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Hi everyone, it's hard to believe but it has been over 2 years since my Gastric Bypass surgery. I have lost over 130 lbs now to date. I have never been happier, my decision to have this weight loss surgery was the best thing ever for me. I did this for myself, that is one lesson I have learned about myself!!! I get out of bed every morning and go to Curves and then come home for a healthy breakfast. Change into a bathing suit and go exercise in the water from 1.5-2 hrs a day. I walk in the good weather and indoors on a weekend at a local mall. I volunteer at the Bariatric Clinic, motivational speaking at the Orientation Meeting of the program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton. I vacation at least 2 times a year in a hot climate (Cuba) mostly, but enjoy dancing again and walking everywhere while away, water arobics and then dance some more!!!! I am able to buy clothes off the rack again, that feels good, and not to ask for a belt extension on an airplane is a real good thing. I have my life back, more than that, I will live longer to see my children and grandchildren grow up. Having a new granddaughter before Christmas was such a great blessing for me, after 16 and 14 years, a new little angel came into our lives. I look much younger and have a hard time accepting compliments now, but keep them coming, I can handle it!!!! I hope that I can help another person feel as good as I do. It was well worth it doing this for myself. I am a great support now to others who want to make a difference and choose to make a life style change. To make a healthier choice of foods, activities and positive thinking to help themselves a better person. To change a negative thought for a positive thought and replace a bad habit with a good habit in everything we do, from choosing our friends and aquaintances to food choices. Keep doing what your doing before making a decision to have the weight loss surgery and you will not make it to old age. It's not for everybody, but if it's an option, then maybe it's worth considering. There are risks to everything we do, overeating is one, having the surgery is another. Take care, make the right choice!!!!!!

 

 I have wanted to work in the Bariatric Clinic since my journey first started in the clinic. There are no jobs available, I am retired from Nursing now and have some spare time. I am going to be a speaker at the Orientation class next month. I want to inspire more people to have the surgery if it's the decision they are considering to have to change their lives forever. I wrote a diary and I want to share this with the possible candidates attending the class. I will let everyone know how this decision has changed my life for the good. I have changed my lifestyle, swimming and exercising in the pool every day, walking every day, taking Zumba Gold  - toning for 10 weeks. I have more energy than ever now and I feel like making a difference in someone else's life. I feel good and most people who have seen me tell me that I look good, I guess I should accept the fact that maybe I do! My eating habits are healthy and smaller portions more frequently are working out for me. If nothing else, someone may make a decision to have their life changed for the better, healthier and look and feel so much better than what they are living right now, that would make me feel better for them too! Do your research and know what you want to change about your life and do it!

 As you know, I have been writing to update you on my progress before and after my surgery. I have lost now 108 lbs since last September, my surgery date was December 2nd/11. I am still going swimming and exercising in the pool at least 6-7 days a week and am doing 100 pull-ups. My muscles are strengthening in my arms and legs with all the exercising I am able to do now. I am also going for walks every day, also have joined Traditional line dancing again for 7 lessons this time for an hour and a half. I am still on Prevacid and not experienceing any gastric reflux on the medication.
 I encourage all those who are thinking about having this surgery to investigate the process and have it done, it will change your lifestyle for the better and forever more. 
 I have met so many new friends during this process and we remain friends even meet up after appointments and have get togethers at each other's houses (potluck) parties. We also keep in touch via facebook or e-mail. I appreciate the support and hope to support all my friends to change and feel better about themselves. 
 So, take my word for it, take the plunge and go for it! 
 Maggie

