It's been a year already

[KIM]

Well, I just wanted to say happy anniversary to me!!! It was one year ago today that I had my gastric bypass and I can't believe how I have changed in that year. I have lost about 124 lbs. and am at my goal weight. Life couldn't be better. I have a positive outlook on life and no longer feel as though I am stuck in a rut due to my weight. I have more energy than I can ever remember having. My husband and children couldn't be happier for me. They knew how important this was to me and I couldn't have done it without them. It is the first time in my adult life that I have ever put what I needed before all else and I am thankful beyond words that I did it. I feel as though my real life is just beginning.

To all of you out there who have just had the surgery or are getting ready for it, enjoy the ride!!! It's a tough beginning, there's no doubt about that. The rewards are worth it!!!

To Dr. Allam and Nanette, it's obvious I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being there for every question and bump in the road. The two of you are my main support system. I adore both of you beyond words. Thank you so much for giving me back my life, Dr. Allam. I am forever indebted to you.

God bless you all.

Kim

[Bridget]

xxx



i AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR {READ } THOSE WORDS...

May 23 will be two months and I think that is an accoplishment I can only hope I can be as successfull as you have been I wish you and your family very good helth and a congrats to you. You are an insiration to me!

[Desdemona]

KIM! KIM!! CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm so happy for you. That is terrific!

Would you like to go to the July and August meetings together? I'm off for the summer. I could stand in as your "before" picture. LOL

I'm still fighting "the man." I've redone two of my six months and, although it will probably take at least nine months before I can be rescheduled for surgery, I'm still determined to follow in your footsteps.

It will be hard for me to go to the meetings knowing that I've yet to receive approval from my insurance, but I want to be there and meet all of you, and to see how great you look, Kim. What do you say? Does it sound like a plan?

Congratulations again...
Hugs,
Jan

[KIM]

HI JAN;

Let's try to work something out for the meetings in the summer. You will find it very informative. Jan, you will succeed and have your surgery done. Then you will be on the road to a life free of your weight hindering you.

There are lots of people who attend the meetings who have yet to have their surgery done. I met someone at the meeting last week (it's amazing that I was finally able to attend), and I believe she said she had to have 18 months of diet history for her insurance!!! She was so positive, I give her a lot of credit. (Sorry, I'm bad with names, but I know you're out here and know that I'm talking about you!!!) So remember 6 months is short.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am just thrilled with my life now and you will feel the same soon enough.


Kim

[NCatena]

I'm still fighting "the man." I've redone two of my six months and, although it will probably take at least nine months before I can be rescheduled for surgery,.....

Jan,

Once you have completed the six months, we can immediately re-apply. The other clearances are still good. Call me at the office on Monday-have your doctor fax me your 6 months of notes, and we'll get going with a new date! It will come much faster than you think!

Nanette

[yhesenia]

Hi my name is yhesenia I am 22 years old I would like to know if doctor Allam is good surgent and how did you fel after the surgery.

thank you an5.gif

[Bridget]

Dr Allam is the very best caring doctor. Even though I felt horrible after surgery{which only last very short.This aint easy}he would make me feel better by letting me know this is is the begining of my Life ,nd two months and one week post op and I started the day of surgery at 315 now I am 245.5 as of last night and I feel GREAT!!!!. the support you get from here helps so much and when you visit the office every one is so open you talk more than anything. and there are the support meeting once a month{sorry } my busy schedual keeps me away from those but I will go very soon. and I just want to leave you with one other thing. Not only is Dr.Allam a GREAT DOC but the office staff is the best every and makes you feel like family...
Bridget

[uclorox]

Is anybody on this board sorry they ever had surgery? We let a surgeon into our natural beauiful stomachs, to diminish them. I'm only 2 weeks post-op, feel fine physically, but horrible food wise. I mean,you can never have a big juicy steak again, hamburgers, french fries, soda. Don't you guys ever want to eat an ice cream cone again, without the fear of dumping syndrome? So far, this tool to control my weight problem is horrible, if I can't eat my favorite foods. How do people live like this? By the way, I take pro-stat 64, once a day for my protein supplement. Within 3 months, I hope to just foods like eggs, fish, or protein bars. What do you guys do?

[mssfire]

I understand where you're coming from....I'm 2 years out and believe me, it has been a total lifestyle change. But we knew that going in....and yes, it will get better. I've lost 126 lbs, and have never felt better in my life. I turn 51 in a couple of days, and I'm wearing the same size jeans I wore in high school....talk about feeling great! Having this surgery has been the toughest but the best decision I've ever made in my life....but I know that it was the right one.

Re-read all your information...especially the papers that give you the outline about your diet for the first year. You will eventually be able to eat "normal" food....but it all takes a while, and doesn't happen overnight. And it will be in much smaller quantities...I'm sure you know that already. It doesn't happen overnight...but again, it will be worth it. Some things may bother you down the road, some won't. That I've found will be up to your body. I know some things that I could eat before I can't tolerate now, but it doesn't bother me. I've changed the way I eat, the way I cook, the way I look at life. And my husband has lost over 30 lbs since I've had bariatric surgery due to our eating healthier. So.. it's been a "win-win" situation!

