As a child, I was mildly "chubby".  I remember wearing a 6X in kindergarten.  I kind of stayed that way until junior high when my height caught up with my weight.  I graduated from high school at 5'7" and 140#.  Ever since, my weight has gone gradually upward but didn't really take off until my 30's when I bounded through the 200's and into the 300's.  I've been through Sparrow Hospital's weight management program twice and haven't been able to loose enough, or keep it off.  This past summer my doctor suggested that I contact the folks at Spectrum Health about weight loss surgery.  I started those appointments in October 2006, had a consult with the surgeon in November, and expect to have surgery around the end of January.  I really look forward to taking a load off my joints, and just plain feeling more energetic.  It's an really exciting time, but also very scarey!