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Before & AfterThere are currently no before and after photos for this member. See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos. Surgeon TestimonialKenneth G. MacDonald, Jr. M.D.I met Dr. MacDonald for the first time at my Endoscopy and talked with him again at my pre-op evaluation visit on October 1. He answered all of the questions I had and said if he didn't think I would be successful, he would not do the surgery. I chose him because he has worked in this field over 20 years and studied under Dr. Pories who developed the gastric bypass surgery many years ago. He comes highly recommended and I am very excited about starting my \"new\" life.rnrnHaving now gone through the surgery with minimal complications, I think Dr. MacDonald is the best! I didn't have any drains after surgery as I know other WLS patients have and I don't seem to have any major complications as of yet. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. MacDonald as your WLS surgeon. |
Hello!
My name is Melinda and I had RNY weight lost surgery on October 11, 2007. I've been overweight my entire life. I have been married to a wonderful man for over 7 years and one of the main reasons I decided to go forward with WLS was to have a family. I have loved children my entire life and we have tried to get pregnant, unsuccessfully, for over 3 years. I have been told by several doctors that my weight is a big issue. I hope that after the surgery I will finally be able to have the baby I long so much for.
I'm here to share my journey and learn from all of you that have already been through what I'm going through now and are enjoying your new life. Please contact me with anything you would like to share. I look forward to talking with all of you!
ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!! on December 7, 2008 1:54 pm
174 total pounds lost ----- 135since surgery
A quick update - ONEderland!!!!
I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to update this blog. I have a new job and it keeps me busy. I've reached and passed my one year surgiversary and haven't looked back. I feel great and it has finally happened - I hit ONEderland, FINALLY!
I was beginning to think if it would never happen, but I weighed 199.4 this morning! I think that is the first time I've had a 1 in front of my weight in probably 20 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still struggle with my arthritis issues (although not as much), but overall I feel great! I have much more energy than I've ever had and find myself doing things I never would have done before. I DO NOT REGRET having this surgery at all!!! I am so glad I made the decision to change my life-- it was one of the best ones I've ever made. It took me some time to realize it was right, but when I did I never looked back.
Those of you considering the surgery, let me just say GO FOR IT! You will have a few ups and downs, but in the end you will never regret changing your life...
I've posted a couple before and NOW pictures. :) I don't want to say AFTER just yet as I still want to lose about 30 more pounds, but it's moving OH so slow now... I know I have to beef up the exercise... anyway, always need a new years resolution right?
Have a great holiday season everyone and I promise to be better about posting updates!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/ECUMindy06/BeforeAfte rDec08.jpg
Melinda
373/334/199.4199.9/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
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Quick update on August 13, 2008 8:45 am
159 total pounds lost ----- 120 since surgery
Here's a quick update to let everyone know I'm doing well and so is James. I reached 214 this morning (159 total pounds lost) and only 15 pounds from my first "real" goal of ONDERLAND! It may take me a couple more months to get there since the wl has slowed, but I think I'll get there... I'm also going to add a gym membership into the mix and hope that helps. Energy wise, I feel absolutely wonderful! Walking around Myrtle Beach this past week didn't bother me hardly any even in the 100+ degree heat! Of course I sweat, but who wouldn't when it is that hot?! I would have been SOAKED and had to sit down every 5 minutes before... it's such a good feeling.
There have been times when I've regretted the surgery, but overall they are FEW and FAR BETWEEN! I can definitely say this was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life! If you are thinking about it-- GO FOR IT! You will not regret it and wished you had done it sooner.
James is doing well also, but he is having some small challenges with food. He was 2 months out this past weekend. I think he's had it a bit worse than I did with food which shows everyone is different! He has lost 62 pounds since surgery (June 5) and 90 or so from his heaviest.
Ok, that's it for now... I'll check in again soon!
Melinda
373/334/214/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
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Finally an update! on July 8, 2008 5:27 pm
152 total pounds lost ----- 113 since surgery
It has taken me a while to get around to update this, but here we go finally.
James came through surgery without problems except for not getting a room for 23 hours! His surgery was scheduled for 12:30pm on Thursday, June 5. At 3:30pm the surgery began and he was in recovery by 6:30pm. They were able to fix his hernia (which we were thrilled about) and Dr. Mann seemed very happy with the outcome.
