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Surgeon Testimonial

Mohammad Jamal, M.D.
Dr. Jamal is very professional and warm when you meet with him. He is patient and takes his time with you. He is willing to answer any questions you have thoroughly and accurately. He is very clear about his expectations in terms of diet, exercise, and following the directives from the clinic staff. It appears that he wants each of his patients to be highly successful. Dr. Jamal is the best!!
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by WyoGirl on 2/11/09 8:38 pm
    Good luck with your sugery! Keep us all updated!
  • Comment by knomel1 on 2/11/09 10:54 am
    Best of luck to you and your surgery team! I will be sending up many prayers and positive thoughts for you! Well wishes for a speedy recovery and super great weight loss journey! ~Mel
  • Comment by Kathy S. on 2/11/09 7:40 am
    Good Luck on your upcoming surgery. Get ready for WOW moment after WOW moment and living life as it was meant to be lived... We are here to support you all the way! Take care, Kathy
Click here for the surgery support page
        
carolia's Blog
carolia's Blog


Two Years Today
on February 11, 2011 8:44 pm
Well, here I am two years post-op and doing fine.  Have had my "lost the most" moment and now have gained the "you will gain some back" moment.  It is a struggle, I am not going to be dishonest about that.  Surgery is a tool and only a tool..........I still have to do the hard work to keep the weight at bay.  I will have my annual check up with Dr. Jamal/the clinic soon and will see what their thoughts are about my progress.  

I feel great and have plenty of energy and good health.  I do Jazzercise three times a week (well, at least twice a week) and use my Gazelle three days a week.  I take one day off just because.  

People ask me all the time, "would you do it again" and my answer is always "most definitely".  It was the best thing I did for myself and really helped my health improve.  I take my supplements faithfully and eat so-so.  My protein intake is generally good but I do struggle with eating the wrong foods.  I had this surgery with the hopes of having severe dumping, but I don't.  That's why I say, it is a tool and only a tool.  The surgery provided me with a smaller stomach so I can't eat as much as I used to at once.  My struggle will always be with what I eat and I work on it everyday.

So, that's where I am two years later...............and truly can't believe it's been two years.  Some days it seems like more and other days it seems like it was just yesterday.  If you are someone who is considering or contemplating this surgery, please do the research about the different surgeries, talk to your primary care physician and then attend many seminars at all the bariatric clinics to see which one feels comfortable for you.

Thanks for checking in on me!

Carol
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One Year Later
on February 10, 2010 7:08 pm
On Feb. 11th I will be officially one year post op...........or as some people say "one year out".  I feel terrific today and still can't believe where I was a year ago today.  I don't feel like I've had surgery except when I eat and then I know.  I have been at the same weight (195) since about November and that is up from my lowest weight of 182.  I am very happy to be where I am and feel great about how I look and feel.  I eat like I was taught to eat way back in the beginning...........small portions, small bites, chew to mush.  I exercise six of seven days each week, and sometimes I workout at Curves and then spend another hour on my Gazelle after I eat dinner in the evening.  I drink tons of water.............have always done that so it wasn't hard to do that part.  My biggest struggle and daily battle, is avoiding sweets and keeping my portions down.  I knew that would be my toughest battle and it has been.  But the bariatric nurse has reminded me that the surgery is only a tool and I still have to use the rest of what I've hearned to be successful.  I will have to fight the demons that cause my weight to go up and I am so pleased with how much I've learned and grown this past year.  

One thing I'd share with all who are considering this surgery, it is a tool and only that.  It's not a magic cure all, because you still have to do all the work that goes along with losing the excess weight...........eating right and exercising. 

I have my one year appointment on Friday and look forward to hearing from the clinic staff just how I am doing from their perspective.  I am happy with my results and would strongly encourage anyone considering this surgery (RNY) to research it thoroughly, talk to others who've had it done and discuss the surgery option with you PCP.

Thanks for checking in on me. 
Carol
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August Update
on August 16, 2009 6:11 pm
It has been six months since my surgery and I am still doing well.  I had to be hospitalized overnight earlier this month for dehydration because I picked up an intestinal bug somewhere.  It was not related to my surgery but Dr. Jamal decided to check me out via a CT scan followed by an endoscopy and things were fine inside.  I feel fine and things are going well but it was an eye opener to the fact that I HAVE to keep drinking water even if I don't feel good.

