Before & After

 
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Goals

Maintain balance in my life - it's not always about work!

16 People
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this

To start living life instead of existing.

40 People
 in progress, 
10 People
 achieved this

To be a healthy/ happy role model for my kids, to see them grow up

32 People
 in progress, 
9 People
 achieved this

Reach Onederland

236 People
 in progress, 
230 People
 achieved this

normal BMI

18 People
 in progress, 
3 People
 achieved this
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Surgeon Testimonial

Keith Kim, M.D.
My first impression of Dr. Kim was that he appeared to be friendly, yet thoughtful. When you have a question, he never just prescribes something or tells you not to worry about it. He goes into depth as to why your body is responding a certain way. And I really like that about him. Dr. Kim called me at home when I was a recent post-op. He is an incredibly talented and caring surgeon who walks the talk everyday. rnrnAftercare is a priority with Dr. Kim. If you are not meeting expectations in terms of water, protein, supplements or exercise, you'll hear about it (and rightly so!) US Bariatric Orlando is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. If you are not familiar with that award, it means that they are held to very strict standards of caring and excellence in all phases of the program.rnrnDr. Kim is an amazing man and an incredible surgeon. I'd choose him again in a heartbeat.rn
Member Interests
  • Hobbies - Genealogy. Our family tree is proven to 1640; unproven to 1200.
  • Web Development - I am the US GenWeb County Coordinator for New York City.
  • Parenting - Loving Mommy to son, Sammy!
  • Housework - I'm embarrassed to say that it helps me to relax. It's twisted, I know.
  • Swimming - My favorite form of exercise!
  • Volunteerism - American Red Cross Instructor and Instructor Trainer (IT)
  • Japanese - I lived in Misawa (Aomori Prefecture, Honshu) Japan for three glorious years!
  • Geeks & Nerds - Love my Macs!!
  • Air Force - I was the Spouse of the Year for both Misawa Air Base and the 35th Fighter Wing!
Welcome!
SealWelcome ~ come on in! Winter is here! Grab a comfy chair, kick off your shoes, and visit with me for a spell. I have all kinds of things going on here. You're sure to find something to interest or amuse you. Enjoy and come back soon!
My RNY Journey
Kristen's Blog


It's been awhile...
on December 28, 2008 5:04 pm
I cannot believe that it has been over a year since my last post here. So much has happened!

I April, I left US Bariatric Orlando because my compensation structure was brutally slashed. With gas and tolls, I just couldn't afford to go to work anymore, never mind pay my bills. I reluctantly tendered my resignation and went to work for a laser hair removal company that promised the moon and stars ... but of course didn't deliver. And despite being their #6 sales person in the US (out of 220+) I was laid off before Christmas. So the good news is that I am available!  :)

2008 has been a rough year for me health wise. In January I had a mini stroke due to a cyst on my pineal gland in my brain. Follow up indicates that all should be well, but I need to have it scanned every 6 - 12 months to be certain. Add that to my thyroid scan, I guess. In November (two weeks before I was laid off) I was admitted to ORMC for chest pain. The chest CT showed that I had bilateral pleural effusion - why? I have an appointment with my pulmonologist, but what they also found was a "spot" on my liver. I had that scanned as well, and it is a hemangioma or benign cyst. Whew.

I have gained exactly 20 pounds since January 2008 - why? I have been tracking my habits and was stunned to see that I am missing more vits than I am taking; dehydrated; no exercise; drinking with meals, eating crap and sugar - in short, EVERYTHING that I shouldn't be doing. I know that I have been depressed since January 2008 when everything at work started tanking. I am resolving to use this "employment downtime" to get back to my pouch rules. Writing everything down here is a critical firs step. 

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November 2, 2007
Did you ever have a time when no matter what you said, it just wasn't what someone wanted to hear? And you got slammed? I wonder if I was ever that defensive as a pre-op/early post-op.

Probably.

June 27, 2007
Well, today I had my pre-op appointment for my mastoplexy and augmentation! Just two more weeks to go. Everything is paid, I have my scrips, and Dr. Soto saw the picture that I hope to look like post-surgery. I am really starting to look forward to it now.

I also enjoyed seeing the pre-op process at another surgical office. I saw a few things that would really work well here at US Bariatric Orlando. I am always on the lookout for ways to make the patient experience as stress-free (and even as enjoyable) as possible.

Things are going well for me, bariatric-wise. I was getting off the protein train a little bit, so to speak. I am back on board, full steam ahead! My weight is stable, still losing inches though. Trying to work on my arms a little bit more. I don't have "Angel's Wings," thank goodness. All muscle, but they could stand a little more. Drinking enough is always a challenge for me, though. I wonder if that will ever change permanently?

June 20, 2007
Well, I finally am pulling the trigger on plastic surgery! Since I don't have a lot of vacation stored, I am going to have a breast lift and augmentation on July 20th. After my two year anniversary at work in November, I'll have my abdominoplasty and lower body lift. I am really looking forward to having my pooch removed!

Dr. Armando Soto in Celebration, aka "The Breast Man," is doing my breast lift and augmentation. I have been trying to find magazine pictures of my dream breasts, but so far I am not having any luck. All that I know is that I want them done. After gaining and losing so many times, the girls have definitely headed south!

