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Surgeon Testimonial

Matt Glascock, M.D.
Dr. Glascock is a great surgeon. I am a nurse and my husband has had the surgery a few years ago, so we knew what we were getting into. We had went to several seminars and visited with several surgeons before we chose Dr. Glascock. We knew instantly he was the one. He has a great bedside manner, which is still matter-of-fact, and I can appreciate that being in the medical profession. He tells you upfront what he expects and this surgery is just a tool, the rest will have to come from us the patients as he expects a lifetime committment. I really have faith him and would not have the surgery unless I was 100% sure of my surgeon. I was proud to have Dr. G as my surgeon. The only problem.. if I can point out any.. is that I haven't seen my actual surgeon since 2 weeks prior to my surgery, not even the day he operated on me. His PA, Angie, is great, and if you are doing well, well you usually see her and not him. Not sure how I really feel about this, but I guess I am glad I am doing ok. I would hope if there was a problem he would at least physically see me. I was prepared for this up front tho, I just thought I would see him the day of my surgery, oh well.
Member Interests
  • Books & Literature - I like to read almost anything besides romance novels.
  • Computers & Internet - I love surfing the net and researching on it. I use computers a lot.
  • Family & Friends - Family and friends are so important to me - I am blessed that I have both.
  • Dogs - I have a 10 lb minature doxie named Cody that I adore.
  • Pottery - I took a couple classes in college and loved it, would like to do it again.
  • Dancing - I love to dance!!! I think it is great exercise and fun at the same time!
  • Movies - I love the movies, my husband and I started seeing more recently.
  • Music - Music is my one true love. Love all kinds!
  • Speed Boats - I love the lake! Boating/jetskiing! I would love to do more jetskiing one day!
  • RN - I have been an RN (BSN) for just about 8 years now.

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Precious Dork Doll .. on 12/4/07 11:15 pm
    Happy Re-Birthday Gorgeous!!!! I see you treated yourself by getting that fabulous haircut and color. You deserve it girl!! Congratulations on your progress. You are an inspiration to us all =)
  • Comment by K-in-PA on 12/4/07 4:08 pm
    Happy 1 Year Surgiversary!! You have done an AMAZING job!
  • Comment by Kelly C. on 12/4/07 12:34 pm
    Happy ReBirthday Melissa!!!!
Click here for the surgery support page

  Yep, that's right! "It's All About Me!"

Welcome to Mel's World!!! Down 196 lbs and loving my RNY!




MelissaF's Blog



Change of Plans
on October 9, 2008 12:59 pm
10/9/08  Well after going to my new job a few times I realized that this job has big shoes to fill, bigger than I can deal with right now.  I am wanting to start a family sometimes soon and because my family does not live here in Iowa and I have to travel several hours to see them, this job isn't feasible for me.  There are other reasons too but mainly its for my lifestyle that I chose to step down as Bariatric Coordinator.  I was very humbled they chose me for the position and maybe I will have some connection with the program at a later date but for now I am keeping my weekend job and I feel blessed I was able to have it back.  My boss was very understanding as were the ladies that hired me into the new job.  I will miss working with some of them, especially the ladies at the clnic, Dr V's wife and the nrsg supervisor who I got close to in a short period of time but they were very understanding for my reasons for leaving.  I hope nothing but the best for the program and I remain excited that its availble ot the people of north Iowa and want nothing but success for them.  I hope they find the right fit, I just wasn't that person and I am ok with that.  That is about it for now, my parents are coming next week and I am excited for that to happen! Been a while since they have been here.  Milo, my new puppy is growing like a weed, hes so dang cute and has me wrapped around his little paw lol.  Until next time...
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Started My New Job!
on October 3, 2008 10:27 am
10/3/08  I started my new job as Bariatric Coordinator!  It is going to be a challenge as I will have a lot on my plate starting this program from the ground up.  I have a lot of very wonderful people that are working with me though in this process so I feel blessed in that regard.  It is going to be very busy for me the next couple of years as we are going for Center of Excellence for our bariatric program.  There is a A LOT to this everyone, so know if you are having your surgery with a "center" that you are in GOOD hands!  Husband and I were going to start looking at starting a family but because I took this job that has to be put on hold a bit.  We are still open to the adoption process but again, time will tell with all of that.  I would love to be able to do both but it doesn't look feasible at this point in time.  I am pretty sure I will be putting in a lot of overtime at my job in order to make things happen, but I really don't mind.  I love knowing that I involved in something so wonderfully awesome for the people of North Iowa!  For now I am working at my previous job and new job as I have to give a 2 month notice.  It makes it a bit hectic being that I work nights at one and days with the other but they are working together nicely to see that I transition over in the best possible way, for that I am fortunate.  Hope all of you had a terrific summer and my favorite season is now upon us.. FALL!  I have loved going sweater shopping!  I have gotten all new clothes for my new position and loving every minute of it shopping.  Still awes me when I can put on a 4 and they are baggy on me (some brands anyways).  I am maintaining my weight around my orginal goal weight just fine, 140 lbs.  I like where I am at.  I have 10-15 lbs of loose skin according to the plastic surgeon so I am just going to focus on maintaining around 140ish.  Life is so good.  Be blessed everyone! I know I am.
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Wowza!
on September 28, 2008 1:23 pm
9/28/08 I found on Friday that I am going to be the new Bariatric Coordinator for my hospital.  I cannot tell you how super excited I am about this career move! This is a new program so I will have to build it from the ground up and their goal is to achieve Center of Excellence.  I am so pumped and ready for the challenge.  God is good, life is good.. RNY has given me so many blessings in my life, more than my wildest dreams could ever imagine.  What a gift!
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Long Overdue Update
on September 20, 2008 12:34 pm
9/20/08  Hello Everyone!