 I went to the Bariatric Clinic today to have my 6 month visit. My weight loss was recorded at 97 lbs on their scales today since last September, not since my surgery date December 2nd. I asked about my results of the Endoscopy and they were not in my chart, so I asked the nurse to look them up on the computer which she did that, she turned the screen so, I couldn't see it and she seemed shocked that I was not called or given an appointment with a surgeon. She read out that there seems to be a hernia there found on the endsoscopy procedure. I was not given any information and had called the day after to make an appointment for 2 weeks after to sit down with a surgeon to be given the results, but was told that I would get a call if there was something wrong, otherwise I would not hear anything. I am still in shock that this result may end up with another surgery, and when was I going to be called and told this!!! I also asked if I could have a copy of the results and ws told "NO", the surgeon would hve to talk to me at least first. I am quite annoyed that I had to pursue this matter! How many other people have fallen by the wayside and fallen through the cracks because they don't follow up on the procedures or blood work done?
 I also found out that my ZInc again was low, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. I was told to take suppliments for at least 6 weeks and hopefully they will come up to where they should be. 
 I have an appointment now for June 26 to see a surgeon about these results of the Endsocopy, I am anxious to hear what will be done about the hernia found. I am now taking Prevacid for Gastric Reflux, it is doing a great job, no more heartburn now.
 My next appointment after seeing the surgeon as far as I know in the Cinic will be December for my yearly checkup. That seems so far away, but these 6 months have gone so fast. 
 I asked the nurse if there were any jobs in the Clinic, but she said "NO". She asked me if I was interested in volunteering to speak to new patients thinking of having the surgery done. I told her I would love to do that. She is going to give a Social Worker my name to call me. If I don't hear from someone in the next few days, I will call the clinc and speak to someone there and remind them I want to do this.
 SO, my advice is, do your own follow up and keep on making phone calls and get what is rightfully yours. 
 Maggie

 After I went to see my surgeon back a few weeks ago complaining about my heartburn, he suggested that I go back on Prevacid and that he would do an Endoscopy. Well, since I have been back on Prevacid, no more heartburn, but I had the Endoscopy anyway today. It went really well, I did not feel anything after asking for lots of sedation, for a change someone listened to me. i just woke up when I was being wheeled into Recovery Room after the procedure. Wow, what a change from the last one I had about 3 years ago at another Hospital. I was impressed for sure. I will not have the results until my appt 2 weeks from now. I guess if there was something really bad, like an ulcer or a Hiatus Hernia, what they were looking for, they would have told me today, I think!! My weight loss this morning was 100 lbs since last September. I feel great now and have so much energy, still going to the pool 6 times a week, exercising as much as I can. I am gardening and keeping very busy, not much time for resting, every day is busy. The time goes by very fast each week, then month, then it will be a year before you know it. It's been 6 months on the 2nd of June since my surgery, 70 lbs since that day in December (2nd), 2011. What a change of lifestyle for me, I find that people are paying attention to me now, before it was a courteuos gesture, but now it's more genuine. I am the happiest I have ever been, besides the birth of my two children and two grandchildren. If you are ever wondering if this will be the right decision for you, then ask someone who has had it done and think about your lifestyle now and what a healthy lifestyle you could have after the surgery (Gastric Bypass). Take care and love life like do, spend your time with those you love and love yourself first, you come first now, it's time!
Maggie

 I can hardly believe it, 5 months since I have had surgery already. I have lost 93 lbs and feel great. I have so much energy and I am going 5-6 times a week to exercise in the pool still. Doing my gardening again, it's been so long since I was able to do those things. I am not out of breath when I walk and go up and down stairs or exercise at all. I am sleeping so well and want to come off my medication for sleeping and depression. I am back on Prevacid again for the heartburn and I am going to have an endoscopy on May 24th, hopefully by my own surgeon. He did not recognize me when I went to see him about the heartburn problem I was still experiencing. He wants to rule out an ulcer or Hiatus Hernia, I don't think I have, but let's find out. I had my blood work done today for my 6 month visit next month (June). I also don't sleep with my CPAP machine anymore either, which is a good thing, I am supposed to have a sleep study done this month too to see if I really need it. In my opinion is I don't need it ever again..... My goal is to lose another 57 lbs by the end of the second year post surgery. I know I can do it, I am so motivated to feel healthier and better for myself and my family. So, if you have the motivation, you can do it! 
Maggie

