the marriage because he can't seem to find his tongue and let me know what he thinks/feels. I have held on to a marriage that has probably been dead over 2 years minimum because he told me he loved me even though looking back, his actions said differently. Isn't it funny how strong denial can be? Had I just not had those blinders on and let his actions really speak louder than his words, I might not have lost everything. I blame myself for that part of it. But, I have to blame him for most of the loss because if he had just taken the time to be honest and share his feelings, I would never have lost everything fighting for something he really didn't want (although, he said he did). How does one win or break even with a situation like that?
Well, that chapter of my life is over, I just have to write the epilogue...get the divorce settled. I am afraid that I will never be able to trust another man again. This is the 3rd time that I have been involved with someone who lied to me, kept secrets, cheated on me (2 with affairs, this one with the internet and I am sure just a matter of time before it lead to an affair). I know I will need therapy to find out why I only get seriously involved with men that do this...I really hope I can find the answer and get it corrected before it kills me.
I am so happy being home. My family has been super supportive and I am very blessed. I also was able to get a job very quickly. I got my license on 9/9, applied for 7 jobs and sent out 10 resumes. As of 9/15, no response from any of them. That day a new position was posted and I applied for it. I received a call in less than 24 hours requesting an interview...call came at 5:25pm on Thursday. I had my interview at 1pm the next day and knew I had the job after 25 minutes. It is the perfect job for me and my needs for continued weight loss and knee healing. I know this move was meant to be since I had spent so much time trying to get a job in the Bay area with no luck. The area is just too big with way too many people out of work...the competition is unbelievable.
So, now here I am on starting a new job, newly separated and at the peak of my weight loss. What changes I am going through! I look forward to plowing through these challenges and coming out on the other side better off for having gone through them in the first place. I only hope the same happens for Victor. That he will learn and grow from this experience. Sadly, I worry that he won't as he still believes that he had no part in the collapse of our marriage. Well, I will continue to pray for him to have insight and get the help he needs as well.
My weight loss continues. I had a banner week this last week making me end the month with an 11.5 pound loss. I will not complain...after all, I lost 7 pounds this last week. I am now down to 286.9 pounds, having lost 111.6 pounds all total. I have lost 11 of the 25 segments that I need to lose to reach my goal. I only have 9 left to make my surgeons goal...87 pounds more. I can hardly believe that it is down to a 2 digit number...especially since it started out at a 3 digit number...198.6 pounds to be exact! Unbelievable!! When I look at what I have achieved to this point I feel so empowered to keep moving forward. I must also credit all those both near and far who have expressed their support in this endeavor as I would not have made it this far without you. Thank you all for being there for me.
Have a great week everyone. I am with you all in spirit. Love you all!
1 comment | Leave a comment.
Post Op Day 194 on September 11, 2010 12:23 am
Hi all, I hope this finds everyone doing well. It is 2:25am here and I cannot sleep. I have been trying to reach my husband for about 5 hours on his cell and by text with no answer. I am guessing that he just doesn't want to talk to me because I asked him to make a decision about our relationship. He is not a good one for communication when your face to face, but this long distance thing has just about shut down all communication from him. I am tired of getting "I don't know" as an answer for every question I ask...no matter what the question. I asked him what color his car was and he said "I don't know". So, what do you think he said when I asked him what he wants out of this relationship?
I am in torment. I love him to no end, but I am finding it harder and harder to have patience with him in his decision making. I know moving away from your family and the area where you have lived most of your life is a hard thing to do...but, how long does it really take to make a decision on whether to move or divorce your spouse? I think that 2 months is plenty of time to know if you love someone enough to pack up and move away with them...right? I did...in December 2005 when I left everything I knew and took a chance on this relationship. It wasn't easy, but I loved him enough to do it.
I have now lost everything I had before I met him and everything I earned after I met him just trying to keep us in our "dream" house and keep our marriage alive. I moved home so I would have a place to live, for the job prospects and in the hopes that he would move with me and we could save our marriage. Now it is looking more and more like my actions were in vain.
The good news is that I did get my Florida RN license and I am actively seeking employment. I completed 5 applications with resumes attached and sent out 2 resumes to potential prospects today. Now, I have to wait to see if I get any feedback. I have the experience and credentials they are looking for in several of the positions and a few would be ventures into something new. Please say a prayer that something comes through quickly.
My routine is getting back to a more normal status, which is good. When I get a job and know what I will be working hours wise, I will be able to get my routine set for good. I am sure that my weight loss will improve with that structure. I am still losing, but it is very slow compared to what it had been. I am sure part of that is because I have reached the 6 month post-op mark. I am hoping that I will be one of those folks that the loss seems to pick up after the 6 month mark. I am sure that it will when I start walking for exercise.
My knees are progressing as they should. I am now able to climb stairs the way normal people do...right foot step, left foot next step and so forth. I was having to do right leg step, left leg same step...one step at a time when I first got here. I still can't go down the stairs like a normal person, but I am making progress. I think that I will start walking next week on the treadmill. I have found a place that I can go to for free.
