jessmarie0122

HELLO! My name is Jessica! I would have never imagined years ago that I would be here, BUT I'm glad I am!   Since my teens I've always been the "big girl" in the group. Always been a little bit bigger, I can't remember being smaller than a size 11 (which I would kill for now but ya know, never in single digit sizes) Over the years I have continued to gain weight despite my efforts of every diet out there. I also gained significantly on the depo birth control shot and then after that I could never seem to stick with a diet plan because nothing seemed to give results and so I would say forget it, quit, and gain my weight back plus 10 more.    I thought about weight loss surgery here and there over the past 5 years, but always thought, if I REALLY try, I can lose the weight. I'm just not ready. But a personal trainer, tons of money on quick weight loss, jenny craig.. and so on and so on. Here I was, STILL OVERWEIGHT!   I also work in healthcare in cardiology. I'd see patients coming through for pre-op cardiac testing and ask questions about the bariatric office, ONE FLOOR UP from where I work. i heard so many good things. And then I see patient after patient, overweight, not able to walk without help of some sort, with multiple problems, heart problems... is that what I wanted my future to be? NO!!   So on Nov 2nd 2015, I went upstairs and began the process and had the consultation appointment. I was sold. This is what I needed. Fortunately I have no health issues so all the clearances went smooth and quick, I have a great group of people I work with who supported me and was so understanding with the time I needed off to take care of all the appointments.    By December 22 I was cleared by everyone. I enjoyed the holidays and splurged a little here and there, NOT MUCH because I didn't want to gain before surgery. My employer was always changing our insurance coverage provider so the surgeons office could not file until the first on the year, which with holidays was Jan 4th.    I was scheduled for Jan 20th 2015, two days before my 29th birthday! I couldn't believe it came so quickly but I felt prepared. I had support of everyone at work and the support of my family. As well as the support of the great bariatric office.    I had my surgery as scheduled and everything went well during surgery and my one night hospital stay. I DID however have lots of gas pain, and little struggles here and there. But after the first 4 days... WOW. I will be honest, I was starting to worry.   BUT thanks to this forum, I reached out on my second day after surgery and posted about how awful I felt! I had many people reply with positive words and encouragement. Telling me it would get better, and to hang in there. It made me feel SO MUCH BETTER emotionally to know I wasn't alone and I WOULD feel better physically soon. And I do!   I have my 10 day post op appointment tomorrow and although the bariatric office is so supportive and always there. I will be forever grateful to have this forum as a resource for life!    Thank you for those who have already helped me, and for all those who will help me in the future!    [sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:23646]  
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