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Stefanie D. Medford, MA, USA Post Op - BMI: 24.0 Surgery Type: RNY Member ID: D1114212671 Web Site: http://hometown.aol.com/steffiebear15/index.html Surgeon: Pablo Gazmuri, M.D. |
Click here for Stefanie's surgery support page Click here for the 05/2005 Reunion Page Click here to print Stefanie's cards (You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it, you can help print cards for your friends as well!) Click here to view Stefanie’s friends. |
    Hi Everybody... I am Stef. I am 25 (DOB 1/15/80). I live in Medford, MA . My fiance, Billy, and I bought our first home in April 2005. We are getting married on May 20, 2006. I am a dermatology physician assistant and I love what I do. I graduated from Springfield College in 2002. Unfortunatey I gained 6 lbs in the 3 weeks before my surg from stress, so the photo below is actually 6 lbs less than I weighed at surgery time.I look forward to talking to any and all of you guys and I wish everybody nothing but the best!!! *HUGS*  Me with my doggie Zena 5/2/05 about 4 weeks pre-op. June 30, 2005 I can't believe it's been a month already....down 30 lbs so far!!!! It's all great...However, my road did not start out so nicely......let me explain: When I had my open RNY on may 31, 2005 while in the PACU about one hour after surg I started to vomit up blood and large blood clots. This happened maybe 5-6 times. I was taken back in to the OR to find the source of the bleed. One suture was all that was needed to stop it. My surgeon thinks that the staple line on my pouch went through a blood vessel as apposed to clamping it off. However, in the process my hematocrit dropped to 22 (normal around 36-46). I had to have a blood transfusion with 2 units of blood. I put thid off as long as possible because Although the risk of HIV/ Hep C other infectious diseases is very low I didn't want to even think of it. I was SO weak the first few days after surg. I thought it was normal to have an NG tube in for 2 dyas and for my foley cath to stay in for 3. I was NPO for 2 days. I didn't know that many people went home after 3 days!!! I was in for 6 days but by the end I felt much better. It was hard when I got home and was very weak. Watering the flowers took everything out of me. Now.... NOW I am feeling great I thought I was goign to ahve a rough go but I have not had pain. For all the pre op people you should know that complications can happen...when I was in the hosp I felt worse than I EVER had in my life... Would I do it again..... IN A HEARTBEAT!!!!!  This picture was taken on June 12, 2005... 12 days post-op at my sister's wedding shower. The picture is of my sister, Mom, and me. Down 27 lbs! August 11, 2005 I am feeling great. reached onederland and 50 lbs lost on the same day. I was so psyched to see the scale say 199!!! I am now fitting in 14/16 tops and 16 bottoms. I really have to break down and get rid of my size 20 work pants because they are about to fall off without me unbuttoning them!!! My little sister (She's 24) is getting married Aug 27 and I am the maid of honor. I ordered my dress in January and I tired it on the other day... doesn't stay up at all!!!! Good thing my cousin is a seamstress!!! We'll see how that goes! Bye all...*HUGS* 8-29-05 Hi everybody!!! My sister got married Saturday 8-27. It was beautiful. SHe was gorgeous. Of course, she is naturally thin. Her dress was a size 4!!! I had the best time. I gave a toast that made perfect strangers cry! Of course, I myself was sobbing. I felt good. I got a lot of compliments about my obvious weight loss. It is kida weird how I look in the mirror and see the changes so clearly but when I look at myself in picutres I can see that I have far to go. Of course, I will take 194 over 249 anyday!!! I be sure to add some pics from the wedding when I can figure out how to add more than 2!! I hope everbody is doing well!!!!   The first picture is My sister, my Dad, and Me and the second is Me, my brother, and my sister. 9-12-05 Let's talk about hairloss because so many people do experience this after surgery. This is telogen effluvium. It happens after major times of stress to the body (i.e. surgery, weight loss, severe fever, emotional stress). It is temporary, however, it can take months to ressolve. You will not go bald. Supplements and protein can help very little. Essentially, the hair has 3 growth phases, anagen (growth), catagen (rest), and telogen (shedding). Once you are in any of these phases you cannot do anything about it because it is a uncontrollable bodily process. Just hang in there and all will be well eventually. I am going through the same thing myself. And BELIEVE ME if I knew of some miracle cure I would enlighten my fellow Maysters. I am a Dermatology Physician Assistant (like a Nurse Practitioner) and have extensive experience with this condition. We receive referrals for it all the time and it is frustrating because I have to tell people what I just told you!! Good Luck!!! P.S. Down to 189 today (that makes an even 60 lbs! I am half way home!) October 21, 2005- Haven't updated in a while. I have been having anxiety that I am eating too mcuh but when all is said and done I am getting in roughly 900-1100 calories a day which is good some days like yesterday it was only 750. But I can down a whole smart one or lean cuisine meal no problem the ones I can finsh all of are 8-10 oz. But I can't finish it all, all the time. I guess since I am continually losing (not quickly but that's ok as long as I am losing) . I am down to 176 today (-73 lbs) and I went shopping.... major wow moments.... I bought a winter coat SIZE MEDIUM!!!! and pants SIZE 12!!!! Damn.... I never thought I'd see the day!!!!!   