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Surgeon Testimonial

Alan H. Brader, M.D.
Dr. Brader was wonderful! At our initial meeting he took his time explaining things and answering all of our questions. He never seemed rushed or impatient with the questions I'm sure he has heard a million times. Surgery day Dr. Brader made me feel at ease and calm, and he was very attentive afterwards as well. Dr. Brader is kind and caring toward his patients and wants to help the obese population. You never get the feeling he "looks down" on you at all! At my post-op, he wasn't rushed and he took the time again to answer all of my questions and alleviate my worries. He is very honest about goals and aftercare. He lets you know what to expect and why.

As for his office staff...they are nice, but they seem overworked. They take a LONG time to return phone calls, but that's to be expected I guess with all the patients they have.
Member Interests
  • Fitness & Exercise - getting into exercise now...and liking it!
  • Parenting - mom to 2 great daughters, ages 8 and 10
  • Cooking & Baking - Cooking healthier for the whole family now!
  • Volunteerism - I volunteer with our local Autism Society...raising awareness is important to me
  • Teachers - I have been a preschool teacher since 1992 and love it!
  • Autism - my youngest daughter has autism...she keeps us hopping!
  • Married - married 11 years ~ he's a keeper!
  • Reading - I LOVE to read...my guilty pleasure is Anne Rice books...when I get a minute ;)

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by piperkc on 12/7/05 4:39 pm
    "It's never too late to be who you might have been." ~George Eliot “The Greatest healing therapy is friendship and Love.” ~ Hubert Humphrey "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, any one can start from now and make a brand new ending" " The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, but in what direction we are moving." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes "There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow." ~ O. S. Marden "Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil." ~ James Allen "I asked God to give me happiness. God said, "No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you." ~ Author Unknown "Goals give you more than a reason to get up in the morning; they are an incentive to keep you going all day. Goals tend to tap the deeper resources and draw the best out of life. "Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, 'Here is an opportunity for me to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary." ~ Anthony Robbins " ~ Harvey Mackay "Life is a challenge, but if you don't stand and risk you will never know if you were able to win or lose. Challenges are not a thing of winning or losing; they are a way of learning from them to become a better person every day! ~ Alexsander Rodriguez, P.R "Don't ask for it to be easy, ask for it to be worth it." Dan Kuschell "The most important question to ask is not 'What am I getting?' The most important question to ask on the job is 'What am I becoming?'"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however." - Richard Bach "In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins; not through strength, but through persistence." ~ Jackson Brown "I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." ~ J.B. Priestly "Each of us has an inner dream that we can unfold if we will just have the courage to admit what it is. And the faith to trust our own admission. The admitting is often very difficult." ~ Julia Cameron "The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong. That block of granite is often nothing more than a decision." ~ Thomas Carlyle "Being yourself is not remaining what you were, or being satisfied with what you are. It is the point of departure." ~ Sydney Harris "Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth." ~ Katherine Mansfield "Too often we are scared. Scared of what we might not be able to do. Scared of what people might think if we tried. We let fears stand in the way of our hopes. We say no when we want to say yes. We sit quietly when we want to scream. And we shout with the others, when we should keep our mouths shut. Why? After all, we do only go around once. There's really no time to be afraid. JUST DO IT." ~ Nike advertising campaign "I am convinced that attitude is the key to success or failure in almost any of life's endeavors. Your attitude - your perspective, your outlook, how you feel about yourself, how you feel about other people - determines your priorities, your actions, your values. Your attitude determines how you interact with other people and how you interact with yourself." ~ Carolyn Warner "Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives." ~ Author Unknown "It's never too late to be what you might have been." ~ George Eliot "For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it." ~ Author Unknown "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson A wish changes NOTHING; A decision, changes EVERYTHING "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will,they soon become inevitable." Christopher Reeves "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:2-3 Everyone has beauty but not everyone sees it. "If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much." ~ Jim Rohn May you always have an Angel by your side. Watching out for you in all the things you do. Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days. Have a speedy recovery Angela in Corpus Christi 291lbs BMI 45.60 -234lbs Dr Michael Grace Open RNY Life began May 16, 2002 I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Surely..I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5
Click here for the surgery support page
I've struggled with my weight all my life.  If I had a nickel for every time I've heard "big boned" or "It's a shame you are heavy, you have such a pretty face" I'd be a millionaire.  I had my Lap RNY on 11/7/2005 at Barix with Dr. Brader and my life has never been better!
Christine D's Blog
Christine D's Blog


Ramblings...
on December 30, 2006 4:48 pm
I've really been slacking about taking pictures and posting them, and just generally nosing around on OH at all.  We went on vacation to Disney for 9 days and between getting ready then recovering from that, then the holidays, I am just a mess.  
I did good on vacation though, got my protein and liquids (mostly) in each day and didn't miss any vit's or B12.  I came home at the same weight I left at but my clothes are getting loose again.  Go figure.  I had a neat moment on the plane...I had to take DD to the bathroom and we both fit in their together, the door shut AND we had room to spare.  That was a heck of a WOW moment! 
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a random thought...11/20/06
on November 20, 2006 7:41 pm
Today I saw a bumper sticker that said something about when things are so bad the good thing is there is no way to go but up...well I thought about it and I disagree...

