new here

I am new to the board but wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me. My name is Scarlett and I live near Kingsport TN. I had my surgery June 5 2006 with Dr. Jeffrey Kappa in Kingsport at Holston Valley. My surgery went off without a hitch and he said it was one of the easiest surgeries he had done so far. My pouch is supposed to be really small yet I can eat which I really don't understand. At first I couldn't eat so much but at 5 months out and 100 lbs lost I can eat about 3 oz of meat at a time. I hate the protein shakes so meat is my primary source of protein. My hair has started to fall out but as I understand that is perfectly normal and I had alot of hair anyway so some of a loss is not a big deal. To date I haven't swallowed a pill but I hate the flintstones chewable vitamins and when I go back in Dec I will ask if I can take a vitamin yet. I haven't been sick or had any complications at all with the surgery. I would do it over a million times. The first week I was kind of sore but not really in much pain. I had open roue-n-y (spelling I don't think that is right but you get the idea) and had 24 staples. I think at this point with 5 months I am doing pretty good at 100 lbs lost. Anyway just wanted to introduce myself and tell you all about me Scarlett

Want to be the first to Welcome you to the board and congratulate you on your success!!

Welcome Scarlett. Wow, 100 lbs in 5 months! That's great!! We're glad you've decided to join us. Susan

Hi Scarlett, welcome to the TN board. As for the vitamins, those are awful. Ask your Dr. to put you on a pre-natal vitamin with iron. Get a calcuim supplement but don't take your calcium and iron together. They defeat the purpose. Congrads on losing 100 lbs. That is great. I also have a hard time keeping protein shakes down, so my main source is thru my foods. But I'm still got getting in at least 80 grams a day. But I'm in a different catagorie. I also have Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and my urine absorbs my protein. Between the chemo pills and the surgery, my hair went from so thick my arms would hurt just blow drying it for an hour, now it takes about 2-3 minutes. I can't do a thing with it now because I am unable to get enough protein in me, and I'm fighting breast cancer, leukemia, and weightloss surgery from Last January. To date I have lost 128 lbs. A total of 150 since 11/04 when I started looking into the dr.'s for the surgery. Keep doing what is working for you. You've come this far, you can go the distance. Best of luck, Kathy

Hiya Scarlett!! Welcome to the board, OH, and the otherside!!!! I'm in Bristol, my name is April and feel free to send me mail anytime. Hugs A

Welcome to the TN Board Scarlett! Congratulations on your loss! April

Hi, Scarlett congrat on the 100 lbs gone forever i had the surgery on aug the 28th and so far have lost 73lbs but i been at a stand still for the last week and plus just found out that i have been eating bread that i'm not suppost to eat so i'm hopeing it makes a different this week that i stopped. also you have joined a great bunch of ppl here they are all awesome,,,good luck huggs Teresa

Hello Scarlett, My name is Sara & I had my surgery in J.C. w/ Dr Hodge. You are doing great! Keep up the good work. Welcome to our little family here on the board. Keep us updated on your progress. Sara.

Hey, welcome. I found out that I have to have open rny so I was glad to read your positive success story. We are glad you are here.