These pictures are my fiance, Billy, and I at my cousin Sara's wedding 10/9/05. November 11, 2005 I have been really tired since pretty much day 1... I know most everybody says they have more energy but that hasn't been the case for... I wonder why. Overall I am much happier but this surgery has raised some major issues with my fiance. I have pretty much zero libido...what the hell... I am way more confident in my appearance and yet I feel this way. I hate making him upset and I have no idea why this is happening. Hopefully it is temporary and will be done SOON! I am at 170 now...down 79 lbs. WOOHOO!!!! Here's some new pics.   Me just fooling around on 11/10/05. December 11, 2005 Having a bit of a rough go lately. I feel tired ALL THE TIME. I have been hungry and grazing. I have ZERO libido and I have not been exercising. YIKES!!! This is the recipe for disaster. I just went for my 6 month f/u and had my labs checked everything is ok. Sh*t I was hoping to get some answers because I had more energy at 250 (not much more but more anyway). I went out last nigth (Saturday) and at 10 pm I was ready to come home and go to bed. It is pathetic I am 25 not 75!!! I dont understand it. I feel like I didn't sleep a wink when I get 8 hours of sleep a night at a minimum. Very frustrating!!! I have been losing SO SLOWLY. Only 5 lbs in the last month and it is up and down I guess I was due for a stall since I had been losing steadily prior to this. Down to 165 today and bought my first few pairs of size 10 pants!!! Damn that is exciting. On a more positive note, after putting it off I finally found my wedding dress. I really couldn't wait any longer since my wedding is May 20. The corset back makes my waist look tiny. Take a look at the pic below!!!  December 27, 2005 Christmas goes by so fast. I got a lot of nice stuff and thankfully, got some gift cards so I can buy some new clothes... the never ending battle! It was nice to not feel like I had to eat like an idiot. I wasn't even tempted to eat anything with sugar and still do not know if I dump! I hope I can hold out and never find out!!! My weight loss has been slow I have been hovering around 165-163 for the last few weeks. I am only losing 3-5 lbs a month as of late. I really gotta get to the gym!   Here we are Christmas 2005... My sister and I and Billy and I. January 5, 2006 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! The first year in many that I am not obese! The scale says 162 nowadays. I cannot believe my wedding is in a few short months. My sagging skin, particularly on my abdomen, has been causing me sadness. I am not a PS candidate until afte I have children so who knows how long that will be. I want to wear small fitted shirts since I know actually have a body I can present without cringing, and it sucks because you can see the whole "spare tire thing". GRRRRRRRR. I know I shouldn't complaint but I probably will never be happy with my body. In my head I know a size 10 is small. But.... I keep on seeing myself in the mirror as bigger than I am. Preop I saw myself as smaller than I was until I saw myself in picutres. Body dysmorphism sucks!! ANyway....still waiting to not be tired....hoping anyday now it will be better. Take care for now. January 15, 2006 I am 26 today. I am the age I will be when I get married in just 4 short months...WOW that is kinda scary. I think I want to have kids realtively soon after we get married but the thought of only being thin for a short time is very, VERY scary. WHat if I didn't get back to prekid weight??? I guess I shouldn't really worry about that so much now but the thought crosses my mind. I am feeling pretty good with the exception of the tiredness but maybe that is just me. I am down to 160 and 89 lbs lost. My size 10's are slowly getting too big... whatever will I do when I fit into single digits!!! Bought my first size small top and it fits like a dream. WOW this has all been so amazing!!! I am so thankful to have been given this gift of a new me!!   SOme pics of me before going out for the night.  Every successful career woman needs a good suit!!! March 14, 2006 the loss has been slow as of late. I am down to 154 for a total loss of 95 lbs YAY... I hope I make it to goal of 130 although size small tops and 8 pants are not too shabby!!! I wanted to share a posting by Michelle C that I thought was great: Here is a link to the BMR calculator. http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ Once you get the rate, do the following calculations: Harris Benedict Formula To determine your total daily calorie needs, multiply your BMR by the appropriate activity factor, as follows: 1. If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2 2. If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375 3. If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55 4. If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725 5. If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9 There's more great info here: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/calorie-intake-to-lose-weight.php I know I haven't written ina while but things are actually pretty good right now. My weight loss is slow but If I am destined to be in size 8's and small tops I wiil take it. My fiance, Billy, has finally admitted that he is happy I had srgery due to my transformation and he reiterates that he always thought I was sexy but now GODDAMN!!!! We started our pre-cana aka catholic marriage prep and I actually liked it. We are at about 9 weeks pre wedding now and I am getting so excited!!! We ahve the most adorable magnet wedding