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Ed D.
Renton, WA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 28.1
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: Dobkoski938814507
Surgeon: Philip Chin, M.D.

Click here for Ed's surgery support page
Click here for the 06/2001 Reunion Page
Click here to print Ed's cards
(You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it,
you can help print cards for your friends as well!)

On June 26th I celebrated my 1 year WLS anniversary.
On June 26th, 2001 I entered the hospital as a 53 year old man
weighing 307 lbs on a 5'9 frame. I had type II diabetes, severe hypertension, asthma,
degenerative arthritis, constant lower back pain, high cholestrol, depression, and was
told by my physician that unless I was successful in significantly lowering my weight,
I was only expected to live another 5-7 years at most.

Today, I am one year older, down 117 lbs, and no longer suffering
from morbid obsesity or any of the co-morbidities that plagued my life
. I went from a size 54 pant to a 36. I no longer take any medication
to relieve pain, control diabetes, lower blood pressure or cholestrol.
My morning regimen now consists of taking my Calcium tablets, my vitamin B12, my Multi-vitamin
and my Zinc cap.

My nutritional intake (I don't call it eating anymore) is generally
any foods I like in very small quantities. I do not eat red meat
but on rare occasions..and prefer chicken or fish. Carbs are at a
minimum and usually consist of crackers with my tuna salad for lunch.
I love my beans...limas, pinto, white, and black! I eat them for dinner
at least 2 times a week. Breakfast is usually one egg and 2 slices
of bacon well done and a small coffee.

I walk daily. I climb stairs effortlessly. I sleep without snoring.
I look good and that makes me feel great. I tuck in my shirts and
sit in booths in restaurants. I buy shoes that tie and shop in stores that aren't
for Big and Tall!

I followed the surgeons directions and I'm on my own and doing fine now.

Thanks to those who sent congratulations notes to me on my anniversary.
My prayers are with those on the journey..and those who are taking
the first steps. Those, I've found, were the hardest.

Life is good.

Thank you Drs. Rigonan (Primary Physician) and Dr. Chin (Surgeon).


Photos



Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Philip Chin, M.D.
I had my first appointment with Dr. Le Port on Sept. 16th. He is a no nonsense physician. He thoroughly explained the RNY procedure as well as giving me his expectations of me as a patient and member of the "team". His staff is very friendly and professional. I was given a packet of information that contained his "curriculum vitae". Dr. Le Port is currently the Director of Bariatric Surgery Program at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital in Fountain Valley,California...and Director of Bariatric Surgery at Orange Coast Memorial in Fountain Valley, California. My packet also contains information about pre and post op, hospital details, and general information about WLS (Weight Loss Surgery). Dr. Le Port has group meetings on Mondays and Thursdays, although he is not always able to attend, he has a terrific staff that supervise the sessions. Since seeing Dr. Le Port I have had my psych- ological evaluation and everything is now in the hands of his staff in processing the insurance approval. The wait begins. Since writing this over a year ago, I was denied coverage because the insurance company said my primary care physician did not provide the information they required. I wrote an appeal and it was rejected. My Dr. and I decided to document my health for one full year and resubmit which we did 2 months ago. My referral to a surgeon, Dr. Chin in Dr. LePort's office was approved and I had my counseling and first meeting with the surgeon. The paperwork was submitted to the insurance company one month ago and today they notified the Dr. that I needed to provide additional information regarding my previous methods of weight reduction covering the last 20 years. I told Dr. Chin's office I wasn't going to play with them anymore...and I'm now a self-pay and my surgery is scheduled for June 26th.
Insurer Info:
Cigna Health Care, PPO
They nit pick until they find a reason to deny you. They don't seem to care about existing condition or the recommendation of attending physician (primary care physician). I decided that my life was too important and I self-paid.