Make sure you do all your follow ups---don't forego them. Ask your questions at your appointments, and also come to the support group meetings. Those appointments and meetings are extremely important, not only for your body but also for your soul. You'll be fine....hang in there. image00123

[Bridget]

OK So you are not the first and you won't be the last to ask and no matter what... When you have decided and go through it and are sitting in your house recovering you say "what did I do" then just then it all is a reality. I did the same thing I will be three months on June 23, and let me tell you my family loves to BBQ and go out to dinner. Its very hard but you fight throuh it you won't really have an appitite at first then as you progress you can expierament. I still love my cottage cheese and apple sauce. sugar free pop cuciles, the best and the portions are small but filling. God knows I want a big juicy hamburger or a slab of steak but I know more I feel great and would give up all the best food in the world for this right now. Pre op I was 315 and Post op I am now 243. You cant beat the feeling. right know is your recover time don't upset yourself with the questions of can I ever and what if I want focus on now.... and just to let you know as far as the ice cream cone....I found a shop in riverhead that makes Choc. Ice cream with splenda I is good.baskin robins 31 flavors has blueberry swirl that is also sugar free and made into a shake its great.....just enjoy your life and that care of yourself. this is the critcal recover period...TRY to relax vxmdz

[terrie]

WOW, someone has post op blues!! I THINK YOU HAVE RECIEVED SOME WRONG INFORMATION THOUGH. I AM 14 MONTHS OUT OF SURGERY DOWN 117 LBS. AND HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER!! INFACT, I WAS OUT TO DINNER WITH FRIENDS THIS WEEKEND, HAD A PORTERHOUSE STEAK WITH BAKED POTATOE AND SALAD. NOW GRANTED, I DIDN'T EAT THE WHOLE DINNER. THE GIRL I WAS WITH, THAT NEVER HAS HAD A WEIGHT PROBLEM, KNEW SHE COULDN'T EAT THE WHOLE STEAK EITHER, SO WE SPLIT THE DINNER. MOST PLACES ARE FINE WITH DOING THAT. SO TO ME, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I AM EATING LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!! YOU WILL GET USED TO IT, AN IT ACTUALLY FEELS WONDERFUL. I NEVER FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT ME ANY MORE SAYING NO WONDER THAT GIRL IS SO BIG, LOOK AT THE SIZE OF HER PLATE!! AS FOR ICE CREAM THERE IS SOME REALLY GOOD SUGAR FREE ICE CREAM NOW!! AS FOR FRIES YOU CAN ALWAYS EAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF ANYTHING (WELL MOST CAN). GIVE YOURSELF TIME YOU WILL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER ABOUT THINGS SOON, YOU WON'T MISS ANYTHING CAUSE IT WAS ALL THOSE THINGS THAT PUT US WHERE WE WERE BEFORE SURGERY. GOOD LUCK TO YOU I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT THINGS SOON!!

[KIM]

Hi;

I agree with Terrie, souds like you are suffering from some post-op depression. Don't worry so much about what you are going through right now, think of your future. I am a year post surgery and I have very few problems with food. In fact I would say I enjoy food more now since I eat in smaller portions and know I am not abusing food. Try not to focus on what you can't have at this time, but on what your future holds. I can eat anything I want now, sometimes even have a bite or 2 of dessert foods. If there is anything I can do to help you out, please contact me.

KIM

[Sissy]

Hi - I am soon to be pre-op. Still going through pre-lims. But, I know it helps when we try to look at the positive. I will be thankful when I can be satisfied with a tiny amount of food. I don't want to ever eat like I did before I began this journey!!! I Pray I never will!!! Try to have Faith - and you will feel better soon!! Hope to see you at June meeting. Hang in - Sissy. 0006.gif

[elaine]

Hey Everyone,

Wow its been awhile since I was able to get on and read/post anything.
You've all been very busy. First I would like to wish Kim a great big Congrats on your anniversary.........Wonderful accomplishment..... be proud of yourself.

Next, Bridget, you have already started your road to success........you made the leap, the best is yet to come and before you know it you will be giving words of encouragement to the newbies too........

Jan, I continue to pray that your date comes and goes and you can finally get what you have waited sooooo long for.

Yhesenia, I interviewed 5 surgeons.........in my opinion, Dr Allam was put on this earth to make our lives better, the man is truly blessed.

Okay now on to UCLOROX, remember why it is you had this surgery in the first place. Since my surgery, I lived by these words everyday, maybe they will help.........If you always do, what you always did, You'll always get, what you always got......... Meaning, food will not feel as important later, right now you are going through a withdrawal thing. You are still fresh out of surgery, you need to give this a chance. We always want what we are told we cant have, but if you read your blue folder and talk to Pat, the food you described are not unreasonable...LATER. You must give this some time. I am 1 1/2 years out, and there is no foods I cannot eat if I choose to. The amounts are just that of a normal eating habit, not the 24 oz steak I used to eat as an appitizer. As you progress, you will see the importance of our food choices changes, and we focus on living our lives, not living for eating. If you ever want to talk, give me a call (516 848-4280), I hope this helped.

Good luck to you all.............~elaine

[Bridget]

To Elaine-

Thanks for all the great words. I now know that I made the right decision.especially after having to spend money on new pants....It is a great hurdle to get over but its worth it..