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  • Name: Melonie P.
  • Username: nolnie
  • Location: York, PA, USA
  • Member Since: 10/17/2006
  • BMI: 42.4
  • Post Op
  • Surgery Type: RNY (10/20/06)
  • Surgeon: John Monk, M.D.
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Surgeon Testimonial

John Monk, M.D.
Very knowledgeable and skilled - has a dry sense of humor that I like. Was able to answer all my questions and explain all in detail for me. Sue is his right-hand person, she is very busy but always pleasant and gets back to you in a timely manner when you call with concerns or questions. He requires you to go to a weightloss clinic, G Bp group, and all the blood test, physical checks and psychological eval before he submits your paperwork for approval - and stresses aftercare also. I knew all the risks ahead of time. His office is a Center for Excellence and he has had years of doing RNYs. I was very comfortable eventhough this was my first surgery ever and I had only been in a hospital once before for about 2 days. Good experience.
Member Interests
  • Arts - Jewelry making, sketching, painting, art festivals, theatre
  • Business & Career - investigate discrimination complaints for county (govt.)
  • Family & Friends - Have a close family, great hubby and 2 stepkids on their own now (in mid 20s)
  • Hobbies - collecting cultural decorative pieces for my home - quite eclectic
  • Pets - 2 Pit Bull mix dogs and 2 cats (a Maine Coon and a Tuxedo) all spoiled
  • Music - classic/soft rock, new age, some jazz, some classical, some metal
  • Religion & Spirituality - Like to explore all types, have my own sense of spirituality
  • Paranormal Research and Investigations - have an interest - find it fascinating to contemplate

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Debbie W. on 10/20/06 7:20 am
    Melonie, You will be in my thoughts and prayers today as you begin your wls journey. Hope your surgery goes smoothly and your recovery is complication free. debbie
  • Comment by Cyndi M. on 10/18/06 7:06 pm
    ~~~~~~CONGRATULATION S ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY~~~~~~ (Everything in our lives happens for a purpose and that purpose is to prepare us) May God give you courage, strength and guidance throughout your new journey. You are about to embark on the most amazing transformation of you mind, body and soul. Your big day is almost here, this is the day, your new life will begin, I cant promise it will be easy, cant say it will be hard, I can say that with all the complications and everything I had to go through, It was well worth it. I have never felt better in yearsss, I’m off all medications, have sooooo much more energy. So if you hit a bump in the road, hang in there and remember it will alll be worth it in the long run. Sending Prayers your way that the Lord will guide your surgeon’s hands. May the guardian angels wrap their loving arms of protection around you during your surgery and recovery. Remember your not alone in this journey, many of us have been down this road, we are here to offer love and support. Looking forward to hearing from you on the loosing side. Huggs and Prayers Link to my profile 8-19-04 surgery date weight 297.5 height 5f 2 -115.5 weight losss http://www.obesityhe lp.com/morbidobesity /members/profile.php ?N=M1087435160
Click here for the surgery support page
I have been a BBW all my life - now that I am approaching 50, the almost 300 pounds I carry is beginning to slow me down. I need to change this! After thinking about gastric bypass surgery for a couple years (and adding more comorbidities) I decided to do this for me. My new journey is ahead.
I have a wonderful supportive husband and family, (parents and siblings), a job and coworkers I truely enjoy, friends and acquaintances socially, so it is time to do this and get this part of myself in line with who I want to be for the next 40 years.
I am ready!
nolnie's Blog
nolnie's Blog


Been awhile
on May 11, 2007 10:15 am
So I had my 6 month checkup and all is well with my bloodwork (Yay!) - even my protein level is good (I have always benn low there even before wls). My weightloss is sloooowwwww (nothing lost for 2 months). I know it is because I find I can eat anything I want (and I have eaten some non-plan thin gs) and I don't always measure my meals. I also eat too many meals a day - so says my surgeon. He says I should get myself to 3 meals a day now, no snacks, and no supplements recommended. I know I need to work on my lifestyle things. It is difficult though - I seem to get a bit light-headed every 2-3 hrs and want something to stop the empty feeling I seem to have in my pouch. I am trying to get protein in first, then vegs and some carbs. I try to work the plan. My insurance will not cover the weightloss center aftercare and I can't afford to pay it outright monthly myself - so I am going to support group, researching and trying to keep on a plan - it is difficult, but that is how I got to 318 in the first place. The good news is that I just lost 4 more pounds last week after losing none for 2 months--- YAY! Maybe I am getting back on plan and will be losing again. 29 weeks and 61 lbs lost - slow indeed......this is Not easy!
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Coming up to 6 months
on April 5, 2007 6:00 am

I will soon be 6 months out - and I am doing fine. Losing my hair now, but I know this is normal, so it is not stressing me out - my hair is fine and thick so I still have good coverage overall. I have not lost any more pounds in the last month, but the inches are dropping. I have been cheating some, since I have no problems with any foods - it is difficult to control myself with Easter candy at the office, and some birthdays with chocolate cake - but I think "that is what got me where I was and I was soooo miserable". My loss to date is noticeable and I feel so much better these days - more energy, moving better, no more aching knees and ankles.  I need to get back to the plan (protein, water, no bad carbs or sugar at all) and use this tool.  I have been lucky to find some great clearance buys in clothing - smaller sizes (YAY) and getting back into some clothing I had put away when it got too small (a BIG YAY!). Overall, no regrets on doing this!

