Miguel Rodriguez

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FEBRUARY 12, 2005 

I got my sleep study done on Friday,
02-11-05, nurse woke me up on Saturday morning and told me that
I have sleep apnea. Now I will have to go for the CPAP. Don't
know if I should be happy about it, since it will "add
another point" to me when fighting the insurance. Will keep you posted

FEBRUARY 14, 2005

Went for my psychotherapy evaluation
today. It went very well and got news that they will give me the
letter by the end of this week YIPEEEEEEEE!!!! Now I need to go
for the nutrionist and have them evaluate me. I am still very
worry about not being approved my the insurance because of the
six months supervised diet that I don't have, but can't worry
too much. Will keep you posted.

FEBRUARY 21, 2005

Went to my PCP. He informed me that
he had just received my sleep study results and that they dont
look good at all. He told me that while I was sleeping my oxygen
level dropped down to 72. He said, let me put it to you this
way, when a person's oxygen level drops down to 92, we have to
put them in oxygen, yours dropped down to 72. He said, I need
you to get the CPAP study done as soon as possible. I told him
that I had an appointment for March 25th and he said that I
could die of a stroke while I am sleeping. So his staff had
check every hospital around where I live and they were
able to get me an appt. for March 3rd. Will keep you posted.

MARCH 03, 2005

Tonight is my CPAP study, nervous
and anxious to get this done. Will keep you posted.

MARCH 04, 2005

Came out of my CPAP study at 4am.
The nurse told me I did very well, didn't have any sleep apnea
events which is good. She told me that the doctor will 
have to see the results, translate it and send it to my doctor.
Also, today was my consultation with Dr. Koren, everything went
very well. He took his time to explain to me and my wife
what the surgery is, the risk and the goods of it. He said I
will make a perfect candidate for the surgery. He told me now
you need to get in touch with Mandy and take it from there and
he also gave me a prescription to go for a testing call H.
Pylori, he said is a stomach bacteria that will need to be taken
care of before surgery. I spoke to Mandy and she is an angel.
She sent me a package in the mail of all the things I need to do.

MARCH 17, 2005

Today I had a stress test done
because my surgeon wanted me to get a clearance from the
cardiologist, anxious to find out how is everything. I also had
my nutrionist appointment this afternoon and everything went
very well. Will keep you posted.

MARCH 18, 2005

My doctor called me today, and he
said that he just re-wrote the records about my diet. I was
excited until I picked up the copies. He did the notes very
well, but, I noticed that even though I have been seeing him for
the past nine months I don't have six months of supervised diet,
well I do but they are not continuously, I am missing like one
month because he saw me like 3 times in one month and I don't
know if that is good . I am very upset but keeping my fingers
crossed that the insurance will still approve me. I also
received a copy of my stress test and everything is
good. Will keep you posted!!!

MARCH 25, 2005

My doctor sort of re-wrote the
records about my diet, now I just have one more appointment with
my PCP and I should be ready to submit to the insurance. I also
picked up my CPAP machine and how depressing it was, but I will
get through this. I had quit smoking cold turkey, it was pretty
easy for me, all I got was anxiety, no headaches and all, but I
started smoking one or two cigarettes a day, but after the pack
finishes, I am done smoking. Tomorrow Saturday I have my
nutritional and support group meeting and then I should meet
with Mandy to discuss surgery date, I am so excited and can't
wait for this to be over with and become a looser, well a weight looser... Will keep you posted!!!

MARCH 26, 2005

Went for my nutritional class and
support group today. The nutritional class was basically the
same as my nutrition assessment and the support group was so
nice and very informative. For the very first time, I didn't
feel judged by others; we were all the same at that group
meeting. On the sad note, I started smoking again, but I will
quit within a day or two, that is a promise. I also spoke with
Mandy about the checklist she has given me, I told her that
everything was done and that all I needed was to meet with her.
She told me to wait until we get a date an approval from the
insurance. It has been a long journey, but at the end of it, it
all be worth it. I will keep you posted!!!

