CarolineAnnMartin
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Thomas Thuan Nguyen
"While not specializing in post-bariatric reconstructive surgery, so far, I am pleased with the results from my surgeries with Dr. Nguyen. He seems expecially experienced and excellent in breast reconstruction."

Syntrax Nectar Whey Protein Isolate, Fuzzy Navel
"I can't speak highly enough for Nectar's Fuzzy Navel. It is WONDERFUL and is as close as I'll get to drinking orange juice since I've had WLS!"

Protein Eight bars
"I purchased the cookies and cream & chocolate chocolate chip bars thinking I wanted to try them out before going to Costco and purchasing a box of them. There is a good amount of protein - 30 gms (though soy based) although the carbs are still high (over 20 gms) as is the fat (9 gms). They also are on the VERY sweet side - too sweet for me even though I am 10 1/2 months postop - and they have a bit of an aftertaste. I will stick with my Strive Smores and Peanut Butter protein bars when doing protein bars."

Protein Eight- Cookies and Cream
"I purchased this bar thinking I wanted to try them out before going to Costco and purchasing a box of them. There is a good amount of protein - 30 gms (though soy based) although the carbs are still high (over 20 gms) as is the fat (9 gms). They also are on the VERY sweet side - too sweet for me. I will stick with my Strive Smores and Peanut Butter protein bars when doing protein bars."

Andrew Hajduczek
"Dr. Hajduczek has a wonderful bedside manner and has been very kind throughout pre and post-op WLS. Dr. Oliak was the assistant surgeon, and all went well. I am very confident that I chose a great center to go to for surgery - the Coastal Center for Obesity at Chapman Medical Center. While very busy and sometimes hard to get a hold of, all of the staff there have been wonderful - full of information and very supportive, and several of them (including several staff members at the hospital) have gone through WLS themselves. I was on an all liquid diet (HMR) for the first month and moved onto soft foods after 4 weeks and then solids after 5 weeks. I was told by Dr. Oliak (who took out my drain) that my pouch is very small and that they skipped their standard of the first 5 feet of my small intestines (150 cm)(proximal RNY). I am a little worried as I've LOTS of weight to lose (220 lbs as I was 367 lbs pre-surgery) and wonder if I should have pushed for the distal RNY. Dr. Hajduczek assured me that I should be able to succeed with the surgery he performed. It was hard sticking to the liquid fast for the first 4 weeks given that the required HMR shakes that I used to love pre-surgery, were way too sweet for me, and it was way too much of a reminder of my last 2 diet attempts where I lost and regained 125 lbs and 45 lbs repectively. The Coastal Center for Obesity has a WONDERFUL support group meeting. The people there are just so supportive of each other, and I learn so much from everyone. For those of you in the SOCAL area who might want to check it out, the Coastal Center's support group meets every Monday, from 6 to 7:30 pm, at Western Medical Center, in the Basement, conference rooms 2/3. 801 N. Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana. All are welcomed! We also meet at a local Starbucks afterwards for coffee and chat :)"

Syntrax Nectar Whey Protein Isolate, Caribbean Cooler
"Instead of water, use 8 oz of Crystal Light Pinapple-Orange and this is an amazingly GREAT tasting protein drink! I so highly recommend it!"

Bariatric Advantage
"I just LOVE these vitamins. Before taking the Bariatric Advantage vitamins, getting down my vitamins was an incredible struggle. I would even vomit on the Trinsicon! But now, I am getting in all my vitamins with ease, and I actually look forward to taking them as they are my "candy" for the day LOL Here's a list of what I am taking: Chewable Multi-Vitamin (2X/day), Chewable Chocolate Calcium Citrate (4 - 5X/day), Sublingual B-12 (1 - 2X per week), Iron Citrate (1 to 2/day)."

Lynn Granlund
"Dr. Granlund even went out of her way to send me a note that she'd heard from my surgeon that all went ok, and wished me best of luck :) She was very helpful in referring me for all the pre-op tests, and is a wonderful doctor overall."

Hy Algazi
"I really appreciated that I was able to speak openly about the fact that I am an abuse survivor (emotional, physical and sexual) and deal with depression/PTSD/dissociation and prior problems with compulsive overeating without Dr. Algazi automatically coming to the conclusion that I would not be a good candidate for surgery. Prior to my psych eval with him, I was very worried that this would be the case as I have heard so many horror stories of people getting turned away due to their dealing with issues such as I mentioned. But my fears were unfounded, and Dr. Algazi assured me that I was not alone in my experiences and that providing I was willing and able to seek help if needed, that I would be ok to go through the surgery. Thank you Dr. Algazi :)"

HMR 70 Plus
"I am on this full liquid diet for the first 4 weeks following WLS, but I've been on it before (through a HMR program) for 10 months losing 125 lbs. I like the chocolate the best (there's also vanilla and chicken soup). There are also other versions of the HMR (500 & 800), but I need the 70 which is lactose free."
About Me
Collegeville, PA
Location
20.6
BMI
RNY
Surgery
05/02/2003
Surgery Date
Jan 21, 2003
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Night before surgery. 71 inch hips & size 7X
367lbs
17 Years Post RNY - Size 6 and healthy - May 2, 2020
150lbs
Friends 67
Latest Blog 2
Long overdue update
Where to find my blogs and Update as of June 14, 2021
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