I am grateful for Dr. Prewitt and his staff

I have been trying to get ot my goal of 150 lbs.since my RNY on 10/3/06.  I eat a lot and I am always hungry.  I never vomit or dump no matter what I eat.  I have cheated because I have a tremendous food drive and I can.  I keep a food diary ...the good, the bad and the ugly.  I have been depressed, angry, confused and upset that I am losing at a snail's pace.  I have seen 2 nutritionists.  Everyone, from my surgeon to his receptionist,  has been so patient and encouraging with me.  They have never "scolded" or talked down to me for not being perfect.  I guess that is why I have been able to be honest with them.  I have been around 170 lbs. since January.  In April I was 168 lbs.  In May I was 165 lbs. and this morning I was 164 lbs.  Technically I have lost 80% of my excess weight.  They could have said that statistically this is the end.  My blood sugars are normal and they could have said don't expect more than that.  They have understood my desire to reach my goal weight.  They kindly have listened to me and this morning I had a barium swollow to see if my stomach had stretched or my stoma was enlarged.  The radiologist looked at my xrays as she was doing the test and assured me that everything is fine.  They recently hired a new nut and I had an appointment with her as well.  She spent almost 2 hours going through my 35 weeks of food records and worked with me to refine my diet to reduce from 1400 calories to 1100 calories so that I can reach my goal while giving me more food to eat.  She said that it will probaly only come off at 1/2 lb a week.  Because I am a diabetic I also can only eat 90 to 110 gms of protein a day to spare my kidneys.  She said it is wonderful that I don't have the side effects and she will help me practice self control (this week I have to keep almonds in the house and only eat 6 per day).  I am grateful that my surgeon did such a good job on me and that he is continuing to help me.  After my 2 appointments I went up to the office and hugged Ellen, his nurse, and Cindi, his receptionist.  In my heart I had a gut feeling about this group the first time I met them.  If I continue to have trouble I know they will help me get to where I am going.  I am so grateful for Dr. Prewitt and his staff for helping me work toward my goal. Thanks to all of you for listening.  Linda 

Hey linda! I see your back!!  Dr. Prewitts office does seem great and I can't wait to work with them, I am so excited!!  Ellen is great, I had a question for her and she was out yesterday and she returned my call right away this morning.  They were so friendly at my consult, I have no worries about dr.p or his staff! I am also glad to hear that your stoma isn't enlarged!  Good luck with the weight loss and I will see you in a couple of weeks!! Have a good weekend! Melissa

I need to talk about my surgery to keep going.  This web site is helpful.  Especially with our support group issues.   I need to grow a thicker skin.  I don't have much self confidence when it comes to my appearance.  I spend a lot of time primping but I look at myself and see every flaw.  Maybe someday.......... Also, they have a dietician at Advanced Healthcare that I saw today.  She is working with my "food exchanges" rather than my "stomach feeling" like Barb and Laura.  I really liked Barb and Laura but Stacy is a better fit for me.   Dr. Prewitt et al don't give up on you no matter what.  It is a good feeling to know that.  Also Dr. Prewitt is an excellent surgeon.  We have to do the work afterward but he does his part well.  My new diet is easier to follow so far.  I also lost another lb.  when I weighed in yesterday.  Only 14 lbs to goal. You are getting there really fast.     take care Linda

Hey Linda, i have a question, I want to see a different dietician other than the 2 we are able to see through Dr.P, do you know if they allow that if it is the pre-op appointment? Melissa

I told Ellen that I saw Stacy yesterday and she didn't know that Stacy did part of her internship at St. Lukes with some WLS patients.  Stacy is very young so her experience is not as vast as Barb and Laura.  She seemed very smart though.  She was analyzing my hunger patterns and nutritional needs for my height, weight and diabetic needs.  We sort of played "let's make a deal" with when I can eat less and get by.  I like Laura and Barb but Stacy fits better with me though because I am a diabetic and used to working with food exchanges.  I need to have more structure.  Stacy works with my endocrinologist Dr. Jain on a weight loss study. She spent 2 hours going over my 8 months of food diaries and discovered I'm eating too much protein (120 gms) for a diabetic.  She rearranged my exchanges to cut out 300 calories and still get more food so I am not so hungry.   I fell asleep at 9 last night without benadry and slept until 4:00 this morning.  I was not hungry and I still haven't thought about breakfast.   That's a first!  She was really nice, very enthusiastic and down to earth.  You could ask Dr. Prewitt.     Why do you want to see a different dietician?

Well, I found a dietician through my doctors office, one in my insurance network and closer to West Bend.  It is just more convienient and less expensive for me.

You should check with Dr. Prewitt though.  He might require you see Laura or Barb.  Then you wouldn't have to spend the money twice.   FYI this is what happened to me.  I was required to see Laura.  I had to prepay around $300.  I met with her and they billed my insurance co.  Eventually the insurance co. paid them back.  This took months.  Then they wanted to keep the check to cover future appts. I decided to take the money back because I didn't get anything out of the first appt.  I never made a follow up appt because I didn't want to pre pay another $300ish.  I didn 't think it was worth the money to see her.  When I stopped losing weight I decided I had to spend the money.  Several calls later they told me now the first fee covered post op appts. too.  I still didn't get anything out of the second appt. so I never went back.  Maybe I wasn't giving Laura enough time to help me. I hope they let you see your dietician.  More conveient and less expensive works for me.