Jenny Cooper

Thank you so much. That truly means a lot to me, and your kind words put a huge smile on my face. 😊 I'm doing really well, thank you for asking! I won't sugarcoat it—the first few weeks after the surgery were definitely a physical and emotional roller coaster while my body adjusted to the massive changes. But looking back now, it was worth every single hard day. The energy I've gained back and just how much better I feel overall has been life-changing. It is completely normal to feel that mix of nerves and excitement. It’s a huge milestone, and it’s okay to have a little anxiety about the unknown! But please give yourself some credit for taking this step for your health. Being a fellow diabetic, I can tell you that the relief on that front is one of the best parts of this entire journey. Seeing those blood sugar numbers stabilize and feeling like you're finally getting back in the driver's seat of your own health is an incredible feeling, and I am so excited for you to experience that. Just take it one day at a time right now. If you ever want to vent about the pre-op diet, ask any random questions, or just need someone to remind you that you've got this, I'm right here. How are you holding up with all the preparation?

Hey everyone, just wanted to loop back and give a quick update! My bracelet finally arrived, and it’s the exact one from the photo I posted. I am so glad I went through with it! The grey strap is incredibly soft and adjustable, so I’ve been wearing it 23/7 (even to sleep) and honestly forget it’s even there. For anyone else on the fence or wondering what to engrave, here is exactly what I ended up putting on mine based on my surgeon's recommendations: Front: My name, Sulfa Allergy, Type 2 Diabetes, and a big "SEE BACK SIDE" prompt. Back: GASTRIC BYPASS (04/2026), NO BLIND NG TUBE, NO NSAIDS, NO SUGARS, and my husband Matt’s phone number as my ICE contact. Shoutout to everyone who gave advice on this thread. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders knowing I’m protected if an emergency ever happens. Thanks again, everyone! Hope you are all doing well on your journeys. ❤️

Hey everyone, I’m a few weeks post-op and trying to get all my ducks in a row for the long haul. My surgeon’s office briefly mentioned that I should probably start wearing a medical ID bracelet, especially for emergency situations where I might not be able to speak for myself. Apparently, it's pretty crucial for EMTs to know we can't have blind nasogastric (NG) tubes or certain NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen/Advil) because of the pouch. For those of you who wear one: What exact wording did you put on yours? Do you wear it 24/7, or just when you go out? Did you manage to find one that doesn't look like a chunky, clinical plastic hospital band? Thanks. Jenny