Re: Dee Tingle/your first anniversary

[Guest guest]

> Thank you, sweet Dee for sharing your wonderful one year postop

story

> with all of us. I'm afraid, though, you left out some very

important

> information important to this list. Without you, many of us here

> would not be on the road to health. Without you, many of us here

> would still be floundering, wondering nervously which doctor to

> choose, which procedure. Your guidance, all with the incredible

> warmth and support you've shown many of us has been integral to the

> saving of many lives...mine included. Without your warm answers to

> my original questions to you about WLS, I still may be searching

for

> the answers. I also remember a few things I wanted to share with

you.

> Upon traveling for many hours in a plane to get to Delano for my

> surgery, nervous, excited, apprehensive...the first person I saw as

I

> walked into the hospital the day before surgery was you! Your warm

> smile, open arms embraced me as I entered, making me feel warm and

> cared for. Your face each day in the hospital, peeking around the

> door, making sure all was well...that was so healing, knowing you

> were concerned, making every effort to assure me. Watching your

> progress as a WLS patient, looking at your journal of weight

> loss...all of it helped so many of us through what could have been

a

> very scary time. So you see, sweet Dee? You left out a very

> important part of your story. You have saved my life with your

> life..not only being a wonderful example, but also for the

> encouragement and sound advice you have given all of us. Thank you

> sweet Dee...I won't forget.

> Misty

Misty, Bless your heart, you made this big old baby cry, thank you so

much for all your kind words. You have all become very special to me

and it is all of you that keep me going. I can't even begin to count

the blessings I have received having been allowed to be a part of so

many wonderful peoples lives. I am very humbled. Dee

[Guest guest]

Dee--I second everything Misty said!!! I'll always remember having

my initial consultation with Dr. K. He called you on the phone--you

were still working at the hospital. He asked if you'd take the time

to come over and talk to me, explaining you were one of his

patients. Jokingly I said to him, tell her I want to see her scar!

You came to his office, with your book of pre-op photos, even showed

me your scar! You really put my mind at east about the surgery, the

discomfort involved, and most of all, your confidence in Dr. K. Your

warmth, compassion and openness made the decision easy for me to

make. My mother enjoyed meeting you while I was in the hospital.

She always asks me how you are doing. Indeed it has been a wonderful

year of change for you, and I'm so proud of you. I'm also so

grateful that you are here as help and inspiration to so many

patients! What a magnificent gift--for you and for us! Happy One

Year Birthday!!

Suzanne W., switched 9/25/00

Dr. Keshishian, Delano, CA

down 55 lbs & counting