I am now down to 294.0 pounds as of Friday morning, 9/10. That is a total of 104.5 pounds lost. I know it is a lot, but when I look at how much further I have to go to make my ultimate goal, it doesn't look as good. I know it is a head thing and I have to get it straight...lol. I am very proud of how far I have come in this journey. I thank each of you for your support and encouragement. I really would not be able to succeed without it.
Wishing you all a happy and safe weekend!!
Be the first to leave a comment.
Post Op Day 180 on August 28, 2010 7:51 am
I have to say all is well. I have made the move from CA to FL and am as settled in as I can get for the time being. I made this move for work reasons and have hit a snag with the state of FL and their licensing procedure. I am amazed that I had to provide the same information and documentation for the state of AL, and I received my RN license from them in 3 weeks! I do not get all the red tape!! But, it is what it is and I have to make the best of it. Please offer up a prayer that FL comes through soon. My disability pay has run out and I need to get to work soon.
On a more happy note, I did respond to a listing and got a favorable response. So, I am marketable and will probably get a job quickly if I can just get that license. I am not able to go back to bedside nursing and am having to try my hand at a whole new area of nursing. I am looking at administrative and desk like nursing work. There seems to be more of it here in the Pensacola area than in the Bay area. The fact that I have a BSN from Emory is a really big plus...boy am I glad that I made that sacrifice 13 years ago for that 4 yr degree!! Have a lead on a really big job and praying that my license comes through before the door closes on that opportunity.
Enough about the work situation...it can be a little depressing. On to the most exciting news....and what you readers probably want to really hear....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....I did it!!! I made the 100 pound lost mark!!!! Forgive me for the delay in the announcement...I hit this goal on the 18th of August. Yes folks, I have lost 100 pounds and I made it to Twonderland...I weigh less than 300 pounds now!!! I can not tell you how good it feels to make this goal. I am now working on the next 100 and can not wait to get to Onederland. I haven't been in Onederland since I was 19 years old. What an accomplishment that will be.
I found it funny when I realized that my weight listed on my drivers license was no longer a lie! I think that when I get my FL drivers license on Monday, that I will tell a small lie and list my weight as my next goal...lol. Eventually, it will be the truth. What do you think? Should I tell the lie or be truthful and have this big 295 posted there for the next 4 years!! I am thinking LIE!! LOL.
I couldn't ask for a more supportive family. They have rallied around me and are being wonderful with my lifestyle changes. It is a little bitter sweet though. My little brother, who is actually the tallest of us all, found out that he has Type II diabetes and has had to make some major changes as well. I feel bad for him, but the timing could not have been better. This made it easier for them to work with my changes as well. We are all getting healthy. While my in-laws were supportive of my efforts and celebrated my successes, none of them have weight issues or ever have had any weight issues, so they did not understand my plight. This was hard for me. I have to say that I feel that I have everything I need now to be the success that I am dreaming of.
Thank you all for reading and sharing in this journey with me. It means so much to know that you are all behind me. Wishing good health and happiness to all!!
Be the first to leave a comment.
Post Op Day 163 on August 11, 2010 5:19 pm
Let me start this off by apologizing for neglecting my blog. I have been a very busy lady of late and I just had to sit down and make myself do this. I promised myself that I would be faithful at writing on my blog. Life has found a way to make this really hard for me lately.
I saw my doctor on the 3rd of August for the last time until my one year post-op appointment since I am moving back to my hometown. I have been packing like a mad woman to make sure that I have everything done in time. Moving is stressful enough by itself then add in the WLS issues (not much, but I still have to plan meals and timing) and recovering from my recent knee surgery.
I had set goals for myself for when I saw Dr. C but I didn't meet any one of them...not for the lack of trying though. I had another stall! Thank God it was a short one compared to the first one. I missed one goal by 5 pounds and the other by 7 pounds. But, I am still happy with my weight loss as I lost 13 pounds. I am still striving to meet these goals. As of today, I have lost 96 pounds and am 2.5 pounds away from Twonderland or Twoderville (whichever it is for the 200's) and 4 pounds away from my first century card.
My rehab on my knee is going well. I have physical therapy 3 days a week and am working hard at getting my knee in shape so that I can really start a good exercise program to help my muscle mass and my weight loss. I am now able to ride a stationary bike for 20 minutes 3 days a week and am really happy about my progress there.
I should be in FL by late next week and I will not have my scale available from Sunday until I get there. This will be really hard for me as I weigh and record everyday. I track my trends so I can see a possible problem before it starts. This is per my doctor and my NUT's recommendations since I had such a long stall at the very beginning of my journey. I hope I handle my scale withdrawal with grace...lol!
I have noticed that my hair loss has slowed down a lot. I don't know if it is because I increased my protein to 100 grams a day or if it is because I cut it short. I have also added Biotin to my supplements. So, who knows why it has slowed down, but I sure am glad it has.