MARCH 31, 2005

Went for my regular PCP just to find
out I gained like 10 pounds more, now I am at my highest of 295.
I quit smoking and I do miss it though, but I am
going to be strong enough not to go back. I will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 01, 2005

I faxed a copy of my March medical
record to the insurance person over at my surgeon's office and
she told me she is going to submit the paperwork and that as
soon as she hears from the insurance she will call me, I am so
nervous that I miss the cigarette more than ever, but I will try
my best not to go back. I will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 07, 2005

I called up Anne, she is the woman
who deals with the insurance in Dr. Koren's office. I told her
that there were rumors about my employer letting me go and she
felt so bad. I told her that I was only calling her to see if
she had a chance to submit the paperwork because I was worried,
after all, I have already received a written warning. She
promised me that she was going to "rush" my folder into Dr.
Koren's hands. I told her that I will call her by next Friday
(04-15-05) to see if she had a chance to submit the paperwork
and she told me that by Friday we might even have an answer. I
am keeping my fingers crossed... Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 11, 2005

I called up Anne again, just to
check if the paperwork was submitted and she told me, YES IT HAS
BEEN!!! I am so nervous and I am hoping to hear from the
insurance fast and in a positive way. Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 13, 2005

I have been calling the insurance, I
most say, every single day ever since Anne from Dr. Korens
office told me that the paperwork was submitted. Every time I
call the insurance, they tell me that they don't have a record
of them receiving any paperwork from the Dr. Korens office. This
is so  frustrating, I called Anne and left her a message. I
also spoke with Mandy and she told me that she was under the
impression that my paperwork was submitted already. I am so
confuse and don't know what to do. My only rush for this surgery
to get approve is because I am having problems at work and I am
sure I won't be here for the next three months and at least I
wanted to have this surgery before they fired me or I
quit. Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 14, 2005

How frustrating!!!!!! I just spoke
to Health Management Svcs. and still nothing from my surgeon. So
I went ahead and called Anne from Dr. Koren's office. This time
she informed me that my paperwork has not been submitted because
Dr. Koren needs to sign some letter. I was like WHAT? She told
me that the doctor wasn't in today but she is sure that tomorrow
will be submitted. This is ridiculous; I could get fired at any
time and then will be left with no insurance and no surgery.
Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 15, 2005

Ok people... I called up Anne from
Dr. Koren's office and she said that today she did submitted the
paperwork. She said: "Yeap, one more step down" "Just give me
about 10 days, that's how long they (HighMark BC PPO) takes to
give me an answer" Now should I believe her? I am and I am
hoping also that this time is not another lie like before. I am
so excited and can't wait for the 10 days to pass already. I
know God will have them approve me. Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 18, 2005

I called the insurance twice today
and nothing nothing nothing... So thank God I got this very nice
representative from member services and she said that she will
call up Anne. After she spoke to Anne, she comes back to the
phone to tell me the newest story. Anne said that on Thursday
(04-14-05) they tried faxing the paperwork and the fax didn't go
through, so they decided to mail it on Friday (04-15-05). How
nice of Anne, to lie and lie and lie... Hey Anne, how about try
faxing it again? On Friday (04-22-05) I am calling the
insurance, and they have better received the damn paperwork
because I will take a ride to Dr. Koren's office and fax the
damn paperwork myself or make her do it in front of
me LOL... Anyways, I will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 19, 2005

OMG... I called the insurance
company twice, and was told twice that the paperwork is being in
review right now. I am so nervous and scare at the same time.
Why am I nervous and scared, is not like I have a surgery date
or anything. I guess is because I want to know their decision
already. Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 20, 2005

Don't know if I should cry or
scream. I GOT APPROVED by the insurance. I called them today
just to bug them, and the representative told me that the case
was approve yesterday and that the computer said that a letter
was sent to the doctor and member, she even gave me an approval
number. I was approved in less than 2 days!!! I knew God will
listen to everyone who prayed for me, thank you to all of you,
especially Donna and Shane, these two women have been angels. I
could proudly say that I am ready to become a loser, thank you God and everyone. Will keep you posted!!

