D. Clapp
10/19/07-Today was my 3 month check up with Dr. Connall. He said everything is just perfect with my new body parts (breast augmentation). I was able to speak with him about my body lift sugery, which I am hoping to have in October 2008. I know it is a year away, but I am so excited! I will have a flat stomach. WHAT IS THAT! Never had one before. It is not going to be as bad as I originally thought, as I will not need my abdominals stitched.
I go back in January 2008 for another breast augmentation check up. He told me to schedule an appointment in June or July of 2008 for my body lift surgery consultation. YEAH!!!
07/19/07-I was fortunate enough to locate a wonderful plastic surgeon in Tualatin, OR...Dr. Connall. I had my breast augmentation. I cannot tell you the smile and self confidence I now have. It is amazing. I am looking forward to him doing my lower body lift in October 2008.
05/12/07-I have finally left CA. Left all of my family and friends to start a new life for myself and Daisy (my Great Dane). I have purchased my own home in Oregon City, OR. I am really looking forward to meeting new people and looking into beginning my plastic surgery journey.
12/02/04 Update...I have not added anything for a few months, but so much has happened. I was approved by my insurance after only a week and a half. I have lost a total of 17 pounds and received the green light from Dr. Foster for an official 7:30am surgery time on 12/15/04 at El Camino Hospital in Mt. View. I am so excited. I met with the nutrionist and the bariatric nurse. They went over everything. Good news, only one day on stage one food and if all goes well, onto stage two the next day. If all goes well, I will be released on Friday the 17th. That is a day earlier than I was expecting. I was told I would probably have my own room! That is nice! Oh, and they overlook the normal visiting hours and rules, as long as you are quiet in the evening. Slumber party haha...I have met so many nice people with wonderful words of incouragement and inspiration. One wonderful woman sent me a message with a scripture Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the
plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I am going to print this out and have my husband tape it at the head of my bed in the hospital. I will be home in time to be with family on Christmas, which is very nice. I am so scared, yet so happy. I pray god gives me the strength I need to be successful.
09/22/04 Update....I just got my sugery date...it is still pending insurance approval, but it looks like December 15, 2004 will be my new birthday!!!!!!!! I cannot express my joy!
I began looking into WLS in 2002. I was afraid I was too small. I was referred by my primary, after many unsuccessful WL attempts. I started interviewing surgeons and found a perfect match with Dr. Pamela Foster at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View. I have already lost my weight and can now schedule a "penciled in" surgery date. I am hoping to have surgery just before Christmas time. This may sound a bit morbid, I wanted to schedule surgery on my birthday (December 19th), however it is a Sunday. I feel this surgery will be the beginning of my "new" life and what better day than my birthday. I cannot wait to get rid of these unnecessary medical issues I have developed. I have GERDS, borderline diabetic, C-Pap (my snuffalupacus nose) knee problems and the list goes on. I am very fortunate to have 100% support from my husband. The only other people I have told are my mother, my mother in-law and my neighbor (who has a surgery date on 09/23/04). I have always wanted to hike Half Dome in Yosemite. I am going to do it (soon)!
My Surgeon:
When I met Dr. Foster, she seemed very nice, yet serious. I could tell we were both interviewing each other. After we concluded our initial meeting, I think we both felt we were a good match. I just had my follow up visit with Dr. Foster. I was supposed to loose between 7-10 pounds. I surprised everyone, including myself, by loosing 12.8 pounds. I think this proved to Dr. Foster I was serious and able to make the necessary lifestyle changes for surgery. I have called her Burlingame office a few times, everyone seems very helpful and nice. I will probably not meet them, as I am having my surgery performed at El Camino Hospital in Mt. View. The one assistant who was there both times seems like she may be new. Dr. Foster has to tell her what to do next, as she does not seem to know. The most impressive thing about Dr. Foster that stands out is how real she is. She wanted to make sure I was educated with not only the positive sides of WLS, but also the very real negatives. She even makes you sign a form stating you understand all of the possible risks. She is very detailed and does not leave one question unanswered. I cannot think of one negative thing about Dr. Foster. She is a very real person. She uses words which are easily understood, and made me feel comfortable right off the bat. She is the third Dr. I spoke with, as I did not feel comfortable with the previous two doctors. I have found the right match!
