My name is Jessica, this is my blog and my therapy. This blog has been a lifesaver for me. My personal weight loss surgery journey started on July 12, 2010 when I underwent gastric sleeve weight loss surgery as the first step in “staged” bariatric surgery process. I had my second step surgery, gastric bypass on January 14, 2013.

I was too heavy back in 2010, I had a BMI of over 65 and my surgeon also felt that I was on too many medications for my anxiety and depression, after being misdiagnosed with bi-polar disorder in 2009 for the bypass to be safe. I refuse to believe that I have failed or been unsuccessful with my first surgery. Most other Bariatric people are not aware that the sleeve can often be the first step in a two step process. Many are quick to tell me my sleeve failed since I am having a second surgery. We did the first surgery, the sleeve, to get me to a better place physically and a better place mentally so that one day when financially able I could undergo the bypass surgery to help get the largest amount of weight off. My sleeve helped me lose about 50 pounds and go off my diabetes medications. Mentally I went from 7 psychiatric medications to being medication free. My sleeve did work, at least to me it did. My first surgery was also a difficult journey. I was hospitalized twice in the first ten months for wanting to seriously hurt myself and used to have to take seven different medications to just barely function. Some how I managed to lose about 50 pounds through all this and I have kept it off and am now living medication free. I think that’s successful considering I could have been six feet under at this point.  I’ve now lost over 100 pounds total and losing more each month.

I had this second surgery because I want to be healthier, accomplish things I can’t do now, start my own family someday, and maybe be taken seriously by society. The people who matter are by my side and don’t judge. This is my journey and mine alone. I am doing this for me. I have been wishing for this second surgery for a long time now it finally became a reality, I’ve had to hold off on it while waiting to having insurance that covered weight loss surgery.

Aside from writing my personal story, I also include on my blog health education related to Bariatric surgery. I also run and sponsor a bi-weekly online support chat group for pre-op and post-op weight loss surgery patients. Those also looking into weight loss surgery are welcome to join and have a chance to speak with current Bariatric patients and get questions answered. We typically meet on the  4th Tuesday (unless otherwise noted below) of every month at 7:00 pm and usually go to about 8:00 pm. Chats times are in eastern standard time (I’m located in Ohio). Chats are always located at http://bariatric.oli.us/, which is my custom private chat room.

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