APRIL 21, 2005

I GOT A DATE!!!!!!! MAY-26-05. OH MY
GOD.... I am so excited, I really want to cry..... Go me is your
birthday, Go me is your birthday!!! To bad I
can't jump or dance, I am at work.... Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 25, 2005

Today I received my approval letter
from the insurance, now I know this is real and is not a dream.
The date is approaching and I am getting very, very
excited. Will keep you posted!!!

APRIL 29, 2005

I have to thank everyone who has
provided me with their support, especially Shane and Donna, they
both have been Angels, WOMEN YOU TWO ROCK!!! It has been a very,
very tough week and I have to say, that I was able to get
through this tough week without having to smoke. 27 days left
until my surgery... I can't wait!!! Once again, thank you
everyone for all the emails of support and I will keep you posted!!!

MAY 02, 2005

Today I am feeling a bit down. I was
laid off from work, yeah, with a surgery date of May 26th.
Fortunately, they are giving me medical insurance until August
31st, that's if I sign a waiver. I received a phone call
today, scheduling my pre-op testing, how exciting... Will keep you posted!!!

MAY 05, 2005

I know I didn't do the right thing,
but I ended up in WLS Memorial page here at the OH.com website
and after reading all of them, yes, all of them, I am freaking
out and having second thoughts. I know that I shouldn't have
read them, but I am very curious and I did. My surgery is on May
26th and I know that if God wants that to be my last day it will
be, but for now I am totally freaking out. I need some help, I
really want this surgery, what should I do?

MAY 06, 2005

I have to say, the messages I
received from the message board really made me feel 100% better.
It is true, I have done my research and I am ok knowing the
goods and the bad and if May 26th is my last it will be no
matter what. After reading some of the post in the board, I did
good in reading them. Will keep you posted!!!

MAY 09, 2005

Just came back from
my pre-op testing, I was there from 9:30-1pm... and I am here
with a huge headache....I met with Fay, she
asked me about 200 questions, then she send me over to the lab.
to get some blood out of me and then an EKG...., the blood test
included the one with the nicotine, I shouldn't never smoked in
my life.... Hopefully that will come out good, I have been a
good boy for the past 3-4 weeks, so we will see... Anyway, then
after that, I had to go and get some x-rays of my poor lungs, I
am sure they are still good, I was able to blow 27 candles at
once on my birthday on 4/26... so I am sure... then after that,
I had to go back and see Fay and have her page Mandy. I met with
Mandy for about an hour, and how nice it was, she gave me a lot
of peace of good support and assurance, which is the most
important. She told me that for the next three weeks not to have
that last meal because that might have my  liver grow
more... I said, damn, I wanted to go to Lonestar or something...
She also told me that I might be the first patient that day, so
I might have to report to the hospital at 5am... I am pretty
happy about that.. I want to be the first one... so we will see....I just got off the phone with my
mom, since Mandy told me that my mother could stay  with me
as long as I get a private room or there is nobody else in the
room, and my mom was pretty excited, so she is coming with me
now. Mom is the one who wants to stay with me at the hospital.
Mandy told me that I can't drive for up to a week, depending on
what Dr. Koren says after the one week visit.
Will keep you posted!!!MAY 10, 2005I am feeling like crap today... As
soon as I got back from the pre-op testing, I went and laid
down, and got up with a headache, stomach pains and all... I
have been throwing up like crazy, so I am sure I got the
bug my daughter had last week. Will keep you posted!!!

MAY 11, 2005

I am feeling much better today, my
stomach virus I believe is completely gone, YIPEEEEEE.... Not
doing to good in the home front, lots and lots of problems with
my wife. On a good note, my Angel is Donna Chu, girl
YOUR ROCK!!! Will keep you posted!!!

MAY  20, 2005

WOW... It has been a while since I
last updated. I am six days away from being a loser....
YIPEEEEEEE As the days pass, I keep getting more happy, nervous
and excited. I have been feeling a bit depress. Depress because
I was writing a good bye letter, just in case, we have to be
realistic, but I didn't finish it. My allergies are killing me
as well, maybe I am just getting too nervous???? Will keep you guys posted!!!

