In her own words
How would I describe my life before surgery? Suicidal. Oh, I wasn’t brave enough to plan a way to do it; rather I just would just go to bed at night and hope I didn’t wake up in the morning. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had high blood pressure, showing an average of 240/190 (200/175 on a good day). They kept changing my BP meds every other month to try and lower the numbers, but my body just wouldn’t work right and the meds made me even sicker. I was injecting 25 units of insulin 5 times a day and my body was showing signs of becoming insulin resistant. I couldn’t walk from the closest parking space to the front door of the grocery store without stopping at least once or twice and gasping for air. And, no walking was without pain in the knees and hips. All I did was eat and sleep so I stayed housebound. My cholesterol was 411. At night I used a breathing machine. All of these things only to wake up the next morning and begin again. In May of 2003 I turned 55 years old, my mother died of similar health problems at 57 years old, then, my PCP told me he wouldn’t be surprised if my body ‘gave out’ within a year or two. Did that mean I was going to die ? or have a major stroke? He said there was little hope for me if I remained at my current weight but that I would need to lose a major amount to see health improvements. I’d tried many many diet and exercise programs over the years. I needed help and I needed it fast. I knew WLS was my only option. I didn’t really want to die, I had 7 grandchildren and an adoring husband who had just retired.
After much research I decided I wanted the DS. It would get the weight off quickest and I believed that my time was limited. I also thought that I would be able to eat a bit more in quantity and quality with this surgery rather than the others. I’ve since learned this is not true….that I would have been able to loose the weight with any of the surgeries offered, but that is what I felt at the time.
Today I weigh in at 165 and wear a size 12. My husband is ecstatic. All of my health problems are gone! Not minimized but CURED. They disappeared within weeks of the surgery. We have just moved cross-country and I am a healthy and happy grandma to 5 little ones and loving every minute of my new life. I can shop like a ‘normal person’, eat at all kinds of restaurants (even if only 40-50% of the meal) and have as much energy as my daughters – but not the grandchildren! (giggle) We have made two trips to New Orleans and my family is simply amazed I can walk and talk and play all day long. I can enjoy life and suicide is now the furthest thought from my mind.
I’ve gone to many different support group meetings and talked both in person and on line to others about their surgery experience. None (except other LAPSF patients) compare to mine. They all have 1 or 2 good things to say about their doctors while I could talk for an hour about mine. LAPSF has treated me with courtesy and respect since my first phone call to their office. Their staff answers questions and tries to facilitate my needs as quickly as possible. And, I was such a pest, the girls even recognize my voice! My first visit – consultation – took 2 hours and every single one of my questions or fears was addressed. Dr. Jossart took as much time as needed to discuss all procedures and the risks of each one. He was a very sincere professional and yet made me feel as if I were his only patient in the world. I left the office feeling very happy as well as very informed. Everything within their office feels very organized beginning with the office staff , which is pleasant and efficient to the web site information and registration - even printouts about diet and post op care. Dr. Jossart has worked closely with my husband, never failing to include him in explanations and answer all of his questions, too. In the past year, my opinion of Dr. J has only gotten better. Since my surgery, I have felt that Dr. Jossart is available to me, if I should need him, day or night. No matter how busy he is, he has time for me. For the basic information and/or simple questions, I email him. The most amazing thing is he answers his own email and I usually have an answer the same day or the next day at the latest. He seems to feel strongly about aftercare and I respect this man so much I am afraid of disappointing him. Some acquaintenances who go to their support group meetings sometimes learn only from their peers. We do too, but at the LAPSF support group one of the Doctors actually attends. It is the only support group I have heard of where the docs attend and I can get questions or concerns answered by them. I also have direct access to an online forum for simple every day queries. But, the greatest asset of all is the doctors. I have met personally with each one who is kind, courteous and caring. My Doctor, Jossart, has gone out of his way to help me, both medically and with some business problems. Early on, I had some problems getting food down which required a 2nd surgery, my insurance (Kaiser) is refusing to pay and Dr. J has continued to write letters or do whatever I’ve needed to try and resolve the problem. I was a self pay patient and the miracle of this WLS was worth every penny and more. All of my needs have been taken care of very quickly and I have not wanted for information or attention. But, the most wonderful and most important thing I can say is that through this entire journey, Dr. Jossart has made me feel comfortable and safe, and that’s the highest compliment I can possibly give. I thank God every day that he is my doctor – after all, he helped me get my life back.
-Doris |
