I have never been a fan of the "all about me" section on anything. It feels too much like writing down your autobiography for a bunch of newsy folk. But this is different. When I first joined this site the other day, I skipped this step as I usually do because 1- I didn't feel up to it and 2- I didn't think I needed to come on a website to validate that I'm fat. Then a thought hit me, I'm not validating the fact that I'm overweight because doctors have been doing it for years. It was been documented every time I went into the office for cold or cough and my checkout diagnosis is obesity. More importantly, I realized that isn't what this site is about. Telling my story is allowing others a way to find comfort, allowing them to know that they aren't alone. I know this because this is how I felt as I browsed the profiles and read your stories.

Growing up, I was always the cute chunky kid. It was a cute way to dress up that I was fat. I have danced around with weight all my life. From out of control to under control - I have always had the same results either I am big or bigger. It isn't that I haven't battled the "fight the bludge" syndrome, its that I have yet to be a winner at it. It wasn't until late last year that I knew I had to make a difference. In 2004, I lost almost eighty pounds. I ate healthier, drink more water and became more active. It was like the weight walked itself off. Then without even realizing it was happening, just as easy as it left - IT CAME BACK. I was heart-broken and devastated. It was when I could barely walk without the feeling of fatigue that I knew I had to make a change. Putting the weight back on was worse for me than before I lost it. Currently I am 5' 7" and at my highest weight of 362 lbs, my BMI is 55.3 and I have no other co-morbidities. But with a family history of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension it won't be long before I am faced with a diagnosis. I know all of the aforementioned diseases are able to be beaten. And for me the decision to face WLS is only the first step.

Welcome... to my story.