Hi everyone! My name is Jenn and I am 21 years old living in Iowa!

I am 6'2" tall and currently 317 pounds.

My highest weight was 335.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 21. I knew deep down it was weight related but tried to stay positive. I tried dieting and lost 30 pounds but soon my new hypertension meds made me unable to exercise like I was used to and I gained it all back.

Last year my sister was talking of getting gastric bypass and actually went through with it! She had surgery in February and has dropped more than 70 pounds since then. I wanted to wait and see how she did before I asked about surgery and seeing how she did gave me the courage to call my main doctor and ask for a referral. He gave one and I had my first appointment March 26th with the surgeon and nurse practitioner. Everything went great and after meeting with the health insurance rep I was pleasantly surprised that the only things I needed to do were the psych eval and a nutritionist eval before being able to have surgery! I saw the psychiatrist and nutritionist on April 16th (my birthday). They called a week later and set up my surgery. I'm currently on the Bariatric Advantage Protein shake diet until my surgery and have dropped close to 15 pounds in just about a week! My main goal is to rid myself of this awful hypertension so that I can live a healthier, longer, more beautiful life! I'd love to hear advice and stories and see pictures of progress so I know what to expect ???? the attached picture is me at 320 pounds!

Welcome! I am so very glad to hear you have made a decision that will lead you to better health.

I was 310lbs when I had my surgery in September. I am down 96lbs so far. Another 50 to go.

I no longer have diabetes my high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux/Gerd and my stage 3 kidney disease has resolved. All of this in just 7 short months!

I can walk long distances, jog, race up and down the stairs, fit into an airplane seat with no extender and keep up with my grandchildren.

Having gastric bypass was one of the best decisions of my life!

Congratulations and I wish you a safe and speedy recovery!

Best of Luck!

Wow DJ! I am so happy to read about that because all I'm wanting is for my hypertension to resolve itself! What a great thing to wake up to! And thank you!!!!

Jenn you have a beautiful face. I am happy for you.

Jenn you have a beautiful face. I am happy for you.

Thank you so much! I am so excited as well!

Today is your day! Hope all is going well

thinking of you. we'll be here when you need us.