I would like to commend the staff at Sartori Hospital for the excellent care given to me while I was undergoing evaluation and bariatric surgery. Dr. Glascock and his staff, the Sartori staff from PAT, admissions, lab, x-ray, the ASU, surgical unit and the third floor nursing staff were all the epitome of the Covenant Health System model of compassionate people and exceptional care.

It is always good for a physician to be a patient occasionally to remind him what it is like to be a patient. The worry, the pain, the uncertainty. This helps the physician to be more compassionate and empathetic towards his own patients. The Sartori staff helped alleviate all of mine and my wifeís concerns during our preop visits and postop care, making us as comfortable as possible.

Sartori and the Midwest Institute of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery should be commended for having such a caring and well trained staff.

• That a very skilled surgeon chose to open a practice in Cedar Falls and his office personnel are very friendly, helpful, and know what they are doing.
• That my insurance company was willing to pay for my surgery and I didnít have to fight them for it.
• That Dr. Glascock requires extensive testing. Finding a tumor and getting a hysterectomy was a big blow but I know that it made my recovery much easier.
• That my family and friends have all been very supportive both before and after my surgery.
• This surgery resulted in 7 small scars. They are very minor. Four of them look like small scratches and will probably disappear completely.
• That my small stomach is my friend. For the most part we get along very well. It does rebel when I eat too much, too fast, or the wrong things. It was very noisy at first but has calmed down considerably and does not embarrass me in public like I was afraid it would.
• I suffered from serious stress incontinence for many years. The tumor that was removed at the time of the hysterectomy apparently attributed to this. The hysterectomy went a long way to correct the problem but my recent weight loss has made it even better. For the first time in over 25 years I can do things and go places without the fear of an accident.
• That I am not hungry. I have to remind myself to eat. Before the surgery I was always hungry.
• That at almost 7 weeks I have lost around 50 pounds, resulting in going down at least one clothing size. More importantly, that weight loss has made me feel so good. I can now climb stairs without getting winded. I can feed calves without having to stop to rest. My knees donít hurt as much. I sleep better. I can go shopping and not get discouraged because I have to walk so much. I no longer pull into a parking lot and turn around because I donít have the energy to go into the store. I can now exercise so that my weight will drop even faster and I am actually enjoying it!
• My husband of 32 years is looking at me much like he did during the first years of our marriage. He enjoys the changes in my body almost as much as I. He encourages me when I get down and enjoys pointing out the changes in my body. Right now, my wedding ring is still too tight but very soon I will be wearing it again.
• I am thankful that because of this surgery I can anticipate living to see my children become parents and that I will be able to hold the babies on my lap, get down on the floor to play with them, run around with them outside, and eventually attend their graduations and weddings without embarrassing them because of my obesity.
• I am thankful that as a result of my surgery my attitude about myself has changed for the better. I know I am a valuable member of society and soon I no longer will have to fear people are judging me because of my size. I wonít be hiding behind a covering of fat.
• Lastly, at least for now, I am thankful for the people I have met and have made friends with because of making the decision to have surgery. My online friends have been so very supportive and encouraging. I canít thank them all enough.