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  • Username: Theresa M.
  • Location: MD, USA
  • Member Since: 11/13/2005
  • BMI: 26.0
  • Post Op
  • Surgery Type: RNY (12/28/05)
  • Surgeon: Osvaldo C. Anez
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Surgeon Testimonial

Osvaldo C. Anez
My first impression of Dr. Anez was "KIND". He seemed like such a kind man and explained the surgery in detail.

In his office, they will contact your insurance company for you, make all the doctor appointments for you if you choose. There is a fee for that, but let me tell you, it was well worth it. They sent me in the mail a list of appointments that I had to go to, etc..

I would definately recommend Dr. Anez to anyone who is looking into having the surgery.
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My Story

My story is just like everyone who has been overweight the majority of their lives. Actually, I have been overweight all of my life. Being an overweight child was hard enough, but when you reach the teenage years and everyone but you had a boyfriend, everyone but you wears cute clothes...sure there are cute clothes for overweight people, but I just feel like a huge blob when I tried to dress up. There is nothing like going to a night club and hearing people talk about you or having men/BOYS make fun of you because you are overweight. I hated going out because of it, but I did. I usually ended up crying inside and when I got home, i would cry myself to sleep. People do not understand how being overweight is unless they walk in our shoes. I was always the biggest one in the group of friends, from childhood until now. The thing I hated most was...."You have such a pretty face". arrghh!!!. I have tried multiple diets but always failed at them. I did at one time loose 50 lbs on Jenny Craig in 1994, however, I gained it back plus more.

11/04/05
I made my first appointment to see Dr. Anez. I was nervous the entire way there. I had taken the wrong exit off of the beltway and ended up 30 miles out of the way. I’m glad I left work 1 ½ hours before my appointment which was 2:30. I finally arrived at the doctors office at 2:20. When I walked in the building, to the right I see a door that is marked Obesity Clinic. I was mortified. I was OK though, I kept my head held high and walked through the door. The first thing I noticed was how large the chairs were. They weren’t those usually little chairs that anyone over the weight of 200 would have to squeeze in the chairs. I sat down in the chair and picked up a red notebook that was on the table. It had pictures of people before and after the surgery. It helped me realize, I was making the right decision.
The receptionist handed me the papers to fill out. While filling the papers out, I had more weight issues that I originally thought I did. Hip, Back, Knee, Neck pain.. They were all on their. There was a place to write my ideal weight goal. I put 160. I had lost a few pounds over the past few months due to the intake of sugar. I had cut back on tea’s and icecream. I drink non sugar drinks now, and sugar free ice cream. I’ve been eating sugar free jello as well.
I handed in my paperwork and sat back down. I started again looking through the before and after pictures. This time I noticed that there were a lot of after pictures missing. I didn’t know what to think.
I heard someone open the door and they called my name. As I was walking through the hallway, the nurse said, we will get you weighed now. I walked and saw this huge scale. The scale was the biggest scale I’ve seen next to one in the animal clinic. I stepped on the scale and was hoping to see a smaller number than I was a couple weeks ago. The scale read 266. Yes, it was smaller, but still!!! They then measured my BMI. It came to 40.4. They then took my blood pressure, as it always is, it was normal. I was then taken into the office where the doctor sat. I felt very much at ease when I walked in. I shook his hand and said it was nice to meet you. He was very nice and just made me feel comfortable. He explained what the surgery was in detail. He answered my questions. The question that sticks out mainly in my head is “Has anyone ever died during surgery”? He answered with a “Yes”. He had one. The man was over 700 lbs., and had major medical issues. Dr. Anez said I do qualify for the surgery.
I had to do an ulcer test which came out normal. Dr. Anez's office for a fee, will file all the necessary paperwork and set up all the pre-testing.

--I will update with all the testings I had to do prior to the surgery--


12/28/05:
Well today's the day. I had to be in INOVA Fairfax, VA, hospital at 6:00am. I made it to the hospital at 5:30am. They called me to go back at around 6:00. I was a nervous wreck. I did OK with everything except when they came to get me for the actual operation at 8:00, i started to have second thoughts. I started to cry and didn't know what I was doing to myself.......... The next thing I know, i was in the operating room feeling well a little/LOT wooozie. Thats the last thing I remember before waking up in the recovery room. I've had numerous operations and this was the easiest time I had coming too. I listened to what they told me..take deep breathes. When I started to panic, i did just that and everything went OK. About 1/2 hour into the recovery, I needed to use the bathroom. The nurse went to give me a bed pan, I said, i'd rather use the actual bathroom. They were very suprised that I could get up and walk. I did have some help of course, but all and all, i walked and they were just so suprised.

