Weight Loss Surgery – Fobi Pouch

The editor of Honest Diet Reviews, had the pleasure of sitting down with Linda M. regarding her successful weight loss surgery using the Fobi Pouch.

Hope you enjoy our interview:

Linda M - After

Editor: What was your heaviest weight?

Linda: 227 pounds

Editor: How tall are you?

Linda: I am 5′ 2″

Editor: Was there a “moment” that happened that made you decide to do surgery?

Linda: Yes – I was developing new disorders rapidly and becoming more and more unable to physically function. When my knee, feet and ankles were swollen and hurt round the clock, I decide I was doomed to die because I hurt too bad to exercise. My energy level was exhausted after work and my feet hurt too much to exercise. I had a mild heart attack, severe sleep apnea, severe GURD, blood pressure starting to rise and felt tired all the time. Ability to concentrate and focus became a problem.

Editor: What type of surgery did you have?

Linda: Fobi Pouch (Long Beach and Hawaiian Gardens)

Editor: And why did you choose it over the others?

Linda: Highest success rate over a long term and it was preferred by the Hollywood stars. The rich and famous are going to pick the best procedure and the best surgeon, since money is not an object. I researched the internet for a couple months before making my final decision.

Editor: What did you have to do to prepare for surgery?

Linda: I had to under go many tests to ensure I was a good candidate for the procedure.
I saw a nutritionist, psychologist, cardiologist, pulmonary specialist, and of course, the Fobi clinic consultations.

Editor: Describe the “recovery process” after surgery.

Linda: The first two to three weeks is only pureed foods. Since you aren’t eating solids you go to the bathroom a lot. Certain foods make you run to the bathroom and you don’t know which end goes over the toilet.

Then you graduate to semi-soft foods and in three months you start to feel like you’re going to make it. You know to stay clear of certain foods and to take everything “slowly”. You crush your pills, sip liquids, and eat with a baby spoon.

At six months things are healing much better and new foods are to be tried and retried monthly. I remember six months being a milestone in starting to live life in a somewhat “normal” pattern.

Trial and error. I still quote to all new patients, “The first three bites will make you or break you.” Meaning take great care in doing everything small and slow and chew extremely thoroughly or you will be upchucking your meal by bite five.

Editor: Can you eat anything you want?

Linda: Yes, but some foods have to be pampered with extra moisture (mayo, salad before hand, gravy, etc). Dry meat for example will result in feeling like it is lodge part way down my throat. It’s that feeling you get when you ate too big of a bite and need to wash it down. Only in my case it doesn’t go down. It just sits there and pouring down liquid only makes it back up like a plugged drain. You then have to excuse yourself and expel your food (throw up). Then wait20 minutes to an hour before you feel like trying food again.

It is more how you eat verses what you eat. You become an infant right after surgery, then a toddler, and finally a 7-8 year old in means of eating. You have to learn all over again and then graduate to the next level every six months. After two years, you should not be able to consume more than a grade school child. If so, you have stretched your stomach too much and will probably gain back a lot of weight over time.

Editor: How has your health improved?

Linda: Yes, I know I have added on extra years to my life. I actually felt the best when others thought I had lost too much. I have a bad knee that keeps me feeling a little old.

Editor: How much total weight have you lost?

Linda: I lost 105 pounds originally but decided to put on a few pounds, since people were telling me I was too thin. Now it is around 90 pounds. I was a size 20 before surgery and now I am a size 8.
(When I stopped losing, I was a size 6 and 122 pounds.)

Editor: How is your life different today because of the weight loss?

Linda: I have a lot more energy and better health. I like myself except for the saggy skin. I haven’t been able to afford the skin tuck. More self-esteem and energy.

It sounds really odd but one of the most exciting things I get to do now is cross my legs at the knee instead of ankles. I remember, sitting in a seat and being embarrassed that I took up part of the chair next to mine.

I eat smaller portions, more conscience of chewing and how big a bite I take. Desserts are usually ½ portions. I do not gorge food anymore but I do graze or nibble throughout the day.

Editor: Would you recommend surgery over diet and exercise?

Linda: If the person is healthy enough to do an exercise program I would say they should attempt that first.

With weight loss surgery there are lifetime changes that can not be discarded. You absolutely cannot eat fast and cannot ever again neglect your nutrition. It will become life threatening, if you think you can survive on skimping/skipping meals and not take any vitamins. Your health will deteriorate over time with irreversible damage to vital organs with proper nutrition.

If you are in crisis with a life threatening health condition and need immediate weight loss or you will die, then what are you waiting for! Get the Fobi Pouch procedure and only with someone approved by Dr. Fobi, St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach, CA90813, 1-888-4STMARY.

Editors Note: The expressions and opinions of our guest are not necessarily our views and opinions. The above is for reference only. You need to consult a professional about your individual medical needs.

Many people have lost significant amount of weight on their own. Check out Mike’s Story - the inspiration behind Honest Diet Reviews.

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