Mike C.

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Well, its been 4 months and I am still amazed.  The weight loss has slowed down dramatically but I am still dropping about a 2 pounds a week. Since 11/1 I have dropped about 7 pounds which is GREAT and I feel awesome. 

The gym is now my friend instead of my enemy, and I actually feel bad when I do not go.  After the thanksgiving holiday we spent 6 hours in the car, got home and went to the gym since I had not been in about a week.  I sat back later that day and said "self" you just went to the gym because you wanted to not because you had to... wow.

Thanksgiving was VERY tough.  The general food @ dinner was not bad, ate everything I wanted though I did not eat a ton of food I did not miss anything. I tried a little bit of everything so no "loss" there.  The tough part was the snacking foods and Pie's.  I had two issues during the weekend, one was pumpkin pie I ate a small slice and no less than 30 minutes later I was dizzy, lightheaded I had to sleep for about 3-4 hours to make myself feel better.  Second issue was with some OJ, I had two drinks with OJ in it and I had the same issue dizzy, chills, tired and I ended up sleeping/passed out for about 3 hours.  I can now say that I have experienced dumping and it was not fun so I will avoid the pie's/oj from now on.

So far I have dropped 10-12 pants sizes and gone from 3x/2x shirts to L/XL.

As of 12/04/2007 I am 225, down 87lbs in 4 months.

Its been 11 weeks. 

74 pounds, amazing, avg 6.7 lbs a week.

Well, its been 10 weeks today that I had my WLS and I am doing fantastic.  The last 10 weeks have been a whirlwind from the start and I am not looking back at all.

The surgery was a breeze (your mileage may vary, remember everyone is different) but let me tell you I can not imagine what I would be like without it. 

My eating has stabilized and I am doing much better with all varieties of food types from Chili to Pasta nothing seems to be a problem.  I do have to say it is really tough going to events where there is a buffet and having to put food on your plate, I find myself acting like myself of old instead my new habits.  I have learned how to move food on my plate so it looks like I am eating, it’s a skill I am sure we all learn.  

 

The best part was a wedding (see pictures) this weekend there were a good number of people who I had not seen in a long time and their reactions were priceless.  Most of them were floored when they saw me for the first time with mouths dropping to the floor, it made me feel real good.  While this kind of feedback makes your ego feel great I know that it’s a one time thing so I need to keep focused on the goal and keep up the good work.

 

Exercise is now a ritual and I feel worse when I do not get in my short workouts, I was even annoyed at the gym one day for kicking us out of the pool during my lap time.  I thought about it afterward and laughed at my annoyance but it’s all new so I am going with the flow.

 

That’s all for now, oh yeah…  10 weeks – 67 lbs, down 8-10 pant sizes and I actually bought JEANS and wore them see pictures.  I also bought a “L” shirt that fit, wow did that feel good.

Well its been only 8 weeks and I feel like a new person.  My entire disposition has changed and I so much enjoy things that much more. I had some work items handing over my head that I finally put behind me regarding certification for my job. I finally put my mind to it and its now done, while I was certifiable now I am certified.

I feel better than i have in a very long time, I can not remember when I was this thin, I actually went to the store and bought jeans in a size 42... amazing... only 8 weeks ago I was 8 sizes bigger.

Today I am 248.

All, 

I can not say enough about the man who performed my procedure.  I feel that he is the best doctor in the Leigh Valley performing these procedures.  While I did not have experience with anyone else, my procedure was flawless, my pain level was low, and I feel better than I have in many years. 

If you are considering this procedure in the Leigh Valley area and you do not consider him as your surgeon you are doing yourself a dis-service.  I have had my share of experiences with doctors from Coast to Coast and Dr. Koren is hands down the best medical professional that I have ever met. 

The professionalism of him and his staff are hands down the best.

thanks,
Mike

Please note: I do not work for Dr. Koren and in no way am I related to him.

Well, its been a couple weeks since I posted, guess why... had to go back to work...

