Jennifer V.
Hi, My name is Jennifer. I am 28 years old. I am the single mother of two children.
I found this site through a search engine a while back. I read for a while but didn't think too much about surgery because I didn't think that my insurance would approve it.
Why do I want this surgery? Well, honestly.... I just want to be able to play with my kids. I want to be here for them to play with. I want to enjoy life. I want to be able to feel good about myself.... something that I have lacked for so long. I'm not just doing it for my children. I want to do this for myself.
I am so happy that I found this site and I thank everyone for all the support.
July 4th 2002-
I am soooo excited about this but yet scared to death at the same time. To just think that in about a year I could be possibly be half the person that I am now makes me so happy. So happy that it makes me cry. I feel that underneath all this fat that there is a pretty girl in there somewhere. I have been heavy all my life with the exception of a few years in high school when I starved myself to be thin. I would go days without eating anything. Then one day I fainted from being so starved and my parents put an end to my starving. I still maintained my weight at around 120 lbs. Then before I gratuated from High School I became pregnant with my daughter. I gained 80 lbs during my pregnancy. It was a horrible time. My parents were devastated and the father had ran off. He did come back for a while and we had another baby. With my son I only gained 40 lbs during the pregnancy but I packed it on after he was born. The father of my children left again and has pretty much been out of the picture ever since. After my son was born I weighed 190 lbs but slowly over the past nine years I have gone up and up and up. Now I have reached the weight of 270 lbs. I run from mirrors. I hate looking at myself. I don't like to go anywhere or do anything. I have no energy. My mom always says your only 28 and you should have plenty of energy. She just doesn't understand. She probably thinks that it helps to get on to me about my weight but it doesn't.
I have tried every diet known to man. I have exercised myself to death and I can't seem to lose the weight. I feel bad that I don't have the energy to play with my kids. All they have ever known is a fat mommy. I have talked to my daughter about having this surgery and she said "mommy I love you just the way you are" Too bad the whole world doesn't feel that way. I'm so blessed to have my kids who really do love me fat or thin. I thank God for them everyday. They really are my reason for being and half the reason that I want this surgery. I keep thinking about how great it will be to take them to the beach without being ashamed. They are always wanting to do things that I am too ashamed to do in public. OOOOH what a feeling it would be for me to be able to take them to Kings Island and ride every ride in the park with them. I feel as though my being over weight has cheated them out of so much.
But now I have hope of a better, healthier future with them. They are 10 and 8 and it's never too late. When I lost all my weight before I went into high school it was such a great feeling to walk into that school and be proud of who I was. And now I have that opportunity all over again. Just to enjoy the simple things in life again will be so wonderful. To be able to take a long walk and ride a bike without gasping for air. I thank God for this surgery and I know that He will see me through this long journey. At times, life has been a struggle. Being a single mother is never easy and being fat too boot is no picnic. But God has blessed me with so much in my life and I am so grateful for the wonderful family that He gave me. My mom is my angel. Brutally honest, but truly my heart and soul. She has always been there for me and I know that even though this surgery scares her she will be right there holding my hand the whole way. Also, my best friend since the 6th grade Laura. She is truly the greatest friend anyone could ask for. Always there for me. Not too many can say that they have a best friend and I know that God brought her in my life for a reason.
Ok, I'm rambling now but I am so consumed with happiness right now. I have my consultation on July 25th and my pre-op tests are on July 31st. And the Big day that I cross over to the losing side is August 26th. I am on my way. I feel as though God has given me a second chance. 
July 10th 2002- I feel so lucky that as of yet I haven't had any complications with my insurance and approval. Only 47 days until I have my surgery. One day I'm happy and excited and the next I'm petrified and reading the memorial page. I hope that this is the right thing to do. Deep down inside.... my gut tells me to do this.
July 20th 2002 Well, I am getting closer and closer to my date. Still nervous and excited. Yesterday the hospital called to pre-register me for all my pre-op tests and I missed their call. That totally bummed me out. I'll have to wait until monday to call them back. This coming thursday on the 25th will be my group session with Dr. Fallang. I can't wait. I am sooo pumped. I have so many things going on right now. Not just the surgery. I have to move in two weeks and I still don't have much packed. I'm so tired and don't have much energy. My back is killing me. I just keep trying to think that in a year maybe my back won't be hurting so much anymore. I can't wait. I still have all these scary feelings about leaving my children. I just don't know what would happen to them if something happened to me. Their father is next of kin of course BUT, they don't even know him. It would be like putting them into the hands of a total stranger.(to them) My family says that they would fight to the death to get them but I'm not sure that it would hold up. I'm trying to stay positive and just pray with all my heart that everything goes well and I will be a much healthier mom for them. I've read all the postings on the board and it seems that I am not the only one who has these feelings.