MAY 24, 2005

WELL FAMILY, I AM JUST TWO DAYS AWAY
FROM BECOMING A LOOSER. Honestly, I am very calm and just a bit
nervous, but not as much as I thought I was going to be. I keep
getting so many support messages and they mean so much to me.
Thanks to all of you who have posted messages
for me. Will keep you guys posted!!!

MAY 25, 2005

Well here I am, just one day away
from becoming a looser. I am not nervous at all, deep inside I
feel very happy. I have mentally prepared myself for this
surgery. It has been a long wait, but not as long as other
people and finally I will know what is like to be walking
without running out of breath, feet pain and other things that I
have been missing in life. As you all know, my Angel is Donna
Chu and she will keep you guys up to date. I know God will guide
my surgeon's hand and he will allow me to have a good surgery
with no complications. I am going today to buy the rest of my
necessities for my surgery and the days after. Will keep you guys posted!!!

UPDATE - Today I got a call from the billing
department over at Easton Hospital, they told me that my balance
I had with them had to be paid upfront or when I get there
tomorrow. Ok, so let me think this, I am not working, I have no
income, besides my wife's pay and I am about to have my surgery
cancelled? Something has to happen here... Got it, write a check
and post date it for my last paycheck and guess what? Easton
Hospital took it, so I am ready to go. I received a phone call
from Mandy, she wanted to know how I was doing and if I had any
questions, I think that was very nice of her. As soon as I hung
up with her, the phone rings again from Easton Hospital, it was
the admission lady, she gave me the good news, to be there at
5:30 in the morning YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Then my wife came and
told me she wanted to take the whole family for my last big
dinner, we had Chinese, but shhhhhhhhhhh don't tell Dr. Koren or Mandy.

MAY 26, 2005

Here I am 12:41 in the morning, I
have to be at the hospital at 5:30am. To all of those who have
kept me in your prayers and those who have given me so much
support, THANK YOU!!! I know my surgery will go well and I will
be a looser like many others, I am so happy and can't wait to be
on the other side. God Bless all of you and I will update you
guys as soon as I can run to my computer and type in
www.obesityhelp.com and click on Dr.Koren's forum and the main
message board. I am feeling a bit sleepy
family, so I will see you all on the loosing side.

MAY 30, 2005

I am back family....
Surgery went so well. Here is my WLS journey.

THURSDAY

Got to the hospital
Thursday at almost 6 am, when I was supposed to be there at 5:30
am... After registering they sent me to the second floor, the
nurse at the second floor took me into a room to get change into
the hospital gowns. After I was all dressed up in the gowns they
took me into another room that sort of looked like an emergency
room, but I guess everyone in there was waiting for surgery,
different kinds of surgeries. Mandy came and read me a few
things, signed them and I was done. Another nurse came and gave
me a shot in my belly to prevent blood clots. Right after that
Mandy took me over to another room, right next to the OR, before
I entered this room, I gave a good-bye kiss to my wife, then we
entered the room. In that room, Mandy gave me and IV, two
different guys came over asking me my age, my name, the reason
of me being in there, then they told me they were the guys who
will be putting the tube down my throat. After that, Dr. Koren
came in and told me that he was going to get changed and we
could start surgery, I said OK. Weird thing, I was not nervous,
not even a bit. Mandy and the other nurses wheeled my bed into
the OR and they told me to just move from that bed into the
skinny, tiny black bed that was there and that's all I can
remember people. Next thing I know, I am being woken up by Dr.
Koren and they other doctors and I was being wheeled into the
recovery room. Once I got into the recovery room, I ended up
staying in there from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, all because my oxygen
level kept dropping. Once they got it stabilize then they
wheeled me to my room. There I had my mom and wife waiting for
me, then my wife's cousin came to see me, but I was so drugged
up and tired that all I wanted to do was sleep and sleep. At
around 9:00 pm, my nurse came and got me up, WOW what an
experience that was, getting up and walking, is like starting
all over to learn how to walk, but I was able to walk around the
whole floor and then after we got back to my room, I sat down
for a while and that's when I started feeling sooooo nauseous,
but nothing came out. Right after that, I told the nurse I
wanted to lay down, which I did until the next day.