I think when things are really bad, there is no way to go but DOWN!  

257.5 lbs was bad...I had to go down!  And go down I did!  Now if only my skin had a different attitude!  lol
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Almost one year out...
on November 4, 2006 1:13 pm

I'll be a year out on Tuesday and I've used the past week to reflect and think about my journey.  I had my one year post op appointment on Wednesday last week and I left there feeling SO AMAZING!  I've been down in the dumps lately and Dr Brader explained to me how I've been working toward this goal for a year and I've been so focused on it, now that it's here, it's kind of like "Now what?"...and he's right.  That's exactly how I feel.  So now I'm taking some time to come up with some new goals (like getting PS approval, maintaining my loss and hopefully losing just a smidge more so I can say I got to 150, even though my loss is considered a success by everyone).  
I weighed in at 156, so since my initial consult 8/1/05 I've lost 110 lbs and since the day of surgery I've lost 101.5 lbs.  I CANNOT COMPLAIN!  I've gone from a size 2x/3x top to a size medium or small and from a 28 or 30 bottom to a 10 or 12.  I know the bottom size would be smaller if I didn't have to stuff all this skin in...it's like putting jello through a funnel...hey if I don't laugh about it, I'd be depressed all the time!
So anyway, life is good, I can finally see myself as smaller ALL the time (that's a recent development too) and now I just need to stop turning sideways when I walk into bathroom stalls or through restaurants.  Old habits die hard I guess.

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My Story

I've done diet plans, losing alot at age 21 and again after having my second child at age 26. Of course I was never able to keep the weight off and I always regained what I lost plus some.

When I was around 31 my weight began to spiral out of control. I realize now that it wasn't only bad food choices and not recognizing feeling full, it was also emotional eating...I'd eat when I was bored, sad, and especially when I was stressed. Unfortunately my stress load is usually huge, so I gained about 75 lbs in 3 years. I decided to look into WLS at our local hospital after a friend was successful with their program, but for personal reasons ultimately decided not to go there.

I heard about Barix and researched their program and had my consult on 8/1/05. I met with Dr. Brader and decided Barix was the place for me. My lap RNY was 11/7/05.

 


Post-WLS Goals:

No more foot pain when I wake up or walk after sitting -DONE
Be able to ride amusement rides w/o fear of not fitting -DONE
Be able to play with my kids w/o getting winded -DONE
See my feet -DONE
Fit into a folding chair without my backside hanging over the edge -DONE
No more back pain -DONE
Fit into all car seatbelts without them being tight -DONE
Sleep through the night w/o waking up because my legs are numb from the extra weight -DONE
Get out of plus size clothing -DONE WAHOO!
Wear a 2 piece swimsuit (that isn't a huge size) -DONE
Be able to run on the playground -DONE
Paint my toenails without being a contortionist -DONE
Same goal for leg-shaving -DONE
Learn to ride a bike
Wear a killer pair of jeans and look good in them - contemplating GOOD at the moment, but I think I might have pulled this one off!
Go jogging -ON MY WAY
Ride a jetski again
Go parasailing
Go parachuting
Get complimented by a single, young, good looking guy haha!

*** I am now 7 months and 3 days out, and I've lost 75.5 lbs...I'm moderately overweight now...darn that feels good!


***JUNE 28, 2006***
I am EXCITED! Tonight I got on the "fat machine" at the gym for an assessment and in one month I can't believe what happened! Below are my results since last month (5/22)
Weight loss 11.4 lbs
Body Fat down 7.5 %
Water% up 4.2 lbs
Muscle % up 5.8 lbs
I don't really understand all of the pieces of this assessment, but I was told by all of the trainers that this is really great progress so I am happy! Plus, as of today, I am 24 lbs from Dr's goal and 34 lbs from my goal. Wahoo!

Also, I went out tonight with a friend of mine and it was the first time I've been able to really SEE myself in the mirror and I was truly happy with what I saw. I think at that moment I am a success whether I hit goal or not. :D


July, 2006
I did my measurements today and I'm very excited! Basically my waist measurement is what my thighs were preop and my hips now are what my waist was preop...I need to actually sit and chart it all out along with my weight loss so I can really see how things are progressing.


July 30, 2006
WAHOO! This morning I weighed in at 168! I am now only 9 lbs from "normal"... I am so grateful and excited... what a journey!


August 1, 2006
I'm so sore from working out and I'm fighting a big case of the "guilties" for being at the gym so often and not home with my girls and hubby. I know that the gym is what is really making the difference for me size-wise and my self esteem is getting better as I am starting to look better in my own eyes, but I still have that "I'm the mom I should be home" martyr thing going on. Dr Brader has told me time and time again that this is my time to be selfish and focus on me...and I keep trying to tell myself that it's my time to recover and become the girl I want to be physically.

August 10, 2006
Tonight I got on the "fat machine" again at the gym. It weighed me at 167...that's fine by me! I didn't pay too much attention to the fat % and all that...I just wanted my weight and measurements this month. My trainer did write it all down for me, so at some point I'll go compare my results since last month.