On a lighter note.... I am in love. I met a man a little over a year ago who is so wonderful to me. Hopefully next year we will be married. We both have alot going on in our lives but continue to support each other through our rough times. It has been a long road but the one thing we are both sure of is that we truly love one another. The only thing is that right now we are separated. He lives in California and I live in Ohio. I have agreed to move out west to be with him. It's really wierd to picture myself away from all my family. My family has been wonderful to me. They are always there and in away I feel guilty for leaving them. But on the other hand, I'm not happy here but only because I'm lonely and need someone to love me. A husband to love me that is. I know my family loves me very much. I know with all my heart that I belong with him and not only will I be lucky but my kids will have someone that they can look up to as a father.
So as you can see, I do have alot on my plate right now. But once I'm over this hump, only good things are bound to happen. I always knew that God had a plan for me and I just hope that with his guidance I will stay on the right path. ONLY 37 MORE DAYS TO SURGERY!!! WOO HOO!!!
July 25th 2002
I went today for my information session with Dr. Fallang. It was a five hour session but very informative and helpful. I find myself not as scared as I was before. It really gave me a great peace of mind. In just six days I go for my psych eval. and my pre-op tests. I am a little nervous about the psych evaluation. I'm not sure what they are looking for. I am soooo ready for this surgery and I don't want anything to screw it up.
Ya know what's wierd is that I have been over weight for so long that I can't begin to imagine what it will be like to be thin again. How will I get used to the new me. Also, how will my kids see me. It will be so wierd for them. They have never seen me thin. How do I explain this surgery to them.
Oh what a feeling it will be to wake up and not have my back in severe pain. Not to come home from work completely exhausted and ready to collapse. To be able to concentrate more on my family instead of being held prisoner in this 270 lb body. I just can't wait!!! I really wish that my surgery was scheduled for tomorrow.
July 31 2002
Today, I got all my pre-op tests out of the way. All I have left to do now is just wait for my surgery date. I met with my surgeon one on one today. I was so nervous. My sister went with me which I am so grateful. It felt good to have someone with me. They weighed me and I actually lost some weight. I haven't even had surgery yet and they weighed me in at 256 lbs which is 14 lbs lighter than I thought I was. That is still alot of weight on a 5'3 frame. I feel so good. I feel ready. Although I know that I will get the jitters the night before surgery. I don't know how I'll ever manage to get to sleep that night but I am going to try my best. I am going to talk to my Pastor and let him know that I am having this surgery. The only people that know are a few of my close friends and my family. I want my pastor to know because I would like for him to pray for me. If there is anything I know, it's that God does hear and answer prayers. My father and my niece are living proof of that. My dad nearly lost his life to a stroke and my little niece nearly lost her life to toxic shock syndrome at the age of 14. I know without a doubt that had it not been for God, they may not be here today. So I say with out any hesitation at all.... BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER!!! It works wonders. God Bless you all. I can't wait to be a BIG LOSER!!
Aug 12 2002 Well, here I am again. Still waiting for my BIG day. I am surprisingly calm right now. I know that will change the night before surgery. lol. I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row. I don't think that it has actually hit me yet. When I think about actually reaching my goal weight I get all teary eyed, because I never dreamed that it could be possible. Thanks to this tool, I know that it can be.
9/3/02 I made it to the other side. I am now 8 days post op. I feel really great. It is unbelieveable how good I feel. I never expected to feel this good this soon after surgery. My surgery was 8/26 and I arrived at the hospital at 8am. About 8:15am they called me back and got me all ready for surgery. About 11am they gave me my happy shot and wheeled me away. The next thing I remember is waking up in my room with my family. I think I slept the whole day because I can't seem to remember anything. The second day was the day when the pain hit. I woke up and thought I had been ran over by a semi. It was horrible, but it is much better now. Right now I am on clear liquids and will be until Sept 12th when I go back to see the doctor. Then hopefully I can go to full liquids. It's amazing that I am surviving on liquid alone. I would have never thought that it was possible. If I had to do it over again, I would in a heart beat.
9-12-02 Went to my first follow up appt. I am 17 days post op and have lost 22 lbs. WOO HOO!!! I guess I need to make a chart to show my weight loss.
11-8-02 Sorry it's been so long since I have updated. I have had a lot going on. It's been 11 weeks since surgery and I am down 57 lbs. It feels absolutley incredible. This surgery saved my life in so many ways. I'm still learing everyday. I feel like I shrink everyday. I actually have knuckles and knee caps. It is amazing how much easier it is just to get in and out of a chair. My only regret is not having this surgery a long time ago. I can say so many positive things. My breathing is alot better. I'm not nearly as out of breath. My ankles are no longer swollen. I have a neck and you can see some definition in my face. I didn't have this surgery for cosmetic reasons, but I must admit that it feels good when people comment on my weight loss. It makes me want to try even harder. I'll be back with an update on my progress again in the near future.
