POSTED UNDER Gastric Bypass REVIEWS
RNY Gastric Bypass. 170+lbs weight loss - Hamilton, ON.
ORIGINAL POST
Started at 350lbs and ended at 178lbs. I lost 100...
WORTH IT
Started at 350lbs and ended at 178lbs. I lost 100 pounds the first 100 days. I feel great. I look great. It was the best decision of my life.
SantinoP's provider
Replies (11)
August 2, 2012
Congrats! Amazing difference.
I was wondering, do you feel hungry much afterwards? I'd imagine your body takes a while to get used to the reduced intake.
I was wondering, do you feel hungry much afterwards? I'd imagine your body takes a while to get used to the reduced intake.
September 11, 2012
Hi! Sorry for the late reply.
That is a huge misconception. After surgery, you have no hunger pains whatsoever. I am almost 4 years post-op and I have yet to have a hunger pain. I'll admit tho, the reduced intake takes a while to get used to. I was still taking too many bites 3-4 months after surgery which would make me sick. Im currently 180lbs and have been this weight for almost 3 years.
That is a huge misconception. After surgery, you have no hunger pains whatsoever. I am almost 4 years post-op and I have yet to have a hunger pain. I'll admit tho, the reduced intake takes a while to get used to. I was still taking too many bites 3-4 months after surgery which would make me sick. Im currently 180lbs and have been this weight for almost 3 years.
September 10, 2012
Hi Santino. Wow you look great!! Congrats on your WL journey and thanks for sharing.
September 19, 2012
How do/did you prevent Te extra skin? I'm 6'6" and 315 and 60-70lbs over weight and I was considering the surgery but dobt want the extra skin
October 26, 2012
I have extra skin... its just hard to see in the video/pics. There is very little you can do to avoid the extra skin, regardless of what ppl tell you. The more you stretch your skin the less likely it will go back. Plastic surgery is the only way. Its very common. Dont let the thought of excess skin prevent you from having this surgery
May 1, 2013
Over tge last few weeks ive really been thinking about getting this surgery. im 5'10 and at 310lbs. i go to the fym and try to diet but its not working like i need it to. This is my biggest fear about getting this surgery as well. Is it true that in canada if u lose enough weight tummy tucks can be also covered by the Ohip system?
UPDATED FROM SantinoP
3 years post
I am now almost 4 years post-op and I constantly...
I am now almost 4 years post-op and I constantly get the same questions from people... Have you kept the weight off? Have you gained any of your old weight back? Are you able to eat again? According to my scale as of this morning I weigh 180 lbs. I have been in the 174-184 range for the last 2.5 years. So, yes, im at the same weight i've been since i've had my surgery in May 2009. As for eating... I do find i eat more now but nowhere near the amounts i was accustomed to eating. My breakfast consists of one slice of whole wheat bread, toasted, with either SF jam or cheese or peanut butter. At lunch, i usually have a small greek salad or a small apple. Now that winter is approaching, I like to make soup. I sometimes make one of those Quaker Oats oatmeal packages. I can eat the whole thing but it really fills me up. At dinner, i'll eat whatever the family is eating but in a smaller portion. Mashed pot, corn, brocolli, chicken... about 1 - 1 1/2 cups worth. Pasta doesnt do well with me. I sometimes dump on it. I've tried every single type... whole wheat, rice, egg, it doesnt matter. Im italian so not having pasta was a bummer at first but i'm ok with it now. Ribs and steak also make me dump, along with ice cream. All things i misses the first 6-8 months post-op but rarely think about now. We actually dont keep those things in the house anymore. Outta sight outta mind. In between meals i will snack on a granola bar... half and apple... even a slice of toasted WW bread does the trick. I was never a drinker. I hate beer and wine. Rarely i'd have a mixed drink at a wedding. So i dont miss not being able to drink. I wasnt a big pop drinker before surgery either so taking it out of circulation wasnt a big issue. Ice cream is reserved for bday party's... the rest is tossed. In the summer i go for jogs, in the winter I do a very very light version of P90X or insanity. It keeps me moving. I get about 20-30 emails a day regarding the YouTube video i posted. Im glad its doing what it was intended to do... inform and give a visual of the results from GBP. Everyone should do their homework. Once you've convinced yourself that a particular surgery is right for you then go for it and dont turn back. Dont let other "uninformed" people try to change your mind or sway you into thinking you're making the wrong decision.
Questions? PM me.
Good luck and best wishes
Santino
Questions? PM me.
Good luck and best wishes
Santino
Replies (6)
December 9, 2012
Thanks for the update, you've definitely worked really hard and it shows. Pasta seems to be an issue for a lot of people, as well as rice and bread. Anything heavy and carb-filled seems to have its restrictions.
February 13, 2013
Wow, you look fabulous. Congrats on your weight loss and thanks for the update!
