jberghofer
I am 31 yrs old 5’10” and weight on the day of surgery was 288, and a calculated BMI of 41. I had Open RNY done by Dr. Rosen through the Wish center Downers Grove, and Provina Mercy Hospital in Aurora on Feb 19,2004.
I have researched the Wish Center for a few years now. Both of my Sister-in-laws had RNY surgery done in MI 2-3 years ago and both were very successful in their endeavors.
I was 370lbs in 09/2002 and I just lost my Father to Cancer that summer, and I went into a deep depression and started to loose weight without trying. By 12/2003 I was down to 315 lbs. It was then that I decided to re-contact the Wish Center and go for the consultation and try to get approved for surgery. One of the major factors was that the Wish Center was now accepting BCBS as in network.
I went for my evaluation an 12/05/03 and on Christmas Eve I got the best Christmas present I could have asked for,,,,,,,I was APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!
I did my 8 weeks of Behavior Modification to the letter, and lost 27 more lbs buy the end of the 8 weeks.
On Feb/04/04 I was scheduled for surgery @ Provina Mercy in Aurora on Feb 19,04.
Everything has been ok so far,,, their was a problem with me swallowing right away, I was getting a pain in my diaphragm like a knot every time I would swallow. So I went for an upper GI and they found that when I swallowed the opening for the esophagus would close for a second, as the liquid would hit it and then reopen. They said that it was just the nerves getting used to their new jobs and would clear up. So I stayed on ice chips for 18 more hours and went for a second GI the next day and things were getting better so I graduated to liquids…
I was up and moving (slowly) about 6 Hours after I was brought to my room. And the next day if I was not sleeping I was up walking. Believe it or not they are right when they said,, the more you walk the faster you get better and the better you will feel. I would walk laps around the floor and the encouragement that I was getting from the Nurses and Staff was great. By the next night I was walking like I was at the gym on the treadmill,,,, I was going for 1hr 45min when the Graveyard Nurse actually scolded me for doing to much and sent me back to bed.
Now it is March 4, 2004 exactly two weeks post op and I am down to 255!!!! 33 lbs in two weeks. I got back into the gym on that Monday Feb 23, 2004and started walking 1.5 miles @ 3mph at a 10% incline on a treadmill for 30 min a day twice a day with my heart rate between 140-160bpm.
So far the only thing I have not been happy with is that I am unable to attend any of the monthly support group meetings because of my work Schedule and the day and time that the meeting is held on.
Other than that I have no complaints about the Wish Center. I feel that the comprehensive approach to achieving certain goals prior to the surgery was a enormous help and gave me a leg up on the others that did not have the training and education that I did to get me prepared for the life I was going to have Post Op.
***Update*** 04/02/05
Hello all,
I am sorry it has been so long since I have updated my web posting in so long. Since my last update I have lost another 50-60 lbs. I bounce between 192-200lbs now.
The standard says I should be 185 lbs, I may get there come this summer; once I get back out on the forest preserve trails on foot and bike. I am looking forward to the great outdoors again. I was doing well for a long time going to the gym and being a good little boy and working out 6 or 7 days a week once it got to cold to be on the trail. But about a month & ½ ago I got sick and tired of the gym and the treadmills, elliptical, and bikes and clamored for the outdoors. So I am in great hopes that I will loose my LAST 10-15 Lbs in the next 2 months!!!!=)
When I broke the 200 lbs mark in August 2004 I celebrated by going SKYDIVING and it was the best thing I have ever done!! It was go fun I went again 20 minutes later!!! I have always dreamed of doing it, but was always too fat.
Having this surgery has opened so many new doors of life to me that I never thought would be open to me. I do things now that I have never thought I would do in my life. I am in the best shape now, than I have ever been in my life. I still struggle with the everyday issues just like everyone else. I am still battling depression, and making the right food choices and sticking to my ½ cup serving. Some days I win,,,some days I loose. But I can say I am in more control of my life now, and win 6 ½ days out of 7.
But my self-confidence is getting better every day. The accolades are overwhelming at first, and the attention you get is un-nerving at first. But as time went on I was enjoying the extra time in the spotlight, and I also used it to help educate people in the surgery I had and my restrictions I have. I also have had many people come to me and ask how and why, and I am more than happy to talk about it… The way I see it is, anything I can do to influence someone to make a life altering change for the better I will. Because if it weren’t for all of the people who had the courage before me to post their stories, I don’t know if I would have been able to make the leap my self.
I have other things motivating me also. For the first time in my life I will be able to test for a Police Officer position and be in a position to actually pass =) and I am getting Married to my beautiful fiancé who has also lost 85 + pounds doing weight watchers. She has to loose 2 lbs per week to be at her goal weight by our Wedding, and the two of us motivate each other to not give up! So for all of you who read this and are thinking of this surgery, I hope my story inspires you to take action and go for it and get a life back that you feel you will never have. My only regret is not doing this 10 years ago!!!!!!!
Hospital Reviews
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Jeffrey Rosen, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Insurer Info:
BCBS FEP, FEP