FRIDAY

Friday was a better
day. I woke up feeling just a bit pain on my biggest incision.
My urine thingy came off at 5:30 am, now that was an experience.
Friday I was able to even get up from the bed by myself, do
walks around the floor and stuff. My drain thingy came off that
day in the afternoon, Mandy took it off. Not everything was
painted in pink this day. In the morning, for breakfast I took
just a few tiny spoons of the chicken broth they gave me and a
bit of water, I was full instantly. At lunch, they brought me
some beef broth and that made me throw up, I don't touch any
broth since, but the sugar free Jell-O was my best friend. My
angel Donna came to see me today also, what a pleasure was to
meet my angel face to face.

SATURDAY

Today I woke up feeling so great,
not much pain and no vomiting. Dr. Koren came by and discharged
me at around 12pm. Almost didn't get discharged because I wasn't
passing any gas, and Dr. Koren told me he won't let me go until
I do so, but I finally did and let me tell you, once you do,
you will feel sooooo much better...

JUNE 01, 2005

Hello family... I am doing so great
and feeling great as well. So far I have been tolerating all the
foods and drinks. I have done some bad things, like for example,
taking some chilli and some baked potato, but I  tolerated
it very well. My staples are coming off on Friday and I am very
happy about it. I could get off my bed by myself, I am doing a
lot of walking and stuff. I do want to thank those who prayed
and thought of me. I will do this again in a blink of an eye, I
have no doubts at all.

JUNE 02, 2005

Hello everyone... I am feeling so
good, very energetic, very happy with life. So far I have been
able to tolerate everything that goes down my throat. At this
early stage, I have tasted foods that I am not suppose to (i.e.
Wendy's chilli and baked potato) and have been able to tolerate
them. I have been doing a bit of driving which I shouldn't
before Dr. Koren's permission, but sometimes in life you just
need to do things because unfortunately nobody else can, but
when I drove, I took it slow. Dying for a cigarette but won't
smoke. Tomorrow my staples come out so will keep you guys posted in how that goes...

JUNE 03, 2005

Hello family.... I went to get my
staples out today, what a piece of cake, didn't even feel them.
Dr. Koren saw me walking down the hallway and said: "Hey, you
look great, you survived" and we both started laughing, what an
angel he has been as well as Mandy. I am happy to let you guys
know that I lost a total of 12.5 pounds in a matter of 7 days, I
just can't believe it. I told him about me eating Wendy's chilli
and some baked potato and he said, if they went down good, that
is not a problem. I told him that I was dying to eat some salad
and he told me to go ahead and try it. I am so happy with my
life right now. Once again, thanks to all of you who have been
there for me, those who have prayed and gave me the support I
needed, my angel Donna Chu, you truly have been an angel and I thank you for it. Will keep you guys posted...

JUNE 06, 2005

I am not doing too good, I am eating
everything that comes my way which is not good. I am able to
keep everything down but deep inside me, I know I am not doing
or following the diet. I guess it is going to be hard the first
few weeks, is hard to say NO. I know I must be tougher than what
I am right now and stick to my diet. Besides that, I am feeling
great, full of energy. I owe my life to Dr. Koren and his staff.
I am so glad I have an angel named Donna Chu, this woman has
been there for me, my wife, mom, and everyone in my life. Will keep you guys posted!!!

JUNE 07, 2005

Well hello my family, it has been a
bit rough lately. I threw up yesterday and today, just the water
I drank after I ate. I know, it was just that water was too
tempting after dinner, but I learned my lesson. I am feeling
wonderful, and I keep telling everyone that if I had to do this
again, I will... On a sad note, I started smoking, I know my
angel Donna is not going to be too happy about it, but I will
quit once I go back to work. Anyway, that is
all folks, I will come back soon to update!!!

