Jamal D. Farhan, MD

This is my first step in taking control of my life. My weight has been out of control for so long. I decided to get sleeved in January of 2019 and jumped through all of the hoops over the last 5 months to get insurance approval.

I choose Hurley Bariatrics as they were geographically the closet provider that my insurance would cover. However, I am so happy to be going with this facility as the entire process has been extremely thorough.

I'm 6 feet tall
Starting Weight 273
Current Weight 266.7

I will begin my liquid diet on 05/19/2019 and my surgery is set for 06/03/2019.

I gave the doctor (3) stars because I haven't had my surgery yet. However, his staff has earned a five star rating based on communication, response time, knowledge and just the overall treatment that I have received.

Wish me luck.

Updated on 15 May 2019:
My new surgery date is scheduled for May 28 and I am trying super hard to mentally prepare. I start my liquid diet tomorrow And I’m so nervous. I’ve added some stating pics.

Updated on 16 May 2019:
Can I just say that mentally I have prepared myself for this liquid diet, however day one of this liquid diet has proven to be quite the challenge.
I have the worst headache and zero energy. I was told ahead of time that these are typical symptoms, nonetheless I’m struggling.
I’ve been in bed most of the day binge watching Braxton Family Values and daydreaming of what it will be like to no longer have to buy plus-size clothing.
I’m attaching a picture of the protein shakes that I will be drinking over the next two weeks. Wish me luck :-)

Updated on 17 May 2019:
Day one was very difficult but I made it through and I didn’t cheat. Total liquid calories came in at under 1000 calories. Day 2, I woke up with a lot of energy and felt really good as well as lighter. The scale however has increased by 2 pounds ????????????????????????????????Normally I would get upset but I had to remember that the liquid diet isn’t for losing pounds it’s to shrink your liver.
I’m still super excited about this journey I just wish that I had more energy. It’s 3 o’clock and I am exhausted. Wish me luck!

Updated on 22 May 2019:
I can't unwrap my mind around why the scale hasn't moved much. It's been six days and I've only lost 2 pounds. I'm following the liquid diet instructions as indicated but I expected to drop some serious pre- surgery weight. Oh well. I just hope that my liver is shrinking.
Now about this liquid diet. The bariatric team has me on a strict regimen of liquids and for the most part, I am not hungry at all. I am however still very light headed and dizzy. Today, I briefly blacked out. I don't know what to do to shake this feeling. Any suggestions or tips are greatly welcomed.
I think the hardest part thus far has been the mental hunger. I would eat at different venues on certain days and it just feels weird not to stop in and have food when I'm out and about.
I'm so nervous about this surgery. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Updated on 26 May 2019:
My thoughts are consuming me. I can't stop thinking about the worse. I have imagined every worst case scenario and I can't stop going back and forth in my head with bad thoughts. I am a woman of great faith and I know in my heart that all is well but these darn bad thoughts.
Today is my last day of being able to consume the protein shakes as tomorrow starts the clear liquid diet finale. Tomorrow happens to be Memorial Day, so while the family is eating good in the neighborhood, I'll be sipping my BetterMD Lemonade drink mix. Yay Me!
I just want to be healthier and lose this weight. I pray that I am making the right decision. Lord please be with me.

Updated on 27 May 2019:


Updated on 28 May 2019:
I’m a ball of nerves and a mess!

Updated on 31 May 2019:
I have been officially sleeved! I am apart of the club! It has been an intense journey and there was nothing that I could had done to prepare myself for this part of the process.
In addition to being sleeved, I also had my hiatal hernia repaired. The doctor said that my hernia was pretty large and he had to place some extra stitches. In addition to throbbing pain in that region coupled with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, an increase in white blood cells, and elevated kidney functions, I ended up staying in the hospital longer.
Hurley Medical Center was top notch. The care was superb and I can't say enough nice things about the staff and the quality of care. They treated me as if I were the most important patient they were treating and were very attentive to my needs. The only dislike that I can think of was the rapid response team that couldn't find a vein and kept poking me. This nurse had a huge attitude problem.
The day of surgery, i weighed 258.3 and I left the hospital weighing 253.3.
The real journey has begun.
Believe us when we say that gas pain in the worst. Do everything the staff tells you do to relieve this pain as you will feel as if you are having a heart attack. I walked as much as I could and used the spirometer frequently.
Four days later, I'm home and resting well.

Updated on 5 Jun 2019:
Can I just say...... I couldn't have asked for a better Surgeon. Dr. Farhan is amazing. My incisions look greet, the bariatric team is wonderful and I feel empowered to finally start putting obesity behind me. A couple of days after my hospital visit, I ended up feeling really dizzy and clammy. I called the after hours number to the clinic and Dr. Farhan called me back within 10 mins. I wasn't expecting a call directly from the doctor. I was expecting someone from his staff to call me. He was kind, thorough, caring and was able to advise me of what to do. All is well, it was just a reaction to Reglan, one of the medications that I was taking for nausea.
So visit was very detailed, I received lots of pointers on ways to improve my protein intake as I have developed a strong sensitivity to the smell of the protein shakes. It's like being pregnant all over again. The smell of the shakes just makes me want to puke. Believe or not this is not uncommon, there is a medical term for this and its not all in my head. Yay!
I will say, I've read over 100 reviews about the sleeve on this site and I was really expecting to have lost some weight upon being released from the hospital. I only lost 2lbs :( I just don't understand how I could only lose 2lbs when I could barely eat. I hope that weight loss will pick up in the up coming weeks. Although I'm feeling a little defeated, I am excited about adding new foods in the next week. I'll upload a pic in the next few days.
Anyone else out there that is slow to lose please feel free to reach out.

Updated on 18 Jun 2019:
It appears that I’m a slow loser. HW 273 SW 256 CW 246
I’m so frustrated! I thought the weight would be melting by now.

Updated on 13 Sep 2019:
I have lost very slowly, but I am no longer complaining. I feel so much better and I am moving around so much easier. I’ve even been able to wear pumps again! Just wanted to give you guys an update of what I look like.