12:00pm - I'm in my room waiting for my family to come up. I hurt a little, but not enough to have any regrets. I sleep the majority of the day, and get up for a few walks. Not too much pain.

12/29/05:
Day 2, i'm in the hospital and haven't had anything to drink or eat. They bring me beef broth and this protein jello for breakfast. OK, that was gross. I did the best i could, but didn't eat/drink really any of it. Lunch rolls around, yummy, i wonder what I get now. OK, chicken broth and this protein jello. yuk! I try again and eat a little more this time. Not the entire thing, but a little more.
I today, regreted having the operation. I think it was just bordem and I hurt a little worse then the day before. I was cranky. I looked at myself in the mirror and said.. " WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOURSELF". I then got control and realized, it was going to get better.
The doctor came in and asked if I was ready to go home. I of course said YES. He said i would most likely leave tomorrow.
Dinner came.. YUMMMY -- Wonder what I get now. Beef Broth and protein jello. needless to say, there was no yummy involved with this. I did drink the broth and ate the jello.

12/30/05:
Day 3
I slept pretty good. The pain i had on day 2, went down a lot. I felt OK. They brought me breakfast while I was asleep. Oh joy, what do i get today. Cottage Cheese and Apple Sauce. I am not a Cottage Cheese lover, so I knew I needed to eat, even though I wasn't hungry. I called the cafe. and was able to get some eggs. I hate about 1/2 of the egg and the apple sauce. I was satified.
I walked more and just knew I was going home today so I was in better spirits. Lunch arrives. I opened the container and about threw up. It was this purred meat and carrots I think. It smelled so bad. I tried to put some on a spoon and taste it, but it didn't work. I didn't eat anything.

5:30pm I'M HOME!!!

1/4/06: I am on day 8 and feeling pretty good. Tomorrow I go to the doctors to get my staples out. The scales tell me i lost 13 lbs. This band I have to wear is driving me crazy.

1/5/06: My staples are out. Dr. Anez says everything looks good and he wants to see me in two weeks. btw - I felt nothing while the staples were being taken out :-)
For dinner, I decided to try to eat some soup. I ate vegetable soup. It actually tasted pretty good. The vegetables and meat were soft enough and it went down smoothly. I also ate sugar/fat free pudding. That helped me curve my sweet tooth. Still having difficulties with my protein drinks.

1/7/06: Hail the the Redskins. The Redskins won their first play off game yea!!!!. Today was sort of a hard day for me. My sister had a Redkins party, which we all normally do, but this is the first one since my surgery. There was chili, chili dip, sausage bread, cake, dip and chips. I told everyone to please not worry about me, to do what they would normally do. They felt bad. I did OK but wanted some cake. I wasn't hungry, but it looked very good. I didn't taste it so all and all I did good. The hard part came when I had to go to the bathroom and it wouldn't come out. That was the hardest and most painfull thing since the surgery. I was in so much pain because i was trying to strain. I finally went, but it wasn't easy. Since then, my stomach has been hurting very bad. I strained so hard i hurt myself. If I continue to hurt, i'm going to go to call the doctor.
I haven't seen my brother in-law since my surgery and he said he could tell I had lost some weight in my face. :-) 15 lbs so far

I'm no longer in the Extremely Obese category. My BMI is now 37.1

1/8/06:
The pain is still there from yesterdays ordeal. It has gone down a bit, but i can still feel the strain. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow, just to make sure it is normal. I talked to a friend from work on friday and asked her how she drinks her protein drinks. I can't seem to make them work for me. She uses yogurt drink in her's as well as about 1/3 cup of water. I thought i'd give it a try. I didn't have the yogurt drink, but I had actual yogurt. I put half the yogurt, 3/4 milk along with the protein drink and mixed it all together. It tasted pretty good and i actually didn't mind drinking it.

1/11/06:
Weekly weigh in. I'm now 242, down 17 since the surgery. Things are getting better. I go back to work on Tuesday.

1/12/06:
I went to visit my friends at the bowling alley tonight, when I got there, i noticed that all of them had ordered food. lol. I was like, oh hell, you all never eat here, and you all decided to tonight. i just laughed, but inside, was like, i gotta get out of here before this food comes.. They felt so bad. I stayed and everything was a ok. They ate and i actually was OK. I know inside it will get better when it comes to food and what I can and cannot eat, but man, i wanted a bite of that burger. I came home and for dinner i ate my vegetable soup and pears. I was satisfied.

1/14/06:
Well Redkins lost their second play off game. :-( We had the game day over my nieces house. Things were OK food wise. I delt with it better than the last time.