October 30, 2014
Congratulations to you, wow, i am about to have the procedure done in January and wanted to talk to folks that have gone thru it. Thank you for all the positive input
May 3, 2015
Good on you ..you do look great . Its funny because the before , old you was really an unattractive oldish looking man man , in fact he looked quite old , its hard to believe its the same guy because you really do look very hot. I congratulate you on your decision . I am sure you have benefitted from the support of your family too , I wish you all the best . I am happy you could find the way to become the person you wanted to be ....
UPDATED FROM SantinoP
3 years post
I've been asked about any side effects. I produce...
I've been asked about any side effects. I produce kidney stones pretty frequently... sometimes 1x a month. I produced stones prior to surgery too but no where as frequent. My stones are calcium oxalate. There is no medication to cure this. The only way to slow the production is to drink plenty of water (which we should be doing anyway). Gastric Bypass isn't a magic pill, its a tool to help you lose the weight. Its your job to maintain a good healthy lifestyle.
Replies (9)
February 27, 2013
hallo Santino. I am planning on having this gastric bypass in June. Have a few stress issues. people said I will be making a mistake. There is so many things that can happen afterwards. But I am really fed up of being the FAT lady. Give me some tips, motivation anything. But going I am going, and my husband was also sceptic but he now is behind me. Just scared that something will happen in theatre or afterwards. You look stunning. How did youre life changed afterwards.
February 27, 2013
Well, first off... you are doing this for you. Nobody else should be making any comments or trying to convince you otherwise. If you have negative feedback from other people, remove yourself from those people. Yes, there are so many things that can happen afterwards... theres also so many things THAT WILL happen if you dont have the surgery. Aftr surgery, you will be healthier... any minor complications are a very small price to pay for your health. How did my life change? I can walk without being out of breathe, i fit into clothes right off the shelf. I dont have sleep apnea, I dont have breathing problems, I dont have knee pains, I dont have acid reflux, I dont have heart palpitations... I just follow the surgeons guildlines and the weight melted off. I do a lot of walking and i stay active whenever i can. The simplest things that were so hard to do before are so easy to do now. Do your research... once you decided that whichever surgery is best for you then stick to your guns no matter what anyone else says and go for it... you wont regret it. Best of luck and best wishes
March 1, 2013
who is the doctor and what was your cost
March 2, 2013
Dr. Anvari at St. Joes' Hospital in Hamilton... and i live in Canada. Our health care is free (if you dont include the ridiculous price of gas, cigarettes, alcohol etc etc)
March 14, 2013
Hello Santino,
I have just the finish the steps for my insurance for GSP. My scheduled date for surgery is April 24th 2013, is there any tips leading up to the surgery you can share? I plan on documenting my progress as well.
thanks
JOHN
March 14, 2013
Congrats. Just set your sights on the healthier you... it'll get you thru the last 2-3 weeks before surgery. Follow the surgeon's recommendations. You'll be fine...
Best of luck
SANTINO
March 22, 2013
Ciao Santino, congratulations on your great success. I just started the process, I don't even have a date yet. As sad a testimony this is, what makes me most anxious is having to give up pasta. It's not about the taste or anything like that - being first generation Italian American, every holiday, every occasion means family and homemade pasta, usually made by my wife and I from scratch. So there's a whole psychological component and attachment. Can you tell me if you had any similar issues and how you dealt with it?
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it is so helpful. God bless.
Joe
March 23, 2013
Hi Joe I had the same problem. I loved pasta. I'll be honest... the first 6-8 months were difficult not being able to eat and pasta was the one thing i missed the most. Unfortunately for me i was never able to go back to pasta. It makes me dump. And i've tried every single type... whole wheat, rice, spianch... all make me sick. I'm 4 years post op and occasionally i do crave pasta but the cravings went away after 6-8 months. I rarely think about it. Even at weddings i pass the tray around without touching it and it doesnt bother me one bit. The first 6 months after surgery is where your brain learns that those types of foods are bad and when you eat them they cause pain or make you sick... eventually you dont care for them any more. Its hard to imagine where you are at now that you can go without pasta but trust me, those pasta cravings go away and you wont even think twice about it. I had a restaurant and I do all the cooking in my house, my wife and kids love pasta and i cook it occsionally and i have no problems. You have to look at the big picture. How long will you be around making home made pasta if you remain at the weight you are now?? We grew up with our parents and nonna living off pasta and bread and thats all we know about. There are healthier choices out there. I'm a fanatic of greek salad. I can eat it 3x a day whereas before i didnt even think salad was meal... i thought salad came WITH the meal. Best of luck Joe. Its a decision you wont regret. If you have questions you can email me directly xxxhotmail.com
Hi Santino, thanks for sharing your journey with us. Wow, what a transformation! Congratulations on the weight loss, you've done a great job and you look really good!