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Before & After
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See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos. Surgeon Testimonial Carlos A. Ferrari M.D. January 22, 2001 Dr. Ferrari's staff have been great. His admin. assistant called the day after I got home from the hospital to see how I was doing. I asked her a few questions at that time too. She just wanted to let me know that I could call 24 hrs. day if something was wrong. The NuWeigh clinic staff are great too! They always return calls and answer all questions and are very patient. January 3, 2001 RNY operation will be on Monday, January 8. I asked all the questions I needed answered. Dr. Ferrari was very patient and answered everything. He's a very nice, pleasant and cute man. And, his staff is always very nice, professional yet fun,patient and always helpful. November 1, 2000 I met with Dr. Ferrari. He's a very nice and gentle man. His office staff are also very down to earth and very helpful. Member Interests
Latest Surgery Support Comments
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Born and raised in Houston, TX; lived in Kerrville, TX in a guest house on a ranch from March 2008 - June 2009; moved to Seattle, WA in July 2009.
My Story
BEFORE SURGERY 5'2" 258.5 lbs Size: 18/20 & some 22/24's BMI: 42.7 54 yrs. old when I had RNY surgery -- 2001 - I gave WLS to myself for my birthday 54th birthday. ------------------------------------------------------------ 1/8: 258.5 - day of surgery 1/31: 237 = -21 lbs (3 week checkup) 2/7: 237 = " " (rats!...well, at least I didn't gain) 2/14: 233 = -25 lbs 2/21: 228 = -30 lbs (6 week checkup) 5/9: 203 = -55 lbs (4 months) 5/26: 199 = -59 lbs 6/16: 192 = -66 lbs (5 months) 7/8: 186 = -72 lbs (6 months) 8/12: 179.5 = -79.5 lbs (7 months) 8/23: 171 = -86 lbs. 2/23/02: 154 = -104 lbs (13 months) 2/1/03: 139 = - 118 lbs. 1/2/2011 = 147 lbs - a gain of 8 lbs, but I did get up to 161.5...curse words! 3/8/2011 = 143 lbs. -------------------- Feb. 20, 2011 - wt. 144.8 Since getting back on track, I am losing weight slowly and find that I cannot eat what I call "fun" stuff. Even what I consider healthy fun stuff (peanut butter), I gain weight; it seems as if I gain weight if I even smell something good -- life isn't fair, is it! ha! I do find that when I exercise even a little during the week, I do lose more, so that is an incentive for sure. I cannot have anything in my living space that I love to eat, except fruit, because I will eat ALL of it (even sugar free stuff). I have no will power, so I know I cannot even have it. If I do want a piece of candy, I have to go to the store to the builk aisles and pay to get one piece. It does satisfy me and I don't have to take it home and eat all of it just to get rid of it. It's a dumb theory, but it's mine because I don't like tossing 'fun' food away and that's how I got fat in the first place. JANUARY 2, 2011: Wt. 147 It did get up to 161.5, but I had to start cutting back, no...STOP eating the junk food. When stressed I eat everything in site that I'm not supposed to eat; I don't know why I even have it in my living space. I do NOT want to get back up to where I was ... I refuse! March 13, 2006: Another surgery for my 2nd hernia repair. The surgeon not only repaired the hernia, he also repaired the gastric bypass incision so I would not have another hernia. He repaired it with my own tissues first, then added mesh. It is now March 28 and I still have the drain in my stomach; it will be taken out by the end of this week. Due to a little stress, I am eating more than I should and I'm also eating things that I shouldn't. March 3, 2005: I retired in July 2004 after 30 years with a major oil company. I look and feel better than I have in years -- I feel ALIVE! Even though I have short, spikey/mussed up looking white hair, I still get looks...I have a young body (thanks to WLS! & all my drs.) and young face and I feel quit prissy -- spikey hair, mod glasses, etc. Even when I go out in public without doing my hair and no make up, I still feel confident. I would do the WLS and plastic surgery again in a split second. I still watch what I eat -- I cannot eat a lot, or eat junk, nor do I want to. I do not want to get back to where I was. I can understand how plastic surgery can become a little addictive though. hahaha ---------------------------- September 3, 2003: Went to my second post-op tummy tuck/breas lift/hernia repair visit yesterday and I'm doing great. MyThey put on a smaller girdle. My operation was Mon., Aug. 25. I love my new breasts! They went from 1 ft. silos to nice round donuts. ha! My upper and lower stomach is now FLAT, thank goodness. The lower portion of my stomach is numb, but they said the feeling will come back. These are things I did not know about tummy tuck surgery: 1. I did know that a girdle had to be worn for 6 weeks; however, I did not know that it had to be worn 24/7 for 6 weeks This goes for the breast lift also -- bra, 24/7. 