1/17/06:
Grocery shopping is so hard. I walk through the store and don't know what to buy. I'm still supposed to be on purred food, but choose to eat just soft foods chewed very well. I end up in a bad mood after I leave the store. Today I bought, diced pears, tomato soup, chili, tuna and milk.

2/8/06:
I haven't updated in a while. Things are going better for me. I feel good and see a difference. Weekly weigh in is 229.6. yea!! Down 4 inches on my waist as well as 3 on the hips.

2/15/06:
My weekly weigh in. 224.9. Everything is just about the same. Feeling better about myself, which is always a good thing.

3/1/06:
Things are getting much much easier for me food wise. I am able to eat just about anything except for sweets of course. I did try to eat a slice and i might add a THIN slice of cake but I couldn't. It tasted just like eating a block of sugar. The piece was so thin, you could see through it. I tasted sugar for the next hour. It made me feel good to be able to throw it in the trash instead of forcing myself to eat it.

Total Weight Loss: 50 lbs. <- 12 of that was before the surgery but i'm counting it because its a loss.

Measurements Since Mid January to today, March 1
Waist - 5 inches down
Chest - 2 1/2 inches down - YIKES, please don't shrink no more
Theigh - I'm different sizes here Right - 2 inches down and Left 3 inches
Arm - stayed the same
Calfs - down 1 inch on both
Neck - down 1/2 inch
Hips - down 3 1/2 inches
Ankle - stayed the same
I reached my first personal goal of 50 lbs. My next goal is 22 pounds. When I reach that, I just may have a party or you will hear me scream from miles around. It is tough when the bordem sets, but all and all, this was the 2nd best thing i've done in my life.
I'm walking on the treadmill now. I'm up to 18 min at 2.3 speed. The doc wants me up to 4 mph for 1/2 hour. what are they kidding me. I'm going to up it by 3 min. each week. Once I get to 1/2 hour, i'll up the speed by 2 and start back at 15 min. I'll continue until i reach the 4 mph for 1/2 hour. My final goal is to be able to run a mile by June 2007.

Thats all for now.

04/04/06:

Like last month, things are getting easier to eat however; I still have a hard time with meats. I did try to eat a baked chicken breast, but it didn’t agree with me. I was sick for the remainder of the evening. They call that the “Dumping Syndrome”. In my nutrition class last week, a lady had the same experience when trying to eat chicken. I’ll try again in a couple weeks. I purchased some sugar free cookies a couple weeks back. Those, nope, it tasted like sugar to me. Perhaps it was in my mind, but I couldn’t eat them. I also have a hard time with Oranges. They get stuck. I’ve eaten a lot of pudding here lately. I went through a peanut butter phase the first 2 months.

My hair has started to thin out very much on the top. I’ve always had thinner hair on the top then the rest, but its getting to the point where you can see my scalp big time. Last night I purchased some Hair Nutrient vitamins to start taking as well as instead of 2 scoops of Protein, I upped it to 3. We’ll see. I’m getting a hair cut this week to lesson the weight and hopefully the top of my hair will curl enough to lesson the baldness :-(


Total Weight Loss: 63 lbs. ß 13 since last month J

Measurements Since Mid January to today, April 1
Waist: -6”
Chest: -4 ½ “
Thigh: this is weird - right –4” and left – 2 ½ “
Arm: this is weird – right – ½ “ and left – 2”
Calf: - 1”
Neck: - ½ “
Hips: - 7 ½ “
Ankle: - 0 "

My energy level is still not where it needs to be, but all and all, I feel pretty good and still have no regrets well that is unless I go bald. Hey, they have some pretty good looking wigs out there. That’s all for now.

May 1, 2006

Last month was kind of a rough one. Rough one in the aspects of I was around a lot of food. The Greek Easter tradition in my family is food food food. Good Greek Food. I kept myself occupied the majority of the day, but when everyone sat down to eat, I had a difficult time. I hope it didn't show in my face, but inside, I wanted to grab a plate and just eat it all. I knew I couldn?t, so I just put a few things on my plate, ate that and got up and came inside. I was able to eat my favorite grape leaves and pastitsico, but the spinach pie unfortunately didn?t agree with me. So up it came. The same thing happened the other day with eggs and corned beef hash. I must have had 2 baby spoons full and well, up it came. So, needless to say, I won?t be eating that again anytime soon.

My energy level is so so. Some days its better than others, but some days, I could lay in bed the entire day.

I've been reading more and more articles on people who have had this operation and they start gaining their weight back. Gosh, I hope that doesn't happen to me. Its all mind control. They say, if you have a craving, it should go away within 7 minutes if you don't give in.

