Special Please Read!!!!!!!

Hello, Everyone. Next Month marks my two year anniversary of my RYN Surgery. It went by so fast. It has been the best two years of my life. I cannot express how exciting it has been. I wanted to tell this story to all the preops and new post ops. When you have your surgery or you have already recently you will too be on a journey of a life time.  In 2006 my highest weight was 426lbs. I walked with a walker and cane at times. I had a tracheostomy for breathing. I had a very bad heart and sleeping disorder. My legs were so swollen I could bump them and feel the water slosh around. I had to hang on to things going from room to room...I kept getting turned away from Gastric Bypass surgeons right and left. If it wasnt one thing it was another. I then came to the message board here and found some awesome friends. I met Jan Cook. she too was very devastated about the RYN surgery. I think I finally relized I was not going to make it and be around much longer when a Surgeon turned me down right a month away from surgery due to the hospital not being Certified for the board of Excellence, through Medicare. I came on the board for support and Met Jan. Also Brenda Minks. NaNa, Pixi, and others were not going to let me be down. I sat in my room and cried all the time, scared to death when I was going to take my last breath. Jan told me, to pray and straighten up that her and I were going to find a surgeon no matter what. I didnt want to hurt her feelings but I had tried so many times I was about to give up. So, I took her advice, and once again I was on the search. We both found out about Dr. Hornbostel in Sedalia and they told us to come to Sedalia on May 3, 2006. So, I went 153 miles that night and got to meet the most awesome Drs. I have ever met in my life. There also was Ms Jan and Sugar her sister. I finally got to meet my Adopted Angel. I almost cried I was so relieved when Dr. H come to Jan and I told us that on that day they were approved for Board of Excellence...Then I knew the Lord was in that man. Then on July 17th my birthday I got to go for my preop appt. BEST B/D PRESENT OF ALL TIMES....Then exactly a week later July 24th I had RNY. Jan followed me in Aug. and had hers...Then I knew that the Lord had heard our prayers. Jan has been the best friend in the whole world to me...She told me she was going to drive up to NE Missouri and kick my butt if I didnt do things right...Her husband Joe and I laughed and said UH OH ...lol He said she would do it too...Joe and Jan have been a blessing to me all two years...we talk on the phone sometimes....We also have a friend in Georgia that has had it now and doing great.... Please hang in there and follow along with your books...Pray to Jesus every day and thank him for all his blessings. Jan and I both agree that we are so better off now. I work out in the yard. RUN, Walk. Swim. Look and feel so much better. My heart has improved so much and my breathing, along with my sleeping disorder...I got my trach tube removed last summer and Had my lower face lift four months ago in Columbia...Iam not seeking plans for my tummy and back tuck towards the last of the summer and early fall...Would I do it again? I WOULD IN A HEARTBEAT....JAN I LOVE YOU BUDDY,, BRENDA...YOU TOO GIRL AND NaNA.....and a hugs to everyone else....We are a big family now,,,HERES TO GOOD HEALTH and HAPPY TIMES NOW.....God Bless..Craig Lee

"CORRECTION: Iam NOW seeking plans for cosemetic Surgery end of summer and early Fall"

way to go buddy, God sure did answer our prayers with Dr. Hornbostel didnt he. and he continues to work thru him ...sure wish you could have met us in Sedalia a couple of weeks ago and went to listen to dr. H. again brought back good memories . that seminar that changed our lives. Remember ? He was so cool and gave us all sorts of great information. i left there on cloud nine and got my paper work filled out that night and sent in to him imediatily.  boy i wish you were down here i would put you to work ,painting and helping Joe put in cabinets etc.  ....

Craig,
You and Jan have been inspiration to all of us who have come after you. Your faith and love to us has made us one family and we all care for one another. God has told us to love one another and we believe and want to follow Him. I know how happy you are now and I wanted you to know what an inspiration you've been to me and many others.
Love in Him,
Lana

Thank you so much for your testimonial, I too had a very hard time findng a center of excellence, I found out about Dr H on here also. I hope i can lose as well as you have, tho I get so dissapointed in myself at times, I just eat things I know i'm not supposed to, but the cravings are still there, I just can't/ don't eat near as much...thank goodness. It's embarrassing how much our food bill has gone down since my surgery, partly because I don't buy all the "junk" food I used to (except tortilla chips and salsa ..see above ), but I think it's just as much the fact that I'm not in such a rush to keep my cupboards full and I really can't eat  much. I am happy I finally got it done, I hope I can get some more weight off quickly so I can feel good and get more excercize, you think pre op that everythings just going to be a piece of cake, but it still is a bit of work, and the old cravings do sometimes raise their ugly head. Good luck to you, and thanks so much to you and Jan, this board heps people more than you know!! God bless you, Susan

Craig Im one of those that has been so inspired by you and Jan,  I think Jan has taken alot of us under her wing.  I know when I first started reading the board she and you both told me about Dr H and I quickly made plans to driving way up there and the rest is history,  I had surgery going on 2 yrs ago this Nov.  I havnt done near as well as most on here but Im slowly getting back on track.  When i think about it tho I've lost nearly  200 lbs and could not of done without the support of the board here.  It was Jan who kicked me in the butt and made me decide to get back on the board after being gone from here for awhile and I tell ya I again would not be back on track was it not for her kicking my butt and the support of the board,  this board has been a lifesaver to me, its really been all the support I've had besides my wife.  I still have about  150lbs or so to lose and know I can do it, I know when my wife and I get moved and living next to Joe and Jan  she'll keep me in line and kick my butt even harder to get this weight off  LoL.  I can't wait to start going to the  COF support meetings, this is something i've really needed.  I've had people tell me Im crazy to move just so i can go to a support group but in reality its GOD who has told me to move, you wouldnt believe the way things have worked out, its really nothing short of miracles so I know without a shadow of a doubt we are doing the right thing.  I really can't wait to get moved and get started on the next journey of life of losing the rest of this weight.  For those that think this board is just a messege board I prove ya wrong, this board is a lifeline to those who have no chance of getting to a support group, anyway dunno where that came from  LoL  I just know I could not of done it without the support of the board here and lots of great advice that Jan gave us.  Jan just doesnt answer questions off the top of her head, she researches and researches and I personal thank you Jan for all your hard work you do to keep us all informed and on the straight and narrow.  We love ya gurl!!!

Andrew

Thanks Craig, Jan and all of you who wrote here.  I am pre-op and as soon as my PCP gets the letter to DePaul they will submit to my ins.  I've been wanting this surgery since last August and it seems my time has come.  I know the Lord does things in His timing, as much as I would have liked to have had this done by now.  His reasons are better than ours ever could be.  I feel blessed to be a part of all of you and can't wait to get on the losers bench with all of you! God Bless! Lori

Craig, Thanks for sharing the story of your journey with us.  You all are such inspirations, you really have no idea.  When I first came here, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into (such a wonderful bunch of people, my new family).  At first I questioned whether surgery was the right thing to do.  You all have helped me know that I have made the right decision.  Hopefully soon I will be on the losers bench with you all & be enjoying my life once again.  I thank God for blessing me with all of you.  I love you all,  Angy