2. NO baths! Soap/water could possibly kill the skin. The girdle has a hUUUge slit in the bottom for "bathroom duties." So far it has worked OK at home, but going back to work on Monday will be kind of scarey. 3. Must sleep on your back in a reclining position with a pillow under knees for about 6 weeks. MORE INFO: 1. I have not shrunk from 5'4" to 5'2". 2. I lack B-12 now, so I take B-12 shots once or twice a month, depending on how tired I am. 3. I must take a non-hormone hormone supplement + 1200 mg of calcium to keep my bones strong and so I won't lose any more height. August 23, 2003. I'm SO excited! I'm going in for an incisional hernia repair on Monday, August 25, and I've decided to treat myself to a tummy tuck and breast lift. I don't know of anyone who has used the plastic surgeon that I have, but when I met him and his staff I felt very comfortable. 5/5/2003 -- Goodness, it has been a very long time since I updated my profile. I can now get into a size small or a size 12. I guess my body is weird, or the other people that have RNY have much better luck than me...they weigh about the same as I do and they're wearing size 4-8 clothes. Well, if I could get a tummy tuck or the pani I guess I could wear that size too, but my pocketbook is missing the green stuff. HA! I absolutely love to shop for clothes now. I have dyed my natural platinum hair to an auburn and no one recognizes me. It's like hiding in plain sight and I love it. 2/23/02 -- I haven't been very diligent on posting my progress. I'm feeling great and buying LOTS of clothes now. I go from one vice (eating) to another (shopping). HA! I'm now into a size 14 and a few 12's (depending on how they're made). I feel great being able to my "normal size" clothes now in regular department stores. I can still go into Lane Bryant and buy my size 14's, but some of those are a little too big. I will miss the store but I'm moving forward and there's so much more to buy now. I'm still drinking at least 2 sugar free/low fat shakes a day simply because they're easier and I do NOT like cooking. I do eat regular food in small quantities and more often. If I wait too long to eat I really feel weird like I'm going to faint and I start shaking. I have to keep protein bars in my purse just in case one of those 'spells' come over me while I'm out some- where. I still get the full feeling quickly and I still do not eat things I'm not supposed to (as if I just had the operation). I guess I remember only too well how sick I can get if I eat something I'm not supposed to or eat too much; hopefully, that will keep me on track for a very long time -- I do not like getting sick. I still have 28 lbs. to lose and I hope I get to that. I feel like my wt. loss has been slow, but steady. I would really like to get a tummy tuck or the other long word (that means the same thing) but my stomach doesn't hang like an apron and I don't have a hernia and I can't afford to pay for one myself. The only thing is that my stomach does flop over my bikini scar from my hysterectomy and it stinks. I hate to be gross but it's smells somewhere between BO and butt-crack... <:-( ... phew, that is gross! 