I've noticed I've been drinking more lately which is good. I still can't get the milk down though. yuk

Its amazing how much weight I've lost. 73.8 lbs. 10 since last month. The measurement department stayed the same with the exception of I gained an inch around my hips and calfs. I think I measured wrong last month.

Measurements Since Mid January to today, May 3
Waist: - 8"
Chest: - 3"
Thigh: - 4" (Right) and 2.5" (Left)
Arm: - .5" (Right) and 2.5" (left)
Calf: - 0"
Neck: - 1.25"
Hips: - 6.5"
Ankle: - 0"

Something that I never thought I"d get too: I'm only 0.2 BMI away from that Obese category. I no longer have to go to the PLUS SIZE section of these stores to buy pants. Shirts, yes, still do.

Thats all for now. Until next time :-)

June 1, 2006

Not too much to report for the month of May. Food wise, everything is holding down very well except for Steak. I have a hard time with that.

I did have blood work done this month and the doctor sent me the results and my sugar, thyroid, cholesterol, he marked them as excellent. This was not the gastric bypass surgeon, but my family doctor. That was neat to see.

Over the past few years, when the seasons change, I would have asthma attacks where I couldn't go outside when it was hot and I would just have a hard time breathing. I would loose my voice, etc.. So far, this year, I've had no attacks what so ever. I also had what they called skin fungus under my arms, that has gone away. Whether or not that is caused by weight loss, I really don't know. It's just strange, that all of a sudden it's gone.

Total weight loss thus far is: 84 pounds. 28 more pounds to my personal goal.

Measurements:
Waist: down 9 inches
Chest: down 4 inches
Thigh: down 4 inches
Arm: down 3 inches
Wrist: down ½ inch
Ankle: down ½ inch
Calf: down 1 inch
Neck: down 1 ½ inches
Hips: down 7 ½ inches

Until next time :-)

August 1

Its been a while since the last time I posted anything. Things are going really well for me in the weight loss department. A total of 95.6 lbs. In the measurement department:

Waist: - 11"
Thighs: - 3"
Arms: - 10.5"
Hips: - 2"
Calf's: - 2"
Neck: - 2.5"

It's unbelievable but true. For those who haven't seen me in a while, they take a double look. Its funny. I want to loose a total of 100 lbs before I start bowling in the middle of August. I've got a little over 5 lbs to go. Now, if I haven't done that.. My god, I'm not going to complain. I've lost an entire person. Ok, a little person, but goodness.

I had a 6 month check up in June and they did a vitamin level check. Everything came back perfect well except my iron level and blood pressure. The person who called me to give me my results said that I had one of the best Vitamin D levels they've ever seen. Wow. I guess taking all these vitamins are paying off.

Now, the iron however, I am having issues with. The iron I had wasn't doing too great in the "bathroom" department so I wouldn't take it as I was supposed to. They gave me another brand to take, however, I think its doing the same thing. I know I need my iron, so I'm going to keep taking it. They are very pleased with my success and said that I should start slowing down in the weight loss because at 6 months, your body finally comes to the realization of what you did to it. They also said my hair should start coming back. My hair.. my hair..my hair It looks really bad. I think I see new hair coming in, but its hard to tell. I'm not totally bald, don't get me wrong, but you can see my scalp when you look at the top of my head through the hair. I'm doing the comb over rather well.

My blood pressure is low. The past few weeks, i've been dizzy when I stand up. I've been going down to the nurse a couple times a week at work to get it checked. Only once has it been in the so called normal range. All other times its been low. I haven't called my main doctor yet, but plan on doing so in the upcoming days to see what if anything can be done. The nurse at my job suggested I add salt to my diet. OK, these are the same nurses that left me sleeping in their office while I was having a stroke a couple years ago. Should I trust them, humm. I'll just ask my own doctor.

I have a fellow surgery buddy who is helping me with my protein intake. :-) I needed a little help in that department. I was drinking the protein shakes as I was supposed to but getting the other protein in wasn't going so great. With her help, I've been doing better.. Much Better

So far, my measurement totals sort of remained the same for some parts. Its mainly just gross loose skin, which I will have removed most likely either 2007 or 2008. If I don't have it removed, its OK.

I've attached a picture of me taken in August of last year at my nieces wedding and a picture of me taken on Sat., 07/22/06 at my friends baby shower. She's expecting twins. Just thought i'd add that. I never knew I was as big as I was until I look at those picture at my nieces wedding. That was my highest weight ever and I just can't believe I let myself go that much. I'm so thankful that this tool was available to help me in my weight loss. Now, i've got to keep this off.

Thank you everyone for your comments and help throughout this process. It is greatly appreciated and makes me happy to know i have such good friends and a wonderful family.

