Jessica French
374LBS
JULY 9, 2005
Hello, My name is Jessica, I am 23 years old, 5'7 and 364lbs. I have been overweight my entire life since I can remember anyway. I gained most of my weight since I was 17. I went from being 190-200lbs all the way up to 364bls. I have been researching WLS for a long time. However, I never had insurance through my work (even though I worked for a Dr.) and I always made too much money for Medical. So I finally made the very tough decision to quit my job and go on unemployment for awhile, get on medical and tackle this surgery like I have wanted to for so long. I have spent my whole adult life failing at so much, mostly due to my weight. I dropped out of college because I was too tired to walk around the huge campus, too embarresed not being able fit in the seats. just not being able to live a normal life that I know I deserve has driven me crazy my whole life. On July 7,2005 I finally met with the program director I am going through, Methodist Hospital in Sacramento, CA. I met the Surgeon, Dr. Koura and went to the manditory overview meeting of the program. I learned I have to lose 10% of my body weight, which is good, quit smoking which is even better!! Yeah...and start jumping through the very large hoops...Sooooo....I will keep in touch!!Bye...
10/11/2005
Hey! Well, it's been a long time since I've written. I've been through most of the "Large" hoops I was talking about earlier. Then this miraculous thing happened. I got a new job (It's a good thing) and now I have better insurance (also a good thing) so, instead of having my surgery this month in Sacramento like I was supposed to, I am having surgery in March, here in redding. I decided to do this because 2 reasons. 1) I feel much safer being so close to home. and 2) I feel much safer and more comfortable at this hospital than I did in Sacramento. I'll update when I hear more!!
10/19/2005
Tomorrow is the orientation @ Shasta Regional Hospital for there program, I'll let you know how it goes.
11/03/2005
Well, I went to the orientation and it was okay, everything Ive already heard a million times..I also had my consultation with Diane today at Shasta Regional Center, that went good. Now I have to have a phyc eval. and loose 30lbs.. Well I'm at work so I'll add more later.. Bye!!!!!!!
02/10/06 - Well, hello everyone, long time no write. Sorry I have been so incredibly busy, well so here is what has been going on since December. I have re-decided to go to Sacramento for surgery, mostly because I do not like the way I am treated in Redding. They are short and ruid and treat you like a number more than a person. There excuse is "well, we have 50 people in line behind you so.......complain all you want" bad bad bad in my book. Anyways, So, I have a pre-op exam next Thursday w/Dr. Koura in Sacramento, after that they submit my insurance approval the next day, the 48 hrs later, I should get a surgery date!! So I am very excited but at this point I am getting way nervous too. By the way, If you noticed, I have lost about 25lbs in the last few months, which is good too, I've been eating much more healthy and I also quit smoking which is awesome also!! I'll keep in touch!!
March 5, 2006
345lbs
So the day is finally here!! I am scheduled for Open Gatric Bypass surgery on March 20th, 2006..yes, it is in 15 days and yes I am terribly nervous, please, please pray for me. I am having surgery at Methodist Hospital in Sacramento, CA. My pre-op day is the 14th...So I will be going to Sac for that also. Well, I am too nervous and excited to really say anything more, it's kind of surreal...I've waited so long I dont know If I have grasped it all yet....I'll keep in touch!!
342LBS POST-OP
03/18/06 - Hi!!!!!!!!!! Okay, 2 more days until I am on the otherside , whewwwww, I am so nervous I can barely type. Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages and words of wisdom, I appreciate it so much, thank you, god bless you all, and I'll see you on the other side!!
345lbs
3/24/05 - wheeeeeeeewwwww, so I'm out of the hospital and home. Surgery was strange, I've never had any surgery before so I wasen't prepared enough for anything they were going to do and how fast they were going to do it. Before I new it, I was laying on the operating table with warms blankets, sucking in some very "full" tasting gas. Then I was out, next thing I remember, I woke up right before they pulled the breathing tube, and I thought I couldn't breathe, I thought "oh , my god, tihis is it, I'm gonig to die" then the tube came out and I gasped for air. Kinda of a surreal feeling to say the least. I don't remember any of family being there at all, I guess they came from Redding to Sac but I was so out of it, I dont even remember. The next 3 days, I was in the wayyyy uncomfortable hospital bed that was actually not as bad as it could of been, I'm not going to complain. They kept checking me, what seemed like every five minutes but I'm sure it was longer. Mostly. I just slept and walked, 5, 6, 7 times a day, whatever I could handle. and sipped and sipped water and ice. They let me come home on Thursday, yesterday!! I am doing so well, I can't believe it, the pain is not as bad as I imagined at all! I do have this horrible rumbling in my stomach though, like my insides are trying to chat with eachother and figure out what happened. I am passing quite a bit of gas....I feel like I have to burp, but nothing big only little tiny ones??? Is this normal?? Anyhow, today is Friday and I felt well enough to sit here and let ya'll know how I'm doing, but I've gotta lay down now, write back later!!
310lbs
4/16/06 - I know it's been awhile since I've posted, I have been going through the whole, getting used to things faze, well.....I can't drink water as much as I would like....I had surgery one month ago and I am just now starting to eat soft foods. I know different people eat different things, but my favorite so far has been wonton soup..I know, some people cant tolerate pasta but in verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyy small, slimy , soft amounts it's one of the only things I can eat. Yogurt makes me throw up, I can eat one bight of cottage cheese, any more makes me vomit. Today I actually ate like 3 bites, chewed verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryy well of soft soft steak. That was like heaven and it stayed down!! yeah!