1/13/03 I wish I had more time to update my progress. I've been very busy at work and with my children. Especially my son, he is giving me a few problems. The good news is that I weighed myself yesterday and the scale actually said 182 lbs. I am very please with my progress even though I wish it would come off faster. A little over 4 months post op and I've lost 73 lbs so far. Just 52 more pounds until I reach my personal goal of 130. I'm not panicking or weighing myself very much. I just take it one day at a time and pray that I can reach goal. Hopefully by June.... maybe I'm dreaming. Over the weekend I actually went roller blading with my daughter. It was so much fun. Before I couldn't have even stood up on the things. Before I wouldn't have had the energy to even put them on or have been able to bend over to fasten them. The best part of it was how happy she was that I could actually do that with her. I didn't just have this surgery for me. My children played a BIG part in my decision to have WLS and it's working. When I see them smile, I know I made the right choice. Thank you God.
3/9/03 It's been along time again. Sorry, I've just been busy. I am now at 160 lbs. Seems like it is really slowing down which is so darn frustrating but I'm trying to take it one day at a time. I joined Curves and I'm trying my best to take in more protein. I hardly ever dump anymore and everything goes down fine. Well sometimes things go down and other times they don't. Chili is NOT my friend. I have 30 more lbs to go and the food demons are haunting me. I'm trying to stop smoking which makes me want to turn to food. I know I can't do that.
8/26/03 I can't believe that it has been a year since my surgery. All I can say is that it was the best decision that I have ever made for myself and for my children. I feel like a completely different person. I no longer ache when I wake up in the morning. I am no longer out of breath just walking out to the car. Everything is easier and life is so much better. I am no longer paranoid that everyone is staring at me thinking "look at that fat cow" I would do it again in a heart beat. As I read over my profile it brought tears in my eyes to remember the life that I once lived. I really was held prisoner in my obese body. Wanting so badly to do something about it but not knowing where to start and not having the courage to try. Just getting more depressed day after day and the weight kept going up. Not only did this surgery save my life but in a way it saved my spirit. I have a whole new out look on life and a different personality. However, I am still the same person and this post certainly is not to brag but more to share how life changing this surgery really is. I realize it may not be the right choice for everyone but it was the right decision for me. I thank God that he gave me the courage to go through with it and also for guiding me through it. I am now at 141 lbs and still losing. I thank everyone on this site for your support and just know that your not alone in this. God bless.
8/31/06
Sorry so long for the update. I can't believe that it has been 4 years since I had my surgery. Alot has happened. I am happliy married now and have a new baby girl named Katelynn. She is 2 years old. I also moved to California but plan on moving back to Ohio soon. I have had a few complications after wls but even still I would do it again in a minute. The only thing I wish is that I could of had a tummy tuck but after I got on my husbands Kaiser insurance they turned me down. I am down to 138 lbs and I've been there for quite some time. Even after having a baby. I don't think about food every second of the day like I used to. I'm no longer afraid to look in the mirror. That is still the greatest feeling even after 4 years. I have so much more energy with my new child then I did with my older children. I never knew how much I missed out on before being able to run, jump, skip, and play with my kids. I'm finding out with my new little one. I want to add a new pic to my profile but everytime I try it freezes up on me. Maybe I will try later. I hope all is well with everyone and good luck to all you pre-ops. Get ready for the time of your life. What a journey. Oh what a feeling. And congrats to all the post-ops.
Photos
 256 lbs |  |  175 |
Hospital Reviews
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: David J. Fallang M.D.
I had a group session with Dr. Fallang of Middletown, Ohio on 7/25/02. It was very helpful and informative. I have spoken with post-op patients of his and they have nothing but good to say about him. He seems to really know his stuff and also has a great personality. I'm very glad that I had the opportunity to attend this session.
Insurer Info:
J.F. Molloy
Well, when I first started this journey I had Core Source Ins. It took nearly two months for them to approve it. Finally the day that I got the call that I had been approved I found out the my company was swithing to a new Insurance provider called J.F. Molloy. We switched July 1st and I called the insurance company that very day. I was so impressed. They said that they would honor my approval from Core Source and that all I had to do was have my Surgeons office call to pre-cert. It was that easy. It is July 4th and I am already approved. I keep thinking that it was TOO easy and that someone is going to call me and tell me that I'm not approved.
About Me
Before & After
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