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Surgeon TestimonialJeffrey Friedman M.D. I originally started my journey towards weight loss surgery with a different local surgeon. I didn't get to meet the surgeon, but for my insurance I met monthly with the nutritionist / dietician. The first visit with him had me leaving embarassed and angry... with only a few paper handouts to show for the visit. His assumptions and comments were what I expected from the general public, not a weight loss professional. I decided it was a "standard 1st visit speech" so I went back again the 2nd month. I received another fistful of handouts and instructions to cut out "all those deep fried foods" - even though he never reviewed the carefully documented food log I had in hand (which did not list any fried foods). Again, the 5-10 minutes he spent with me left me feeling humiliated and unsure.
I decided I would rather go through life struggling with my weight on my own than to deal with the frustration and embarassment.
And then a friend suggested I visit Dr. Friedman. WOW. What a difference.
The instant I walked in the office door I was greeted with a pleasant waiting room and an even more pleasant lady at the desk, Betty. Dr. Friedman came to the waiting room to get me and I had a consultation with him before even meeting the nutritionist. He was very friendly and down to earth. I wasn't even sure I wanted to go through with surgery, so Dr. Friedman reviewed all of the potential complications, risks and benefits. He sketched out the surgery on a piece of paper and wrote down the various medications and vitamins he would be requiring of me. When I left HIS office, I felt confident in my new decision to have RNY Gastric Bypass, and confident in my decision to have Dr. Friedman as my surgeon.
Throughout the remaining months of my insurance required visits, every visit was pleasant and reassuring. There was no rushing through and no "handout only" consultations. Every time I met with the nutritionist she explained her expectations, why she had them and how I could meet them. The nurse was WONDERFUL about making sure my anxiety and claustrophobia was addressed and made known to the entire team who would be involved in my surgery.
The morning of my surgery I expected to be frantic... but I was very calm and confident that I was placing my life in the hands of a great surgeon who had genuine concern for me as an individual, a friendly and thorough OR team who would see to my needs (especially the anxiety and claustrophobia, if the need arose) and I had advocates in both my surgeon and his nurse.
I woke up from surgery with mild pain, but mostly wanted something to moisten my mouth. I had very little pain throughout my stay (Tuesday morning - Thursday afternoon) and it was always addressed with reasonable quickness by the nurses on the floor. The nurses and techs were caring and attentive. Even the housekeeping staff seemed like my own personal cheer squad as I took my walks in the middle of the night.
Dr. Friedman visited me each day and checked on how I was feeling. He never made me feel like my questions were dumb or insignifcant.
I am only a week post-op and I feel great! I had my first post op visit and everyone in the office was happy and proud for me. It was like celebrating with friends instead of the usual feeling you get in a doctor's office. There is a 5yr aftercare program, so I feel good knowing I have resources available to me for the "long haul."
I adore Dr. Friedman and his staff.... and I feel like they are sincerely interested in playing a part in my success so that I can really LIVE life
Member Interests
- Animal Rescue - I foster horses that are seized by the county
- Cats - 4 of them inside - Diva , Leroy, Boots and Lil
- Dogs - I have a 110lb yellow Lab named Rio. He means more than this line lets me write.
- Horses - 2 horses - 29yr old Skye and 2yr old Buddy
- Gardening - LOVE my garden! Even at my highest weight I was out there in the Florida sun
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Taking Control Day 2 - Epic Fail on June 30, 2012 5:16 pm
Feel absolutely horrible. HORR _IBLE.
Up at 0530 to have my waffle, peanut butter, berries and then meet my sister for a ride to the "Firecracker 5k" downtown. It started at 0730 and the air temp was in the mid-80s. At the finish line the heat index was 98*. There was no shade and the course was in the wide open next to the bay, unfortunately there was no breeze. I felt like my face was melting off. I finished at 38:55, 7 seconds slower than the June 6 race.... I was very pleased!
It was fun too, not just misery. My work sponsored a team of about 40 people - my veterinarian and their office manager signed up with us, lots of crazy people. When I turned the corner to the finish and saw a slight uphill I thought I was going to cry, but I heard my trainer in my head saying "you are NOT going to walk to the finish! You're THIS close" ... so I not only jogged, I ran. Hard. ANd I heard my name being yelled - it was my vet and her office manager. And then just a second later a crowd from work started yelling for me and then another. I couldn't help but smile through the heat and pain. I told them I felt like something out of "Rocky" or "Chariots of Fire" lol.
