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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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So Far Today on January 7, 2012 10:21 am
I got up early this morning to go on my Saturday walk with my friend. She isn't real reliable to go exercise so I texted her 2x yesterday making sure we were still going. I got up, went to my parent's house to set out some hamburger to thaw and then left for my friend's house in the next town over. I was about 15 minutes into the 25 minute drive and she texted that she wasn't going (can't really blame her - she has a Great Dane puppy that is over 100lbs and about 30" at the shoulder - he tracked poop all through the house where he'd stepped in it).
I cut through a backroad and went over to my sister's house. I am doing maternity photos for a friend's niece this afternoon and have to borrow a lens from my sister. When I got to her house she suggested I walk with her so we went for about 40 minutes in a clearing of the woods behind her house. It was like cross country - uphill, rougher terrain lol good stuff.
When I got home I made "cheeseburger pie' from bariatriceating.com recipes. I replaced their Bisquick with Carbquik. It was pretty goood, but so far not nearly the reaction that Nik's Chicken pot pie and mexican lasagna got. I'll hang on to the recipe, but it won't be a "go to" one. I did go and bookmark a few others on that site.
Hoping for a quick nap before my friend comes to pick me up at 2. We are going out to the beach and one of the old forts to do the photos. I always get so nervous because I am NOT a professional photographer, so there is no guarantee the pics will be any good. We will probably end up walking a good bit out there. When I get home I will have to edit them. Another off day consumed, but after work tomorrow I am off work for a week!!
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Yes! (and thanks, Nik!) on January 4, 2012 4:07 pm
Another good day almost in the books! I didn't jog last night because of working out with the trainer today - I was nervous since I haven't been to the gym in almost 3 weeks. I even went home from work early (I have hours to flex) and tended my animals (hard freeze warning - had to get some straw in houses and cages and hang up a temporary wall). I helped my mom and then after a hot shower went to bed. I slept great and for like 7 hours!!! It was insane!
I helped my mom and started getting stuff together for lunch (Nik's Bacon Cheeseburger skillet). I left at the last minute and by the time I got to the gym at 11am I'd had 32 oz of water (with 1/2 a Special K protein water in each bottle) and then a 10oz protein shake (Chocolate protein w/ PB2 and 1/2 a banana). I weighed with my shoes on and was at 238lbs. I don't know what my shoes weigh, but I just kept the 238 for now.
For the workout she set up 5 different stations. I would visit each station 3 times for 1 minute each. Warm up was just a couple of minutes on a spin cycle!! I never got on one because I was afraid I was still too big for that tiny seat, but it worked (painful, but it worked!). After warm up the first station was lateral box step-ups. Standing on one side of a 12" high wooden box, I'd step up with right foot, join it with left, down with right, down with left, then up left, up right down left down right. For a minute. Then it was dead lift row - a 45lb weighted bar, bend over and with back straight lower the bar to full arm extension, row it to chest, return to full arm extension and stand up. Next was weighted squats - 1 minute squatting 55lbs (first 2 rounds, then 60 for the last). Then incline dumb bell fly with 10lb weights in each hand. Then "bench climbers" - hands on weight bench, legs way out behind, then alternate drawing knees up towards chest.
It was a butt kicker and I LOVED IT!!! Today was a perfect workout - I had to push myself to finish and to complete each station strong, but I didn't have to have modifications and it wasn't so difficult I had to fight my own urge to just quit. Awesome!! Next week I work out with her on Tuesday AND Friday, then have a 5k on Saturday!
Today I was late leaving the gym and still had to go by the grocery store, so I didn't get to cook the skillet I had planned for.... but I plan on having it Friday!
My sister signed up for the 5k with me and we registered as runners. We'll probably only run a little bit, but I want to get started on it... my goal is to run the whole 5k my employer puts on in May.
Tonight I am supposed to meet a work friend at the gym during our lunch and I am going to do the elliptical for a little bit.
Tomorrow I have to get up early and help my mom so she can go to get her hair done. I think that will really help keep her spirits up. She seems to be getting stronger, thank God! When they leave I will make Nik's Mexican Lasagna for lunch and hopefully as soon as my mom gets home I can head to my house. The dog that I have kept for 3 weeks goes home tomorrow night and my house looks like a hoarder's episode threw up! I don't want those folks coming in there and seeing that disaster area! So I will clean before work tomorrow and then hopefully exercise again on my lunch.
Friday morning I have my first counseling appointment in 3 weeks. I look forward to getting back to a place quiet and safe. I think I have some good updates for my counselor as well - boundaries with my parents as far as my availability to help; reining in my temper and stress; not eating my stress., etc.
Saturday I don't have much going on so I hope I can get my garden clean up started and lunch will be either Nik's Crockpot chicken and mushroom or the home favorite Nik's chicken pot pie!! ( do you see a theme in my meals! LOL )
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