Joseph R. McPhee, MD

Where do I start? Growing up in a Puerto Rican (Latin) family the only vegetable we ever ate was beans and maybe potatoes. Every day, a plate of rice and bean usually paired with some type of fried meat. My dad didn't believe in vegetables, he always said it was pet food. He often referred to lettuce as grass. I didn't eat my first salad until I was in my 20's only after a friend bought one from McD's and I asked to taste it.
I remember not being allowed to leave the table until I finished my plate. Afterward we had to sit for 30 min and let the food digest...LOL Every night we would have a snack. That consisted of some type of cake or cookie with a cup of milk. Week day breakfast would consist of a sugary cereal minimum of two bowls and on the weekends we'd eat hot dog, burgers, fried eggs and fried spam. As a result by the time I turned 18 I was 280lbs. I had been on many, many diets, have taken countless diet pills.
I had been researching weight loss surgery for years, but I felt shamed by all these diet and exercise purists and their morally superior, "if you'd only eat less and exercise more" attitude....LOL
So, I made the appointment then I got scared and cancelled it...using the " I have to babysit my grandchildren excuse". Meanwhile, I kept trying on my own with no success.
Later, my Dr. tells me that I have high blood pressure and she would have to prescribe medication ...OH the fear!! Everyone in my family is obese with high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and every other sickness caused from being over weight. I didn't want to take meds for the rest of my life and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't seem to loose the weight.
Fast forward: I made another appointment, followed through. Because of my insurance I have to do 6mo of supervised weight management, 3 down 3 to go!
Updated on 5 Aug 2016:
So, when I set out to start this journey in December 2015, my insurance was only approving the Gastric Bypass. Right before the nurses submitted the paper work I so happened to check on the insurance's policies and saw that they are now approving the Sleeve Gastrectomy...YAY! It was what I originally wanted but was going to settle for the Bypass. So, I was approved for the Sleeve. On August 3rd, I went to my last Nutrition class, on 8/4 had some more blood work done (waiting for results). August 10th I start my liquid diet...7 days of liquid diet!!! Is that even possible?!?! Right now that the only thing that has me really nervous. 7 days?!?! That's crazy! We'll see!



Updated on 10 Aug 2016:
Start my liquid diet today. It is August 10th and the day of my surgery is August 17. Not sure how I feel yet, but I'm sure by the end of the day today I will probably be gnawing on one of my limbs or my husbands...LOL! I'm open to any suggestions from those of you who had to go through the fasting processes.
Updated on 21 Aug 2016:
So, I'm 3 days post. I'm doing great feeling great except for one thing. I'm supposed to be one a liquid det for the next two weeks and frankly if I swallow another protein shake or another spoonfull of broth. I'm going to throw up. So, I'm asking; what are you doing to spice up your liquid diet? What are some of your favorite recipes?






Updated on 15 Nov 2016:
After searching deep, looking high and low I finally found some before and after pictures. For what it's worth here you go. Beginning weight 237, Day of surgery 230, Current weight 196. Still working people, working hard. I will take RealMeTx's advise and keep taking pictures and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.

Updated on 10 Dec 2016:
Just back from the gym. Starting to see some results.
BW 237
SW 230
CW 191
GW 150-160

Total weight lost 46lbs