We stuck around for a while for the group photo and as I was leaving I broke down and had a hot dog. They were evidently quality hot dogs because it was GOOD and not salty and weird tasting. I didn't eat the top bun, jsut part of the bottom.
When I got home I had 3 fig thin /crisps. then helped my mom up in her wheelchair for a little while, then she went out to bathe, we put her on her bed to change and then in the recliner. I had some celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar.
I had time for a very quick nap (about 30min) after my shower. I was tired, had a bad headache (has stuck around a couple of days now) and didn't want to get out in the heat again - but I was supposed to do photos for a 1st birthday party. On the way I had a couple of pieces of Gala apple and cheddar cheese.
The birthday party was outside under a gazebo with a bunch of toddlers in 108* heat index. Good times and wonders for the headache. I had 3-4 handfuls of Doritos and about 1/4 of a nasty, not cooked through hot dog. I thought I was going to puke. Fortunately we were able to leave the party way early.
After posting a few pics on Facebook for the mom to see, I helped my mom, went outside and wet down my 30yr old horse (she doesn't sweat) and gave ice bottles to my rabbits. Fresh water for everybody. Headache for me. Standing by the barn spraying the horses, I ate 4-5 figs off the tree. I was so full I thought I would never eat again. Hour passed I had a mint cookie protein made with water.
My head was splitting so I lay down on my parent's couch. I couldn't sleep because my mom's cat came and curled up next to me. After an hour or so I gave up and decided to fix supper....e ven though I wasn't hungry. I had a BLT on 1pc of P28 toast. I have never eaten so much I got sick - until today. I was in agony - drooling, snotting, crying agony. Nausea, cramps. And my headache went from splitting to nuclear reactor explosion. It took about a half hour of wanting to die in the bathroom before I felt like I could stand up.
And all I can think about is wanting something to eat.... a piece of chocolate or more mint cookie.
I have about 30 minutes before we put my mom to bed, adn then I am going home to tend my rabbits and dogs, shower again and go to bed. I don't know what I have for headaches, but I am taking it. I will have to force myself to drink as I wake up in the night - tomorrow morning is triathlon training and we are doing beach starts and Gulf swims. I am scared. Of failing more than anything.
I was supposed to work OT last night and tonight, but I didn't and I'm not. I have to at some point though - I have TONS of financial costs coming up in the next week or 2. But tonight I have to sleep and try to shake this headache.
Posted my foods throughout the post.... calories around 1900. yay me. :(
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Trying to take control... Day 1 - Minor Fail on June 29, 2012 7:27 pm
I have had enough of the munching, grazing, being hungry and sabotaging myself. Today I tried to make a babystep in the right direction.
Last night made it to bed around 0130 and was up by 0745. My mom had an early doctor's appointment and I had the farrier coming to trim horse hooves. It was SOO hot today, even at 0900 when the farrier came. When he left I headed inside at my parent's house and started cooking. My first attempt at taking control - having good, filling meals on hand so I have no excuses for light protein and heavy snacking.
I made Nik's Magic Meatballs - had some for us for lunch a froze a few servings. Then while my mom had her eggplant casserole in the oven I put together Nik's Taco Casserole and set up 3 chicken breast cutlets to marinate in an Italian dressing. I ate lunch while the Taco Cass was in the oven and then while it set out to cool I changed clothes and headed to work. A couple of weeks ago I won the modified pushup competition and won a 20 minute chair massage, which was scheduled for today. It. Was. Awesome! The only professional massage I have had was more like just a shoulder rub and it just irritated and annoyed me. This girl did a great job of finding the tight knots along my shoulder blades and digging them out. I told her the trainer had put me through an upper body workout on Wednesday so she really worked on the sore and tight muscles.
After the massage I stopped by my house to pick up Frank the dog so I could take him to get his "snip" stitches out. I stopped by where I bought my trailer a couple of years ago to sign for them to pull my credit - I am hoping I can get a 1.5 -2% reduction in my interest rate. From there I went by the vet, then dropped Frank at home and went to the grocery store (again).