JUNE 15, 2005

It has been a while since I last updated, wow, how can that
happened? Anyway, I am not feeling my best, I haven't been
eating, just a yogurt or half of a scrambled egg and that's it,
then is liquids all day, I might have some dinner.  I have been
feeling very weak and with no energy at all.  I am taking my
vitamins everyday, but maybe is because my body is not getting
enough food, who knows... I have a follow up appt. with Dr.
Koren this coming Friday, so I will let him know what is going
on.  If the scale in my house is working properly, then I went
down to 274.5, but I will go by Dr. Koren's scale.  I will keep you posted guys!!!

JUNE 17, 2005

I went to see Dr. Koren today.  I am happy to announce that I
lost another 17.5 pounds, making a total of 30 pounds so far. 
He got upset because I went back to smoking, he also didn't
liked the fact that when I see food I get nauseous.  He gave me
a prescription to help my stomach and told me that at this
point, he will see patients in a month but he wants to see me in
another 2 weeks. I told him that my stomach just feels weird and
that I am not eating because I just don't have an appetite, he
told me that if in two weeks I don't get better he will have to
put the telescope thingy down my throat and check my pouch.  He
told me to try to eat soft foods again and to try to at least
eat 3 tiny meals a day, or try to eat several tiny meals through
out the day.  He told me I could do a lot of walking and
swimming now and not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds and
TO QUIT SMOKING... Anyway, I will listen to him, cigarettes is
going to be a bit tough, but I will work on it... Well that's
all folks... I will keep you guys posted!!!

JUNE 22, 2005

Hello family.... I went to my first support group meeting
yesterday, I mean, first after surgery.  It was such a pleasure,
it is something I won't change for the world.  I felt bad that I
didn't go on stage with the new post-ops but I get very shy when
it comes to standing in front of public, but now I am saying to
myself, that I should've.  I met Nicole, she is such a nice lady
as well as Pam, she is a sweet heart too.  I saw Rebecca but
didn't get a chance to talk to her, but congratulations on your
40 something pounds that are gone.  I am feeling not hungry, I
don't want to eat and Dr. Koren told me on the support group if
he had to look down my throat and I said I hope not.  I am also
feeling a bit like a failure because I started smoking again,
and I know that is what's irritating my stomach, I am going to
quit very soon.  For those of you who read my profile and have
not gone to any support groups, go especially if you are
pre-op.  The support groups is something that will fill you with
so much knowledge and you will get to meet so many wonderful
people, I know I will be doing it more often.  Anyway, that is
all for now.  Take care...and will keep you posted!!!

JUNE 26, 2005

ONE MONTH

Today is my WLS one month anniversary.  I
am feeling great, I was a bit "sick" for the past week but
everything seems to be going back to normal.  Today I tried a
tiny piece of the newest Taco Bell thing, and it was good, but
the piece I took filled me up pretty quickly.  I am hoping to
start going again to the support meetings to talk to my OH.com
friends.  Take care family and will keep you posted!!!

JULY 01, 2005

Well hello family.  I went to see Dr.
Koren today, happy to announce that I have lost another 10
pounds, making my weight loss total of 40 in just a month a
couple of days.  I am amazed and thankful to God, Dr. Koren,
Mandy and all the nice people I have met through OH.com.  I am
also happy to announce that I have a job offer, but not too
thrill about it, but we will see how it works out.  I will soon
be attending the support groups again, so hopefully I will get
to see some of you.  Take care family and will see you
soon...Will keep you posted!!!

JULY 11, 2005

Hello family... It sure has been a while
since I last updated.  I accepted the job offer, so I am working
only 3 hours a day, well I usually stay there more like 6 hours,
but I don't mind, is a job I enjoy.  I went for two interviews
with the same company and was just told by my former boss that
they called him for a reference, I am very happy about that. 
Also, I developed this really bad pain in my left ankle, the
pain is so bad that it won't let me sleep at night.  I called
Dr. Koren and he told me to just take Tylenol and that it didn't
sounded like anything related to the surgery, I was very happy
about that. What else??? Nothing much happening, I think I am
loosing more weight but won't go on the scale until I see Dr.
Koren on the beginning on August.  Well family I will keep you
posted!!!

