jenns08

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I have spent the majority of my life being overweight. Even when in middle school, I was ashamed of my size. There is nothing more frustrating than having to shop in the women’s section of department stores when your friends are shopping in the juniors section. In high school, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which explained the weight problems. I was always very active growing up, but somehow still managed to gain weight. After being diagnosed with PCOS and realizing that weight gain was a side effect, I was put on medication to help treat the side effects. Even being on the medication (at one point up to 4 pills a day), the weight still seemed to be an issue.[/font][/color][color=rgb(87,77,77)][font='Droid Serif']
In November 2012, a friend of mine asked me to photograph fall/Christmas portraits for her and her husband. She had had the surgery just a few months before. I had heard of several people having the surgery, but didn’t really give it any thought. After talking with her about the surgery and finding out that she too had to deal with those 4 nasty letters, I started thinking that this was something I might be interested in doing. I called my insurance company to find out that they did cover weight loss surgery, but that there was certain criteria I would have to meet.[/font][/color][color=rgb(87,77,77)][font='Droid Serif']
On December 12, 2012, I attended a seminar (which my surgeon required before scheduling my first appointment) about the surgery. I learned about the different types of weight loss surgery and that is when I decided that the Sleeve Gastrectomy was the surgery for me.[/font][/color][color=rgb(87,77,77)][font='Droid Serif']
I began my journey in January 2013. With my insurance, I was required to do six months of weight checks. I had to show that I had been overweight for the last 5 years and also had to show that I could go 6 months without gaining any weight. I was told right away to stop drinking sodas and to start cutting back on my portions. During the six months prior to surgery, I had to do a psychiatric evaluation, consult with a nutritionalist, blood tests and 6 weight checks.[/font][/color][color=rgb(87,77,77)][font='Droid Serif']
Having the surgery has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and I don’t regret it not one day. It is definitely something you have to take seriously and can see how if you are truly committed to losing the weight, it pays off. You have to change your ways, but I can promise you it is so worth it. I feel a million and two times better and absolutely love the person I have become.[/font][/color]