When I got home I portioned out the Taco Casserole and froze most of them, but left out enough for supper tonight. Then I made Bariatric Foodie Mexi-Cali Meatloaf. As I took out the first pan of mini-loaves, I dropped it and about 3-4 of the loaves crumbled all over the floor. I did save a couple. Then made another half pan of mini loaves. Once all that was cool enough I portioned them out and froze them while I cooked my marinated chicken.
I am done cooking!!
This evening after supper I went for a bike ride. I was going to ride 5 miles but I settled at a mile because my legs were wore out and I have a 5k tomorrow morning. I bathed all 4 dogs and then swam at least 1/4 mile freestyle (swam more but lost track with my lap counter that only goes to 4). A shower, lots of water, help my mom, a Quest probably before bed.
Meeting my sister by 0615 in the morning to go to the 5k. I just want to improve my 38:48. I think if my legs don't let me down I can do it! ( I may go by my watch though - 1500 people I imagine will effect my time).
My work has a team so we will have a group photo afterwards, then home to help my mom outside, to bathe, lunch then heading north to do photos of a 1st birthday party and the birthday boy. I didn't work OT tonight so I HAVE to tomorrow night
Sunday - Gulf swimming as long as the weather allows. Yikes.
2 calcium in, 2 multis... hopefully an iron before bed LOTS o water
B - mint cookie w/ milk
L - meatballs on 1/2 sandwich thin w/ Bertolli marinara (or whatever that sauce is) and steamed broc/cauli/carrots
S - fresh figs off the tree :)
- Fig crisp
D - taco casserole, peas, corn, tomato
S - mint cookie w/ water
- 4 Ghiardelli - Sea Salt Dark Chocolate, w/ Blueberries
Quest probably
Crazy calories, but they were controlled not binging and nothing TOO bad (should have limited the chocolate to 1-2)
Calories - 1724
Carbs - 200 (figs, Quest, Chocolate)
Fat - 59
Protein - 136
Sugar - 83 (figs - 41)
Fiber - 49
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I will see 300lbs again on June 28, 2012 9:05 pm
If I don't get my head on straight and stop making excuses and digging for something to hide behind instead of just owning up to the fact I am a food addict. I am incapable of being around certain foods without losing all semblance of control. When I don't eat dense, filling foods at planned meals I am not saving calories, I am sabotaging myself for later in the day because I WILL graze, and munch and binge.
I talked to my mom a little tonight and she agreed to let me do some "pre-cooking". Since I spend so much time at their house now, they do the majority of the groceries, I just buy as needed stuff and snack stuff. Tomorrow I don't have a counseling appointment because my counselor is off. I don't work out with the trainer because she is out of town until next week. All I have is 9am the guy coming to take care of the horses' feet and 1250pm a massage I won in the pushup competition. SO tomorrow will be a cooking marathon.
I am going to make, pre-portion and freeze taco casserole, meatballs and maybe some other stuff. It will not only be good for helping me to have "real" food to fill me up instead of less dense protein, but it will also help so my dad doesn't have to cook so much, he can just pull something out of the freezer.
I have some chicken breasts and chicken breast cutlets, those are pretty easy to cook so maybe I can do those on my slower days like Wednesdays / Fridays.
Anyway. Really not feeling the faith and love for me at this point.
Last night I had a hard time getting to sleep, slept hard the 4hrs I had to sleep. I got up at 6, dressed and headed out to meet friends for breakfast at Cracker Barrel (starting the day off wrong). I ATE. But I had planned on it and had an idea for the rest of the day. Of course that didnt' happen. *sigh*
After breakfast I went to the grocery store and feed store, home to unload everything, down to help my mom get going to a doctor appointment. I had a 1hr nap before grabbing lunch, packing work clothes, dressing for the gym and heading out to spin class. It was a rough one!! And I pushed myself extra hard.... when I would start to turn down the resistance I would think about SF cookies and Triscuit crisps and Cracker Barrel.
I was drenched and shaking after class, so while I waited on a shower to open up I had a quest bar. That shower felt so amazing.... but I had to cut out and head to work. Work 1315 - midnight. For my meal I headed to my folk's house to help my mom and eat the chinese leftovers they had brought me. Not bad stuff, a pretty good bit. After I ate my mom said something about me putting my leftovers in a box so I could have it tomorrow. There were no leftovers. I . Ate. It. All.
sigh
THEN I fixed a little container of strawberries, blueberries and peanut butter that I ate with a section of dark chocolate. RIDICULOUS. I am glad I still have some of my 300lb clothes. :(
Tomorrow - farrier, cooking, massage, cooking. Need to run a couple of errands - pay for July with the trainer, pay on my vet tab, go by the grocery store for a couple of things. Then cook. I will also swim and maybe bike. Plan to work overtime in the evening
Saturday morning - 5k. Hopefully it will help me get my head on straight. I will also swim. Then I am doing photos at a 1st birthday party and maybe working overtime in the evening.