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated.  Life sure gets busy after RNY!  So let me bring you up to speed on everything that is going on in my life.  My husband and I went on vacation and had a blast this past summer.  I was able to so many things I have missed out on before in my life as an obese person.  I got to ride go karts, go to the beach without a coverup (wow) and just be so active, it felt awesome! 

I am still working as a nurse on a skilled/rehab unit however recently our hospital decided they are going to launch a bariatric program! They have talked about it off and on for the past few years and decided to put it off for a while back when Des Moines was having a lot of law suits with a certain surgeon.  Well now Dr. Versteeg from Ft. Dodge is coming to Mason City.  I already colead run a support group with one of his patients so I do know his wife well as she attends support group meetings sometimes.  I also attended Dr. Versteegs seminar but chose Dr. Glascock in Cedar Falls because he belonged to a Center of Excellence where Dr. Versteeg did not.  Well, Dr. Versteeg is hoping to achieve this status at Mercy.  Another sugeon who is relatively new to WLS will be doing mostly lapbands by the name of Dr. Mohamed.  It is an exciting time for our hospital and the people of north Iowa who have been wanting bariatric surgery! 

With this new program comes new positions, one of them is a bariatric coordinator position!  I did apply for it but if I am offered the job and accept it I will be making a lot of personal sacrafices.  Going from working 2 days a week to 5, being salary paid and management and not making that much more money, driving into Mason City 5 days a week, will need day care once I have kids, etc... so if I took it, it would purely be for the fact that I am passionate about the bariatric field.  I did let them know this in my interview as well as that I am interested in having children soon.  All which could hurt me but I want to be honest.  I have a lot of knowledge I can share with me being a patient myself and my only hope is that whoever ends up in this position will be good for the patients, even if I do not take on the position myself. The second interview, if there is one, will be with the surgeons and PCP (who happens to be my pcp who has had RNY herself).  Small town eh? I believe the surgeon she hired did HER RNY, as if it can't get any more nutty lol..

Otherwise, we got a new puppy, his name is MIlo, cute as can be.  He is half bichon/shitzu, known as a "teddy bear" or Zuchon, I posted a picture of him.  Love him!  He is getting along with are weiner dog pretty well.

As far as my postop life, I am doing pretty well.  I still have my struggles with emotional eating and have had to work hard at changing my relationship with food postop.  I am maintaining my weight around my origininal goal weight of 140 lbs which I am thrilled with and still wear a size 4 and 6 in some other things. Small to medium tops.  I cannot complain.  All my comorbidities are resolved which makes me estatic.  Life after RNY is unreal.  Truly...  If I do not get this job as a bariatric coordinator then my next challenge is to try and get my personal training certification. 

Husband and I are also looking at doing a membership site for WLS patients that would want to belong to a smaller community.  I would do a free newsletter with the option to buy a monthly membership for a nominal fee.  I think it would be great to connect to those very serious about their health and well-being after surgery on smaller scale.  We hope to launch this at the first of the year.  It is still int he works.

