ObesityHelp - Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND® System, DS and Other Surgical and Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options.

Username: Monica01
Location: Eastern, PA, USA
Member Since: 1/5/2007
Post Op
Surgery Type: RNY (03/20/08)
Surgeon: Dominick Artuso, M.D.

Photos

Mine (19)

I'm in (0)

Uploaded on 8/30/08 2:19 pm	Uploaded on 8/30/08 2:15 pm
Uploaded on 8/30/08 2:15 pm	Uploaded on 8/30/08 2:15 pm
Uploaded on 8/30/08 2:15 pm	Uploaded on 8/30/08 2:15 pm

View Other Photos

Friends

Monica01 has 13 Friends

Kellie C.	Baybgirl37	Sandra H.
Ivyd	Jerryshuggs81	Cathie N.
meannevil2	Changingbeauty	LeticiaVailes

View all friends

Surgeon Testimonial

Dominick Artuso, M.D.
I first met Dr. Artuso about a year ago. He had done my cousin's bypass 6 years ago and she told me how wonderful he is. When I met him I knew he was the doctor for me. As I started the process for insurance approval his staff was right there for me. Explaining and helping every step of the way. I have nothing but good things to say about his staff, they're the best! After surgery I had a small anesthesia complication but Dr. Artuso was all over it. He came to see me everyday to make sure I was okay. He has a great bedside manner and you can tell he truly cares for his patients. He ended up keeping me in the hospital for an extra day and sending me home on Easter. Dr. Artuso came in early Easter morning to make sure I was released so I could be home with my 2 little boys and the rest of my family for Easter. I highly recommend Dr. Artuso not only for his surgical skills but for his caring bedside manner and for truly being there for his patients. Thank you Dr. Artuso for everything you have done for me!

Latest Surgery Support Comments

Comment by mishi on 3/24/08 2:32 pm

glad u r home!! rest rest rest & drink those fluids!!!! hugs- michelle in albany

Comment by mishi on 3/20/08 4:54 am

Hi Monica- Today is your big day... relax and take it all in.. You're in for the change of your life!!!! My prayers are with you and your family for an uneventful surgery & a speedy recovery. Saving a spot on the loser's bench for ya'! Godspeed- Michelle K. in Albany, NY

Click here for the surgery support page

Monica01's Blog

4/28 - The Scale is moving again!!
on April 28, 2008 6:36 pm

Good news, the scale has been moving steadily...finally! I've lost another 4 lbs. in the last 4 days. I'm now down 32 pounds since surgery and I feel great. Going to see Dr. A on Thursday and I'm hopefully going to be moved to a regular diet. I have to say that my energy is pretty much back to normal and everything I've eaten has agreed with me.....since the fish incident.
Tonight was my sons 1st grade concert and he did great. Sang his heart out. I saw 2 friends that I haven't seen in a while and they both commented on my weightloss. That felt pretty good. I still think it's hard for me to realize the changes going on because it's still hard for me to see.
My husband has been great. So supportive and he's says he sees changes in me everyday.
We now are planning our vacation....a cruise with the kids and I'm very excited. It's at the end of July and I can't imagine what going to the beach will be for me. I can't even imagine what size I'm going to be by that time.
I've found myself keeping busy by organizing anything. Give me a drawer, closet or cabinet and I'm there. It's amazing where you put your energy when your not eating.

Be the first to leave a comment.

4/20 - Busy, Busy & Even More Busy!
on April 20, 2008 8:12 pm

So where do I start.....Let's go back to Thursday night. Not a good night. To put it mildly it was the worst night of my life post surgery. It was my first experience of something getting stuck.....NOT FUN!!! I actually thought I was going to die. I was being a good girl and ordered a nice piece of broiled fish with some lemon for lunch and apparently it was too dry. After that nothing would stay down. I called my friend Leslie who had the surgery about a year and half ago and she told me to hang in there and that I wasn't going to die. I suffered until midnight and then finally whatever was stuck came to the surface (literally). It was instant relief. I learned my lesson and I don't want to experience that again. Chew, chew & chew more and make sure it is moist.
On a happier note, I've been pretty active. Did some raking and took care of some yard stuff. My husband and the boys and I took a nice walk on Saturday and really enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Today we went picked the kids up a trampoline and to be honest I can't wait to try it out. I was afraid to before when I was heavier.
I have to say my husband has been so great with everything. He notices even the slightest changes in me and makes sure I know it. I'm so lucky to have so much support!!

1 comment | Click here to leave a comment.

4/15- Soft/Ground foods!
on April 15, 2008 9:34 pm

Haven't posted in a while but things are going okay. I haven't lost a pound in almost 2 weeks, so I've been a little blah lately. Talked to my surgeon's office today and since I live so far away we did out appointment on the phone. I'm now on the phase 3 diet of soft/ground foods. I know a stall at this point is normal but I just want to get things moving. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the decision I made. I've also been feeling really well. No pains or dumping, so far so good. Everything else has pretty much gone back to normal around here.
Hopefully the scale will start moving again soon.

2 comments | Click here to leave a comment.

4/3 - 1st Post Op Follow Up
on April 3, 2008 5:14 pm

So today I took an hour and a half drive to visit Dr. A for my first follow up. I actually met his physician's asst. Joanne and she was great. I have to say everyone in Dr. A's office is great. Anyway she'd weighed me today and I actually weighed a pound less than at home.....yay!! I set my first weightloss goal at 199. I figure one step at a time is easier for me. My incision's look good and are healing well and I'm now on the stage 2 diet. So tonight I had oatmeal and it was so good. So far so good, I feel fine after eating it so far. I am so glad the clear liquid stage is over, it felt like forever and it was so boring. In about 2 weeks I will hopefully move onto stage 3.
People around me are noticing my loss but I don't. I guess that's pretty normal though.
So here's what everything is looking like:

Highest weight: 269
Preop weight: 260
Current weight: 234
Current goal: 199
Ultimate goal: 145

Be the first to leave a comment.

4/2 - So Tired!
on April 2, 2008 5:22 pm

The title says it all. I've been extremely tired the last few days so I'm taking it easy and resting when I can. Tomorrow I go to see Dr. A for my first follow up visit. By the time I leave I should be on Stage 2 diet-pureeds. I'm actually excited about this.
I have to say the last 2 weeks on clear liquids is the hardest part of this process so far for me. I can't wait to eat something with substance and flavor. I'm actually looking forward to oatmeal, refried beans, & bananas.
I'm down 23lbs. so far and like I said before I'm really happy about it.

Be the first to leave a comment.