Joanne R Bentley-Frey

Hi! My name is Joanne, this is my story:
I decided back in March of this year(2014) to have the roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery after struggling all my life with weight issues. I am 66 years of age and am finally going to try and be healthy. Life has not treated me so kind child abuse and a strict upbringing. As soon as I could I got married and got out of the house but of course that marriage ended in disaster and divorce after 2 1/2 years. Then the 2nd marriage and 2 kids and another divorce. Then yep, the 3rd marriage by this time life has taken it's toll and I am now in my 50's this marriage was a total disaster! It ended leaving me a widow. I was born and raised in Pa. and by now was ready to leave that state so I moved to Tampa, Fl. My whole life changed! I am now in a relationship with Jim and we are planning to get married next year. I now have a fairly stable life and can devote the time and attention to ME for a change so I can get healthy. When I started this journey I could barely walk a half block with a cane (hip problems), standing at the kitchen sink for more than 10 mins was torture (back problems), I had trouble doing everyday household chores.
My Doctor is Jason Radecke at the Sebastian weight Loss and surgery in Sebastian, Fl and I can't say enough good things about him. Every Dr. in the world should be like him, he really truly cares about his patients. I wasn't too happy back in March when I was told because I had Wellcare *** medicare I would have to have 6 months of visits under my belt before I could have my surgery, not to mention because of heart disease in my family I had to see an cardiologist which led me to a heart catherization and beta blocker meds. Then came the psychiatrist that had to approve me, then the pulmonary because of sleep aphnea of course now they require an endoscopy so that was done just before surgery.
Ok, now lets get to the surgery itself. My surgery was done just this past November 20 at 9:30 am at the Sebastian River Medical Center. Everyone there was super nice! I was supposed to be there for 3 days but came home after 2 because I was doing so well. I couldn't sleep in the bed it was very uncomfortable for me so I slept in the chair. I was out of bed within hours after surgery and walked the hall. My Dr. was surprised to see me sitting in the chair using my laptop when he came in to see me in the morning. Painful, yes! Luckily I can tolerate pain very well (after all most of my life was some kind of pain). I did not have the gas pains other people told me they had or any nausea (to this day). I am still on a full liquid diet but hope that changes soon when I see the Dr. it will be 4 weeks since I had any food. It's all been liquids. Luckily my daughter made us our Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 8th just before I started the pre- surgery liquids. I was so happy, I lost 15 lbs in the 10 days before surgery. Now I am not so happy, because they pushed iv's etc when I can home I had put it all back on. Now I am struggling to get that 15 lbs off and anxious to start losing some real weight. I was kind of discouraged by this but I guess I have to be realistic and it's only been 10 days since surgery. I didn't expect to lose 50 lbs already but putting the 15 lbs. back on was not encouraging. So as you see I'm just starting my journey. Soon I will be on pureed and I am looking forward to it, finally FOOD! I do not have an appetite but unfortunately my taste buds haven't died. This is a big change for me Food was always there to comfort me now I don't have it. Did I tell you I am an emotional eater? Food has played an important part in life since childhood now I have to find a way to eat to live and not live to eat, big challenge for me!
If anybody reads this blog please write back and let me now about you and your journey.
Joanne

I bought appetizer forks, spoons, bowls and plates. I had my RNY over a year ago and still use them. Practicing helps but after surgery you might be very surprised at how little you feel like eating. Also, for me, food tasted bad the first month or two following surgery. I became a picky eater and still am. If you do eat to fast, too much, too dry, or don't chew well your body will punish you for it. It is a miserable feeling to have food get stuck, have the 'foamies', or throw it all back up. Once that happens it's a very good motivator to be more careful. Anything you do now to prepare yourself both physically and mentally will help you to be successful after. :-)

I had the same problem. I switched to child utensils to help take smaller bites. I use timer apps on my phone (bariatric timer helps me alot) the drinking while eating was tough for me but again the timers helped. I also believe the 6 month program helped get me prepared. My last visit is tommorrow (surgical class) everything else is done and green lighted. Hope to get my date soon.

I am also waiting for my date.. I do know it will be in 3 months though. I am a fast eater , always have been. So what I do is have a 'egg' timer & take it with me, I leave my food in the kitchen, then go to the bdrm, get back online & when timer goes off, I go back to kitchen & take another bite. As for the drinking, that is very hard not to do! But what I do is put my Water in the freezer, so that when it is time for me to drink something it is 'slushy' which i like very much.. hope this helps you..

Hi Everybody I will be having my rny in November but I am really trying to wrap my head about getting ready for surgery. I was not told to lose weight but but I am having trouble with the eating slowly. chewing and no liquid while eating thing. I need to get some discipline. Does anybody have any tips or ticks they used to get through this? I quit smoking 10 years ago and this is harder than quitting that habit! I have been mindlessly eating for 65 years and now am asked to changed everything. I really want and need this surgery to get healthy and happy but I really need some discipline here! Any suggestions or help you can give me will be very much appreciated.

I've had both knees replaced at the same time and made it through that so I figure I'll get through bypass, I agree that being in our 60's is so different than 20 yrs ago. Why don't the we seniors stick together so some extra support? I know I would appreciate your input . Stay safe,live long and have fun!!!