Well I am still doing great had a few instances of getting sick but I have only myself to blame, who knew how hard it was going to be to cut up food and eat it correctly.  Every time I got sick I was doing 6 other things while I ate (like right now).  One thing you learn is that as soon as you make the mistake your "tool" lets you know and you pay for that mistake, nothing like immediate feedback. 

I am feeling great, no major issues or problems.  My wife even took out her earplugs since I stopped snoring, now she holds a mirror to my nose since I am so quiet.

I am now working out at least 2 times weekly, and walking alot more. The walk from the car is much easier.

As of 9/18, I am down 52 pounds (in 6 weeks).

I went to the support group today as well and it was excellent. It felt good standing up and speaking in front of the group.  Anyone who is a patient of Dr. Koren's or is considering the surgery with him feel free to reach out to me via my OH mailbox and we can chat.

I am making slow progress, I am now down 38 lbs which is amazing. It is hard to believe it has already happened.  I am slowly increasing my activity with walking and swimming which helps I am sure. 

Eating is still hard but it has only been three weeks. I have gotten sick a few times because I was not concentrating on eating (talking or reading). I have to stop the distractions until the small bites and chewing become second nature.

All in all my pain levels are still consistently low which is great, starting to get some belly pain (muscle's) when I lift up something which I have cut back on. Pain is still very low even then but its a good warning to stop whatever I am doing. 

I have been off work since the surgery and I have to go back next week, this should be an exciting day since nobody has seen me since August 6th.

Thats all for now.

Two weeks have passed since the surgery and I am doing great. Went swimming today, swam a few laps got tired pretty quickly but it felt good. 

My energy is still low but each day is easier. 

I have two weeks left of my medical leave and I am enjoying the time with my family not thinking about work at all.


Best of all I am now down 32 lbs.

Ok, its been almost a week and I feel great. 

My pain level is so low its almost non-existent.  I know everyones experience is different but my wife had the procedure about 3 months ago and her experience was 100% different.

I am getting tired quickly but its expected, the food at this point is very repetitive though tomorrow I can expand my menu to include real foods again.  

The weekend was tough because I had a hard time doing anything for more than a few minutes, even walking the dog a few hundred yards made me wiped out. I would need about a 1/2 hour on the couch.  Be warned recovery is not easy but the benefits are worth it.

The good news as of this morning I am down 24 pounds.

8/7/07
WOW. IT'S DONE.

I can not believe that it is over with. I feel great very little pain, managing with mostly Tylenol.  My surgery mate today was not doing as well with pain but they keep telling me everyone is different. The nurses at the hospital were great they were actually concerned that I was quiet and did not need alot.  

Funny story... In pre-op, Dr asks me you sure you still want to do this I reply lets get it done, I was ready 3 weeks ago.  Then on the operating room table, hooked up to the systems and IV's he peeks his head over and says, you sure you still want to do this. My reply and my last memory "absolutely lets do this".  Then I woke up

One nurse who had surgery was a godsend, she really helped to show me how to move around and get up/down without pain. For those who have surgery with Dr. Koren @ Easton look forward to Lynette she is the best.

I took my first laps about 11:30pm on the day of surgery about 12 hours after the procedure, amazing.

I am so thirsty, the ice chips are not cuting it....

8/8/07
Sleeping was tough but I did get about 3-4 hours of sleep overnight.  I closed my eyes at 6am and was shocked to see 7:30 when I opened them again.

I had my leak test and passed with flying colors. NOW I can start drinking.

The day great, sleep, get up walk, breathing machine, cough, sleep, then repeat.

Stopped taking "the good stuff" and switched to Tylenol which helped to manage the pain.  I feel great.

8/9/07
Time to go home. Woke up after sleeping on and off.

Got my walking papers and went home at 12:30pm.

WEIGHT:  DOWN 5 lbs from Surgery Day

Slept on-off during the day and took a couple laps in the house and then walked outside. All in all had a good day.  Making my own meals is a tricky thing. 

8/10/07

Feeling great. First full day at home.