Having plastic surgery feels odd, like some twisted vanity trip. I have to keep reminding myself that having weight loss surgery was necessary for my health, and now looking great is necessary for my improved life.

January 15, 2007
Today - finally - I had an appointment with an ENT for my ears. Of course, it was found that I have significant hearing loss in my left ear, and some in my right. Looks noise related (couldn't be those 148 Grateful Dead concerts, could it?) Also, the SCUBA diving, skydiving...all of the different atmospheres. Well, the news is that I have to have an MRI of my head to rule out a tumor on my otic nerve. I'll tell you, sometimes it seems as though no one will rest until they find something wrong with my noggin and have to shave my head!! Well, the first step is complete. WHEN the MRI comes back as clear, I can go on a medication that will resolve the incessant tinnitus. Really, I am hoping that, without the tinnitus, my hearing will improve if not be normal.

Work is busier than ever, and I am loving it. Sometimes I wonder if I was as defensive as some when I was a pre-op. I am starting to notice how those obese people around me are being treated. No wonder some have such a chip to penetrate. Why is it still okay for people to discriminate against the obese? So as we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today, I am reminded that we as a society have a way to go yet.

And it starts with me, one person at a time.
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January 5, 2007
The results are in - clear CT scan! Dr. Kim asked if there was anything in my head. :) Well, it's as normal as it was before, anyway! I'm betting that it is labyrinthitis.

January 4, 2007
Well, I spoke too soon. I have to have a CT scan tomorrow. I have been out of work all week with a stabbing pain in my skull. No relief. Finally went to the ER, got a prescription sedative and non-NSAID pain reliever. My family has a history of stroke, migraines and brain aneurysms (thanks, Mom!) so the CT scan is the necessary next step. Wanna bet it is all related to my left ear?

On a positive note, it looks as though I am a bone marrow match for someone! Stay tuned...!

January 1, 2007
Happy New Year! I am currently laid up with a cold, also with the predictable blocked eustacian tube. Gotta love vertigo. So it is just safer to lie in bed and type. Thank goodness for spell check, because the Antivert is making me loopy! I'm going to call an ENT tomorrow. Looks like I am finally going to break down and get a tube inserted. Today I had a real WOW! moment. I went to look for some more scrubs to wear for work. Many people at work, co-workers and patients alike - have told me that I needed smaller scrubs. Of course, I didn't believe them, as I am wearing Large petites. Imagine my surprise when I tried on Medium petites, and they fit! Not only did they fit, but fit well - not tight at all. It was a moment that is still so surreal to me. I am still hanging steady at 152 (27.8 BMI), but apparently I am still getting smaller even though the scale is not moving. Again.

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My Story

Star POUCH RULES FOR DUMMIES (Abridged Version!)


RULES OF THE POUCH
1. The patient must time meals five (5) hours apart or the patient will get too hungry in between.

2. The patient needs to eat finely cut meat and raw or slightly cooked veggies with each meal.

3. The patient must eat the entire meal in 5-15 minutes. A 30-45 minute meal will cause failure.

4. No liquids for 1.5 to 2 hours after each meal.

5. After 1.5 to 2 hours, begin sipping water and over the next three hours slowly increase water intake.

6. Three hours after last meal, begin drinking copious amounts of water and other calorie-free fluids.

7. Fifteen minutes before the next meal, drink as much as possible as quickly as possible. This is called "water loading."

8. You can water load at any time 2-3 hours before your next meal if you get hungry, which will cause a strong feeling of fullness.


 THREE PRINCIPLES FOR GAINING AND MAINTAINING SATIETY
1. Fill pouch full quickly at each meal.

2. Stay full by slowing the emptying of the pouch. (Eat solids. No liquids 15 minutes before and none until 1.5 hours after a meal).

3. Protein, protein, protein. Three meals a day. No high calorie liquids.


THE IDEAL MEAL FOR WEIGHT LOSS
The ideal meal is one that is made up of the following: 1/3 of your meal to be low fat protein, 1/3 of your meal low starch vegetables and 1/3 of your meal solid fruits. This type of meal will stay in your pouch a long time and is good for your health.


FLUID LOADING
Fluid loading is drinking water/liquids as quickly as possible to fill the pouch, which provides the feeling of fullness for about 15 to 25 minutes. The patient needs to drink about 80% of his/her maximum amount of liquid in 15 to 30 seconds. Then just take swallows until fullness is reached. The patient will quickly learn his/her maximum tolerance, which is usually between 8-12 ounces.

Fluid loading works because the roux limb of the intestine fills up, contracting and backing up any future food to come into the pouch. The pouch is very sensitive to this and the feeling of fullness will last much longer than the reality of how long the pouch was actually full.


EXERCISE
In addition to exercise helping to increase the weight loss, it is important for the patient to understand that exercise is a natural antidepressant and will help them from falling into a depression cycle. In addition, exercise revs up their metabolic rate during a time when their metabolism, after the shock of surgery, tends to want to slow down.

Original article written by: Mason. EE, Personal Communication, 1980. Barber. W, Diet al, Brain Stem Response To Phasic Gastric Distention. Am J. Physical 1983: 245(2): G242-8 Flanagan, L. Measurement of Functional Pouch Volume Following the Gastric Bypass Procedure. Ob Surg 1996; 6:38-43. "Dummies" version rewritten by Sally Perez.