My weight loss continues and I am down 80 pounds from last August when I had my last physical.  I haven't seen Dr. Jamal for my six month post op appointment until August 21st and I'm interested in seeing how much I've lost according to his records.  My weight loss has slowed down but I think it's because I am only about 9-14 pounds away from my goal weight.  Everyone says the last 10-15 pounds take forever to come off and I think that's where I am at.

Have been exercising at Curves three times a week and walking or working out on the Gazelle three days a week.  I need to be more faithful about the walking because it's hit and miss and usually not as long as I should be walking.  That would help my weight loss continue to be strong until those last few pounds are off, I think.

I am currently down four sizes in clothing and may or may not go down another size.  I am fine with where I am size wise and somedays can't believe I'm that small.  Never thought I'd say that!  This journey is amazing and I'm so happy I am on it.  There are days when it seems like I never had the surgery and then other times when I can't believe how much the surgery tool helped me lose the weight. 

This is it for now and I'll try to post again after I have my appointment with Dr. Jamal on Friday.  Thanks for checking in on me and check back again.

Carol
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July Update
on July 21, 2009 6:28 pm
Well, here I am about 22 weeks post op.  I still can't believe I've had the surgery because I feel so good.  Everyone told me that each day would get better but I can't believe how fast that happened for me.

I continue to workout at Curves three days a week and sometimes four days a week.  I haven't been totally faithful about walking the other three days but I do try.  Summer is a busy time for me and I find that I am doing other things and they fill  my time so I don't get that walk in.  I know I have to keep exercising or I'll be one of the folks who ends up gaining weight instead of losing it.

Speaking of the weight loss, I am stuck for some reason at 187 pounds and can't seem to get the scale to move.  I keep thinking that I might need to work harder at Curves to get my metabolism moving, but I don't know.  I am eating as I should be (too scared to eat otherwise!) and drinking the water is the easiest part for me so that's okay too.  The only part I think that I could improve on is the workout/exercise.  I have to keep focused and work hard at those things because I am on this journey for life!!

As for the mind changing with the body, I am working on that.  I still think of myself as "fat" even though I can see that I am smaller than before the surgery.  When I look at my "reference points" (i.e. others who I used to compare myself to in terms of size), I can see that  I am smaller and in some instances, smaller than others whom I used to be bigger than.  I am still waiting for my head to catch up with my body on this weight loss journey and I know it will, in time.

My energy level is unbelievable!!  I can go and go and go, just like the Energizer Bunny.  What used to tire me out in the past doesn't even phase me now.  I am sure it's because I am eating good food, smaller portions, exercising, have built muscles and there's less of me.  I have played badminton, frisbee, horseshoes, baggo, ladder golf, bocce ball and catch with my daughter this summer and that would not have happened had I not lost the weight.  I have tried things I'd never do before because of my size and I am finding the new adventures wonderful.

This has been such a great experience and I believe it's because of my surgeon and his staff.  They are wonderful and care deeply about my health.  I am so grateful to them for their care and ongoing support.  They are the best!

Thank you for checking in on me and keep checking.

Carol
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June Update
on June 16, 2009 5:37 pm
I am now four months post op and feeling terrific.  Eating is going well and I'm exercising six days a week (hey, even the Lord took one day off!).  I find that some foods sit well in my new stomach and some not so well.  Mostly some meats are the problem foods and not really problems but just feel like they sit there for too long.  Things are going very well so far and I am anticipating they will continue.

As of this morning, I have lost 72 pounds.  I cannot believe it when I say that because I have NEVER lost that much weight in my life.  I am wearing a size 14 pants/shorts and a size large shirt and that is almost unbelievable to me.  I held up a pair of shorts in the store recently and told myself that they were way too small for me.  My friend encouraged me to try them on and they fit perfectly.  Too amazing, huh?

I told someone today that I have such even energy now because I am eating so healthy.  No surges of energy and then slumps of no energy and I find that amazing.  Exercising is so easy too..........I workout three days a week at Curves and walk or workout on my Gazelle the other three days and there's no problems there.  I am hoping to continue to build up my workout intensity at Curves so that I continue to build muscle.  They are there and I can tell there's some definition but there's still some saggy skin on my body too.

As always, I am glad to answer questions about my experience for anyone who is considering the RNY surgery. 

Thanks for checking in on me!

Carol
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