A Dream Comes True: Dawn Wins A Free Lap-Band Surgery!
December 6, 2012OH Magazine Presents: A Dream Comes True!
Dawn Wins A Free Lap-Band Surgery!
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis
Every year, beginning on New Year’s Day, The Bariatric Care Program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital sponsors a contest to give away two free Lap-Band surgeries. Dawn Wenzel could only hope and dream about having WLS as she did not have insurance to cover the costs. In 2010, with the support and encouragement of family and friends, she entered the contest, became a finalist, and began a vigorous campaign to get the votes she needed to get her health back. Dreams can come true and Dawn’s story proves just that!
An Interview With Dawn Wenzel
OH: Hi Dawn. What prompted you to seek weight-loss surgery?
Dawn: Weight loss surgery has been something I have wanted for years, but without the insurance to help cover the cost, it was not an option. I had been out of work for four years because of my back issues that were made worse from the amount of weight I had gained.
OH: Share with us the details of how you came to receive a free surgery grant by the Palms of Pasadena team.
Dawn: My husband (Glenn) called me and told me that he had heard about a “Free Lap-Band Contest” at Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida. I felt as though it was my only chance to get my life back and start living the life I knew I was meant to have. First, I attended a free informational seminar, then went on www. obesitynomorefl.com and filled out the entry application form. I shared my story with them, praying that someone would read my story and see my need. Knowing that they had to receive thousands of entries, I never imagined I would have gotten the call that I was one of five finalists. After being chosen as a finalist, my photo was put on their website for people to vote on. My family and friends all jumped on board and began voting. We made flyers, websites, took out an ad in my husband’s hometown paper, put videos on YouTube, and used social media such as Facebook to solicit votes from people around the world. In the end, we had people that voted from more than 22 countries and at least 30 states. Those were some of the longest and most stressful weeks of my life. But I thank God for the support that I received during this process. Since this contest made my decision to seek weight-loss surgery so public, I never held it back from anyone. I can’t remember anyone being less than completely supportive of this whole process. I always attribute my success to the support of my husband Glenn, family, friends, and support groups. I always tell new patients, “Support is key.”
OH: How were you notified that you won the free surgery grant?
Dawn: I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I received a call from a staff member at Dr. Rehnke’s office. She told me, “Well, today is the day. We are calling to let you know that you have won the ‘free band’ contest.” I was completely speechless, and the only thing I could get out was, ”Really, uh, uh, uh, thank you.” She then said, “Congratulations, I will call you back to schedule your procedure.” I was in complete shock! I sat in my room for about 20 minutes before going out to share the news with anyone. I had to just sit for a moment and let it all sink in. I kept questioning myself, wondering if I had heard her correctly.
OH: What was your experience like at Palms of Pasadena?
Dawn: The first time I went there, I was surprised with the size of the facility, but as the old saying goes – big and great things come in small packages. We were treated with excellence by everyone from the women that greeted us in the lobby to pre-op, surgical team, recovery room, and the nurses on the floor. They are an accredited Bariatric Center of Excellence and live up to that title.
OH: What was your highest weight and how many pounds have you lost since your weight- loss surgery?
Dawn: The most I have ever weighed was 360 pounds, but at the time of surgery in April 2010, I weighed 347 pounds. I have lost 128 pounds since weight-loss surgery.
OH: Any advice you would give to those considering surgery?
Dawn: First and foremost – educate yourself and do not assume anything. Weight-loss surgery should never be taken lightly. Remember, weight-loss surgery is just a tool to help you get where you need to go. But without proper education, you will not know how to use your tool correctly. Second, know your surgeon’s qualifications and check out the facility that they are using to do the surgery. Third, surround yourself with a great support system. If you do not have the support at home, plug into the WLS community; never try to go at this alone. Finally, never lose sight of the reason you are having weight-loss surgery. For most of us, we are not going to reach our goal overnight, so reminding yourself why you did it in the first place helps keep you moving.
OH: Any post-op tips to share?
Dawn: I always tell patients to go after this opportunity like a pit bull. Bite onto this opportunity and do not let go. I tell them to go at this 100 percent for as long as they can, and when you think you’re getting tired, go at it 98 percent for as long as you can. And again, when you find yourself struggling, try 95 percent as long as you can. And by this time, you will look back and be amazed at how far you have come. This will be the joy and sense of accomplishment that propels you into your next phase of the journey.
OH: What are you most grateful for after having lost so much weight?
Dawn: I can never express the gratitude I have towards Palms of Pasadena Hospital, Dr. Rehnke, Susan Kay, and the Lap-Band company. If I spent the next 20 years saying thank you, it would never be enough. How do you say “thank you” for a gift of life? I am off my pain medication, muscle relaxers, and anti- inflammatory medications. I no longer wear a CPAP machine. I have completed six 5Ks and a mini-triathlon. This journey has opened up many doors for me in my professional life as well.
OH: What was the most difficult part of your weight-loss journey?
Dawn: Probably realizing that even though I have lost a significant amount of weight and have accomplished so much since surgery, I still have to think about the choices I make every day. I thought that I would reach a point where my lifestyle would just fall into a natural “healthy living” pattern. But I still struggle everyday with making the right food choices and having to make myself exercise to stay on top of my game.
OH: Are there any other details, memories, or thoughts that you would like to share with our readers?
Dawn: Surround yourself with positive people that will believe in you even when you find it hard to believe in yourself. It doesn’t matter if you won your surgery in a contest, insurance paid for it, or you paid for it in cash, treat this surgery as a precious gift, take care of it, and use it to its fullest potential. Don’t beat yourself up when you have an off day; refocus and get back on track. Remind yourself that failure is not an option, and there are no shortcuts to success; just a long winding road with many lessons along the way.