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Working on it
on January 29, 2007 6:45 am
I am 14 wks out now and feeling wonderful!  I am glad that I had the surgery. I can eat anything without any issue, just less (some days more, it varies I find) but overall I am eating protein first and getting my water in (eating healthier) and taking in smaller portions, which was my reason for my surgery (I have always eaten healthy but too much). The weight is beginning to come off again after stalling a bit, so I am happy. I am not concerned with the rate of loss as long as the scale continues downward. My goal is to be close to my goal of 150 pounds by the end of the year - that is still about 100 lbs to go - will be interesting to see how I do. I feel so much better already, physically and mentally. I smile more. I still need to get in more walking and exercise.......that is tough for me to schedule since I work all day (7.5 hrs) and commute 50 min. to work each way - combined with the tasks of running things at home too, 4 pets and my hubby, there isn't alot of time for me -- but this weightloss is for me and my challenge now is more exercise.  Working on it!
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3 Month Checkup!
on January 18, 2007 12:13 pm
Had my 3 month followup with my surgeon today - my first bloodwork analysis. All is well except that my protein level is a bit low (more meats, cheeses, poultry, seafood, etc.) and my zinc is a bit too high (so I will be cutting back). Dr. Monk says walking each day is fine for exercise, eat 3 regular food meals and no snacking now going forward. He also says to not rely on protein bars or supplements but focus on "real" foods. That will be difficult for me. I have been doing small protein-heavy foods, with supplements, about every 3 hours or so for the first 3 months (per his instruction). He also says I should find something to have fun with (as a substitute for what food used to be). He says pottery, reading, artwork, whatever. That is my assignment for the next 3 months until I see him again. I am doing ok overall, my weight coming off slowly, healing well, I am on track and ok. Just need to work on the protein, walk, adjust my zinc supplement (b12, calcium, iron, folate, etc all fine) and develop a fun activity to replace food.  I believe I can do this!
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Getting through the holidays
on December 27, 2006 12:08 pm
I am getting through the holidays but not being good in sticking to my food plan. As a result, my weightloss is slow. I am "lucky" in that I am able to eat regular foods now and nothing bothers me (causes pain or dumping) but that also makes each day during the holidays a struggle for me. I am eating smaller portions but grabbing sugars (esp. chocolate) and carbs (Christmas cookies).  I have to buckle down now and get in control again.....I am feeling well, energized, I am down one size and 40 pounds at just over 9 weeks postop, but I should be doing more to control what I eat. I know what I should be doing....but I am being "bad" right now. The holidays have so many temptations.....
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My Story

I have been overweight all my life. Mom says I wouldn't breast feed so they went to formula - and my Dad feed me alot. A chubby kid and adolescent to a fat adult - I have lived through all the rude comments, sneers and inconveniences that being overweight brings as one tries to navigate through everyday living.....I have tried many diets and lost and gained many pounds (it always comes back twice as much, and faster!). That is how I got to my highest weight of 318 on my 5'2" frame.

All my life I heard "you have such a pretty face......" (women who are overweight probably know the phrase). I am now 297 (have managed to lose some again) and have asthma, hypothyroidism, hypertension, reflux, sleep apnea, daily knee/ankle pain and anxiety (more adding each year, it seems), along with my classification as "super obese". I will soon be 49 years old - so far not diabetic (and hope not to develop it but know I am at risk). I was blessed with good intelligence and many talents so I exceled in academic and social endeavors (except for dating until I was almost out of college).

I have been married for 19 years, with two stepchildren in their mid-late 20s that I helped to raise (another story all its own). My husband is the best - he has a fondness for BBWs, and is my best friend as well as the best lover for me, we share many common likes and opinions - we have been through alot with his many medical issues, child-rearing issues, financial issues, (he has had 2 brain tumor surgeries  and  is now on disability) but we have endured. My family (parents & siblings) are close and help each other unconditionally with support or money without "keeping tabs".  I have a job and coworkers I truely enjoy, investigating discrimination complaints. We live check-to-check as many, but have enough income to have our home, keep the bills paid, support my 2 dogs & 2 cats (my babies now), and 2 cars, and still afford some little luxuries now and then.

My best friend from high school, Karen, died March 8, 2005. She, like me, was heavy all her life, smoked (unlike me), had a heart attack, many health and mental health issues, and ultimately died from a brain tumor. She was 47 when she died, had never married, had no children. Facing my husband's surgeries, and Karen's death, made me realize that I need to do what I need for me while I am alive and able, to be happy in my skin. All the years I have wished I were "average" size; to get past all the rudeness in my past from others --- everything else in my life now is fine; the desire to be healthier in the rest of my life; I need to do this for me. This is my reason for opting for gastric bypass surgery -- this will be my first surgery, and second stay in a hospital.