My Gastric Journey

[JoJo_G 13]

My name is Jojo and I am 55 days post surgery. I had Gastric Bypass surgery on June 25th 2015 and so far i have lost 70lbs. I decided to have my surgery because i almost or literally died on August 31st 2013. I've always been big and have always been ok with myself and have felt comfortable but on this day it was enough.. i was rushed to UC Irvine hospital after having a seizure. Upon arriving at the hospital my heart stopped 4 different times in one hour, thankfully each time the Dr's were able to bring me back. Even though they were able to bring me back i fell into a coma for almost 2 weeks. The reason for my seizures was i went in to diabetic shock. My kidney's failed and machines were keeping my organs working. After waking from a coma I spent 1 month in the hospital and on dialysis for 2 months. Dr's in the hospital advised me that i needed to have weight loss surgery or i wouldn't live much longer. At this time i weighed 360lbs. After beginning the process to have surgery i finally was approved and had my first dr.'s visit july 13th 2014. after a year of tests, classes, dr.'s visits and psychiatrist visits i finally got my surgery date and had my surgery on June 25th 2015. What a life changing experience it has been and definately not the easy way out like I've heard over and over. The hardest things for me so far has been the mental aspect of things but I have been trying my hardest and doing my best to keep on the right path because I am not only grateful for still being alive but also for this new beginning and journey through my Gastric Bypass.

[amyallthetime 26]

Congratulations on the weight loss! Your experience sounds scary but I'm sure you're glad that you are now taking better care of your health. I have been fortunate to never have an serious effects of my weight. But I am at risk, I can't wait til I'm post op and can look back on my journey. Keep doing what you're doing! ????

[Trayjay33 138]

@@JoJo_G sounds like surgery was a wise decision for you. I am glad you lived through that terrible experience and made the choice to do what you can to help get healthier. Congratulations on a new start towards health.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Trayjay33

[Nibbler 71]

Jo Jo....way to go !

One of my reasons for wanting to lose weight is that I feel like i don't get good medical care because I get the impression from them that fat people don't matter. I'm happy that they didn't give up on you. Congrats on your loss. I can't wait to have my surgery and have my own success story.

Sept. 9 countdown for me.

[Sylvia13 64]

Wow - that is some story! I am so happy for your success so far and I wish you continued success!

[Djmohr 6,965]

Wow! What a scary situation. I am so glad you made it through and are now looking at a whole new life.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! You are doing fantastic!

Your story really struck home with me. I too suffered from type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. It was the catalyst for my decision. I was terrified of having what happened to you, happen to me,

kidney disease and diabetes are both in remission along with several other comirbitities. They were in remission 60 days post op for me and have stayed that way.

Having WLS was the best decision I have ever made for myself.

I wish you all the best on your journey, you deserve to be happy and healthy and are taking the right steps to get there!

Good luck!

[kempermorris 144]

You get a second chance at life. Make the most of it & cherish everyday

[JoJo_G 13]

Congratulations on the weight loss! Your experience sounds scary but I'm sure you're glad that you are now taking better care of your health. I have been fortunate to never have an serious effects of my weight. But I am at risk, I can't wait til I'm post op and can look back on my journey. Keep doing what you're doing!

Thank You very much. Yes it was pretty scary and because the process took forever i felt, Some days i thought the surgery was never going to happen. Getting your surgery date is exciting but waking up post op is even better. I wish you all the best in your journey, thanks again.

[JoJo_G 13]

@@JoJo_G sounds like surgery was a wise decision for you. I am glad you lived through that terrible experience and made the choice to do what you can to help get healthier. Congratulations on a new start towards health.

Very wise decision. I should've looked into it years ago but i guess from just used to being big and comfortable with myself i never really thought of the bad things that could've happened and did happen. Thank You very much.

[JoJo_G 13]

Jo Jo....way to go !

One of my reasons for wanting to lose weight is that I feel like i don't get good medical care because I get the impression from them that fat people don't matter. I'm happy that they didn't give up on you. Congrats on your loss. I can't wait to have my surgery and have my own success story.

Sept. 9 countdown for me.

I've felt the same way in the past where a lot of times I've gone to dr's appt's and they last for a few minutes, didn't really get anything out of it and walked out saying to myself "what was the point". It wasn't until I started asking the questions, asking to have blood work done, asking to see a specialist when things started changing. Skinny, fat and everybody else in between should always matter. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery, a speedy recovery and a happy journey.. You're already a success story, September 9th just starts a new chapter.

[JoJo_G 13]

Wow! What a scary situation. I am so glad you made it through and are now looking at a whole new life.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! You are doing fantastic!

Your story really struck home with me. I too suffered from type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. It was the catalyst for my decision. I was terrified of having what happened to you, happen to me,

kidney disease and diabetes are both in remission along with several other comirbitities. They were in remission 60 days post op for me and have stayed that way.

Having WLS was the best decision I have ever made for myself.

I wish you all the best on your journey, you deserve to be happy and healthy and are taking the right steps to get there!

Good luck!

Wow, Its no joke when they say diabetes is a silent killer. I'm happy for you that kidney disease and diabetes have stayed away, thats great news. keep up the great work and likewise. Thank you for your kind words.

[JoJo_G 13]

Wow - that is some story! I am so happy for your success so far and I wish you continued success!

Thank you very much for your kind words. I also wish you continued success and happy journey.

[Andrea2015 14]

Congratulations !

This is an axing story !

I did mine here in California I'm 22 my surgery date as 7/23/15 I'm 40 lbs

"Exciting "

[GBLady41 393]

Jo Jo....way to go !

One of my reasons for wanting to lose weight is that I feel like i don't get good medical care because I get the impression from them that fat people don't matter. I'm happy that they didn't give up on you. Congrats on your loss. I can't wait to have my surgery and have my own success story.

Sept. 9 countdown for me.

I know how you feel. I didn't realize that people can be treated that way until it was me. I had to change my primary doctor twice before getting one who acted like he/she cared, and didn't just assume all of my problems were because I was fat. The doctor wouldn't really believe me, like I needed to lie. I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and if it wasn't for my endocrinologist and my gynecologist, I still wouldn't know what's going on with me. PCOS makes it even harder than normal to lose weight. I learned one of the most important lessons of my life, to be my own best advocate. I had to almost fight for every step of this gastric bypass process, from calling to check to see if the forms have been filled out, to calling to see if there has been any updates. But now I know to always stand up for myself.

[GBLady41 393]

@@JoJo_G - congratulations on your surgery and progress!! And thank you for telling your story! ????