Lois C.
I had my surgery on February 10th, 2003. That seems like an eternity ago, yet only yesterday. I cannot even describe what I feel and look like now! I am about the size I was in 7th grade! I have lost at least 200 pounds, but God has been good and I look pretty darn good. I can't believe it. I had an abdominal hernia repair and some excess skin removed from my mid-section in February 2005. I am still very excited! I weighed 427 pounds the morning of my surgery. Baby, look at me now!!!!! Yeah. I have felt absolutely wonderful and no longer take ANY medications for diabetes or high blood pressure. However, my sugars are going crazy high again over the last couple of years, but I refuse to take insulin - not even an option - because when I was on it pre-op, I gained 129 pounds! It is unbelievable how well I am still doing, though, besides some obstacles I have and have not had any control over.
UPDATE: On Valentine's Day 2005 I underwent more surgery to have a ventral abdominal hernia repaired and to have all the excess skin and fat all around my mid-section removed. Dr. Fedorak, GB surgeon, did the hernia repairs and all of his work went well. Dr. Greg Liebscher was the plastic surgeon. I was really excited to begin the next journey. The only down side, at first, was that I had to pay $5000.00 of my own money for the plastic surgeon's fee. His office did not even try to file with my insurance [who paid ALL of my GB expenses]. I questioned this and his secretary said that they are so routinely denied that they don't even bother anymore. This doesn't set too well with me because it is a medical necessity, not just a "vanity" thing. Carrying around 20-30 pounds of "dead" skin, etc. cannot be healthy. Anyway, I am now in debt but was excited to finally have a more "normal" body looking back at me when I look into the mirror. But Dr. Liebscher's procedure went bad, as I ended up getting MRSA and the whole thing turned into a near-nightmare. Top that off with his turning down any attempt to help me recover expenses and his paranoia that I was going to sue him for maiming me and it was not pretty. I also have had a complete hysterectomy and an additional hernia repair over the last two years. Still, I can say that my life is great and I am a living, walking, happy, healthy, voluptuos woman who glorifies the greatness of God!
Weight Loss Survey Responses
Click Here To View
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Ihor Fedorak, M.D.
When I got to CSSA in May, I was not initially scheduled to see Dr. Fedorak, but was informed I had been switched to him. It was a great first encounter! He and I clicked pretty well. We are about the same age. I had a million questions and he answered all of them beyond my satisfaction. He is very straightforward and honest. He told me the good, bad, and ugly. He spent at least 2 1/2 hours with me. I talked, he listened. He talked, I listened. I really "fell for him" when he told me to stop apologizing for who I was and how I was because obesity is not a character flaw. Amen! I also asked him why he would want to do this type of surgery...was it because someone he loved and/or cared about was fat or what?! I loved his response, which I felt was truly sincere. He said that if I had gone to him years earlier, he would have probably treated me with the same attitude every doctor I have ever encountered had had toward someone of my size. But, he said, after joining the staff of CSSA, he began to watch the patients that were coming in before and after the other surgeons had done the procedure on them and he realized it was as great a joy as bringing a new life in the world. He said what greater joy could he get from medicine than to be able to give someone their life back! Is that beautiful or what?!?!? He has taken personal time and attention with me, and when my initial surgery had to be postponed because we found I had anemia the evening before I was supposed to go in, he really cared about how devastated I was and took charge of further testing I needed to rule out causes of the anemia. I feel that he has cared about me, the person, since the very beginning and the bond has just strengthened as I have traveled along the road to my new beginning. His staff, Barb and all of the gals, have been absolutely wonderful to me, even when I have been frustrated and upset because of the obstacles and ordeals of getting everything done. It has taken longer than I though or wanted, but as I look at it now, I realize it is all for a reason and will work out.
Insurer Info:
Anthem, HMO
My insurance has been absolutely wonderful. Everything has been covered, with me being respnsible for the co-pays. I had to have a colonoscopy and I did have to pay $125.00 for that, but that is nothing in comparison! I had to have two sleep apnea tests - they covered both. The only thing they may not cover is the chest x-ray evaluations/readings, but those are not very costly ($30 -$35.00). For all my other surgical procedures, I am now covered by Great West and, because of Dr. Fedorak and his expert office staff, I have only had to pay the minimum hospital co-pays for all of my other procedures. I am very frustrated, however, that the insurance companies refuse to cover the follow-up reconstructive surgeries that we who have lost a tremendous amount of weight, need to be normal. I am talking excess skin removal from upper under arms, thighs and yes, even our boobs!