 Hi, I spoke about my heartburn post surgery earlier in another blog, well, I went to see my surgeon. First of all, he did not believe his eyes when he saw me, I have lost 86 lbs according to the scales in the clinic since last September. My surgery was in December 2011, but I went to Weight Watchers for 3 months prior and lost 30 lbs there. My scales say I have lost 93 lbs so far. I have changed my hair colour and with the weight loss, a lot of people have a hard time recognizing me now. I am back on Prevacid once a day and I'm also going to have an endoscopy to rule out a Hiatus Hernia or Stomach Ulcer. The surgeon and I don't think the heartburn or acid reflux is caused from either one, but we'll see when the procedure is done on May 24th. My surgeon actually told me that I look 40 years younger now, he asked to see an old photo, I showed him my Health Card from 5 years ago. The difference from then and now is so hard to believe, he was totally amazed! I had a pain on my left side for about two weeks and finally it has disappeared, I think I pulled a muscle or the adhesions and scar tissue was pulled when I was doing traditional line dance lessons and water exercises and 100 pull-ups at the pool at least 5-6 times a week. I am so dedicated to this journey and the secret is a mind set to continue. I still find that what I eat can be trial and error, sometimes my eyes are bigger than my belly, that can be a hard lesson and uncomfortable. i look up to my friends whom I met at a class before our surgery and we have been getting together to share our experiences and our journeys. We keep in touch with each other via e-mail and phone, it's great to know people who are going through the same feelings, thoughts and resolutions as you are. Learning from each other is always helpful too, we support each other and getting to know their family situations can be helpful as well. 
 I do hope that my story will ehlp at least one person who reads this and to know that they are not going through this journey alone. I support you and anyone who is thinking of going through the surgery, it was and is the most responsible and greatest decision I have made for myself. I live each day to the fullest, I am so dedicated to living and being healthy for myself and my family. It is so worth it to have changed my lifestyle for the healthiest I can be. 
 Love, Maggie 

 I am experiencing heartburn since I came off my Prevacid three months post-op and the Nexium pre-op. I am seeing my surgeon this week to find out if I can go back on either one. I could be jsut drinking plain water and I have been getting the heartburn and it is very annoying to have to take Tums all the time to get rid of it. 
 I also had some pain in my left side underneath my rib cage for over a week. I think that it could be just a muscle strain from exercising in the water and dancing (twisting and turning), using muscles I haven't used in a long time. I ended up in the Emergency Dept to be examined by two Doctors who thought the same thing. I will also mention this episode to my surgeon and see if he agrees to me having an Ultasound to rule out any damage done to the surgery done.
 I am taking it easy at the pool now and still doing exercises, but at a slower pace. 
 Maggie

 I had my surgery on December 2nd, 2011. Pre-op I went off Nexium for Gastric reflux and post-op went on Prevacid for 3 months. I will be 4 months post-op tomorrow and not on anything for gastric reflux. I have been having terrible heartburn even when I am drinking water only. Are there any suggestions as to whether to go back on one of the ant-acids again? I am seeing the surgeon this month and my family dr. as well, I think that one of them should be able to put me bck on one of them. I don't want to be suffering from this each day. Otherwise I am doing very well post-op, exercising every day in the pool, joined line dancing and having a lot of fun each day. I have so much energy and doing what I can and want to do. 
 Maggie

 It has been just over three months since my surgery. I had my three month check up at the clinic. 5 weeks before the appointment I had lots of blood work done. I found out that my zinc level was extremely low and now I am taking Zinc 25 mgms daily. I had no idea that such a thing would be checked and that it was low. I didn't seem to have any symptoms such as hair falling out or a metallic taste in my mouth. I had not noticed any of these symptoms now or ever. I am however having moderate heartburn. I found after being off Prevacid in the morning, I have had the heartburn back. I used to have heartburn and acid reflux before the surgery and was taking Nexium 20 minutes before supper. I have to see my surgeon now to see why I am still having heartburn, apparently I shouldn't be having it at this point of my post-op recovery. Everything else seems to be doing well, I am back at the pool now and exercising at least 5-6 times a week 60-75 minutes at a time. I can do 100 pull-ups on the rungs at the side of the pool each time I am in the regular pool. I also go into the hot-tub, I never stop moving in either pool. I am on a regular menu now and eat about 5-6 meals/snacks daily. My protein was a little lacking some days, so I have chosen more protein snacks now and get at least 2 litres of fluids, mostly 1.5 litres of water. Since last September, 2011, I have lost 90lbs by my scale, but according to the clinic's scale, only 79lbs. I don't know why there would be a difference of 11lbs!!! I try to walk an hour 2-3 times a week to get fresh air and some exercise too.
I hope this helps some people who have undergone the same surgery and needs a boost and some advice. If yu have any questions for me, write me and I will try to answer you.