Nothing else really going on other than that.. I am just stoked with what RNY has given me the opportunity to do in my life, I never want to take my tool for granted as it is just that... a tool.   Thanks for checking in!! I will try to be better about updating my blog!  I also have a PS consult this coming wednesday just to see if insurance would cover anything as far as plastics are concerned.. gathering lots of info right now to see what decisions we wanna make with family planning, etc...


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18 Months Postop!
on June 5, 2008 6:56 am
6/5/08 - Yep, I can hardly believe it!  18 months postop as of yesterday!  Wow does time ever fly when you are living life and having fun! So whats new with me..

I am still running for exercise. I have ran two.. TWO 5k's in the past two months.  Ran them both in 30 minutes.  My next goal is to run a 10k but will not do this till the weather cools off, perhaps in the fall or in the spring of next year and I will probably have to take the day off work that night I would imagine.  That is where it gets sticky.  It is hard for me to take time off because I am committed to working every weekend as I only work weekends and two days a week (sat and sun nights) and get full time pay and benefits for that.  So I will have to figure something out there.  All I know is it is way to warm for me to do it in the summer, I get very overheated quickly when I run for some reason when its hot outside.  Thank GOD for treadmills! I love the gym, I go twice a week and have really focused on strength training.  What a difference it has made in my body!

I was asked to colead the Mason City (my local) support group by Dee, the current support group leader.  You can imagine my asonishment but also how proud this makes me that she feels I am a good "fit" for the role.  I am super excited to help her out and hopefully take some of the stress off her shoulders as she has been doing it a while.  She is awesome and I can imaging working together will be amazing. 

The PA, Angie, at Dr. Glascock's office has left and ironically my angel Dixie, is working with her at her new nursing job from time to time.  Sounds like Angie was a bit burned out (I can't imagine why!) and Dr. Glascock is feeling the burn now with her gone.  So far from my understanding there is nobody yet in the works to replace her. Hmmm..

At 18 months out, you realize more and more why you became obese in the first place.  You can eat more now and tolerate more things.  I am learning this the hard way.  I have let my weight bounce within a 10 lb range.  My original goal was 140, I got down to 131 for a day and then maintained at 133-135 for a very long time.  I now go from 135-145, even 148 at times.  So far never seen 150 and never plan to.  At 151, I am considered overweight again.  I am still in a size 4 at 140 lbs and some 6's with medium tops.  I'd like to settle back down to 135 for the long term but it may be hard to maintain.  I certainly can eat more than the average postop.  If I consume 1200 calories, I lose lbs.. lbs in a week.  I tend to find that my average maintenance with exercise to be around 2000.  But of course b/c of the bouncing I have allowed its still hard to say for sure and I know with the malabsorption that eventually I may have to consume less. I just need to quit playing games with myself with the weight changes and allow my body to settle and I honestly think this will happen very soon.  I have some anxiety issues as I come from a long line of people with anxiety, however, I am getting treatment for it and it really has been an eye-opening experience, I am learning a lot about myself and how to handle life in general.  There is still more treatment to be gone through but I feel hopeful and excited for my future as I know the rainbow is there and already see it and its not that far in the distance.  My husband is one amazing creature, he has helped me through this entire journey and continues to support, encourage and wow me.. each and every day.

Here is a link to my virtual slide show I finally made.  I had lost the original pictures on my digital camera and OH brings the resolution down (distorts them) to post them on my profile so when I tried to retrieve them from here, it was a mess trying to get them to actually print out.  I was able to purchase this DVD and get a photo book made of my journey, I am super excited to receive them.  Here is the link to my journey and thanks to everyone for all their encouragement and support, where would I be without you here on OH? I can't even imagine...

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=6166c1bf498224d5a8b93e&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
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Archive

My Story

My name is Melissa. I am 30 years old and had weight loss surgery when I was 29, a month before I turned 30. I am a nurse and my husband is a 5 year post op (RNY) and is doing fantastic. I had my rebirthday on December 4th, 2006!!! I am very thankful for OH's website. The support on here is phenomenal and I am so blessed to be around such wonderful people who are in the same shoes as me. I thank each and every one of you that has ever commented on a post of mine or offered me support in any way. You are each a blessing.

