Obesity Surgery WP Blog

oooops, forgot to add that this is only during the weight loss window. After
we have stabilized, we are encouraged to eat a healthy balanced diet
including all of the food groups.

Hi all,
I about two weeks post op, on a full liquid diet and DESPERATELY searching for a
snack other than Jell-o and Lifesavers sugar free popsicles. Anyone have any
hints for a low carb/no carb snack-type-thing? Any snacks I have are supposed
to be part of my liquid intake… and not being able to have chewable foods yet
is killing me…. Any helpful hints, please let me know!
Sarah
lap RNY Dr. Hargroder 8/9/02
285/270/150
–

Hello Group.
I had my surgery on June 27 and weighed 296. Yesterday, I offically weighed
255 on the doc’s scale (mine at home was 245- so I changed my scale to match
his). I don’t have to go back for six months. I am feeling so good! I was
reminded to not skip any meals so that I end up screwing up my metabolism
again- Last week I told some of you that I had lost 50 pounds- so wanted to
make that correction. I am still in the clouds. I tried on a pair of new
jeans that had been in my closet forever- tags still on and they fit this
time!!
This afternoon we are having a family picture (my husband, the seven kids we
have at home and myself). Our seven at home are all adopted sibling group of
five and two single children. They range from 8 to 16. My husband has three
biological children (now adults) that I also helped raise. I used to joke-
that I gained 10 pounds with each of my kids and never did lose it. Someday
I will be able to say- yes- I did gain 10 pounds with each of the kids and
(more…)

Hello Group!
Yesterday I received a wonderful birthday present…an approval and a surgery
date!!!! Oh, it really is scary after you receive that notification. (I was
scared to have my tonsils out in 2000.) I will have my surgery in Spokane
Washington. Not too far to go from home.

Hi, I am trying to get into a surgeon as soon as I can. How can I do
this? My weight is interfering with my job and I am afraid if it
keeps up I will lose my job. My boss has already told me that if I
can’t do my job like I’m suppose to that I need to take a medical
leave. I can not afford to do this as I do not have any medical time
coming and when I am able to get into a surgeon and have my surgery I
will have to take a leave of absence as it is. I will probably have
to be off for the whole 6 to 8 weeks as my job requires lifting and I
work with people that have behavorial problems so I would have to
worry about being hit and stuff. Plus if I lose my job I will no
longer have the insurance that will pay for the surgery. My
insurance does pay for the surgery if it is medically necessary as my
PCP says it is. Please help with any advice, I am really desperate
right now. Thank you

Since there seems to be a rash of “accomplishment” posts coming out of
here, I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents.
I enrolled in a Fitness club 2 days ago. I have already been there both
days! I can’t believe how different working out is at the weight I am
now (190), as opposed to at my highest weight (330).
The Fitness club offers personal trainers (included in your enrollment
fees) so I’ve already talked to two of them, and today I had the most
awesome experience with the trainer that gave me my fitness assessment
tests. She had been rather overweight as a teenager due to diabetes and
a misdiagnosis of her disease then and the wrong kind of insulin. So
she sympathized with much of what I had said about being overweight and
not wanting to work out.
At any rate, she encouraged me to keep extra close track of my progress,
as she’d like to have me do a success story for the club when I get to
my goal weight. She said that just my attitude now, in talking to
(more…)

I’m one week out. Haven’t been posting much as I am still kinda sore and tired.
I was given apple juice and cranberry juice while in the hosp. I found the
apple juice less sweet than the cranberry but it needed to be diluted to about
1/2 strength. I did not dump which, may not be such a good thing.
I do find it difficult figuring out what to eat and when. I am supposed to be
eating 3 meals plus 3 snacks as well as 48 oz of water. Generally my snacks
have consisted of fruit - melon, couple of grapes, or plum. I do get tired but
not sure if that is from the food or just being post op. I am on Prevacid daily
as a preventative for stomach upset. It takes a while to eat so I feel I am
eating all the time. I try to get in two shakes a day to be sure I get in my
60-70 grams protein.
A sample meal plan would be helpful. Any suggestions? I will be calling the
nutritionist tomorrow to see if she can help but I find that sometimes they are
not all that familiar with wls. I am on cream soups(not really my cup of tea),
pudding, jello, yogurt, cottage cheese, broth and anything really mushy.
(more…)

During my 6 month follow-up, an interesting question came up. The
scale my surgeon’s office also measures body fat and lean muscle/bone
mass. The Head Nurse told me that out of my 436 lbs, about 291 lbs
was lean muscle/bone mass, and the rest was fat (about 33%).
Now I had been told years ago that my ideal weight (at 6′1″) on
my frame was about 230 lbs. And shortly after surgery, I asked my
surgeon if 230 was a realistic goal, and he saw no problems with it.
So as I talked to the Head Nurse, I mentioned that even if I
didn’t add any muscle weight (and I’m getting ready to start a
weightlifting routine) and I lost almost all of the fat on my body, I
would still be about 300 lbs. I asked her, that does mean I’m going
to lose 70-80 lbs of BONE, does it? She had no answer, but she agreed
that 300 lbs couldn’t be an entirely healthy weight to maintain.
Does anyone here have any answers or ideas?
Monte in Virginia
(more…)

I have been lurking here for a couple of months but this is my first
posting. I am looking for anyone who has Dr. Munchi in Springfield
Ma. I would like to ask a few questions. Please feel free to email me.
Barbara

Hi this is Tema. I have only posted a few times, but I like so many others
have been eating up all the incredible information here and am in awe of so
many of you. Well my turn is coming. I GOT MY DATE NOV. 6TH with Dr Robert
Marema in Ft Lauderdale Florida!!!!!!!! I havent seen him personally yet so
I dont know what type of surgery it is as far as open or lap. I know its an
RNY. Is there anyone out there who has used him that might share their
experience with me. I am so excited but sooooo scared! Talk to you soon .
Tema