Sunday - Triathlon training. Hard to not be totally disgusted and discouraged that I am even thinking I can do it. Trying to hold on to that strong, healthy feeling I have after a tough workout. Hope it works better Sunday than it is working tonight.
Not listing my food and calories. It's on MFP in all it's gory glory. I try to be honest here. But I just can't tonight.
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The Binge Bites Back on June 27, 2012 8:07 pm
So I have had a lot of trouble lately with binging at night. Seriously. Last night I ate about 2 handfuls of Triscuit crisps as well as a bit of quest. Seems like there was more but I conveniently forget. I do remember the red numbers of calories on MFP though.
Today I was kind of wandering lost in WLS world. I really restricted my calories to try to kind of take back some ground from yesterday. I busted my butt with the trainer. And then when I went to my folk's house for my supper break, I started the "Must HAVE" munching. A little SF lemon pudding pie (about 1Tbs) and then needed a ziplock bag so I ate 2 SF chocolate chip cookies to free up a bag (seriously). And the Binge bit back. They may have been SF, but they were not sugar alcohol free. OOOOH the gas pains, the racing heart, the exhaustion like I just walked out of the gym.
YAY I am so glad for some consequences. The horrible gas pain is what stopped my SF ice cream dependency and so now it has done some work here as well. (weird how I am developing intolerances at 10mths out... I was always fine with the SF ice cream and then BANG!)
Anyway - the day.
Last night I had a LOT of trouble sleeping - whether it was guilt, physical discomfort or anger it was all from the cracker crazies. (This morning I fed the rest of the triscuits to the dogs.) I finally took something to help me sleep, as well as a long soaking hot bath.
This morning I was up around 7 to go to my parent's house. My dad had an 0830 doc appointment to get his back checked out and my mom's nurse was to come between 0800 -1200, so I needed to be there. The nurse actually showed up around 0830 so when she left around 0930 I fixed my mom breakfast and then went to lay on their couch. And my dad came home so I had to get his doc report (has to have an MRI). I laid back down and my ex sister-in-laws mom came by to drop off some stuff for my mom. I finally gave up and went home to try to nap... and the dogs wrestled and played. That hour nap was hard fought for and definitely appreciated!
I got up around 1145, packed my work bag, dressed for the gym and headed back to my parent's. I had lunch and then it was time to face the trainer. She tried very hard to make me fall over in a faint today! As I was walking for a warmup, she literally told me that at the end of the workout she wanted me breathing really hard, being super noodle legged and tired. She got what she asked for!
5min walking warmup on TM
2 min @ 5.3
30 sec stations - 50lb sumo squat high pull, jump pullups, pushups, 12" box jumps
2 min TM @ 5.6
30 sec stations (except 45lb sumo)
2 min TM @ 6.0
30 sec stations
2 min TM @ 6.3
Stations
2 min @ 6.3
stations
2 min @ 6.5
stations
AND when I did the box jumps I did several double jumps (normally I can only do one, pause, one) aAND a couple of triple jumps!!!! Feeling GOOD
After the 5th round on the treadmill, she had me take a breather because she said it looked like my lips had a blue tinge. I told her I felt like they did! (yes, I'll talk to my doc. They want me to go to a cardiologist anyway because of my insanely low BP).
The 6th round I would have definitely quit if it weren't for the trainer being there cheering me on and threatening me. A little over a minute in, I hopped on teh side rails for a sip of water and to breathe.... I vaguely remember just saying her name in a "I am dying here please let me stop" kind of beg... and then I got back on and finished. WOOT!
After I showered (which felt wonderful.... I was sweaty in all kinds of places and it looked like I had wet my pants!! Even my KNEES were sweating!) I stopped by her office to talk to her. I told her I am not generally a sentimental person, but I wanted to thank her for pushing me and not letting me quit. She said she was so glad to work with me and that I am so driven. Felt good.
