Sharon M.

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Sharon M. 20 years, 3 months ago

Happy New Year!! What a difference a year makes. Last year I was a size 22 weighing 270 coming into 2003. This year I am a size 10 weighing 148 coming into 2004. My surgery was January 23, 2003. If you haven't had the surgery yet or reached your goal, you just don't know how ecstatic I feel. I know this surgery not only saved my life, but it also saved my marriage, gave me self-confidence, self-esteem and much, much more. It's really hard to put into words. I turned 52 last months but I feel like I'm 30 again. I was a size 10 when I was 30. I think about being overweight for 20 years and it's like a nightmare, the size 10 was yelling to come out. Yea, I had some hard times in the beginning with the GP drain and in regaining my energy and with the hair loss. I started using Nioxin and I'm still using it. I was not able to do the walking because of knee problems. I'm not sure if that had to do anything with my lack of energy. My regular medical doctor sent me to my thyroid doctor. All my blood work was fine. Since the thyroid medication needed to be reduced, the thyroid doctor sent me to a psychologist so she can put me on Topomax. The Topomax worked. I started loosing 3 pounds a week. My energy still wasn't improving and my sleep was not quality. I was then put on Sonata. The Sonata was a magic pill. I was able to get up in the morning when my husband left for work at 6am and actually stay up. I had better energy. I was able to get a better quality of sleep. I'm still on the Sonata. It took me about 6 months before I was able to say my energy level was back to before surgery level. Now that my weight is off, now I have energy. I rarely take naps now. What do I eat? Anything I want. I eat steak, hamburgers, chicken, any meat that I want to, eggs, etc. I don’t eat a lot of vegetables or salads. That’s not because I don’t like them but I need the protein. I don’t want to eat some salad and not have room for protein. When my husband and I go out to eat, I usually got order a plate and eat off of his plate. How much can I eat? It’s funny but it depends on the day. I never know until I sit down to eat. Sometimes I think I’m hungry but I may not be able to eat much and then at other times I surprise myself. I don’t overeat so I don’t get sick. The only thing I’ve had to watch is eating too fast and not chewing it enough and eating dry foods like chicken. I feel like they get stuck and I feel uncomfortable for short while. Here’s my weight loss schedule: Weight Total Lost January 23 270 1 week 259 11 2 weeks 249 10 21 3 weeks 242 7 28 4 weeks 242 0 28 7 weeks 236 0 34 Went on Topomax at 8 weeks 229 7 41 the end of week 7 12 weeks 220 9 50 16 weeks 207 13 63 18 weeks 200 7 70 20 weeks 196 4 74 6 months 180 16 90 7 months 175 10 95 8 months 165 10 105 9 months 159 6 111 10 months 154 5 120 11 months 150 4 120 Off Topomax 1/1/04 148 2 122 I’m 5’6” and I’m a perfect size 10 now. People think I’m a size 8 and when they found out I weight 150 pounds they cannot believe it so I’m just going to quit telling them. When everyone else gaining at Christmas, I lost two pounds. I did maintain the 150 pounds for a month and I was very happy with that because I’m trying to stabilize my weight. I recommend Dr. Stahl and the other doctors in his practice to people that talk to me about the surgery. I believe that my success in this surgery with no internal complications and being able to tolerate all foods is from the skill of the surgeon. My thyroid doctor even told me that I was his best success story and wanted me to talk to his patients that are considering the surgery. The funny part is that he had referred me to a different surgeon. My sleep specialist also said that he has not seen someone do so well with the surgery. He put me back in the sleep lab and, of course, I don’t have sleep apnea. Hooray!! The person that runs the sleep lab wants me to talk to the sleep apnea groups need meeting. I’m an insurance agent and I have a couple of doctor offices that are accounts of mine. I’ve had so many comments from employees of these accounts that I’ve done better than anyone that they have known. I know that picking Dr. Stahl was the first factor in that success. The Topomax was the second factor. Since I was not to walk or exercise much because of knees and health problems, I would not have had the success without the Topomax. Would I do it again? You bet. Do I have any regrets? Sure do. What took me so long. Wish I had the surgery years ago. When I lo

Becca K. 21 years, 1 month ago

"Success is not a destination that you ever reach. Success is the quality of your journey." --Jennifer James

Sharon M. 21 years, 2 months ago

Well, I went from feeling good to feeling terrible in a couple of days. I went to the doctors on January 31 and had the drain removed. According to the operative report this was a French Blake drain. The drain was needed due to misfiring of the stapler. This required suture closure of that portion of the stomach. I had been running a temperature in the 99's but within 6 hours it went to 101. Call Dr. Stahl and he put me on a antibotic. Today I'm 2 weeks post-op. I've lost 20 pounds. Believe the worse is behind me now. I'm still very sore and swollen but I see improvements every day.

Sharon M. 21 years, 2 months ago

Thank you so much for you good wishes and prayers. This is the first time I've felt like being online. I'm 7 days out and have lost 7 pounds. At this time, I can say it's easier than I thought it would be. I have a NG Tube that will be taken out tomorrow, can't wait.

Melissa S. 21 years, 3 months ago

My prayers will be with you as you go through the surgery and recovery. May your strength be restored; your recovery be swift and your tender heart be renewed.

Tammy K. 21 years, 3 months ago

Good luck with your upcoming surgery and God bless for an uneventful recovery!! We are all pulling for you!!

Loser101 21 years, 3 months ago

Sharon, Good Luck and just remember that with God all things are possible. I`ll be praying.

roryleigh 21 years, 3 months ago

Good luck to you, Sharon~May you have a smooth surgery and fast recovery! Keep us posted on your progress, please. God Bless

Dorothy G. 21 years, 3 months ago

If you are anything like me, I know how nervous you might be. I go for surgery three days before you on the 20th. Remember, there is alot of support on this site if you ever need to talk to anyone who has gone through the same emotions we are about to face. I will prayer for all of us so we will have no complications, and we all loose the weight we want. Good luck with your surgery, and God Bless

Nancy W. 21 years, 3 months ago

Good luck Sharon! I will be thinking of you and wishing you the best. I am scheduled for surgery on 2/3 and I am so excited as I am sure you are as well. I hope you come through your surgery well and happy.