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Jan D.
Morrisville, PA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 48.1
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: D1103245426
Surgeon: Alan H. Brader, M.D.

Click here for Jan's surgery support page
Click here for the 03/2005 Reunion Page
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Welcome to Jan's Journey

Hi, I am a 46 year old woman who has been obese my whole life. I am happily married (3 years), have 2 daughters 17 and 24, and 2 step kids 22 and 26. I was widowed when I was 38 after my husband battled cancer for a year. I went back to school when my first husband died - another story - and I now teach special education students in the 4th and 5th grade.

My journey began last spring (2004) when I started to seriously consider WLS. In December I had a consultation with Dr. Brader at Barix Clinic in Langhorne, PA. I researched several hospitals in Philadelphia and one local hospital in Doylestown. I was so impressed with Dr. Brader and the staff at Barix that on the spot I decided to go ahead and start the process.
On Dec. 16, 2004 I had my only test needed before we could submit the paperwork to Personal Choice. It was a lung test and I passed with no problems.
On January 11, 2005 I went to my first support meeting at Barix and it was awesome. I met several nice women who were happy to answer my questions. I liked hearing the variety of recovery stories - from 2 weeks post surgery to 4+ years out!
On Friday, 1/14 I received my approval letter from the insurance company!
I did not have to do a psych, write a letter, beg, plead or cry. I like my insurance company. This week I hope to find out when we will schedule surgery and I am starting to write lesson plans to cover my absence! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1/28/2005 After several calls to Barix in Langhorne, with no response, I was getting so frustrated. My angel Christine suggested I call the corporate office. It was the best advice. I called last night, voiced my concern that no one was responding to me, and even said maybe I needed to rethink my choice of surgery choice. I was called back 9AM this morning and by 10:15 had my surgery date of March 22nd. This will work so well with my teaching schedule. I even have a substitute that my special education students like set up. I am so excited. I am so glad this site is here to use. YEAH!!

2/20/2005
30 DAYS until surgery! I am excited. I have a lot to do before surgery in my life. I will have a substitute in my classroom from the 21st until April 11th. I am optimistic that I will be back by then (let's hope). Leaving my classroom is going to be worse than leaving my family for the few days I will be in the hospital. I have a quite difficult class of 4th and 5th grade learning support kids with many other issues involved - especially behaviors! I have been hating teaching this year so I became proactive and asked for a change to regular education for next year. I hope it happens. Well that felt good to write.

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours shopping for pot surgery protein and reading labels. I decided to buy GNC no flavor protein whey, and EAS chocolate and vanilla powder. I also bought two different brands of pre made shakes. I figure even if I don't like them the investment wasn't that much. I already bought a hand wand mixer, some natural baby food veggies, and healthy soups to drain the broth off and puree the "inners" for the next stage of eating.

March 8th is my pre-op testing and then I will be waiting some more.

I'll post closer to surgery. I wan to post some pictures, do my measurements *blush* and fix this site up.

March 12, 2005
I had my pre-op tests on March 8th at Barix. They have an independent doctor do their work ups to look for problems. That was reassuring. I passed everything great (Doctors always seem disappointed that at 300+ pounds I am very healthy!) She did mention that my thyroid is at 5.5 the highest end of average. 95% of the people with a normal thyroid are between 1.0 and 2.0.

In the summer I had complete medical workup to see why I can’t lose weight and they found nothing wrong GRRRRRRRR!

Anyway I had an echocardiogram on Friday morning and I assume it is fine. 10 days until surgery. I am spending today getting things off my to do list for school and at home. I am so ready!!

3/26/05
I had surgery 3/22 and everything went great. I went in to Barix around 9 AM, was taken to get ready at 10:30 and was out of surgery around 3:00. The staff at Barix could not have been better. Everyone is always asking do you need anything, anything I can help you with....
I slept a lot, but that is how I react to the anesthesia. I have been walking, taking fluids, and sleeping. Today I was able to get a lot of fluids in and walked more. I"m feeling pretty good.

