emjayel56

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Greetings everyone,I hope you are all well.  I sit here, about 10 days shy of my 1 year anniversary reflecting on the past year.  It has been a year of amazing changes and accomplishments for me.  August 30, 2009 was my surgery.  I went from  a lapband (which I had for 8 years) to an RNY bypass.    I can tell you that I am doing great.  One year ago I weighed 226 (down from 289 lbs. top weight).  Today I stand before you at goal weight of 138 lbs..  Have been this weight since around March.  Of course I would LOVE to lose another 10 lbs but dont stress over it .  I am a size 8/10 and that sure beats squeezing into a size 28.  Shopping is a breeze and no longer an ordeal.  I would  like to take this time to thank one special person in my life.  You see 19 months ago when I was having problems with my lapband  I came to OH seeking help.  Seeking some guidance from someone that had gone through what I did.  Instead I met someone special that was sent from above.  19 months ago I went into an OH chatroom hoping someone could empathize with what I was experiencing; I met someone that lived down the street from me and would forever change my life.  We met one night at starbucks just to share our stories.  He has been a source of strength for me since that day.   He loved me at a fat 226 lbs.  He saw something in me that I could not see no matter what he said.  He stood by my side when nobody else was there.  When I was frightened of doing a gastric bypass he guided me through me it (having been a success story himself).  Today at goal weight he still loves me and I love and adore him but he taught me something that I never knew before and that is to love myself.  While tonight might not be the perfect time to write this blog my love, respect and gratitude go to this one special angel sent from heaven that has done so much good he has no clue.  I transformed from a withdrawn secluded person to a lively energetic outgoing person.  I made a total metamorphis from one person to another and all my thanks goes to this one person.  No matter where our future leads us there is no mistaken how much impact he has had on another person.  I could not stand before you the success I am without the wind beneath my wings guiding me to this point.  Thank you my love; thank you for the past 19 months, thank you for being you and thank you for helping me.... I will be forever grateful.  My love for you is unending and my appreciation will always be there.  You changed my life forever. Thank you honey for all you have given me ... you gave me a life, you taught me how to love another and you taught me how to love myself.   For everyone contemplating this surgery, I can tell you that it will change your life forever; I went from being dead on the inside and now have a quality of life that I dreamed of forever.  Go for it!  Dont be afraid.  Just go for it.  A special thank you also for all of you who have reached out to me and inspired me over the past year; I could not have done it without your encouragement and wisdom.  Please email me if you have any questions.  I wish you all the greatest success and all the happines you can find in your own personal journey.    Have a wonderful day all.

Greetings everyone... today I went for my 6th month postop visit (although it is 7 months postop).  I had a wonderful checkup; everything is great., bloodwork perfect.   I weighed in at 140 lbs!  (top weight was 289).  Only a few pounds away from goal which I keep lowering lol.  I feel great.  Eating my protein, drinking the fluids, working out at gym, it is all good.  I posted some recent pictures if you want to check them out.

Have  wonderful weekend and the best of luck to you in your journey.

Maryjo

Hi everyone.  The past 2 months have flown by and yesterday was my postop visit at Cleveland Clinic.  It really went well.  I lost 40 lbs from the revision  (122 pounds from my top weight).  The revision was a total success and they said that I am doing incredible.  I was surprised to learn that I had lost 50% of my excess weight in the two months, which they said was unheard of so that was a real morale booster.  We set my goal at 130 and that leaves me with 37 pounds to go to goal.  Somehow that suddenly seems obtainable.  I will continue what I am doing by following the food plan to the letter and continuing my exercise (I am actually thinking about joining a gym) but currently walk 5 miles a day.  I would not have gotten where I am today without the support of one special person who has been a source of strength to me and my biggest supporter.

I wish you all continued luck as you strive to reach your own goals.  Have a wonderful day.

Maryjo

Hi everyone,
After 9 years of working with two lapbands and bouncing up and down in weight I finally had my revision from lapband to RNY bypass.  It was Monday, August 31, one week ago today.  I am fortunate in that the surgeon said that everything went well; I was in the hospital for 5 days and discharged last Friday.  The pain has been tolerable, havent taken any painkillers since last Thursday and I am coping with it all.  The worst part is the drain that I went home with which is irritating and the main cause of my discomfort.  That should come out tomorrow.  I am doing what I need to do, getting all my protein in (shakes) and most of the fluid.  Hopefully, this will be the final leg of my journey which started 9 years ago but never able to complete.

I wish you all success in your own journey and if you have any questions feel free to email me.  Good luck to you.

Maryjo

In 2001 I had my first lapband put in.  It was not yet FDA approved and so I was part of the study group.  I was at my top weight of 289 lbs and at 5'1 my BMI was almost 55.    My lapband was put in at NY  Mt. Sinai by Dr. Alfons Pomp.  I lost about 100 lbs. (some of it I lost before surgery with just regular diet and exercise).  All was going fine until around 2005 when I began to start gaining weight and was constantly adjusting the band; it was too tight; it was too loose.  Then Dr. Pomp referred me to NYU and Dr. Ren to diagnose the problem with the band.  Had another surgery  in 2005 to repair a huge hiatel hernia which was interfering with the operation of the band.  Prior to the surgery I had gained about 35 lbs and lost it shortly after the surgery so was feeling optimistic.  However in 2006/2007 I had continual problems with the band; no real weight loss; kind of like up and down with weight but nothing drastic either way.  In 2008 it was determined that the band had slipped up and was around the esophagus and needed to come out  By this time I had moved to FL so was unable to return to the NY doctors.  I found Dr. Michel Gagner in Miami Mt. Sinai (who I knew from NY) and in this past February he removed the old lapband, put in a new lap band.  I had again gained about 35 lbs prior to this surgery.   Initially after this surgery I lost 30 lbs the first month and then another few more lbs on top of that. However I have to say that the band was a disappointment.  It has now caused dilation of my esophagus; I have been at a total standstill with weight loss and I am now with the surgeons at Cleveland Clinic at Weston, FL.  Their recommendation is to remove the band and do a revision to an RNY.  My surgery is scheduled for August 31.  I realize deep down inside I probably should have done the RNY from day 1 but I guess we live and learn.  I will update again after surgery.  Good luck to all of you in your own individual journey and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Maryjo