thisislou

Hi All In a few weeks I'll mark my 5th year anniversary of my surgery. Life is great and not regrets. Good luck to all. Lou Yes I am very nervous. Waiting for my EGD procedure.

Hi I had my sleeve done almost 5 years ago in Orlando. My doctor was out of the same office as Dr Jawad - but is deceased. I listened once at a support group meeting with Dr Jawad and was not impressed at the least and never went back. I am very satisfied with my results and would be glade to answer any questions you might have. Lou

I had my sleeve done July 2010 so a bit over 4 years. All is great – lost ~ 90 pounds and have keep it off… go up/down ~ 5 lbs. There are no restrictions – life has been great since the surgery. Any questions – feel free to ask Lou

It will be 4 years for me in July - no question I would do it again. I've loss ~ 90 lbs and have stayed + - 5 pounds. Very little side effects - never loss hair and really no "extra skin"

Hi I had my surgery 3 ½ years ago and at that time my doctor did not tell me not to drink coffee. So – I never stopped.

I was never told to stop and did not. I'm going on 4 years - no problems ...

Best of luck to ya... I had my VSG 3 1/2 years ago and doing great - down ~90 lbs and keep it off. Any questions - please let me know Lou

Roxanne If you like - send me your phone # and we can talk - it will be easier then this ... steinbl@cfl.rr.com Lou

Hi I live in Sanford – not too far from you. I had my surgery July 2010 – so it will be 3 years next month. All is great – no problems and am holding steady between 85 and 90 lbs lost. I might be able to answer some of your questions and or concerns… Lou

Hi Not to worry - it is coming up 2 3 years for me and I am loving life. I had no bad experiences or days. If it is what you want and feel strong about - just go for it. If you need any help - or coaching - let me know. Lou

It’s been a bit over 2 years for me. I lost 85 – 90 lbs and stay at that level. I’m hungry most of the time and snack too often. But I exercise every weekday for ~ 1 hour and now that my energy is back – I work out in the yard a lot (and actually like it). My big thing is that at one sitting – I can only eat a small amount, depending on what it is – I eat slow and wait awhile and eat more. Fun how things have changed. I always eat too fast – as my wife always told me, and had to have my food every hot. Now – she always finishes first and by the end bits – my food is cold. There is nothing I cannot eat – but like I said – some things more than others. I love chicken wing – but still – after one may be two little ones – I’m full. When I eat too much , my nose gets stuffed up – without fail. Another thing I noticed, it took me a good year before I could belch again – which really helps to settle my little stomach down and make room for more.

I’m type II also – and yes – it is possible. I’m @ the 2 year post stage and maintaining a loss of 85 – 90 lbs. Prior I was very close to going to the pump for my diabetes. In fact – that help push me to the sleeve. I was on metformin 1000 mg twice a day, Glucotrol 10 mg once a day, Lantus 45 and also – when needed a fast acting insulin. Now, I only use Victoza - 1 shot a day and I am averaging a reading of ~ 105. I eat what I want – in fact I really think if I stop all the sugar intake I could stop the Victoza. I have also stopped taking most of the other pills – like Zetia, Ramiprill, tetracycline. Like I said – it has been 2 years and life is great. My only regret, as many others have said – I should have had it done years ago … I just turned 61 when I had the operation. Hope this helps

Same here - My nose runs when I eat too much am I'm almost at the 2 year mark ... I guess when the little stomach gets full - it needs to push the excess somewhere? Lou

Hi DebraLea Hang in there – it really gets better. It will be 2 years for me in July and all is good. The recovery process is slow and your body really takes over and controls what you can have and cannot have. My biggest problem was and still is my mind still thinks that I need to fill my plate and eat – but my stomach puts a stop to it fast. Just start eating new things slow – a bit at a time and see how your stomach reacts to it. Start eating things like mash potatoes, finely mushed ground beef, eggs…. I was very lucky with little or no side effects – never lost a meal (up chuck) never lost any hair… I keep a log of my weight loss and file it in every Monday – I averaged ~ 2 lbs a week with the biggest loss being the 2 week pre diet. I started worrying that I was losing too much weight (wife was worried) but as I said – the body knows best – and after ~ 1 year I stabilized. Now I can eat anything I want and stay between 85 – 90 lbs lost. Any questions – I would be glade to help Lou