Then the fun began. We had been told that the hospital was "busting at the seams", so I figured James wouldn't get a room right away-- I had just hoped it would be before the night ended. Well, needless to say, he didn't get an actual room until 2:30pm the next day. He was taken care of, but it was hard on us as we could only see him 15 minutes every 2 hours. He also wasn't able to walk as much as he would if he was in a room where I could take care of him. Anyway, he got to a room and up and walking.
We made it home and the next few days/weeks were rough. Just as I said after my surgery, he said that he thought he was prepared, but really you never truly know what you go through until you go through it yourself... We went through several ups and downs and regrets, but things seem to be on the upward swing now. He is finally able to eat 'real food' and has lost almost 40 pounds already! His one month surgiversary was this past Saturday. I'll keep you updated on how things are going for him.
As for me, I'm doing well also. Friday will be 9 months for me. I have lost 152 pounds total and 113 since surgery. I would feel awesome if it wasn't for my RA. i just wish we could get some medicine that would make it "go away"... oh well, I'm dealing with it.
I also think I'm ready for a change... I go for a haircut and hopefully NEW style tomorrow, so check back for updates...
That's it from our corner of the woods... I'll update soon!!!
Melinda
373/334/221/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
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James's surgery is in ONE WEEK! on May 29, 2008 6:45 am
142.6 total pounds lost ----- 103.6 since surgery
I can't believe that in ONE WEEK, James will either be in surgery or coming out of it... It's a crazy thought. I honestly think I'm MORE nervous on this side than I was when I had the surgery... In my heart I KNOW everything will be fine, but you still have those few anxiety feelings..
Please keep us in your prayers next week. We're hoping he will be one of the first people on Dr. Mann's schedule... I'll post an update once he is out and doing well...
As far as I go, I'm doing pretty well. I've realized I need to do better with my food choices and have started keeping a food journal on Fitday.com. I'm only a couple days in, but so far so good. I really need to do better about my food choices. I see the need, but still allow myself to eat the "bad stuff" even if it's in a small amount. I am parnoid that I've stretched my pouch, but I really don't think I have as I still feel restriction and fullness after only eating a little. I need to learn to push the plate away and NOT KEEP PICKING at it... it's something I struggle with.
One good thing is though I'm only about 5 pounds away from weighing 225! I want to be under 200, but seeing that number decrease definitely is incentive to "do the right thing"...
I'll update more after James's surgery.
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A few updates and James has a surgery date! on May 21, 2008 6:49 am
139.4 total pounds lost ----- 100.4 since surgery
A few updates...
James is scheduled for RNY on June 5! Dr. Mann is performing his surgery and he's nervous/excited, everything that goes along with setting the date. It's hard to believe HE'LL be on the loser's bench with the rest of us in TWO WEEKS! He has been doing his low-carb, pre-op diet for about 2 weeks and has already lost 15 lbs... I hate how MEN can loose it so fast, but oh well. I told him, at least I had a 7 month head start. *HAHA!* I'm so proud of him though and ready for him to be at the point I'm at now.
Now for a few updates on me!
I just past the 7 month mark and I've officially lost 100 pounds since surgery. I am right around 140 pounds TOTAL lost. It's hard to believe that much weight is gone, but I can certainly see it when I look in the mirror and put on clothes... it's an amazing feeling. I'm fitting comfortably into most 1x clothes and some size 20 pants... I even have a few shirts that are size 16 or 18. I've definitely seen that not all clothes are sized the same...
I have gotten back into eating some bad food, which is not good and I'm putting a stop to it immediately. It's so easy to fall back into bad habits, especially as you get further and further out and pouchie is able to tolerate it. I keep trying to tell myself it is just a tool and I have to WORK it.
One thing I still struggle with is exercise. I am MOVING more than I used to (stuff around the house, etc), but it's not the same. How do you all get motivated to exercise? I wish I was one of those people that LOVE to exercise, but I'm not... I've thought about joining a gym, but if I'm not using the treadmill and weights that I have at home now, what makes me think I'll go to a gym? We are going to try to clean out the garage and make our "own gym", but it's hard to find the time to do it. I guess there is always an excuse... Any suggestions on how to get motivated to exercise?
Anyway, that is my update for now... Will check in later.
Melinda
373/334/233.6/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
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