I was always a sturdy kid, maybe not overweight but I was never one of those little spindly kids.  When I was in about the 6th grade I was overweight.  I have struggled ever since then.  My highest weight as a teenager was about 180 lbs.  The only way I ever lost weight was to starve myself.  When I was about 18 I got to my lowest weight of 130 lbs but only kept it off for a year or two.  When I got married I weighed 189 lbs and I gained steadily from there.  I lost weight during my pregnancies (how weird is that?) but always managed to put the weight I lost plus some back on after each of my 3 children.  After having my daughter in 2001 I began thinking about having Gastric Bypass surgery but never could get up the nerve to really do anything more than pray about it and research.  My youngest (and last) child was born in 2005 and in 2006 I started seeing a doctor to help me with weight loss.  I took phentermein and lost about 30-40 lbs I was down to 228 lbs at my lowest.  As soon as I went off the phentermein my weight shot right back up to about 260 and I was disgusted with myself.  I began thinking about Gastric Bypass again but this time I actually took steps to have it done.  

I was scared out of my mind to have the surgery but I was more afraid of going through my life unhealthy and too fat and out of shape to enjoy my kids and my life.  I can remember saying in my psychiatric evaluation that my kids deserve better than to have a mom that can't run and play with them, who won't go to amusement parks because I know I won't fit into the rides and then I had a light bulb moment and I said "you know what I deserve better than that too!"

At that point I began to pray that if this was not what I should do that God would not allow the insurance company to approve the surgery.  I didn't talk to any of my friends about it I just prayed and asked my family to pray that God would give me a clear answer.  Well about two weeks after my information was submitted to my insurance company I had an approval!  

I had my surgery on 4/15/2008 and I am doing very well.  I have lost 30 lbs in about 3 1/2 weeks (amazing!).  And I have not regretted doing this for even one second.  I am so grateful that I have been given a chance at the life I have always wanted.  I am looking forward to going to Disney World with my kids and not being afraid that I won't fit through the turn styles!  I am looking forward to going to my husband's office and not being self conscious.  I am looking forward to seeing old friends!  Really I am just looking forward to life!  It is a wonderful change!