JULY 25, 2005

Hello all.  It sure has been a while since
I last updated.  Nothing much has changed, besides the fact that
my energy level is so high.  Oh, my ankle is hurting more than
ever, I went to Warren Hospital today and was told that I had a
sprained ankle and a foreign body in it (piece of bone).  I
called Dr. Koren to make sure I was allowed to take the Tylenol
3 pills they gave me and he said that I should be able to take
them with no problem, he also asked me how my eating was.  He is
so nice, such an angel.  I have an appointment with him on the
5th, I am excited and can't wait to go see him.  Also, I went to
see my PCP and he sent me for a test to make sure I didn't have
any blood clogs because of the pain in my ankle, and it came
back negative, also found out that I lost 8 pounds, so as of I
believe a week and a half ago, I am down 48 pounds.  I thought
nothing much has changed, but I guess I was wrong.  I am looking
forward to go to the next support group.  Hope to see you all
there!!! Take care...

AUGUST 05, 2005

Hello... I went to see Dr. Koren today for my follow up appointment and also to
find out I am down 61 pounds.  I am just so shocked and so
happy, always thankful to Dr. Koren & Staff, Mandy and God. 
Also, since my insurance will expire by the end of this month :(
I had Dr. Koren write me up a script to get all my vitamins
levels checked, well I also did it because this damn ankle still
killing me and one Doctor told me that it could be my B12
vitamin. I told Dr. Koren and he said, NO WAY... so I am
happy... I went to the support group and it was very nice to
finally speak to Becky, she looks great, keep up the good work
girl and Nicole as well. I think that's all for now folks, but I
will keep you posted of any updates!!!

October 19, 2005

Hello people... I know it has been a long time since I last updated, I have been having lots of problems in the home front, so it has been a roller coaster. I started a new job with NORWESCAP, this time is a full-time job and I am very happy about it. We just had the our annual Tricky Tray and it was a complete success. My weight loss is been wonderful, so far I have lost about 95 pounds, this is just an estimate, but I am going to see Dr. Koren on November and I am so looking forward to it, because I will then know my actual weight loss. I haven't been attending any support groups, because my wife has been working instead of a 40 hour work week, she has been working more like a 60 hour work week, then the trip from Somerville to Phillipsburg, so by the time she gets back, the meeting has started and finished. I am looking forward to going to another one. I am still not eating much, just a toast in the morning with some butter, then at lunch I eat a campbell's soup and then I am good for the whole day. Anyway, I think this is all for now. I will keep you guys updated!!!

October 24, 2005

Hello family... I just updated my profile with some before and after pictures. I am shocked looking at the pictures, but thanks Dr. Koren, Mandy and the rest of the staff. Thank you God for giving me my second life. I feel wonderful and looking at the pictures, is just unbelievable. Take care all...

November 4, 2006

Hello family... I just came from seeing our fabolous Dr. Koren, he is just an angel. I had quiet a few questions for him and he so patiently answered all, GOD BLESS YOU Dr. Koren. I am 96 pounds lighter, they are GONE forever, once again thank you Dr. Koren, Mandy and the rest of the staff. My angel Donna, you rock, you have been one of my biggest inspirations, thank you...

December 28, 2005

Hello family. It has been a long time since I last updated. During the past month, I have dropped sizes like crazy and I do have to say, that thanks to Dr. Koren, Mandy and the rest of the staff I feel wonderful. Thank you God for making my journey an easy one. I did get sick, so sick over the weekend and for the first time I experienced what a dumping feels like, I have no idea what I did wrong, but one thing is that it was not fun. I have to start working out, which I haven't of course. 7 months out and haven't even touched the gym, what a shame, but I will very soon. I have been missing lots of support groups but soon I will start going back. For those of you who read my profile, I want to wish you guys a happy New Year to you and your loved ones. Take care...