Work was NUTS. Not bad, just crazy. I didn't even sit down to read emails until around 1800 and I got to work at 1430~
Still feeling the effects of my friend Malitol. I may go home early tonight and get some sleep.
Tomorrow I think I am supposed to meet friends for breakfast. I am hoping they cancel. I can't since I was the one who wanted to go lol. If they do cancel I can sleep until 0930, otherwise I will be up at 0615, after getting off work at midnight. My mom has a doctor's appointment and then spin class is at 1215. Then work 1330- midnight.
Friday should be ok.... counselor is out for a family medical thing, trainer is out of town. All I have is a massage at 1250 and probably work some overtime that night. I will also swim.
Saturday - 0730 start time for a 5k, then help my mom for a while, then doing photos for a 1st birthday party, and then probably some more overtime
Sunday - Tri training. Hopefully swims in the Gulf. There are supposed to be 4 instruction stations - strategy, technique, buoy sighting, beach entry and exit. Then there will be the swim portion itself. I am nervous and excited.
2 calcium in , both multis, hopefully iron before bed
Food.... overall ok until that little sweet kick. I am still paying for that though, so I don't foresee me eating my last snack. I'll go ahead and include it in the stats though.
B - mint cookie made w/ water, 1 chicken sausage link
L - WW Waffle, peanut butter, strawberry, 10 blueberries; 1pc turkey bacon
S - 3/4 quest
D - 1pc P28, 3pc turkey bacon, sliced tomato, 3/4Tbs mayo; egg
- 1Tbs lemon pudding; 2 SF chocolate chip cookies
S - (jsut don't see it happening) - 2 strawberries, 25 blueberries, 1/2c cottage cheese
Calories - 1364
Carbs - 115
Fat - 68
Protein - 109
Sugar - 34
Fiber - 22
Calories without last snack - 1247
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Rest Day... and Calories on June 26, 2012 9:58 pm
Today was my rest day from exercise. I did pretty well on that front. Originally I had planned to sleep late this morning, but my mom said my dad has more trouble getting her into her wheelchair than into her recliner, so I got up early. After I had her set in her wheelchair for the grocery store, I loaded up my dog and we drove north to the farm to buy more butterbeans. I stopped by the grocery store for berries and tilapia then got home in time to help my folks unload groceries before lunch. My mom had a hair appointment so I made her a sandwich and then had my lunch, and headed home for a nap. Of course I had to make a trip back down to my parent's because I forgot to move my laundry to the dryer and it would sour quick in the heat.
Work was work.... still trying to get my desk to resemble a workstation, not so much luck on that!
I went to my parent's for my meal break and I went absolutely crazy eating. While my tilapia was cooking I had probably 3/4c of SF jello lemon pudding pie. Instead of my planned tilapia/chz and broc/cauli I had fish, chz, peppers, chz, butterbeans and corn. I was so full. I am still full and yet in my head I know I will probably eat again when I get home. *sigh*
Tomorrow I get up early to go down to my folk's house. My mom's physician's assistant / nurse practitioner whatever she is , is coming between 0800-1200. My dad has a doctor appt at 0830 so I will need to be there to wrangle the dogs for the poor lady. :)
Workout with the trainer at 1, then work until midnight.
Thursday morning will be a complete blowout on calories. I am meeting friends for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Hopefully I will at least try to maintain some food composure. If I don't I will probably regret it at 1215 - spin class. Then work until midnight.
Friday I have a chair massage at the gym. I won it as a prize for winning the push up competition :). I will probably work overtime Friday night, maybe go to my older nephew's baseball games.
Very exciting stuff.
2 calcium in today, 1 multi, maybe iron before bed
B - mint cookie / water
S - Ghiardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt - 1 section
L - Tilapia w/ cheese and onion; tomato, corn, butterbeans
S - Apple Pie quest
- Ghiardelli Twilight dark chocolate 1 section
D - tilapia w/cheese and onion; peppers w/ lc cheese; butterbeans, corn
- SF lemon pudding pie
S - 2 strawberries
I plan to have peanut butter and celery when I get home. It is included in the stats. The NUT said I could have up to 1500 calories a day.... I never intended to go there and it is where I seem to stay now. I hope my exercise is enough to kind of neutralize some of it :(
Calories - 1573
Carbs - 156
Fat- 54
Protein - 144
Sugar - 40
Fiber - 33
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