8/23/01--Finally got into a Size B L'Eggs panty hose (witout them rolling down and making me walk like a penguin!!!) YEAAA! I was so excited, not I don't have to wear 1X, 2X or 3X panty hose. I am thrilled. I seem to be losing more lately than I did at the beginning. I can tell I really have a neck now. I have gotten my hair cut really really short and perky. Even my shoes are bigger. I want to Lane Bryant yesterday and bought a bunch of clothes (Size 16) instead of 18/20 and 22. My stomach is keeping me from the Size 14's because it has too much "pooch" to it. Never thought I would be this vain, but I want a tummy tuck to get rid of that bulge. I'm happy when I look at the mirror and see me now. I still have 50 lbs. to go, but I know I can do it and have never regretted having this operation. ...even though I really do (sometimes) miss my ice cream, cookies and other junk food. Now it's only a passing thought, I don't pass it through my mouth though. -------------------- 8/12/01 - Ahhh, I finally made it past 180 lbs. OK, so I'm only 1/2 lb under, but I'm there! My next goal is 150 (that was my first "fat" weight.HA! Ate a plout (a cross between a plum and an apricot) and they are YUMMY! Waited way too long in between "meals" and I thought I was "starving to death" so I gobbled it. I ate 1-1/2 plouts (the size of a plum)AND I didn't chew it very well (old habits never die, they just lay and wait)...AND it was very ripe (lots of natural sugar???). Whew, within 5 minutes and there after I was singing an ode to the commode about 4 times. Guess I won't be eating those little things any more. I joined a yoga class at work 2 times/week. First day I was sore all over and even my guts were sore. But, it's exercise and more than what I've been doing. Finally had some energy this weekend and cleaned!!! My closet is now full of clothes that are way too big. Even tried on some blue jeans that fit tight when I bought them, now they're baggy. Wow, what a great feeling! 7/12/01 - I have made it 6 months -- time does fly! I still feel great, but if I "goof" I do get sick. I was craving watermelon over the hot weekend. I found a nice ripe one, the kind that are already cut in half or a third at the grocery store. It was real cold and tasted sooo sweet and it was absolutely heaven! I ate the entire thing. Well, waaay to much natural sugar and I ate waaay too much. I had diarrhea for quite a while after I ate it. -------------------- 7/4/01 - Last week I went to Lane Bryant to window shop and see what they had. I found some skirts for $10 and decided to buy one in a size 16 rather than my normal 18/20 or 22. I did not expect them to fit, but thought that I will be getting into them later at some point. Well, the next morning getting ready for work I thought I'd just try one on to see how close I am to getting to wear it. IT FIT! I WORE IT TO WORK!! I'm SO excited! My weight loss seems slower than others, but I am losing weight and I do not compare myself with them. I am an individual and so is my weight loss. Everyone hang in there! -------------------- 6/16/01 - My clothes are finally getting baggy ('bout time!). The only thing I'm not real happy with is everything is sagging. I didn't think I was this vain, but I really don't like getting old and looking saggy ... even if no one ever sees me with my clothes off but me. -------------------- 5/26/01 - Got to my first real goal today ... I broke the 200 lb. mark and I'm 199!!! yeaaAAAA ... I feel so "skinny." hahaha It feels great -- I haven't seen this number in years! I feel great and have had no problems. I know now that I used to be an emotional eater because when I get stressed now...I want ice cream and cookies, but that will not happen because I do not like getting sick! The only thing I do now is think about it, not do it. THAT feels good too! --------------------- 5/9/01 - 4 months - down 55 lbs. Had my 3 month checkup today (even though it's actually 4 months). Dr. Ferrari said I was doing great and come back in 6 months. I told him the only problem I have is about once a month I have severe dry heaves while having a normal BM ... he said he has never heard of that. Hmmm. Another thing puzzles me is I've lost 55 lbs and I am still wearing the same clothes I've always worn. OK, they are baggy. It's my POOCHY STOMACH! YUK, if I could just get rid of that thing I would be really happy! I am happy with my weight loss and the fact that I'm not having any problems. I do need to exercise though. When I get to work at 7:00 a.m. and leave between 6 & 7 p.m. I'm just too tired to exercise, but I'm going to make a bigger effort. -------------------- 4/28 - 16 weeks post-op -- down 54.5 lbs. YEAAAA! My first goal was 50 lbs. My next goal is getting below 199 (I will feel SO skinny then! HA! I'm feeling great & starting to get into clothes I bought, but never could wear. Feeling great about myself -- got different hairstyle & two new modern pairs of glasses. I refuse to be old, although I don't