Karen Froschauer

After a history of surgeries including gall bladder, female issues resulting in a hysterectomy appendix and a few others I though I was gong to be ok. I went back to college after a 20 year hiatus as well as working full time. Then in December of 2011 during finals week I awoke with the worst pain ever. I was rushed to the ER only to find that I had a soccer ball sized mass wrapped around my left kidney causing it to just about rupture..thankfully the doctors and the grace of God saved the kidney and then removed the mass. After a week of being home is when the disaster actually started. you see my colon perforated which caused everything in my intestine to fill into my abdominal cavity and then rip my incision open..in short I ended up with a colostomy then a reversal and then several hernia repairs. Sadly this past February my full abdominal mesh became infected resulting in 2 majors surgeries to remove. I needed to lose weight before the mesh could be replaced however after all my surgeries the surgeon was very reluctant. I went on phentermine and it did help however you cannot stay on it forever. Then I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the my numbers hit diabetic type 2 levels and with being in menopause it was so hard to get the weight to stay off...Finally my surgeon agreed to the gastric sleeve. After 6 months of of going through all the insurance mumbo jumbo I had the sleeve done on August 8th 2016.I started in March of 2016 at about 241 ponds and right before the surgery was 199 pounds.I just came home yesterday after having the surgery and was put on a heart medication due to my heart rate unable to stay at a low and healthy number. I feel ok but this Jello diet is already old...lol..after my colon perforated in 2011 I was on broth and jello for 2 months..so you can see those 2 things are not my favorite. I think the hardest part right now is the drinking..I am not a huge drinker so staying hydrated is a challenge..I do like popsicles so my husband is on the lookout for sugar free ones which will definitely help. Once I get to the stage of yogurt I think I will be ok.. As you can see I have had a long hard road and I thank you all in advance for offering me a group to look to for help. I am so afraid that going off the phentermine is going to make my weight increase quickly and I do not want that. any advice is greatly accepted and appreciated. God Bless to you all

just to clarify I went off the phentermine about 2 weeks prior to surgery. @ AmiLou yes sounds as if we could be twins..lol..I love pasta however found one by Ronzoni called super greens..my husband who cannot stand vegetables actually likes this and I was told it is healthy enough to eat once on a regular diet by my dietitian. All you need is a small amount of butter spray and garlic if you like and your getting your pasta fix.

I am doing ok but i bit scared of the unknown

I have been only home and I am doing ok. Can't wait to go to stage 2.. I think that will be my turning point. I will still need a major surgery to replace my mesh and that will the scariest part...i am looking to order snacks and stuff for stage 3 and beyond but looking for non salty and decent tasting treats..any suggestions.. I am so blessed to have all of you <3

Westmoreland New York...just outside of Utica..