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POSTED UNDER Gastric Bypass REVIEWS

49 Year Old Mother of 1 and Engaged to Be Married in 2017 Having RYGB - Akron, OH

ORIGINAL POST

I have been wanting this surgery for as long as I...

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skinnyforme1209
I have been wanting this surgery for as long as I can remember and have started the process 8 years ago, quit smoking in preparation for it and started the process and then lost my insurance and had to stop. Started again this past February, 2015 after finding out my current employers insurance will cover it. I'm looking forward to being able to buy a wedding dress off the rack and do things with my fiance like camping, walking, hiking, etc.

skinnyforme1209's provider

John G. Zografakis, MD

Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery

Replies (8)

December 4, 2015
Every good wish and let me know how you get on .im due my mini gastric bypass in Jan 11 ,I'm really excited about it as like you I'm engaged and I'll be damned if I'm a fat bride
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December 7, 2015
I know that's right. Keep moving and don't stop!!!
December 13, 2015
I'm having a hard time quitting smoking... Any advice?
December 13, 2015
If you can get hold of allen carrs quit smoking book ,its amazing!
December 13, 2015
Will do! Thanks!
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December 23, 2015
I quit using Chantex 8 years ago. I smoked for 26 years and my surgeon wouldn't do the surgery without my quitting so that's what I used because at the time, my work would pay for it. It runs about $140 but I followed the instructions and quit on day 8 and never looked back. I had 0 side affects. I know there is a chance for many of them with Chantex, but I personally think that many syke themselves right into having side affects. I read them and move on. Good luck in quitting, there was a great website for support that went along with the chantex program also that helped.
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December 17, 2015
Keep those Pictures coming my sister!!!
August 13, 2016
Why do I want to see pics of your face?? What is the point??
UPDATED FROM skinnyforme1209
6 days post

Surgery is over, on my way to recovery

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skinnyforme1209
I had my RYGB conversion last Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 and it went great Dr. Z said. Because I was a revision of a previous stomach stapling for weight loss, there is a higher chance of leaks but he told my family that he put some extra staples inside and took some extra steps, hopefully to ensure no leaks and I'm almost 1 week post op and no leak so far. He also placed a feeding tube in my as a precaution because of the high risk of leaks. (I'll have it until Jan 19th when he will scope me again and make sure everything looks good at which time he will remove the feeding tube. I also have a drain until my first post op visit which is the morning of Christmas Eve. and he'll remove that drain then after they do another swallow test xray thing where they make me swallow this nasty stuff and they take pics to make sure everything is going down ok without any leaks. Provided that is ok, I get to move on to phase 2 of my diet which will include sugar free puddings, yogurts without fruit and cottage cheese (which I'm pumped about lol) That will be my Christmas eve dinner, Cottage cheese and yogurt. But considering I have not eaten any real solid foods other than optifast bars in over 3 weeks, I'll be a happy camper with cottage cheese, pudding and yogurt, all of which I love. I feel good and my energy is coming back, I'm weaning myself off my pain meds, going about 6 hours between now and was every 4. Really only having pain in the lower left incision which from what I'm told is where he did most of his work, put the instruments in, etc. I couldn't bend over to put my pants/underwear on until today lol my fiance and mom have been helping me do that since I came home so I'm glad to be able to finally do that on my own. I gained some weight in the hospital which they said don't weigh yourself this first week because you are pumped full of fluids in the hospital and only doing fluids at home. I have weighed in today (can't help myself lol) and I was 339 on discharge date and I'm 324 today but will get a good reading at the docs on thurs. I go by his scales for the record. I'm extremely excited and can't wait to be thru this first 6 weeks or so which I'm told is the toughest because of the diet. I bought an eliptical bike to use when I'm released for exercise and I also got a planet fitness membership so will begin those when I'm released for it which they said 6-8 weeks. I'm planning to return to work on January 20th after I get my feeding tube out. Was going to go back on the 13th after my mom's back surgery on the 12th but then they scheduled me for this scope so I figured, I might as well just asks Dr. Z to put me back on the 20th. The feeding tube is in a crappy spot because it sits right between the breasts in the center like right where a woman's bra sits so it's kind of a pain in that respect. lol Everyone at Akron City Hospital and from the Summa Bariatric Center was awesome to me and my family who went with me for surgery. The surgeons and their staff even sent me flowers doesn't happen a lot with doctors. Anyhow, sorry to ramble, just wanted to post an update on the surgery.

Replies (3)

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December 23, 2015
Good to hear your progress. I am 2 weeks exactly from my surgery date and currently on the 2 week pre op diet and everything is going fine! Keep us posted and keep up the good work!!
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December 28, 2015
Great to hear, the main thing I can say is to do everything they tell you. Follow the rules, once you can take your vitamins, do it faithfully. I wish you the best in your journey and keep us posted on your progress also.
December 25, 2015
I hope your recovery is quick.So happy for you! You are on your way to finding good health. Congratulations and best of luck. Keep us updated with your progress.
UPDATED FROM skinnyforme1209
14 days post

Post op visit went well

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skinnyforme1209
I saw my surgeon on Christmas Eve and he said I'm doing awesome and he's so proud of me. I was down about 69 lbs since I started this process in February 2015 and almost 30 lbs just since Dec. 3rd. They removed my drain tube which felt really weird but didn't hurt and the nurse practitioner took off all the steri strips from my incisions and said everything looks good. I also saw Tess, one of the dietitians who gave me the great news that I could progress to stage 2 of the diet which is what they call full liquid but in reality, it's things like cottage cheese, sugar free puddings, greek yogurts, cream soups, and protein shakes. I have to make sure and get in like 70-80 grams of protein which can be challenging only eating 1/4 to 1/2 c of anything at a time but I find that the premier protein shakes I buy at our local Sam's club are 30 G of protein so if I drink a couple of those between meals, then with the cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. I get the needed amount. I will get the feeding tube I have removed on Jan 19th when he does my scope to make sure everything looks good inside. I am going to share some current photos I took which is very hard for me because I rarely took pictures of myself, let alone on more form fitting clothing but it's the only way to show my shape as I go. The last time I weighed myself, I was 309 and I began at 381 so I'm happily on my way.

Replies (5)

December 31, 2015
You are doing amazing! Your shape is really starting to form .well done!
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January 17, 2016
thank you Jodiem5
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January 18, 2016
Fantastic my friend!!! Your looking good!! Keep up the great work!
April 8, 2016
How are you doing now? Would love to hear an update!
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December 14, 2016

Hey there! It's been a year since your surgery date. How are you doing now? We'd love to hear all about your progress!