think 54 is old unless you're in your 20's. The only slight problem I'm having & do NOT understand it is when I'm having a normal BM & sitting on the throne about 1 time/month I start dry heaving and I mean heaving but nothing comes out. Once business is finished, so are the dry heaves. Anyone else having this problem? Another problem is I do not have time to exercise, but the weight is still coming off. But ... life is good. --------------------- 2/21 - 6 weeks post-op checkup -- down 30 lbs. I have a hard time eating when I'm supposed to, Dr. Ferrari told me that I MUST eat something every 3 hours in order to keep my metabolism up, otherwise my body will think it's in starvation mode and slow down. -------------------- 2/15/01: ICK...1st time I've thrown up. I ate some turkey. I went longer than I should have to eat & I was very hungry. I yanked some turken out of the frig and started eating it. I didn't warm it over or mix it with anything. I guess I ate it too fast & didn't chew it to much. Within a few minutes I had a very nausiated feeling that wouldn't quit so I ran to the bathroom and heaved. YUK, I felt awful & then fell asleep on the sofa. My stomach was sore for 2 days after that. -------------------- 2/14/01: 5 wks. post-op. Ahh, lost 4 lbs. this week for a total of 25 lbs. Thank goodness! -------------------- 2/7/01: 4 wks. post-op. Uh oh ... a plateau so soon? I didn't lose any weight (but I didn't gain). Ohmagod, I felt like I'm going to be gaining my weight back and this isn't going to work either. -------------------- 1/31/01: 3 wk. post-op visit - lost 21 lbs. Scar doing good. I get to go on semi-soft foods...THANK GOODNESS!!! I went out and bought $120 worth of food! ...???? deli chicken, turkey, baby food, fake eggs...I am so excited I can eat something besides liquids! Went to my 1st weekly support group and found out why I was having diarreah for 16 days post-op: too much milk sugar. I was using sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast, 1 cup milk & 1 container of yogurt. Within 30 minutes I'd have to make a run to the bathroom. After cutting out the Carnation Instant Breakfast it stopped. -------------------- 01/22/01: Two weeks post-op: 16 lbs lost! It's getting kind of hard subsisting on liquids, but if I've lasted this long I can get of 1/31, right? I eat lots of protein (60grams/day) and I have no hair loss. Have had bouts of diarreah which is normal. Accidentally took a gulp of liquid today and ewwuuuu ... it hurt. It felt like it was stuck between my breast bone and throat and it would come up or go down, so I just had to wait it out. Note: pay special attention when on computer not to just drink...sip, sip, sip. I walk 30 min. to 1 hour every day, depending on how good/bad the weather is. I'm starting to take naps during the day and it's hard for me to get to sleep at night. Otherwise, I feel great. Last week I went thru the panic stage of thinking I stretched my stomach out because I don't ever feel full and my stomach wasn't made small enough and I'll never lose this weight (hahaha...I guess we all go through this). The surgeons asst. told me that you can't stretch your stomach out on liquids and that I will start feeling full once I start on semi-soft foods. -------------------- 01/15/01: Post-Op!!! Had my RNY proximal; took about 2 hrs. The only thing I can remember when coming out of sedation was patting my stomach to make sure I had the operation. The only hard part of the whole thing was having to roll out of bed. Well, the breathing exercises weren't too easy at first either. But I learned that if you get the breathing exercises down and you do your walking you'll not only feel better sooner, but you get out of the hospital quicker. One week and I've already lost 13 lbs. YEAAA! The protein stuff (whey) is deadly...in a funny way. I don't think I'll be able to go out in public as long as I have to drink it because it causes really LOUD & VERY SMELLY/DEADLY GAS!!! One other thing I've noticed is that before surgery I could & would sleep all the time; after surgery I try to sleep and I can't. I feel great and have no complaints! -------------------- 01/03/01: Someone else needed my slot on 1/9/01, so I'm moving to 1/8/01 YEEEAAAAA!!!! Went for my pre-op at Bellaire Hospital today. Then went to the doctors office just to check in for questions and get weighed once again...ick...I