favors made and I love them they came out so good!!!! I am not used to things actually being happy and being optimistic... It is hard to let my guard down adn enjoy it I am just kinda waiting for a major set back. Anybody else like that? Here are my wedding favors:  Here are some good smoothie recipes: I make smoothies with Prot powder that I actually crave.... I use whey gourmet raspberry smoothie flavor and blend it with 1 cup of ff carb countdown milk, 2 handfulls of ice cubes and usually a half of a banana.... it is to die for (that is if you like smoothies) I also do the same with ice and ff cc milk and whey goumet cappuccino flavor. I add davinci's sugar free flavored syrups (either vanilla, butterscotch, english toffee, or caramel). This tastes just like a coffee coolatta (if you have dunkin donuts near you you may know what this is). It is awesome. I used to choke down protein drinks just mixing them with water and yuck... now ice/milk/blender and they are awesome.... no protein powder smell or chalky taste and they keep me full for a while. If you are creative you can make some really good stuff. April 14, 2006 Here we are 5 weeks from my wedding...holy crap where did time go...we got engaged Aug 5, 2004 and thought the day would never come...well the invitations have gone out and I am going for my dress fitting tomorrow...I can't believe it. I had my shower 4/2/06 and got amazing gifts. It was great. Billy is finally really happy that I had surg and is happy that I feel better about myself. I am at 151... only 2 more lbs to go to get to 100 lost total. I bought my first size 6 jeans and capris today... OH MY GOD SIZE 6.... NO WAY!!! At first that was my goal to get to size 6.... well now that I am here I, of course want more... I want to get to my goal weight of 130.... 21 more lbs to go I think the only place left to lose is my butt and thighs. everywhere else is pretty thinned out with exception of the loose skin which isn;t really fat but It is pretty much only a problem on my abdomen. My arms and legs look great which I am pleased about. ANyway... time flys and I cannot believe we are sneaking up on a year post-op. May 13, 2006 Officially 1 week until my wedding...officially 100 lbs lost!!!! Today I finally got on the scale and saw 149 that is -100. I am so happy. I am still 19 lbs from goal but if I stay around this weight I would be ok with it. I do not want to look gaunt or sickly. Wow I cannot believe it will have been a year in 2 weeks. Time has flown by. I am having big problems with stress/anxiety eating and appetite is sometimes through the roof. I hope it will improve after the wedding. Anyway...things have mostly been fine but obviously tense. I am so happy to have made it to the 140's even if it is only 149. May 20, 2006..... TODAY IS MY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!! Everything went beautifully and I am so excited to go to Bermuda tomorrow!!!! Here are some pics!!!!        May 31, 2006--- It has been one year since I have undergone Roux en Y Gastric Bypass. I have lost 100 lbs. The beginning was extremely difficult. I felt so alone depressed and truly mourned food. I felt like I would be the only one the surgery would not work for. My god have times changed. I feel human. I feel normal.... I feeel......BEAUTIFUL!!!! I have not been able to say that for quite some time. I enjoy life now. I feel confident in my role as a medical provider. The one thing that is a problem is that I still feel hungry quite often. That is distressing. The first thing of sugar that I ate on one year is one bite of my wedding cake on my wedding day. The cruise to bermuda was fantastic!!!! It was so beautiful there. Life is good... it is the first time I can say that is a VERY long time!!!! I had my one eyar f/u appt today with mysurgeon and ahd them measure me for HA hA's and i found out that I am an inch taller than I thought and that puts my BMI into the normal range.... I am so psyched about that!!!! I have a husband now... it is so weird to say that!!!! He is so proud of me and happy for me despite being vehemently against my having surgery.... now he wouldn't trade it!!! Neither would I.... I AM HAPPY!!!!!!! Future Updates Future Updates Future Updates Future Updates Future Updates Future Updates   If you would like your profile spruced up, please contact the ObesityHelp.com HTML Volunteers here.  Free Website Counters  |
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Hospital Reviews Weight Loss Survey Responses Click Here To View Member Interests: Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members. Surgeon Info: Surgeon: Pablo Gazmuri, M.D. My first impression of Dr. Gazmuri was that he was very nice and sensative to the bariatric patient. I cannot say enough about him. He tells you what you need to hear as well. Overtime I realized how great he is at his job. He is never in a rush...he takes as much time as you or he needs to make sure you are comfortable with any info he is giving you. He spent over 30 mins on the phone with me when I was having some concerns. His office staff is GREAT!!! They are very competent and caring. Aftercare is empahsized highly. He held my hand during the removal of my JP drain cause it hurt so much!!!So I would say that his surgical competence and bedside manner are both AWESOME!!!!! Insurer Info: Tufts, HMO My surgeon's office submitted the a pre auth, I got a letter in the mail about a week later saying approved and when my surg date would be... I did not have yo do a thing...my doctor required an extensive history of what I did in the past to lose weight and I think this made writing the letter easy for them. |