---------My Weight Loss Chart----------

Preop---------------------------------------328
After dieting/liq.diet--------------------280
Postop-----(gained 10 lbs fluid)--------290
1 week postop---------------------------274.5
2 weeks postop--------------------------270.3
3 weeks postop----------------------------263
4 weeks postop----------------------------258
5 weeks postop----------------------------258
6 weeks postop--------------------------256.5
7 weeks postop-----------------------------251
8 weeks postop-----------------------------247
9 weeks postop-----------------------------244
10 weeks postop----------------------------242
11 weeks postop ---------------------------238
12 weeks postop----------------------------233
13 weeks postop----------------------------228 (100 pounds lost!!!)
14 weeks postop----------------------------225
15 weeks postop----------------------------225
16 weeks postop ---------------------------222
17 weeks postop----------------------------217
18 weeks postop----------------------------215
19 weeks postop----------------------------213
20 weeks postop----------------------------211
21 weeks postop----------------------------207
22 weeks postop----------------------------205
23 weeks postop----------------------------203 (got down to 201! Then gained two pounds grrrr)
24 weeks postop----------------------------197 (ONEDERLAND!!! YIPEE!!!)
25 weeks postop----------------------------193
26 weeks postop----------------------------190
27 weeks postop----------------------------189
28 weeks postop----------------------------187
29 weeks postop----------------------------186 (got down to 183 and gained up to 188 this week back down to 186)
30 weeks postop----------------------------180 (ok strange.. up then down -  but loving it!)
31 weeks postop----------------------------178.5
32 weeks postop----------------------------175
33 weeks postop----------------------------174 (up to 178 and back down to 174, nuva ring insertion = gain now).
34 weeks postop----------------------------169
35 weeks postop----------------------------167.5
36 weeks postop----------------------------164.5
37 weeks postop----------------------------164.5 (nuva ring insertion past sunday, got down to 162 back up to 164.5)
38 weeks postop----------------------------159.5
39 weeks postop----------------------------158.0
40 weeks postop----------------------------155.4
41 weeks postop----------------------------153.6
42 weeks postop----------------------------152.6
43 weeks postop----------------------------147.6
44 weeks postop --------------------------- didn't weigh, was on vacation.
45 weeks postop ---------------------------144.4
46 weeks postop----------------------------144.4 (stayed the same - now off the Ring, decided hormone free for a bit)
47 weeks postop----------------------------144.0 (this stall is killing me!)
48 weeks postop----------------------------142.0 (yipee!, 2 lbs till goal!)
49 weeks postop----------------------------139.0 (goal of 140 reached 11/7/07!!! Yeeeeeah!)
50 weeks postop----------------------------136.2
51 weeks postop----------------------------138.0 (fluid? or dehydrated when I was 136.2)
52 weeks postop ----------------------------Did not weigh, was out of town for doc appointment.
53 weeks postop ---------------------------136.4
54 weeks postop ---------------------------Did not weigh, out of town for Christmas.
55 weeks postop ---------------------------134.2
56 weeks postop ---------------------------131.6 (Happy New Year! 1/1/08!!!)
57 weeks postop----------------------------133.6 (nuvaring restarted and increased weight training)
58 weeks postop----------------------------132.8
59 weeks postop----------------------------133.4 (bad eating this week :(  Got up to 137, started 5DPT)
60 weeks postop----------------------------On WLS Cruise
61 weeks postop-----------------------------133.6 Post Cruise Vacation
62 weeks postop-----------------------------144 (shot up huge!!!!! Waaaaaaaaaaa, I deserved it tho, lesson learned)
63 weeks postop ----------------------------136 (doing 5DPT, gaining the control, I got off track big time.. don't do it!)
64 weeks postop-----------------------------140 (had shot up to 145 after caving on 5DPT UGH) back to just eating healthy... really never let the carb monster back on your back and EXERCISE folks!
65 weeks postop-----------------------------137 (getting there)