Until next time :-)
August 7, 2006
I DID IT.. I LOST 100 lbs today!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 September 29, 2006:

Its been a while since I've posted anything regarding my weight loss.  Since August 8, I've lost 7 more pounds :-).   I'm down a total of 107 and I actually have only 4 more pounds to go before I reach my final goal.  I cannot believe its gone this fast and 3 more months, it will be a year.  Time sure does fly.   I look at old pictures of me and it makes me literally sick to my stomach, I wish it didn't.

I can just about eat anything and well, I find myself telling myself, "THATS ENOUGH".  I've been doing pretty good and I've definitely gotten more protein and liquid in then the previous months.  I've started eating a low carb/sugar protein bar a day which gives me about 20 extra grams.  They taste like dirt, but oh well.  Whats that old saying when I was a child.  "GOD made Dirt and Dirt don't hurt".  (lol)  Actually there is one that I kind of like.  I crave Italian Subs, but still have not tried to eat one.  I'm afraid so I just choose not too.  Same with all the Soda, Ice Creams, Cookies and Cakes.  I can eat them, but try like heck to stay away from them.  If I take one bite, then thats all she wrote.  Its just like a drug addition.  "Oh I can just do it this one time".  Yea right!  GOD, please don't let me gain my weight back.

Some people tell me not to loose anymore weight, which I'm happy if I don't, but some people say I'm too thin and I think they are crazy.  I have noticed I am getting more attention from the opposite sex which kind of makes me mad, but then again, that's the way the world is.  Clothes...man oh man, its easier for me to find clothes.  Some things I want to wear, but am still very uncomfortable in them.  Maybe one day.  

In November at the monthly meetings for weight loss, a plastic surgeon is coming to talk.  I'm going to look into the body lift for possibly next year or the year after.  That is a very scary operation.. yes, i think more scary then the actual gastric bypass.  There was a lady that was in the meeting that did have the body lift and she just looked amazing.  The doctor who did hers is the one that is coming.  He is from Pennsylvania and is very well known for this procedure.
 

November 12, 2006:

for those of you who I haven't send updates to before, and who haven't seen me in a while, you are in for a big shock.   I reached my goal weight on October 13, 112 lbs down.  Since then, I have lost 2 more so a whopping total of 114 lbs I've lost.  I can't believe its almost a year since I had my surgery.  Just this month last year, I was in Dr. Anez office getting all my testing done so that I can have the surgery.  Man, time flies.
I had my vitamin levels checked again, actually I have to do this every 3 months for a while, and all came back fine except for my Iron levels.  They said I am no longer anaemic, however I am still low in my level.  They said, I'm almost there.  I have upped my Iron so in Jan/Feb. we'll see if it works.  I have seen a great deal of improvement in my energy level, so perhaps the low Iron had something to do with it.   The doc is very happy with my progress and dig this... They don't want me to loose anymore weight.  hahaha.  Who would have ever guessed a doctor to tell Theresa don't loose anymore weight.  They did say, if I wanted to, I could loose about 5 more, but there is really no need since I am at my goal. 
As far as measurements are concerned, the measuring tape reads about the same as it did a couple months ago, so no great changes there.  I do meet with a plastic surgeon/total body lift doc this coming Wed.  He is coming to a group that I go to once a month.  I'm interested in the cost and if insurance will pay for any of it.  I don't think it does, but one never knows.  Maybe there is some clause out there that having excess skin could be dangerous.  Who knows.   I have to start saving my pennies because I really want this surgery by the end of next year or by summer 2008.
Thanksgiving..  This is going to be my first Thanksgiving since my stomach has been stapled to the size of an egg.  waawaa... I really want them biscuits but know that if I try to eat one of them, I'll try to eat two.  so, guess no biscuits for T. Oh and the stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, desert.  oh heavens, maybe I'll skip Thanksgiving.  just kidding.  I'll do fine.. I've done great with it so far, and know the outcome if i start stuffing myself again.
My hair is coming back in places slowly but surely  yea!  Actually I was able to visit with my friends daughter, last August.  Why am I telling you this you ask, well she is sort of my inspiration when it came to my hair loss.  She has/had lost all of her hair a couple of times the past few years and this last time when it started to grow back, she decided to keep it short.  She actually made me feel fine about my hair because if this little girl could enjoy life with what she has been dealt, then surely I could do it with my little hair loss.  I did get my hair cut and have decided to keep it the length I have now.  It looks better than what I had before so Devon, thank you.
OK, well i've babbled enough.  I wanted to give everyone an update and show them a picture.  I've attached a picture of me before and after as well as my little angel.
take care and until next month... cya!