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Serenity N.
Westlake, OH, USA
Post Op - BMI: 32.3
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: B1067304654
Surgeon: Bipan Chand M.D., F.A.C.S.

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I have always been overweight. I remember being the chubbiest girl in most of my classes. I tried almost everything to lose weight. When I was in high school our family Dr. prescribed amphetamines for me so I could starve myself and lose some weight. YeeHa! That began the cycle. When I was in high school I was about 140-145 lbs and thought I was fat. With the amphetamines I was able to lose 25 lbs. I felt like hell but damn I looked good. LOL. Sadly, I gained back that weight and then some. From there I did about everything else you could think of to try and lose weight. Actually, the losing wasn't really the problem, it was the keeping off that eluded me. Who could forget the joys of drinking a lumpy Optifast shake for 13 weeks. I liked it so much I did it twice! (Blecchh!) I really need to get a learning curve! The more I would "diet" the more weight I would gain. I started researching RNY about 5 years ago. I began my journey weighing 305 lbs at 5'5". I was told I would have to lose about 20 pounds prior to surgery. I did that along with all the other appointments I had to go to. Endocrine, Psych x 3, Nutrition x 3, surgeon x1 It took me a little over a year to complete my appointments and just after I had seen the surgeon my insurance company decided they weren't covering WLS anymore. I then had to wait about 10 months to get on my husband's insurance and start the process over. I finally had my surgery on June 6, 2005. I was very fortunate to have my surgery laparoscopically. Initially, I really did not have much pain. My biggest problem was emotional. I was an absolute wreck! I was having anxiety attacks at night and was crying (sobbing) all the time. This lasted for a few weeks. I was really feeling like "What the F#$k did I do to myself?" "Why could I not just stick to Jenny Craig, WW, Atkins etc."
After the first few weeks, I felt much better. It took awhile to get all my fluids in as well as protein. I still work on that although I'm 7 months post op. I'm feeling so wonderful now! I've been exercising more. Not perfect but never giving up! My husband has been pretty supportive of my surgery but sometimes he say stupid things like "Can't you just get clothes with drawstrings?" Yeah, maybe if I worked for Barnum and Bailey. I mean, I do wear scrubs to work, but for God's sake does everything have to have a drawstring? That really chaps my ass!
I finally sent a picture in to put on my profile about a week ago. I know, I'm a little bit of a procrastinator. (That is a HUGE understatement!) I hope it gets up one of these days!
About my job, I'm an RN. I work in a peds ICU and I love it! For the most part I also love the people I work with. Of course there are a few donkeys in every workplace!
I am married and have a 17 year old son. I miss the days when he was a momma's boy! Now I believe he is the devil's own desciple. JK. He was such a sweetheart until he turned 13 and then I swear, I was looking at him in the car one day and his face had contorted and from then on he's had an almost permanent scowl on his face. Yes, I love him dearly but there are days when.....
As for my progress, I weighed about 293 when I had surgery, came home weighing 311# and today I weigh 193.6# I feel really good! I need to step up my exercise and not drink as much wine as I have been.
I also have 2 fur babies. 2 beautiful cats. A boy named Cassidy and a girl named Chloe. We also have an umbrella cockatoo named Casey. Even though I love her she does not have any love for me. She has a pathological crush on my husband. She is absolutely the Glenn Close character in Fatal Attraction. She will not allow me anywhere near my husband. There have been a couple of times when I had the audacity to walk past him and she punished me by almost biting my nose off. I was afraid to look in the mirror! I thought my nose might be gone. Happily, my nose is still intact. With all the plastic surgery I'll need after my weight loss I can hardly afford a rhinoplasty too! (or whatever it's called when they have to reattach a nose)
I'm so greatful to everyone at OH for their loving support. I have learned so much from so many! Thank you all! Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Jen


2006




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Member Interests:
  • Animal Rescue - We rescued our cockatoo

  • Birds - I have a very funny umbrella cockatoo named Casey

  • Cats - I have 2 beautiful cats, Cassidy and Chloe

  • Museums & Art Galleries

  • Musical Performance

  • Theater

  • Bicycling

  • Bodybuilding & Weightlifting

  • RN - I am an RN, I'm the Assistant Nurse Mgr., Peds ICU, Cleveland Clinic

  • Wine Tasting


    • Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

    Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Bipan Chand M.D., F.A.C.S.
    Dr. Chand is very kind, attentive and thorough. Since I began my journey about 4 years ago the program has really improved. When I started out there was no organization and I didn't really have a contact person to go to. Back at that time I kind of felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants. Now things are totally organized and they have an actual program for new patients including an aftercare program. Dr. Chand was very honest about risks/benefits and is also very enthusiastic. I would highly recommend Dr. Chand for both his surgical excellence as well as his wonderful bedside manner.
    Insurer Info:
    United Health Care, ppo
    They were AWESOME! no games, just approved me right away. The ironic thing is that I work at the Cleveland Clinic and my insurance there wouldn't cover it. I had to switch to my husband's insurance through Home Depot. There was no stalling at all! Would highly recommend them.