mstratto

Typing this post from the gym this morning. Literally one year ago this morning, I was on the way to the hospital for the band-to-bypass revision... Today, I'm going to run 5 miles on the elliptical... Life has changed and I am so thankful for friends, family, and this community for the support and encouragement along this journey. As I often tell folks, I may have reached my weight loss goal, but the war of the scale and heart remains...always need to focus on maintaining a healthy weight and living life. Moderation is my friend. Binges are no more and emotional eating is always on my mind...... Reflection is key. It's not easy, but the surgery wasn't a magic pill -- just a tool among other tools to help me along the way. Maybe my new birthday will be Jan 21, 2013 instead of my actual birthday

Haven't been on in a while, but so glad I did to see all of the amazing before and afters! so inspirational. Here's mine!

before and after...

I had the band in 2008 and recently the band-to-bypass revision. Super happy with the bypass and 'should have' done that in 2008. BUT, I'm in a better place emotionally than in 2008 so I know this will be a more effective tool to help me achieve my goals and maintain my weight. Good luck to you on your journey!

That's so awesome!!!!!! I'm in a bit of a plateau for whatever reason. 265 right now. I had a blood clot post-op that has me out of work and a bit more sedentary than I prefer. It's in the abdomen area so they can't operate and it's quite painful when I eat/drink certain things. On soft foods now maybe that's why I'm plateauing. Will just need to keep an eye on it. Goal is 2-3 lb loss per week, but that's assuming I workout. Not doing that now as I said, which is a bummer. Hope to slowly start next week per the doc. Anywho... I'm rambling (probably the pain meds - haha). Dude, you are an inspiration :)

OMG!!! 3 more hours. Just checked in at the hospital. Wahoo! Here's a before pic (2007 at my heaviest - 365) and now today for surgery date at 283. Super excited!!!

Hi all, I start pre-op liquid tomorrow and thinking about juicing veggies and some fruits to go along with Protein powder? Advice, suggestions, and/or considerations? I recognize too much sugar/carbs can come from the fruit so I hope to do this on occasion. Is it worth it? Any fruit/veggies to stay away from? Thanks!

hi all - surgery was Jan 21 and went home that Wed Jan 23! Wahoo!!! However... I'm back in the hospital. They discovered after about two days of being back home in major pain that I have a severe blood clot next to my liver and intestines. It's causing some major pain - really indescribable (sort of like appendicitis multiplied by 100). Anywho, not sure how long I'll be in here. It's been since Sunday AM and no major news to report. Some of the pain meds are working, but I'm NPO other than when I take meds by mouth. They are thinking any stuff going down the intestines are causing problems because the blood isn't moving through quick enough thanks to the blood clot blockage. On blood thinners and hoping that'll help. They keep saying my body needs to heal - that the bypass surgery itself created the clot, but no real medicine or surgery will fix it booo... It's painful to say the least. Glad to be alive as my RNY surgeon said they're pretty dangerous, especially since it could kill off my intensities. Others who experienced blood clots in the abdomen area after surgery? What did you do? Recovery time? Did it adversely impact your loss goals each week? Believe it or not I'm still thinking about weight loss at a time when I should probably be thinking about my overall health... just in that RNY mindset about goals, etc... Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

How did it go??? are you home now?

totally... probably from the anesthesia gas pumped in to us (if you too had it laparoscopically). mine went away this afternoon, but now I have hiccups... ugh

Got home yesterday from hospitals stay. Band to RNY surgery went really well. In some pain as usual but I'm walking around and attempting to get all my liquids consumed. Good on the water but harder to get all my protein, but I'll keep trying. About how long did it take all of you to recover so you could go back to work, etc.? BTW, thanks to all for their emails and supportive posts.