AW:One year anniversary

jen629

of my gastric bypass is tomorrow..I cant believe it went by so fast

ExpatPumpkin

Are those seriously before and after pictures? You look great!!! Congrats!

Brie2010

Can I ask why you did this?  I'm just really curious as to the thought process behind such a major surgery. 

mrsLesGrossman

You look really great from before and after.  I thought of doing it but am losing with my Dr on a plan.  I was scared of all the skin pics I saw.  You don't have to answer but did you have that issue? 

jen629

Yep the first pic was when I first started looking at wedding dresses last August and the second pic was 2 days ago

jen629

I thought alot about it for over a year and when I had to start blood pressure medicine and looked at the health problems of family members that helped to make my decision

jen629

I actually dont have a lot of extra skin I guess I just got lucky

janedoe1113a

You look fantastic!

ootmother2

My sister had that done almost three years ago but she was extremely obese, not just overweight.  She lost 100 lbs in 6 months.She had one problem, renal failure about 3 months after the surgery because of reflux.  A week in  the hospital but she came out okay.  I think her doctor was insane because his office wouldn't take her calls when she was vomiting all the time.  He disappeared from D.C. last year

Brie2010

If you don't mind talking about it, why did you go this route instead of traditional healthy eating and exercise?  Had you tried it and it didn't work?  You don't have to answer, I'm just curious.

jen629

Yeah I have lost almost 100 pounds....thats awful about your sisters doctor though

crfische

Jen, you don't look huge to begin with!

jen629

Brie I had tried alot of different things and I might lose 10 pounds but nothing significant...actually IRL alot of people I know dont even know because they were judgemental and had said things prior about it..people think it is an easy way out and that just the opposite the first few months I could only eat about 2 bites per meal  its a rough road at first but so worth it

saschaduran

Wow!  You look amazing!  Really beautiful:)Was it a banding or stapling or something else?  My mom had gastric bypass back in 1996 by stapling.  She lost over 200 lbs, but she had a few complications.  But it was so many years ago that the procedure was not nearly as refined as it now is.

jen629

Fische thank you I was actually about 240 in that pic and I am pretty short  that dress was a size 20 and the pants I bought the other day area a size 6 so I actually was pretty big for my height

mocha beans

Awesome, good job!

ootmother2

M's SIL also had the gastric bypass done about 5 years ago.  She's doing fine, much better doctor than my sister, I think.The SIL didn't need the skin procedure but my sister did.  Age is a factor in that. A 25 year old probably doesn't need it but a 40 year old will

jen629

I had the actual stapling and I am a bit of a rebel I had it done on Thursday and went back to work on Mon against doctors orders..lol....with a drain in luckily I work at a doctors office and live down the street from work

jen629

well I am 38 ..lol...

Brie2010

Brie I had tried alot of different things and I might lose 10 pounds but nothing significant...actually IRL alot of people I know dont even know because they were judgemental and had said things prior about it..people think it is an easy way out and that just the opposite the first few months I could only eat about 2 bites per meal its a rough road at first but so worth itInteresting.  I'm probably one of the judgmental ones, though.  Sorry.I'm glad you're happy with the results, though.  Congrats on your success. 

jen629

Brie everyone has their  opinions on it and if it was just to lose weight I wouldnt have probably done it but with health concerns  I thought it was worth it..I go to support meetings and the people who were on diabetic,blood pressure and other medicines who have gone completely off is amazing...I respect your opinion my BIL is one of the people who doesnt know and I see him almost everyday...its not for everyone but it worked for me and I feel so much better

SarahnVinny

You look great! Heard so many horror stories, glad yours was a success. Brie* I just saw your fit bride blog, I just wanted to say that you look amazing in your e-pics. Looks like your plan is working since weigh in of said weight. Nice job!

Brie2010

jen--to each her own!  I'm glad it worked out for you and congrats.Sarah--thanks!

mrsLesGrossman

I think you did a great job.  I know people see surgery as the easy way out sometimes but I know how hard it is.  There is nothing easy about having surgery. 

ootmother2

Do you mind if I as if your health insurance covered any of the procedure?My sister's insurance company denied it because it wasn't medically necessary.  WTF?  She was close to 350 pounds, had high blood pressure and bodering diabetes.THAT I consider medically necessary.

ootmother2

*bordering

jen629

Thanks Brie:)

mrsLesGrossman

Oot, I researched for the surgery and most companies require six months of documented weight loss and additional medical issues to approve it.  They deny it a lot and you have to provide proof.  They want to see things like sleep apnea, arthritis in the knees, and diabetes. 

jen629

My insurance covered everything except the 2 night stay at the hospital which was $300 per night

jen629

I had Oxford and it was 2 months of seeing the doctor and I got approved in 1 week I know thats unusual though

saschaduran

Brie...hope you don't mind the thread jack.  I know some people have the inner strength and determination to lose 100+ pounds on their own, but my mom wasn't a very strong person.  She had very severe lifelong depression.  She went through decades of yoyo dieting and periods where she exercised nearly daily, but the results were never below 200 lbs and they never stuck.  And she was only 120 when she had me, so she definitely had the potential to be thin.She started to have chronic back and knee pain and all sorts of obesity related illnesses.  When my dad died and she saw how hard it was for me to lose a parent she chose to have the surgery so she wouldn't die young.  Turns out she did anyways, but it wasn't from the obesity. I really admire your story Brie and commend you, but you are lucky that you are able to be so strong and committed.