have gained 11 lbs. since 11/29/00. All I can say is that it has been fun, but I'm kind of sick of eating now and I'm ready for this operation! -------------------- 12/24: Christmas Eve: Went to Lane Bryant today -- you know, the large lady store--because I have a coupon. I started thinking, I will NOT buy my current size, I will buy something in a smaller size. Well, I want something I can wear now, so I bought some really cute PJ's -- extra large because I don't like to be confined while relaxing or sleeping -- to wear while I'm at home recovering and after recovery. -------------------- 12/20: Three weeks seems like an eternity until this operation. It's like Christmas Eve night as a kid ... dreaming of all the toys, except in this case...dreaming of a new, thinner body. It's really hard to imagine after being this fat for so long. -------------------- 12/14: A pre-op contact from United Healthcare called me today & let me know how many days I would be in the hospital and asked if I have any questions about anything. She said she had friends who have had this surgery and they are doing great. -------------------- 12/01: I have a specific date for surgery now ... January 9,2001. WOW! What a great way to start a new year and a great birthday present to myself!!! I am SO excited! I'm also apprehensive, but I will get through this and it's going to be GREAT! I'm eating like there's no tomorrow!!! EVERYthing that I won't be able to eat post-op: Mexican Food, candy, diet sodas, cookies, candy, junk,junk, junk...scheezzzz...I'll be glad when I have the surgery! But I'm sure no one else has done this, huh? Yeah, riiiiight. hahahaha -------------------- 11/29: I couldn't stand it ... I called NeWeigh to see if they have heard anything from the insurance company ...I am SOOO excited!!! United HealthCare approved the surgery. Now I have to wait (rats!) until January to have the surgery. I wanted to tell everyone, but I didn't...only a few who are still "very concerned about this surgery and really don't want me to have it." Also, I don't have an exact date yet. -------------------- 11/22: Picked up my mail at my Post Office box today and there was a letter from NeWeigh -- they have sent my information to the insurance company (United HealthCare). Now the hard part, waiting, butI am so excited! -------------------- 11/16: Sleep study done. Checked into hospital at 7:30 p.m., got to "sleep lab" approx. 8:00 p.m. Took an hour to hook everything up. Thought I would get to watch tv or read a book for an hour or until I got a little tired...ha! 9:45 p.m. lights out...BAM...you have to "go to sleep!" Took me for...ever! Felt like a Sunday night when I toss and turn. Finally fell asleep. Thank goodness, I didn't want to have to do it again. Got me up next morning 4:45 a.m. Unhooked me from everything. Felt like elementary school paste in my scalp. They said I snored!!!... gosh, I didn't hear anything! I'll get results sometime next week. ------------- 11/10 Psyc evaluation done & my psyc thinks this is a great idea. YEA! I faxed to NeWeigh. Now for the sleep study on 11/15/00. ------------- 11/3: Lab tests done, psyc evaluation scheduled for 11/10 and sleep study is scheduled for 11/15. ------------- 11/1/00: Finally got to go to my very 1st appt. The office staff is great and very helpful. The office is VERY busy. While waiting to see Debbie and Dr. Ferrari I learned so much more about the bypass procedure and post-op. I met so many nice, friendly and very helpful people just sitting in the waiting room. I have to have lab tests, psyc evaluation and sleep study before NeWeigh sends it to the insurance company. ------------- My first appointment with NeWeigh is November 1, 2000 and I can hardly wait! Patience is not one of my virtues. ------------- I will be 54 in January 2001. I have been a yo-yo dieter all my adult life. I could build another person with all the weight I've lost over the years. I want and need a permanent solution. I can hardly wait for the phone call to set up a date to meet with the doctor and find out all about the choice of surgeries and most of all, I can hardly wait to find out if I get OK'd to do this. I'm sure to some friends, family and co-workers this surgery may seem very frivilous and that "I can do this myself" ... well, I can't ... I'm tired of struggling. Photos
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