I am ok with my measurement results...since June (oops, I must've missed July!) I've lost 2 inches from my waist, 2 inches from my hips and my thighs seem to be the same. Things seem to be stabilizing (which I kind of expected) and with all this darn skin, I guess not much else can shrink. Overall since my surgery I'm down 11 inches from my waist, 8.5 inches from my thighs, and a whopping 18 inches from my hips. 37.5 inches off my body in 9 months is NOTHING to complain about!

Plus, I got a bunch of wonderful compliments the past 2 days at the gym...genuine thought out compliments, not the old "standard" you're looking good type stuff (not that there is anything wrong with those remarks, but sometimes it's nice to hear something different and specific). One lady actually told me that I've inspired a bunch of the "regulars" who just go there to do the same old routine and bullshit with their pals. She said they are now working harder...I had a hard time buying into the inspiration bit, but I thanked her and smiled.

August 13, 2006
I am so aggravated today. Yesterday I took the kids to Dorney (alone!) and didn't get my fluids or my protein in. I did take some jerky and some nuts with me, but when I'm on the run making sure my youngest doesn't get away from me or cause a problem in public, eating and drinking is the last thing on my mind. Needless to say, the scale showed I'm up 2 lbs again. Every darn time I go away from home (whether I take food or not) I come up the next day with a gain. It drives me crazy!!! We did have a perfect day, until a ride operator decided DD had to get OFF of a ride to be measured. This ticked her off and we were in meltdown land in about 5 seconds. I even told this chick she was going to cause a problem and that my kid has ridden the ride about 50 times this summer. Didn't matter. So DD has a meltdown, bites her sister, and is miserable and freaking out. Remind me to thank this girl next time we go...she set off my kid and I ended up fighting to get her out of the park for the next half hour amidst stares and comments. So I guess it's back to basics for the next few days...all liquids and protein to get my body back in gear. I'm too close to goal to screw up now. Only thing is, this coming weekend I'm going to the beach for a "Mom's weekend"...I guess I need to plan my protein packing now!


August 24, 2006
I'm so frustrated...the scale has not moved in weeks except to go up after I am away then go back to where I've been for 2 weeks. I know, don't be a slave to the scale, but I can't help it sometimes! People keep telling me I am melting away, but darn it nothing has changed lately...not my size or my weight. I have been floundering within the same 4 lbs for a month or so. I've upped my protein, my water, and changed up my exercise. I'm doing more cardio and less core in the hopes that I can at least move the scale a little bit sometime soon. I REALLY wanted to hit Dr. B's goal at my annual...I have always beat his goal by just a few lbs, and I don't want to not hit 150 on 11/1. Typing all this out really makes things sound silly and I know it is worthless to perseverate on the weight issue when I am happy and healthy (more or less, my B12 is lacking so supplements here I come) but sometimes I just can't help it. Funny thing is, I've been asked by 3 different people this week..."Where has your ass gone?" NEVER thought I'd hear those words!

September 1, 2006
Well after a week of he** getting adjusted to school for my girls and myself and craving carbs for comfort, I managed to avoid eating too many and the scale moved! WAHOO! I also upped my cardio and I know that helped too. I'm down to 165 from 170ish(and it better not move up again!) for the past 2 days so I think it's safe to consider that a loss. I also bought myself a pair of jeans that I think look ok...I'm just not used to clothes that fit...even DH can't decide if they look ok because he's so used to my "MC Hammer" pants as he called all my baggy stretch pants that I wore for so long.

September 7, 2006
Today is 10 months out. I weighed in at 164 (yeeeehaw!) and I just bought 2 pairs of capris that are size 14 misses. I could've probably gotten the 12, but didn't want to chance them being inappropriate for work...haha! I also got some wonderful compliments tonight at the gym...so I'm a happy girl!

September 14, 2006
Just weighed in at the gym and I lost another lb. Also was informed that my behind is shrinking (won't complain about that) and I am feeling much stronger...I am doing more machines and I've increased my weights too.

October 4, 2006
Tonight I weighed in at the gym and the scale said 157! That is 100.5 lbs. I am SO excited! I'm now normal weight and 7 lbs from Dr B's goal...maybe this is possible!

October 7, 2006
Today I am 11 months out of surgery. I decided to go to the gym this morning before my errands and I figure we'll take my monthly pictures tonight. So as I was running (amazing to me that I can run, not for long, but it's a start) I realized how much life has changed. I am still working at not being a slave to the scale, but being a slave to the scale is WAY better than being a slave to the fridge. It is incredible to me to think back to how little I was really able to do before my surgery. I mean I always did what I do now (except workout) but I was always grumpy, sore and super tired. Even at work I am much more effective and sad to say, I think I get more respect from the parents not being MO. A few weeks ago I had a conversation where I said that if weighing 163 is where I am going to stay, I will be happy with it knowing how far I have come. Well now that I've hit the 100 lb loss mark, I realize that I would've been happy, but I REALLY need to get to goal now. It's just something I need to accomplish to feel completely successful. I just pray that these "last" 7 lbs aren't the hardest to lose!