Hi All It will be 2 years for me also in July. I went from 265 to 180. I stay within 85 - 90 lbs lost. All is great - no regrets. I am always hungry but still can only eat a bit then have to wait. I turn 63 in a few months but do not feel it at all. My exercise: 5 days a week – take off weekends… get up @ 2:45 (I know crazy) – 50 push-ups, 0 sit-ups – then I alternate – one day – 30 minutes on the elliptical – some weights exercises – then 15 minutes on the treadmill. On the other days it is 20 minutes treadmill first then 20 minutes elliptical. I have a hard time dealing with the death of my doctor – Dr. Radulescu. I recently read that it was a suicide. He was very depressed and reports from his doctor said he worried all the time about making a mistake and hearting one of this patients. He was a great doctor. The report goes on to say that he poured gas on himself and light it. WOW… Some stages that I went through and curious if others had the same … When I eat too much – I need to blow my nose I only started to belch after ` the first year which helps a lot to free up “space” I can eat anything – some more than others

It has been over a year for me (July 14th 2011)and all is great. Had my VSG @ Orlando Regional Medical by Dr Radulescu – who hassince pasted away. Over all I have lost 85-90 lbs keep bouncing back and forth.What was interesting was that I stopped at around 75 – then took my self off ofinsulin and I lost another 10 – 15 lbs then stabilized. The overall experience has been good. No problems –just many adjustments. I can eat anything – just in smaller amounts. I’m downto very little medication and like said no more insulin – but I am on a newerdrug called Victoza – which I truly believe I could stop if I watched what I ate. Would I do it again – you bet – sorry I waited so long– Just turned 62 last month. Be glade to answer any questions any of you have… Till later Lou

Question: Istarted having problems with my jaw about one month ago – just went to mydentist and said it seems like a TMJ problem suggested a specialist. We talked about my weight loss and that it most likewas/is caused by that. Anyone else have similar problems? Lou

Bad new - My surgeon sorry to say - pasted away today: A bariatric surgeon at Orlando Regional Medical Center has died from injuries he suffered Tuesday in an explosion in the garage of his Seminole County home. Dr. Marin Dan Radulescu died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the explosion at his home in west Seminole County, Sheriff's spokesman Lt. James Clark said. It appeared that Radulescu was working on model airplanes at the time and that fuel for the planes may have ignited and caused the explosion, fire officials said.

Not a dumb question ... the size of my face has changed a lot - with the extra fat gone - my jaw is much smaller ... might not be the reason but sure sounds good. Lou

Looks like it all depends on the surgeon. My doctor never stopped be pre/post from drinking regulate coffee.

I had my surgery 2 weeks after my 61st bday - all is great

Add me to the list. I’m starting my 6th month soon and it has been going on for most of myjourney. When I eat too much – I have to blow my noise many times.Like right now. I just had a dense piece of raise bread toast followed by a cupof coffee - too close to eating and I had to blow my noise ..I also get a coldchill. Both last for about 15 – 20 minutes then I am fine. Good to see it’s notjust me

I also can not get warm. Originally from Maryland and now in Florida for the past 11 years – pre-surgery,I laughed at others wearing jackets when it was 40 out. Now I have a pull over@ work that I put on most days and sleep with sweat pants and top. I also get a chill when I eat too much… you know thefeeling. But after 75 lbs gone – I can take being cold…

It sounds like everyone is doing great - no regrets. Cheri - Hang inthere. He is seeing you go through a big change and needs to adjust to it. Asanother man, I would suggest spicing it up a bit. Get some really sexy clothsand suggest a "date night". You are a new person - introduce yourself to him. Picturesare great - you look good. I have gone into a new phase of this process - I cannot get enoughto eat... It started about one month ago. I'll eat a meal - still a small amountuntil I can feel that I can eat no more (my warnings are - stuffed up nose andcool chilies). Then I stop and within 20 minutes I need more food. I'm bouncingin weight but overall staying constant. I see my PCP doctor Monday and am hopinghe can help. I am diabetic and have gonefrom 3 pills a day - 58 units of time released acting insulin along with a shotof fast acting insulin down to no pills and just 18 units of the slow timereleased. At one time within the past 3 years - he tried me on a type ofinsulin called Byetta- it did not help then but help to suppress my appetite. I'm going toask him to put me back on that. A mistake I made and I'm sure we all are guilty to some extent - new cloths. I started with 40 - 42waist and now down to 32. During the process, I went out and stocked up wit -38 - then 36 then 34 and now 32. Should have waited awhile to advoide some ofthem. I was also in XXL tops and now large and some mediums. I'm talking too much - so I better stop for now Lou

Hi all It's been 5 months for me and all is great - I would like to hear others from this original July 2010 posting to see how you are doing... Lou