I am really excited to see my Dad tonight. I have not seen him since February of 2009. He is flying in tonight to help me load my POD and then drive with me to FL. We will be doing some sight seeing along the way. I am looking forward to this trip as I have not been on a trip with my Dad since I was a teenager. I just got a call from my sister and it turns out that my Dad's flight has been delayed by almost 2 hours. He already had a 1 1/2 hour lay over in Memphis that has now turned into 3 1/2 hours. I am sure that he is a ball of nerves at this point. He doesn't travel well when things don't go smoothly. I hope it doesn't get delayed any further as it will be a long night for me and driving in the San Francisco fog is not always a pleasure. Although, it does make for some good picture opportunities.
Well, I better get back to packing as I still have a fair amount more to do. My husband is also leaving tonight for a family vacation to Canada and we have dinner plans with his family before they go as it will be the last time I see any of them for a while.
Hope all is well with all of you.
Be the first to leave a comment.
|
Archive
Tags
|
My Story
Hi! My name is Sharon and my story started when I hit puberty. I was always a normal weight kid until I stated turning into a little lady; it was all down hill from there. Fast forward to high school where I am 45 pounds overweight and my Mom has decided that I need medical help to lose weight. I started diet pills at 17 years old, weighing 195 pounds. Three months later, I was at 145 and I felt like I was hot stuff even though I was still 20 pounds over weight. That was the best it got. Fast forward to 1984, 220 pounds status post a divorce and about to marry again at the age of 22. Fast forward to 2006, 44 years old, divorced again and weighing 400+ pounds (my scale would not weigh me!). Feeling fat and unwanted, I started yet another diet. I have over the years done them all from liquid/shake diets, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Doctor's Weight Loss, Over Eaters Anonymous and many other fad diets; all with limited and short term success. So, April 15, 2006, after the tragic death of the teenage daughter of a friend, I made a commitment. I started a diet, stayed on it for 8 months and lost down to 279 pounds. YEA ME!! Short lived as it was, a slew of changes hit my life and I let everything go in order to cope. Little did I know, that my way of coping was going to put me in a serious medical situation. Fast forward to July 2008 and 350 pounds. I had a left knee injury where I lived with knee pain, increasing shortness of breath, uncontrolled high blood pressure and asthma. I was miserable! I never made the connection in my brain that I would feel better if I just lost weight.
After a year of suffering with knee pain, acquiring a severe cervical strain and ending up on disability leave, I started getting nervous. But not enough to take a big action. I underwent knee surgery to correct the meniscus tear and gained another 25 pounds due to the decreased activity and recovery. When I went back to work in December 2009, I hurt my right knee on the second day back. Once again, I was out of work on disability. Then on Christmas day, I hit rock bottom. Due to pain in my right knee and the debilitated state from lack of activity and the increase yet again in my weight, I had to do the unthinkable. I had to decline an invitation to Christmas dinner that was very important to my husband and his family. Not attending was an insult to them. I was so embarrassed! Not only could I physically not make it in the building due to the stairs I was required to climb to enter the house (I could not do them due to my knee), I could not allow them to help me because I was so embarrassed and afraid that they would hurt themselves just trying to get me in the house. This was the straw that broke the camel's back.
I spent Christmas night home alone searching the net for options and help for me. When I came across the site for Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (lapsf), I thought this is the best information I have found. After spending many hours on this site and reviewing other sites I had found, I sent a message to lapsf. I received a call from Chrissy the evening of the same day I sent the message. Chrissy was so struck by my message, she said "I could not go home tonight without talking to you." I cried and we shared, asking and answering questions for almost an hour. When I hung up the phone, I felt like I knew what I needed to do. After several phone calls and inquiries to my insurance company, I made a decision. I made a consult appointment.
At the time I scheduled the appointment, I knew my insurance covered the procedure, but Dr. Cirangle was not a provider under my insurance. Having been on disability for over 6 months and fighting to save our house, our finances were in the toilet. Chrissy was aware of these issues and as she doubted the information given to me by my insurance company, she checked herself. Chrissy was so moved by me and my story that she took it upon herself to plead my case with the doctor. On January 5, 2010, I received an email from Chrissy. She was so excited. She had been able to speak with Dr. Cirangle and tell him my story and situation. Dr. Cirangle signed up to be a provider for my insurer so that he could help me become healthy and happy.
With the help of Dr. Cirangle's staff, Chrissy, Marilyn, Natalie, Amy and many others that I only spoke to for brief moments, I made it through the consult, the insurance process, pre-op testing and pre-op weight loss to have my vertical gastrectomy (VSG) on 3/1/10. At my consult, my weight was a whopping 400.5 pounds. On surgery day, I had lost down to 374.5 pounds by doing the maintenance post-op diet.
I am now on my way to a healthy me. Along the way of dropping pounds, I hope to also lose my other health problems of high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, osteo-arthritis, infertility, migraine headaches and a myriad of other annoying issues. Dr. Cirangle assures me that losing the weight will resolve these issues, if not eradicate them. What more could I ask for?
|
Waiting for Approval
Send Message
Member Card
Block Member
