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October 3, 2020
Published by Joan Gershman on October 3, 2020
Categories
One of the requirements for being approved for bariatric surgery is that candidates attend a series of Pre-Surgery Education Classes, in which we examine our reasons for undergoing the surgery; learn the anatomical aspects of the surgery; learn the physical ramifications of the surgery, and learn how we are going to have to eat for the rest of our lives. I do not know how anyone could go through the surgery and be successful afterward without attending all these classes. They are invaluable. As I mentioned in the Introduction, my perspective on my actual size was apparently way off. I […]
September 12, 2020
Published by Joan Gershman on September 12, 2020
Categories
Before I get into the heart of this story, I must first repeat the background information that I explained in the Struggling Through the Pre-Surgery Medical Clearances. I had looked into the bariatric sleeve surgery the previous year; had gone to a few appointments; a few nutrition classes; a few education classes; but after meeting with the bariatric surgeon, I changed my mind because when I told him about my previous open abdominal surgery of 20 years ago that involved a two-year recovery beset by complications and infections, he dismissed it as inconsequential. I warned him that I had no […]
September 6, 2020
Published by Joan Gershman on September 6, 2020
Categories
As I discussed in the previous blog, The Road to Bariatric Surgery – Full of Potholes, there was a laundry list of requirements that needed to be fulfilled before being approved for the surgery. Going through these medical tests without my husband by my side, as he had always been throughout our marriage was devastating and more traumatic than any test I had to undergo. Our relationship and my arduous trek through life without him is discussed in the Widow’s Journey section of this website. Every test was made more difficult and emotionally upsetting by having to endure it alone. […]
August 22, 2020
Published by Joan Gershman on August 22, 2020
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******I am NOT advocating, suggesting, or telling anyone to have this surgery. I am simply relating my experience. When I decided to have Bariatric Sleeve surgery (https://www.obesitycoverage.com/gastric-sleeve-reference-manual/), I knew I did not want to announce it to the world. I needed to keep it quiet and secret to all but one or two close friends and relatives. My reasons were simple. I had made my decision based upon my own issues, needs, and what I felt was best for me. I did not want to listen to a litany of opinions and admonishments. Most of all, I did not want […]
August 22, 2020
Published by Joan Gershman on August 22, 2020
Categories
I have referenced my bariatric sleeve ( https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/what-is-gastric-sleeve-weight-loss-surgery#1) surgery in other sections of this site, but it is here that I will give you the background story of my fat life that led up to such a life-altering decision. My maternal side of the family carries the female fat genes. My mother had 3 brothers and two sisters. Her mother, aunts, and grandmother were………..fat. Her two sisters tended toward chubbiness but dieted themselves out of it most of their lives. Due to the luck of the gene draw, and the extremely unwise decision to smoke instead of eat, my mother […]
July 22, 2020
Published by Joan Gershman on July 22, 2020
Categories
Weight loss piques the interest of most people because all but a lucky few of us struggle with finding pounds, rather than losing them. A loss as massive as mine, one exceeding 100 lbs., begs the question, “How did you do it?” In this section, I invite you to come along with me as I answer the “How did you do it?” question. Come along as I share the raw emotions of my journey from fat kid to skinny college co-ed ( starvation mode, anyone?) to an obese adult to a morbidly obese senior citizen. Come along with me on […]