Worcester Bariatric Surgery Support Group

FEATURED MEMBER

I'm not much of a writer, Let me start from the beginning.  I had gotten a severe case of blood poisoning from a dirty piece of metal, I almost lost my leg. I was hospitalized and lost the skin off of my leg from the calf to the ankle. I had been to many Doctors, and had my share of problems and ended with a Vein Disease, I kept getting Ulcers, and most Doctors told me to do walking. and it seemed the more I did the worse it got. this went on for three to four years.
      Well I decided to make a call on my own to Dr. Cutler at UMASS, he agreed to see me and told me right away to get off my feet, He ordered testing that no other Dr. had done. He found the Veins in my leg were really messed up, He fought with my Insurance Co., Finally I got me admitted to the hospital, He operated and did some Major Vein Surgery, six weeks later I was discharged and doing much better. I remained in a unaboot for another two years. He told me several times that I needed to loose weight. and understood it was hard for me to do this, but he didn't give up.
      One day he walked into the room at my Office Visit, He told me he meet Dr. Kelly and said I should check into this Bariatric Surgery Procedure. In the meantime  I had been diagnosed as a Diabetic, and I had Sleep Apnea. My weight was 460 lbs.
So I began starting the procedure of this type of surgery. It seem almost Impossible that I would be eligible for this Surgery.  I kept with it and went through the channels,  6 months later it was reality, I was going to have this Surgery,
      Today 6/26/01 I'm 4 months out of Surgery, No more Diabetic Medication, Sleep Apnea is Under control, Blood Pressure is perfect, no Leg Ulcers, and no more Unaboots. not to mention I am down 123 lbs., For this I have to thank a couple of people who wouldn't give up on me. Dr. Bruce Cutler, his Nurse Kirstin Jensen, and the rest of his Staff. Dr. Kelly and his Staff, Dr. Chercasky ( psychologist ) Lisa Vandussen ( nutritionist ) And all who answered my Questions and Concerns at the Group Meetings. You all play a major role in our choices to change our lives.
Thank all of You,
                                                            SIncerely,
                                                            Michael J Wood