My name is Jenn, and this is my story… I am a 32-year-old wife and mother of two little girls. I work as a professional nanny and have been in the childcare business for about 16 years. I have been overweight since puberty and have dieted off and on for many years. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, lots of fad diets, etc. I was at my lowest weight, 175 lbs, shortly before I met my husband in 1991 and it slowly started creeping up to my highest weight of 320 lbs by the summer of 2001. Since then, I've lost only 15 lbs, bringing my current weight as of this writing to 305 lbs.
I was at a point that I decided to accept that this was the way I would always be until I saw Carnie Wilson's People Magazine article. I realized that she is the same height as myself (5' 3") and was approximately the same weight (305 lbs) when she had her surgery. I didn't think it was possible for me to qualify to have insurance pay for it. I knew, financially, I couldn't foot the bill.
At that point, I started my research. I went to my primary care physician and asked him what he thought. He is a very honest man and he said, "Nothing you have tried over the years has worked, I think you have made a wise decision." He told me that he had one surgeon in mind and he didn't want me to go with anyone else. He said, "This guy is the best in the field. It will take you a long time to get in and you will be tempted to go elsewhere, but I want you to go with him. His name is Dr. Sheldon Randall." He also informed me that insurance would mostly likely cover the surgery because it was a medical necessity.
I was very excited and went right home to call and make my appointment to see Dr. Randall for the first time. This was June of 2002. I spoke with his secretary and she gave me the date of January 27th, 2003! I was shocked and sad. I told her if she could put me on a cancellation list that would be great. "Seven months," I thought. "You've got to be kidding me!"
So what did I do for 7 months? I read everything I could get my eyes on. I spent all my time researching types of surgery, people's stories, bad results, good results, people's personal journals, etc. I tried to stick with people who had open RNY, who were 5'3", and who weighed about 300 pounds when they started. I also searched Yahoo! Groups for any support groups. I found one to join that was awesome!
I also talked to my family about my decision. The majority of my family has a weight problem. Basically, the only one who doesn't is my father. He is 60 and exercises each morning and is more physically active than most people my age! My mother has had a weight problem since she started having children in the late 60's, so I have always known her as a heavy person. It never bothered me when I was young; I was never embarrassed by her weight. So I have this genetic factor in addition to not such great eating habits. My mom also decided to have the surgery. She is going with another surgeon and another hospital.
My husband was thrilled with my decision and very supportive. He has never said he's not attracted to me, even at my heaviest. But I bet deep down he really has some issues with my weight. I'm disgusted with myself at this weight. I don't know why everyone isn't. Even my oldest daughter (6 years old), asked me, "Mommy, when are you going to get skinny?" I have answered that by saying, "I really hope I will be someday." Recently she has said that she likes me the way I am and doesn't want me to change, but I just tell her "I just want to get healthy and be able to do more things. I'll always be the same mommy."
My employers have been amazing about this whole process. I know I can count on their continued support. They have even said they want to visit me in the hospital when I'm up to having visitors. This surgery will benefit them also; I'll be able to be more active with their son.
I'm ready for this new beginning. I feel I've done enough research and asked enough questions to feel very comfortable with my decision. There are lots of things I want to experience with my children and my husband. I have so many goals and I can only see a brighter future ahead for all of us.
-- Jenn
April 13, 2003
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