Where do I start,maybe from day one.I have been obese for many years,but im a food-aholic.The more I eat the more I want to eat.Ive been dealing with high blood pressure for many years and now since ive been diagnosed with R/A and put on 8 different meds seems all I do is eat.I had to retire because of my health,couldnt get up into the 18 wheelers much less get out of them.Im a driving license examiner for the State of Alabama.Served 27 years before retirement.Not often a woman gets to tell a man whether he can drive or not.I had that priviledge for a long time.But I do have to admit in all my years as an examiner I was treated with the utmost respect,I like to think it was because I treated my applicants fairly,and with respect.

My decision for wls came when I gained up to 321 pounds and my pcp told me either have this surgery and lose weight or I was gonna die.Well being only 58 years old,im not ready to die so I started research for wls.There were several people here in my hometown who had gone thru wls and had done real good.So I got a name of a doctor in Birmingham,Al,Dr Andrew Dewitt at carraway hosptal,went to his seminar and support meeting had initinal meeting with him,was very pleased with him and his staff.only one problem since I had taken a medical retirement I went under medicare,well he did not except medicare because he did not have the certificate of excellence that medicare requires.So there fore I was put on waiting list.In the mean time I checked around and found out that Dr Facundas in Huntsville had a certificate of excellence,hey closer to home for me very familier with Huntsville no problems,well not exactly,Dr Facundas has the certificate but he doesnt except medicare,just so happens his assistant does,Dr Foreman,so I set up pre-op appt with their staff.Very nice,had all my paper work,all my test were done all I had to do was get a clearence letter from my pcp for the surgery.Well,it took him 3 weeks or more to do my letter,seemed like forever.Then one day out of the blue I got a call from Huntsville and I had a date,Nov.6,2006.I reckon because of all the antisipation and waiting when she gave me the date I went into shock.I couldnt tell you what my name was.Finally got settled down and relized it was just 10 days away.Made special trip to Huntsville to do pre-op blood work and registration.Everything went smoothly met the Doctor on next trip,he explained everthing in detail about the pros and cons of this surgery.So Monday Nov.6,2006 at 5:30 I started my journey.The easiest surgery Ive ever had,no problems what so ever.I was in surgey 2hours in recovery 1hour. In my room,spent the nite,was discharged next morning at 9:15 back home at 11:30am.Im 8 weeks out and have lost 50 pounds from 294 to 244 as of Jan,10,07.My pouch name is To-Go cause evertime I go out to eat I have to have a togo plate.He is very picky,just like a baby if he doesnt like what I swallow he spits it right back out.But im so glad I had this surgery,my Husband and Family are so supportive and I love them all dearly..I do water exercise at Helen Keller wellness center,and walk on tread mill.right now life is great and Im feeling so much better and healthier.