Weight Loss Surgery Directory

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Sharon W.
Woodland, MI, USA
Post Op - BMI: 31.1
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: bw967188863
Surgeon: Donald J Scholten MD

Click here for Sharon's surgery support page
Click here for the 11/2000 Reunion Page
Click here to print Sharon'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!)

pre-op weight 318#
11/3/2000 roux-en-y gastric exclusion (lap)
11/30/00 276 -42
12/30/00 262 -56
2/1/01 248 -70 (feeling great!)
3/01/01 237 -81
4/01/01 224 -94
5/1/01 218 -100
5/30/01 208 -110
7/1/01 200 -118
7/30/01 188 -130
8/30/01 185 -133
9/30/01 175 -143
11/01/01 172 -146
11/30/01 168 -150
2/1/02 168
3/1/02 168
I am a 43 year old wife and mother of 3 kids. I have 2 full-time jobs, first as a mom and secondly as a nurse. I have been obese since high school, and have been considered morbidly obese for the past ten years. I have been pretty disappointed in myself for not being able to lose weight. I really haven't even tried very hard for the past couple of years because it never works for long anyways.

Early in 2000 (in my nursing job), I interviewed someone for a position in my department. She pulled out pictures of her former self (200 pounds ago), and shared with me about bariatric surgery. I never knew until this year that there was such a thing! I started researching on the Internet and found this site. I also found another nurse I know that had surgery early this year. She goes to Dr. Scholten. I called and referred myself.

I had a lap Roux-en-Y gastric exclusion done on November 3, 2000. I was in the hospital for 5 days. It was no picnic, and I did wonder what I had done to myself. I went back to my nursing job 25 days post-op (12 hour shifts). Other than being really tired, I had decided I would live by that point.

March 15, 2001- Down 88 pounds and feeling great. I have added more activity. Continue to lose consistently. I eat what is recommended and sometimes have trouble with meat. None of my clothes fit but I am not complaining!

November 3, 2001- Wow! I can't believe it's been a whole year since I had my surgery. I am down a total of 146 pounds. Last year at this time I was over 300 pounds. It is still hard for me to imagine. I still have to look in the mirror twice. It is great fun to shop for clothes (mostly 12's and 14's). My feet have even shrunk. My energy level is high, even after working 12 hour shifts. I am much more pleasant to be around. Three pieces of advice:
1. Go to support groups.
2. Follow your doctor's instructions.
3. Don't graze.
I have enjoyed sharing my weight loss story with others on the site and in support group. I feel great!

Hospital Reviews
  • (Grand Rapids, MI) - Blodgett Campus

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    • Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Donald J Scholten MD
    My first impression of Dr. Scholten was of his quiet confidence. He and his office staff put me right at ease. It was nice having the notebook of other patients' pictures in the waiting room to look at. He shares a lot of information, likes to draw pictures, and gave my husband and me opportunities to ask our own questions. He has a very structured program with a lot of things that need to be done before he even sees you. I liked that the psych report was sent to me. The staff also allows you to be very involved in arranging all the pre-op testing. Communication to my primary physician has been very complete. The only thing I was disappointed with was that I had to wait three weeks to schedule surgery because the scheduler was on vacation. Dr. Scholten also seemed to find humor in the fact that I "found" him on the internet (this site)!
    Insurer Info:
    BCBS (traditional)