I've lost 35lbs in the first month!! yeah I am so excites, I now were a size 24 jeans 2 pairs that I havent fit into in years, wow, what a miracle. I plan to begin excersising now, so i'll let you know how that goes!! bye bye for now
293lbs
5/15/06 - I've lost 52lbs now in 8 weeks today!! I am finally under 300lbs!! for the first time in 5years, I feel so much better, I can move easier and to just think, how much better I am going to feel!! I wouldnt change this for anything. I am getting better with what I can eat, I found out it is pretty much anything in about 2-3 bites. I try and eat meat of some sort or nuts or one egg....I try and make it all protein but if I cant it doesnt hurt as long as I stick with 2-3 bites.....well all, I'll write again soon!!! Take care!
270lbs
6/22/06 - okay well, its been a month since ive written last and it seems like so much longer!!! Ive lost a total of 75lbs since surgery, 3 months ago...all I can think about is how much easier my life has become, I guess I shouldnt say easier, just more busy...I have so much more energy and do so much more, I feel like this is the person I am supposed to be...and to think, I still have 100lbs more to lose!! It just keeps getting better. I cant even explain all the changes my life has gone through, it would take me all day!! Some major ones include I opened my own business...which Ive wanted to do forever....I have new boyfriend who is gorgeous and the sweetest guy alive. So, yes things are wonderful and Im soooooooo happy to be crawling out of this damn shell!!!!!!!
255LBS
7/29/06
HELLO AGAIN!! Just wanted to popin and update a little bit. I really believe these profiles are for people to learn from so I am going to be honest with you guys and whoever reads this. 2.5 weeks ago I found out I was pregnant. (not good considering I only had surgery less than 4 months ago) honestly I wasent using protection. Ive been told my whole life I couldnt get pregnant and never have, so it was the last thing in the world I expected to happen. Anyhow, this has been a sweet/sour kinda event. I'm happy I found out I can get pregnant, but at the same time I am completely bummed and sad and disappointed in myself because I chose to have an abortion. Since surgery I hardly eat anything, I have had many an occasion of fainting spells and I just didnt think it would be fair to my body or the baby to try and carry it full term. When I found out I was only 4 weeks along. I have never had an abortion and it was the worst thing in the world and ill never do it again. Everyone out there having surgery, be safe, even if theyve told you it wasent possible this surgery will change everything.!! On a lighter note, I have completely shrunk outa all my clothes, time to go buy new ones!! yeah!!!!!! I am able to eat a little more now, probably a cup of cottage cheese in the morning, some almonds through the day, maybe peaches for lunch and I know this is going to sound weird but some sort of beans for dinner, mostly chili from Wendy's.....ahhhhh I know but it statys down and digests so well.....popsicles are another fav still, I live in the heat 118 degrees in Redding California!!! so popsicles are good. Food has become soley used for nutrition to me now, I eat what I need to survive, strange, it really is how different life is when its not focused on what your gonna eat next. I've accomplished some things already that have been goals of mine:
1) I jumed off a 35-40 foot cliff at the lake!!
2)Went rock climbing.....(for novice people, lol)
3)climbed up this rock at the lake and jumped off that
4)3/4 of the way cross my legs
5)fit into booths at chucky cheese w/my boyfriend and nephew
6)have sex allot easier......& enjoy it allot more!!
240LBS
8/22/06
Hello everyone!!! Almost exactly 5months post-op, ive lost a total of 134lbs!! In the last mont I've been mostly enjoying summer...going to the lake allot spending time with Richard (my boyfriend) and going outa town. (avoiding heat) Richard got a new job with a framing company in town but he's been working a few hours outa town. He's ejoying it alot and a little time away from eachother is good for anyone. I'm loving life, hating excess skin but feeling fabulous! Talk to ya soon
199lbs
3/7/07
hello everyone, it has been a year since my surgery!! I am doing fabulous, and became engaged in december, right before christmas. I just found out we are pregnant, 2.5 months to be exact. I have stopped losing as of now, have not gained, i am taking prenatal vitamins as well as my other vitamins, my doctor is
convinced i am in optimum health and will have a fabulous pregnancy. I am working out , doing allot of stretching and soft cardio. I will try and keep you all updated.
220lbs
1/04/2008
Wow, how time flies when you have a baby....well, my son, Chase is now 2.5months old and I am the happiest women alive.
330lbs
4/13/2012
It has been four years since I last wrote and six years since my surgery. It's amazing reading these old posts and realizing how young I was. The "boyfriend" I mentioned before is now and still my husband and we have two amazing children, Chase (who is now 4.5 years old) and River who is now 12 weeks old.
As you can see from my weight above, I have almost re-gained all of my weight. Honestly, I don't know how. I still eat way less than I ever did before and much more healthy too. I feel like my metabolism has just gone to the dogs though. I gain weight so easily. When I got pregnant with my son Chase is when it started coming back on and it just hasn't stopped.
I tried to make an appointment with my surgeon to figure this out but he doesn't take my insurance anymore. The closest Dr. is an hour and a half away and so are the support groups, I feel so lost and alone. I am going to make an appoinment with the Dr. an hour and half away and see if he can offer me some answers, we will see.