Future Update

4/27/2005 - 274 pounds

Well it's been a little over a month since surgery and I'm doing okay. 5 weeks out and 30 pounds down. Now I must admit I wish it was more, but realistically 6 pounds a week so far is great.
My energy level isn't so great and I'm struggling getting the food into my body. I've been drinking 2-3 protein drinks a day to try and get the 76 grams I should be getting. I HATE the powdered protein and have been using EAS Advant Edge. I like the cappuccino and the fudge. They aren't as sweet as most of the things out there.

After I do eat "real" food, I am truly fatigued. I see the nut and doctor the beginning of May and I will ask them what I can do differently.

I am up to 12 minutes on the tread mill - not everyday, but getting there. Next week I will eb able to join Curves - which I think is a good starting point.

Future Update

5/2/04

Update for 6 weeks out!!

I am down 34 pounds and about 24% of what I need to lose is gone. Dr. Brader cleared me for joining Curves and said to keep moving! He thought I should lose about a total of 50 pounds at my next visit.
The food has started to taste better, but I have some burping and rarely finish what I have put out. I am allowed salad now and I had one for lunch delish!

Future Update

5/22/05
2 months since surgery! I am down 45 pounds. I find I eat best at lunchtime. I am not always getting in my protein, but I try.
I feel more energy now and the clothes are getting bigger. People notice daily, which keeps me on my toes.

I find I am still moody, but the emotios don't have such extremes - well DH may not say that!

I am so grateful for this surgery and the opportunity to finally lose weight! It feels GOOD.

Future Update

6/13/2005
Well I measured yesterday and I have lost a total of 43 inches so far. I am down 55 pounds to 248 pounds/88 pounds to my personal goal. I bought a pair of shorts in 18W this past weekend!

I am having a little trouble with my pouch, but otherwise I'm doing okay.

I see the doctor at the end of the month and I need to get blood work done. I want to add sme pictures to this site soon, so I can see the difference.

Future Update

July 6, 2005

Okay so I haven't added pictures yet. I saw the doctor on 6/21 and I am down 60 pounds and 43 inches. So far this has been easy. Dr. Brader said the weight will not keep coming off unless i get physically more active. So far that hasn't happened. I have lost 2 pounds in the last 2 weeks and that's it. I know my body is catching up with the weight. I am promising myself to get out on the tread mill, which I haven't used in a long time.

I was at Seaside Heights, NJ last week and hardly got any exercise. I thought we would be swimming (water was way too cold) and when we did walk it was SLOW! Now I seem to be at a lazy mode.

I am also having a horrible time with liquids and protein. The last 3 days I have gotten in 75+ grams of protein, but last week I know I didn't. I think I will start logging my protein grams daily.

I am feeling a little nervous that this stall may continue. I know it is silly, but it is the first time the weight hasn't moved - well around 45 pounds off it did too.

Thanks for listening-

Future Update
Only 10 pounds off this month URRGH. I feel good, but oh so frustrating. 4 months out and down 69 pounds, but today 7/28 70 pounds.

Future Update

Well I was on the pity pot for a little bit and I was whining to a dear friend on the phone about feeling like I messed up with only 70 pounds gone in 4 months and 1 week...Well today I hit the scale and loss 3 pounds! I'm at 231 pounds. I also went shopping at sear today and 16W capris fit and look good! I still feel PMSing, but no period so I started the pack of pills anyway. the pharamcist said it would bring it on...we'll see.
I also laid the whole bathroom ceramic tile out and cut it out yesterday, tonight I'll grout and tomorrow morning reinstall the toliet. It feels good!
Anyway I needed to check in and report good news YEAH!

Future Update
MLK 1/15/2006
I haven't been on this site in months. I feel bad about not keeping in touch here as this was my life line for research and my early months. I have lost 110 pounds now and I am at a stand still. I know I need to get back to the gym and start toning. I have had a some food issues, but mostly just not keeping my program number one.

Future Update

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Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Alan H. Brader, M.D.
Dr. Brader at Barix clinic. He may be the surgeon orginally from Raliegh on the list but I am not posiitve. Dr. Brader spoke to me on an equal level. He explained in a concrete manner what he does and how he does it. he answered all of my questions, though after listening to him I had few. He has taughte, is nationally certified, does the surgery lap., has also been an emergency room suregeon. He stated he has operated on every part of the abdomen lap. I feel very comfortable with him. I'll update as I see him...
Insurer Info:
Blue Cross, Personal Choice