Linda58
I started gaining weight when I was about 12- 13 yrs old and continued gaining as long as I can remember. I tried many diets including the water and egg diet (YUCK), powder, pills, fad diets, liquid diets, weight watchers, Curves, exerices, counting calories, starvation. Oh I would lose then regain the weight and then some and more frustrated I got. I looked into the weight loss surgery for about 2 years, I wasn't quite ready until I attended a seminar at Kennedy Health (JFK) in Stratford that was May 2007 and I met a wonderful Surgeon Dr. Marc Neff and Bariatric oordinator Tinamarie Juengert. I knew this was the right Doctor and Coordinator for me, I went home and googled Dr. Neff found out his Medical background ( I was very impressed) and spoke to Tinamarie who answered all my questions. I set an appointment to see and speak with Dr. Neff. I first met with Tinamarie who calmed my nerves and answered all my questions then on to see Dr. Neff. He was one of the best surgeons I spoke to about this surgery, I had reached out to two other Surgeons over the Bridge (Phila.) and was not very impressed with them or their staff. I say "A Doctors staff can make or break a Doctor." Meaning if you can not deal with a surgeon and his staff- you look elsewhere, if you are treated as if you are only 1. a number for that surgeon 2. treated like it is a meat market or 3. staff is not cordial or there for their Doctor's patients then you look elsewhere because that staff is usually who you communicate with before getting to talk to or see your Doctor. Tinamarie was there to answer all my questions and calmed all my fears.
June 2007 I have started seeing all the required Doctors, PCP, Gastro, Cardiologist, I saw Pulmonary Dr in April. Will attend support group on July 23rd then see Dr Neff on August 1st. Getting very excited and nervous as I have to have a filter put in prior to surgery to advert any clots which I had in 1994. I continue to read on line about the different WLS procedures, Rouen-Y, Pouch, I am still unsure which surgery to have, but I know the Lap Band surgery is not a choice. I will try to update often.
Day of Surgery- Oct. 1 2007- went in to have Surgery- Met Dr. Neff and Tinamarie- they answered all my questions and that of my Mother, Father and Sister. Went into Preop room and Tinamarie was there with me the whole time holding my hand and talking me through my tears and being scared, into the OR room talked with Dr. Neff and Tinamarie was there talking to me. I woke up in recovery area only to find out from the anestiologist that the surgery was not done, I had some respriatory and vitals (Blood pressure) complications. Icried like a baby- while Tinamarie and Dr Neff reassued me the surgery would be done at a later time. In came may ENT Dr. Aslanidis to check my vocal and airway- I was tostay at the hospital over night. I was very depressed all week and Dr. Neff and Tinamarie called often to talk to me. FINALLY on Oct 29, 2007 the surgery was rescheduled YHEA. Tinamarie called me at work the day before and reassured me all will be ok. Dr Neff called me the night before and I joked with him promising him no problems this time I am really ready.
Yes I was scared will this happen again, will I be ok, Tinamarie was by my side the whole time and Dr Neff checked with my in the preop room a few times. Tinamarie held my hands and eased my crying and reassued me I would be ok. Into the OR and Tinamarie was talking to me and held my hand until I was asleep. I woke up to Tinamrie standing by my side saing " Everything went well, the surgery is done." She was there to hand me a tissue when I cried with relief. Dr. Neff and Tinamarie would check in on me everyday until I left, Tinamarie was there several time making sure I was following all the instructions I should have (AND I WAS)!!!
3/5/09 16 months out down to 165lbs from original 286 lbs pre surgery, I had the Rouin-Y surgery. Feeling great, should have done the surgery along time ago but then I would not have met my great surgeon Dr. Marc Neff, bariatric coordinator Tinamarie Juengert or my friends here at OH or my support group friends. It has been a long journey but a good one with a few bumps along the way. I am down from 13 pills a day to approx. 5 pills a day, still need to remember to keep taking my supplements and protein. Sometimes I get busy and forget, I know it is important to continue with the supplements and protein. I have been at a plateau for a while now and it is discouraging, once the weather breaks I can start back with walking more.
I have to Thank the following for being there for me during my journey: My Parents Bill & Dolores, my Sisters Patti, Lorie (my support person), Billie Jo, My nephews Tom, Kyle, Tyler, my nieces Jenna, Tiffany, Rachel (Who still questions me on what I eat), My OH friends and my support group friends and ESPECIALLY Dr. Marc Neff and Tinamarie Juengert (As I would not be where I am today). My asthma is under control, diabetes is gone, shortness of breath has diminished to almost 5%, I can climb stairs and not be out of breath or my knees aching.
