Hey girl~ Sorry to hear you're having problems with the protein shakes. I did, as well, and it took me going through many different kinds to find a precious few that actually work for me. The good news is that you won't have to depend on the shakes for your protein forever and you will be able to get it in with food intake. I still do shakes occasionally when I'm having a low day with protein, but otherwise, I can get in the amount I need with meat, milk, yogurt, etc. I hope that helps! You'll do great with the program because I can tell you're already committed to making this new life work for you. Now it's just all in finding a shake that works for you~ and beware that tastes can really change post-op. What you don't like now, you might really like after surgery and vice versa. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know!

~ Renae

There is a bug going aroud too-are you sure you don't have that?

If you have any reservations-work through them before having surgery-that's my advice.

I'm having such a hard time with this 10 day diet and it's only day 3. Not because I'm hungry or anything like that... I'm quite suprised, but hunger isn't really even an issue. My problem is that I've puked everything I ate the day before for 2 days in a row. It was almost like dumping syndrome... I got hot and sweaty, my face was cold, I was shaky, and puked. Immediately after,  I had the big d. I don't know if I can do this. My whole purpose for having surgery is to get healthy. If I can't hold my protein shakes down now, how am I going to do it after surgery? I'll end up in some RNY hell that you read about on the failures/complications forum. I'm considering calling the dr to see if I can change my procedure or if I have any alternatives on getting the amount of protein necessary, be it shots, pills or whatever. Has anyone else hit this roadblock? If so, how did you overcome it? Need help- Please!!!

Welcome Lisa and congrats on making the decision to become a healthier you.

March 2nd, 2010 is the first anniversary of the surgery that changed my life. The folks on ObesityHelp call it a "Surgiversary" and I liken it to a rebirth. March 2^nd, 2009 was the day I changed my life forever. I began the fight of my life to combat the obesity that had consumed my life. It defined me and confined me. It hurt me and hurt others. It took away my will to live. I began this fight so I could live longer and have a better quality of life. I had no idea what that meant until it happened.

I started at 448.5 pounds. I was walking with a cane because my back hurt so bad I couldn’t support myself. I couldn’t walk through a WalMart without stopping to sit down frequently. I was seriously considering riding the motorized carts but I could not bring myself to actually try it. My blood chemistry was very bad with cholesterol and sugar numbers through the roof. All I wanted to do was sit in my La-Z-Boy and do nothing while dreaming about doing something rather than sit. I drank nothing but Coca Cola and ate nothing but junk food. I was literally spiraling to my inevitable doom.

Then I went to a seminar and met Dr. Gregory Walton. He showed us the surgical weight loss procedures he performs and how his patients turn out after having them done. There was hope for the first time in my life. On that day I decided to change.  This was the toughest decision yet it was the easiest. Tough because I was embarking on a very hard road but easy because I could have life again if I can be successful.

I must be successful.

The hardest part of that first consultation was finding out I had to lose 44 pounds on my own prior to surgery. Lose weight before surgery to lose weight? How in the world can I do this?

1 pound at a time.

I cut out all the carbs and Cokes. I ate only what the dieticians told me to eat. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
 
It took 3 months with several visits to various doctors to make certain I was healthy enough to have the surgery. The last weeks of February I got scheduled and it was for real. I was going to do this. I came in that morning having lost 52 pounds. I already felt the changes beginning to happen. I didn’t need the cane and I was up and walking for exercise. I felt better than I ever had.  I met the staff at the hospital. They were incredible. I really mean that. There’s no finer place to go for medical treatment. Even better, most have been right where I was that morning: awaiting the biggest change in their entire lives and scared half to death. I knew I was in good hands so I just sat back and let it all happen. Dr. Walton took 85% of my stomach out that day. He left me with enough to survive but I could no longer gorge myself. I now have to be careful about every bit of food that goes into my mouth. I get so little food that everything has to count to keep me alive. No more junk, no more fizzy pop. I am now stuck this way for the rest of my life. To live I have to eat right. When dieting, you can go back to your old ways. This was a lifestyle change and I can never go back. It wasn’t all fun and games, though.

I had a complication. 

I hemorrhaged into the area where my stomach used to be. I lost 2 liters of blood but I didn’t comprehend what was happening to me. Luckily my family got my attention and took me back to Dr. Walton. He never found the bleeder but he got me fixed up enough to go home and recover after a few days. By the way, did I mention the nurses at Summit Medical Center are the best? I’ll bet I did but I can’t say it enough. They didn’t just take care of me, they CARED for me. There’s a difference.

The incredible melting man.

It was a rough start but I lost weight quickly. In the year since surgery I have lost another 143 pounds bringing the total to 195 pounds lost. The average man in America weighs 187 pounds. I’ve lost more than the average man weighs. My blood pressure has dropped along with my heart rate. My cholesterol and blood sugar numbers are as near to perfect as any doctor could ask for.

I can exercise now. I currently spend almost an hour on an elliptical trainer every day. I am slowly getting in shape and have started to have aspirations to bigger fitness events. I want to compete in the mini-triathlon. 600 yards swimming, 2 miles running, 8 miles biking. I can do this, I just need to practice. I actually look forward to warmer weather so I can get outside and ride my bicycle or work in the yard. I never enjoyed it before but now I look forward to it. 

You mean I can shop anywhere now?

I’ve never had a bigger thrill than being able to shop anywhere I want. I went from 4XL shirts to XL and from 60 inch waist pants to 42. I look good in my clothes and love to shop for them. For years I only wore what I could because nothing fit.

Don’t think there aren’t speed bumps along the way. I stalled for 4 months without losing any weight. In fact, I gained a little back. I constantly battle my demons. They fix your stomach, not your brain. I grapple with it every day.

A year later.

So here I am today thinking about all that’s happened in the past year. I don’t know where I would be without my family. They have supported me so much through all this. 

Then of course there’s Dr. Walton. Without him, I would be sitting in my La-Z-Boy watching life pass me by. You give hope and the gift of life to so many who despair so much.

My primary care physician, Dr. Heather Barnes, has been so supportive and never judgmental. Her staff always looks forward to seeing me because I look so different every time I go.

How about my coworkers? They help too and I have inspired others to work toward better health.
The support group at WeightWise has been such a big help. I may not have time to go much anymore but without their help and understanding I might have given up.

These are but the few that have helped me be a success and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

What’s the biggest thing I have learned? Good health is not given. It’s taken. You must stand up and demand it. You must fight for it. You can never stop because the minute you do, bad health will take you and fighting back from it gets harder with every passing year. Don’t let it win.

I’ve done all this my first year. Where will the next year take me?