Oliver's Mom

Hi! I'm from Marblehead and had my surgery at North Shore Medical Center (Salem Hospital) with Dr. Benedetto. It was on Dec 3rd. I feel great, no complications whatsoever. He discovered a hiatal hernia at the time of surgery and repaired that too. When I started the process (went to end of August informational seminar) I was 214. I was 199 day of surgery and taking 20 pills a day for HBP, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. Left the hospital off all of my diabetes meds and only taking 1/2 of one of my HBP medications. Today I weigh 170! so it's been a total of 44 lbs, but 29 since surgery. When are you scheduled???

Yesterday in one of my post-op classes the nutritionist spoke about lettuce (salad) creating a 'birds nest' at the opening to your stomach. She recommended that if you have an issue with salad, lettuce - to cut it up really small and chew chew chew. I don't have a problem with salad. As far as the chicken - I eat my chicken with a dipping sauce that I make with Greek yogurt and spices. It keeps the chicken moist and easier to eat. Good luck! and Great job!!

I completely agree with laura-ven. It is a great tool, one of many you can have in your arsenal. Does your program require meeting with a nutritionist? Does it have a post-op program, where you would learn how to eat, exercise, etc?? Does the program have a support group that meets on a regular basis? These are all good tools that help learn the 'new & improved' way of life. I'm two months out - and i feel the best I have felt in forever! Between the folks in my post op class, the nurse, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and this site I feel like I have a village of support. I don't know you , but i have faith in you that you can do this!!!

Congrats!!!! I want to break into the 160's by Valentines Day. I am 1 pound away

shrimp Trader Joe's - turkey burgers, chicken meatballs light mini baby bel cheese spinach, squash, zuchini, carrots, asparagus, berries, bananas, english cucumbers (no seeds), avocado FF yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta eggs low sodium deli turkey & ham low fat cheese sticks No sugar added Carnation Essentials Lactaid herbal teas crab legs haddock, flounder, scallops

amazing! you look wonderful! Congrats

Wow!!! Congratulations - you look wonderful. Great results from all of your hard work.

Hahahahaha!!!

We just recently moved to Marblehead, MA, a beautiful little coastal town. It has been freezing here lately - so no walking on the beach but I SOOOOOO look forward to March when I can do that. I love the sights, the sounds and the smell of the air. Right now I'm mostly doing treadmill. When the temps are above freezing, my hubby & I will walk around town. I <3 the beach

My surgeon discovered a hiatal hernia during the surgery and he repaired it at that time. I don't think it made any impact on my recovery - which - I am happy to say was totally uneventful, a couple of days of minor discomfort and being tired. Then back to being and feeling just fine.

I'm only 8 weeks post surgery and I enjoy my meals. The food I choose (to cook and when I m out) is better quality, I eat SO MUCH less, I do it slowly and enjoy the company and conversation. Seafood is a delicious and easy food to eat -so on Sunday when I hosted my daughter-in-laws birthday here at my home I got steamed lobsters, King crab legs and shrimp. I made a bean salad and my daughter brought a garden salad. I had rolls for those who wanted them (I stay away from bread, pasta and rice - my choice) There was a big variety of things for me to eat, a taste of this, a taste of that and everyone else thought I had really treated them with a feast!! HAHAHAH I selected all of those things for me!! Except the rolls. You will find in time that you will enjoy your food, just less of it.

I'm sorry for their insensitivity. You are right it doesn't matter why someone had surgery.....and if you send to one you should send to all. We here all are sending you love and well wishes!

sending healing wishes your way. Looking forward to hearing & seeing the after pics. I'm relatively early on in the process (only 8 weeks out from surgery) but when all the weight is gone and I've given my body time to do whatever it will do - I'm thinking of plastics. Take it easy, feel better.

Great thread. We are all on this journey together but at the same time taking this journey alone. Our bodies are all different - it's not a good thing to constantly compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to your past attempts at weight loss. We've all tried over and over again to lose weight. I lose, I stay the same, I again back a lb and the next day I'm down, I decided if I follow the plan given to me, it will work and my body will decide when the lbs come off and when it stays the same. Wishing all of us a wonderful 2013.

Are you taking any blood pressure meds? If so, it might be too large a dose with your weight loss. Or it could be a virus, or crystals in your inner ear. Definitely call your doc to find out why. It's something that can be dealt with. Good luck.

You look beautiful! Such an inspiration to us all. I read you blog a few weeks ago and enjoyed it tremendously. Thank you for sharing and congrats on the results of all of your hard work.

Here's mine!!

Congrats !!!! you look amazing!

Will be thinking of you tomorrow! You will do great!! It's a big step and you are perfectly normal to have all sorts of thoughts. Just remember why you wanted to have the surgery in the first place and B R E A T H E. Once tomorrow is here, and you get to the hospital, you're kept 'busy' til they either give you a little something to take the edge off or you're wheeled into the operator. Post when you can after you get home to let us all know how you're doing. You can do this!!!

I had *** Blue and it took less than 10 days to be approved!! Good luck!

Today, 7 weeks and 1 day out from surgery I had two non-scale victories. When I started this journey (August 2012) I was wearing a size 22 pants (women's) Today I can wear a size 17 Juniors!!! pants. Whoooohoooo. I was shopping in Traders Joe's right after that victory and decided to buy my husband a bottle of wine. I was asked for my ID at the register - I will be sixty on my next birthday!! In just 9 months!! I don't even care if they ask everyone for an ID - I just know it made me feel fabulous. Especially since I chuckled and told the cashier that I would be 60 on my next birthday and she didn't believe me. After seeing my license, she said I look great and I don't look my age. Happy girL! These little things make up for when the scale stays the same or only moves an ounce or two even tho I'm eating according to the plan and exercising.

Don't beat yourself up. It was one day, one slide. The weight gain was likely just due to sodium. Even if we eat according to plan, sometimes, the scale goes up (can't help myself I weigh every day). 50 lbs is fantastic! You will be fine, and if the time comes you have another 'oops', it's OK. As long as they are not every meal every day - you will be good. :-)

I take 10,000 of Biotin for my nails, hair and it helps with my lashes too.

first week after surgery, I was tired. But since then my energy level is greater than it's ever been.

You look wonderful! Great results for your hard work.