***Lost Track of My Weeks OH NO.. life sure takes ahold and gets busy after RNY!!!  I will start logging my weight monthly from here on out.. See below for these numbers!*** I hope this has helped some newbies see that this journey has stalls and slower points.. just keep staying on track, getting off is where you get messed up and the scale is the first thing that lets you know that! *Hugs*!

~~~~~Weight Loss By Month~~~~~~
Surgery Weight - 280
1 Month ---------- 258 (down 22 pounds)
2 Months -------- 244 (down 14 pounds)
3 Months -------- 228 (down 16 pounds)
4 Months -------- 215 (down 13 pounds)
5 Months -------- 206 (down 9 pounds)
6 Months -------- 190 (down 16 pounds)
7 Months -------- 179 (down 11 pounds)
8 Months -------- 169 (down 10 pounds)
9 Months -------- 158 (down 11 pounds)
10 Months-------- 147 (down 11 pounds)
11 Months --------142 (down 5 pounds)
1 Year!!!! ----------136 (down 6 pounds)
13 Months --------132 (down 4 pounds)
14 Months --------133ish
15 Months --------140 (see blog 2/08 entry for explanation).
16 Months --------140ish still
17 Months --------140ish still
18 Months --------145 (oops, time to get back on track!)

Preop 48/328 = 14.6%

month 1 22/280 = 7.9%

month 2 14/258 = 5.4%

month 3 16/244 = 6.6%

month 4 13/228 = 5.7%

month 5 9/215 =  4.2%

month 6 16/206 = 7.8%

month 7 11/190 = 5.8%

month 8 10/179 = 5.6%

month 9 11/169 = 6.5%

month 10 11/158 = 7.0%

month 11 5/147 = 3.4%

month 12 6/142 = 4.3%

month 13 4/136 = 2.9%

month 14, 15 was up up some (see blog entries)

month 16

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GOALS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Have more room between me and the steering wheel. ~Done

2. Sit at a movie theatre more comfortably. ~Done

3. Go down 2 dress sizes and get into smaller scrubs. ~Done

4. Lose 75 pounds total. ~Done

5. Do a half our on the treadmill and even do some jogging. ~Done

6. Get below 250 pounds.~Done

7. Not be worried about a seat belt not fitting ~Done.

8. Lose the double chin. DONE!

9. Go to an amusement park and fit in all the rides.

10. Take CPR recertification with ease. ~Done

11. Get up and down off the ground with ease. ~Done

12. Get my blood sugars under control WITHOUT medications!! ~DONE!!!

13. Get below 200 pounds and be in ONEDERLAND!! ***DONE*** 5/15/07!!!

14. Get to wear clothes in the misses department instead of the womens plus. DONE!

15. Fit into an airplane seat comfortably without an extender. DONE!

16. Be able to pull the tray down in front of me on an airplane. DONE!

17. Weigh less than my husband does.~Done!

18. Loss 100 pounds! ~Done!!

19. Get to less than 175 pounds! ~ DONE!!!

20. Wear a 12 in pants. ~DONE!!!

21. Wear a medium in scrubs! Pants -DONE! Top -DONE!

22. Get to my doctor's goal of "165 or less" - DONE!!!!! 8/10/07

23. Lose half myself (164 pounds)!  DONE DONE DONE!!! 8/11/07

24. Wear a bathing suit and jetski again (this will be huge for me!)

25. Actually have my OBGYN be proud of my weight for once when I see her. ~DONE!!

26. Continue exercising 4-5 days a week with light weight training. ~~DONE!!

27. Get to goal (140 pounds)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES DONE! 11/7/07

28. No longer be considered obese. ~DONE!!!

29. No longer be considered overweight and have a "normal" BMI. DONE DONE DONE!!! 9/20/07!!!

30. Wear a 10 in pants. ~ DONE!

31. Get off all prescription mediations other than my synthroid and actigall. ~DONE!!!

32. Get into a small bottom and top in scrubs! DONE!!!

33. Get to a DREAM size of 8 in pants, medium shirts. SIZE 7/8 PANTS/MEDIUM SHIRTS - DONE!!! 9/11/07

34. Get into a size 6 pants and small/medium shirts as GOAL!  DONE!!!!!!!! 10/3/07

35. Get into.. dare I say it? A 4 in jeans?  Done!

36. Run a 5K! (tentatively planned for thanksgiving day '07) **update** weather was 20 degrees.. with my cold intolerance, wasn't happening.. so I will keep this as a future goal still!  ***NEW DATE****April 19th, 2008 EARTH DAY RUN!!!! --DONE!DONE!DONE!  I ran it in 30:04 seconds.  Did another one about 4 weeks later for "the cure" and ran it in 30:43 seconds (in honor of my angel Dixie!)  Next goal.. 10k in the fall as it is getting really hot now.

37. Get to Dr's revised goal of 135 (Angie said this would be safe for me to get to). ~DONE!!!

38. Waist size to be BELOW 30 inches. DONE!!!

39. Get my body fat percentage below 20% (currently 12/07 = 21.3%) Done = 16.9% on cruise!


 


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