- Name: Emissary
- Age: 62
- Surgery: Gastric Plication
- Surgery date: September 11th, 2014
- Testimonial date: September 26th, 2014
- Surgeon: Dr. Almanza
REPORT AS OF 2 WEEKS AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY:
09-06-14: 320 lbs
Start liquid diet 5 days prior to surgery (2 protein shakes & 3d meal of salad with small protein meal)
09-11-14: Gastric Sleeve Surgery
09-25-14: 291 lbs: LOST 29 LBS IN 19 DAYS
CO-MORBIDITIES:
1. Morbid Obesity (Body Mass Index of 42.5)
2. High Blood Pressure.
3. Coronary Artery Disease (High Cholesterol).
4. Sleep Apnea.
5. Adult Onset Diabetes.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS:
BEFORE GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY: 2 WEEKS AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY:
1. Amplodipine Besylate (High Blood Continuing (in liquid form)
Pressure).
2. Aspirin (Blood Pressure/Cholesterol). Continuing (in liquid form)
3. Atorvastatin Calcium (Cholesterol). Continuing (in liquid form)
4. Furosemide (Fluid/Blood Pressure). Discontinued (available in liquid form)
5. Losartin (High Blood Pressure). Continuing (in liquid form)
6. Metformin HCL (Diabetes). Discontinued (measuring blood sugar)
7. Metoprolol Tartrate (Beta Blocker Discontinued
for Coronary Artery Disease)
8. Potassium Chloride (Fluid/High Discontinued (available in liquid form)
Blood Pressure)
When I had the stitches removed 12 days post-surgery, my physician ordered complete blood work (6 vials taken) to get the full picture of the new me, Having me continue to not take 4 of my 8 prescription medications is beyond shocking. I have an appointment in 3 weeks for further evaluation and adjustment.
When I was diagnosed with Adult Onset Diabetes on 11/5/13, this was my 5th Co-Morbidity. It shocked me enough that I started planning and saving for Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I submitted a partially filled-out application and Weight Loss Agents started 10 months of support resulting in my Gastric Sleeve Surgery on 9/11/14.
Without the professional, consistent and unrelenting support of Weight Loss Agents, I probably would have never made it to the gastric sleeve surgery. Weight Loss Agents took a stand for my health that I wasn't able to take for myself at that point. It took me several months just to fill out a complete list of my prescription medications. I wasn't willing to admit it to myself in 11/13, but my eating behavior and sedentary life-style were gradually killing me. I didn't realize it then, but I was in a fight for my life.
The surgery itself was simple and quick. I worked (Day-trading the financial markets)from my hospital bed the FRI morning after surgery. After 2 1/2 days nursing care in the nearby hotel, I flew home on SUN. I took MON off of work and have been working since.
In addition to the fantastic weight loss, my post-surgery has had gas, some pain, nausea and heartburn:
GAS: I take Gas-ex each day for gas.
PAIN: I took the pain medication supplied by the hospital)on SUN night, all day MON, and TUE morning. I took it to sleep on THU, FRI and SAT nights. The last 3 pain doses remain unused.
Nausea and heartburn: These occur when I fill up my 4 oz. to 6 oz. stomach too fast or too full. Milk of Magnesia helps here. Sticking rigorously to the post-op diet protocols works here also.
Overall, this has been a long and worthwhile process. This organization is professional, courteous and effective. I had quietly resigned from my health and was cynical that I would ever be able to regain my health. This surgery has breathed life back into my health. It probably saved my life. Great thanks to Weight Loss Agents and Dr. Mario Almanza for standing for my health - your work has transformed my life.