Hi, my name is Patti and here is my story. I turned 49 on 12/10/06. And I plan to be FIFTY AND FABULOUS!!!   I am an Agriculture teacher in Orange, California. I run a full working farm with teenagers, cattle, sheep, pigs and other critters. I have two horses, dogs, cats, a mini horse and a mini donkey. I have a pretty active life. I ride, go horse camping and do large animal search and rescue and adopt special needs critters when they need help.     

   I, as most here, have been heavy off and on most of my life. More on than off. I have lost hundreds of pounds and somehow, they always find the way back and bring pals with them. I have tried most weight loss programs, no carb, low-carb, low protien, no protien, going to meetings, praying, starving, grapefruit, Jenny, Nutrisystem, pills, liquid and anything else I can find. I even had a doctor tell me, " eat 1,000 calories and run 3 miles a day, have a good day and I will see you in a month". I cried all the way to the parking lot. Sound familiar?      

   Four years ago I went to a bypass orientation meeting and left thinking, there is no way I am going to do that. Then I started meeting people and having freinds have the surgery. Oh my, God started His work on me.       

   One day my friend Marcia from school had by pass surgery. I watched her get smaller and healthier every time I saw her. And my goodness she became so happy, vibrant and thin! Woo Hoo Marcia, you ROCK! Then this past summer I met a woman who had a BP last April and she said it was the best thing she had ever done.  

   So, I started seriously talking to Marcia in Sept. After alot of prayer and tears, I made my decision, I spoke to my family and friends and actually spoke the words.."I want to have weight loss surgery". WHEW! There I said it. I was on my way.        

   I made an appointment with Marcia's PCP and had to wait until October to see him. I did and he told me I had to wait for 6 months to go through the hoops etc. Well, I got very discouraged, 6 months would put me into the busiest time of my year and I wouldn't be able to have it. I was devastated.      

   So, Marcia made an appointment for me at the Orange County Bariatric Center for the community orientation. I went on Dec 12. Thank the Lord for Marcia and this meeting. Needless to say, I was hooked, I had all my questions answered and the next step was to ask my PCP for a referral. Which I got on Dec 18, I had to wait for the paper copy and saw my surgeon, Dr. Jeff Johnsrud yesterday Monday 1/11/07. WOO HOO!  

   He asked me for my story. I told him and while I was talking I thought "oh my he doesn't think I need this". I am very healthy, my blood work is literally perfect. Except for high blood pressure, I am healthy as a horse! HA HA!      

   He told me that he feels I can do this on my own but the lap band will help me tremendously. If I tune my regular habits and eat more healthy I should do great! He was very surprised at my weight. He said I do not look any where near my weight. He said you obviously have a great deal of muscle mass. I said, yeah, I can lift a bale of hay easily and he laughed! So, this should make me feel good, right? Here I got a compliment from a man who sees obese people all day long that says I don't look like I weigh as much as I do. Somehow it doesn't make me feel any better.      

   He said he feels 160 would be a perfect weight for me and I was shocked! I thought he was going to tell me I neeeded to be 135. (I am 5'6") My goal in my heart was to just be under 200. I thought I would be happy the rest of my life at 199~~, but wanted to be 170. So he and I are pretty much at the same thought of a goal weight.       

   So I told my parents and sister what he said and the look of relief on their faces was interesting. All three said they had hoped I would have the band instead of the BP because of all the side effects.      

   Well, I have to say that in the back of my head I wanted the band but I thought, I am going to have the BP because it is more permanent. But the good thing, I think,is with the band I will still have the power of choice. I feel that I will have more control over my choices and that power is what I want. So why cant I do that now? I maybe can but, I need help along with it. Does that make sense?      

   I know that God has brought me to this place. My family and friends are here with me. I know that I am starting a transformation into the healthy, happier person I want to be. And with the Lord's continuing strength and alot of encouragement from the people in my life I know I will get there! So 165 here I come!       

   My goal is this, I want my freinds, family and anyone else, to join me at Disneyland for my FABULOUS 50th birthday! Because I am going to go on ALL the rides! Saturday December 8, 2007 Space Mountain here I come!!      

   Talk to y'all soon! Wish me luck and the best to you too! God bless you all and especially to my family and freinds!!!! Remember 50 and Fabulous!