February 1, 2006

Hello people... Too many things to say today. First, last Thursday I had to be hospitalized over night because of a really bad pain I developed in my "guts". It turned out that my pouch is very irritated and Dr. Koren told me in the morning that I could already have an ulcer, so I am on medication for that now. The Thursday before that, I had to be rushed to the ER because an allergic reaction to shrimp. Today, I went to see Dr. Koren for a 3 month follow up visit and now I he wants me to go back in 2 weeks. I am also going to be checked by his partner Dr. Boch I believe his name is, so that he can take a look at my man "boobs" because they hurt and because since I hit puberty they have always been there, and even with all the weight loss they are still there. As of today I have a lost a total of 112lbs. not as much as I was expecting, but it is a good number, WAIT... I HIT THE CENTURY CLUB... Oh my gosh, now I am freaking out.... I just need to work on getting that card thingy on my profile... Now I am doing the happy dance.... That's all folks, take care and will update in about two weeks....

February 21, 2006

Hello Family... I went to see the wonderful Dr. Koren on Friday and also Dr. Bloch. Doctor Bloch didn't give me good hopes, he told me that the more weight I loose the more the chest will go down. Now when Dr. Koren saw me, nothing had changed since the past, so on Thursday I have to go for a scoping (spell...?) and is going to also take a biopsy (spell...?) of my pouch. I wasn't too happy but I can't have this pain everytime I eat, doesn't matter if I eat with the medicine or without it, I still get the pain. In a good note, I lost another 3 pounds, which puts me up to 115 pounds gone forever... The weight has started to come off very slowly, but I guess is better than anything. That's all forks, I will keep you posted.

February 24, 2006

Ok, I had my scoping done yesterday and don't remember a bit of it... Ohhhhh how good is the drugs in the hospital. Anyway, Dr. Koren called me up today to see how I was doing. I told him I was doing ok since nothing was in my stomach (food), I then asked him what was he able to see in my pouch, and he told me that I have two small ulcers, they are small but quiet painful he said. He also told me that when he did my surgery, he had left some clips in my pouch and one of them was penetrating into my stomach but that he was able to get it out. Now, what is next is funny. He asked me how I was doing with my cocaine intake and I was like WHATTTTTT??? Coke??? He said, yes, how are you doing. And I said, Dr. Koren, I don't use coke and he said, you don't, I said no. He said that he assumed I did because the nails in my pinky are long, and I said nooooooo. I have to go and see him on March 3rd. But you know, one thing I found out is that I am getting hungry after he took that "clip" out of my stomach, I have to talk to him about it. I will keep you guys informed....

May 4, 2006

Hello family. It's been a long time since I last updated. I just returned from my vacation, I was in PR with my beautiful daughter and sister visiting family over there. Most of all my family have not seen me after the surgery, not even in pictures, and I have to tell you that most of them didn't even recognize me when I got to their homes. It felt wonderful, not to be picked on because of my weight, but instead I received so many compliments and other people's eyes wondering when I passed by, it felt wonderful. I once again thank Dr. Koren and staff, thank you once again for giving me this joy. Anyway, I will keep you guys posted. I can't believe is my one year anniversary this month, oh boi, how time flies...

May 25, 2006

Hello all. I went to see our wonderful Dr. Koren yesterday. I am happy to announce that I have lost so far 126 pounds and I am just 29 pounds to goal. I am so happy, this has been a dream come true. I am traveling back to Puerto Rico this Saturday to get my father who has Alzheimers to come with me back to the states hoping that he can get a better treatment. This is going to be a new journey but I know I have God watching over me. Wish me luck and see you guys when I get back, I am planning in attending some support groups as per my wife request, she said, I need them. Take care and will keep you guys posted!!! 

October 07, 2007

Wow... It sure has been a long time. I am down to 163, that's 143 pounds lost. I feel like a complete different person. This surgery has changed my llife in so many ways. My confidence, self esteem and everything, I once again, thank everyone who supported me, and Dr. Koren for saving my life. I am also happy to announce that my wife has finally decided to go for the surgery, she is just a few small steps away from completing all the requirements, I am very happy for her. Anyway, I will keep you posted of any changes, and promise it won't be a year in between my postings LOL...