I was not an overweight child, but after I hit puberty I was always about 10 to 20 pounds overweight until I went to college.  I had a major bout with depression and started gaining weight.  I dropped out of college after 3 semesters and really packed on the pounds.  I had  always been very athletic and ate accordingly.  I stopped being active and continued to eat the same way.  I ballooned to 266 at my heaviest.

     My Mom's side of the family are all obese.  My Mom was always obese while I was growing up.  She had a procedure done in 1990 called Gastric Segmentation.    The procedure worked very well for her.  I decided in 1992 after trying everything in the book I would go to Houston and have the procedure as well.   I lost right at 100 pounds without any effort.  I always felt like I needed to lose lose another 20 to 30 pounds.  I never really ate and exercised like I was supposed to.

     Then in 1997 I met and married my wonderful husband.  I was so happy and we ate out a lot.  He majorly spoiled me.  I started gaining weight.  I had my first child in 1998 and gained  and just kept on going.  It took me a while but I eventually gained it all back and then some.  I was never very successful at losing weight with dieting but it didn't stop me from trying.  I can't tell you how much money I wasted on different programs.

     In 2005, my PCP, suggested looking into Bariatric Surgery.  She told me that even if I lost all the weight with dieting and exercise that their was a 90% chance I would gain it all back.  That really blew my mind.  I asked her since  I had already had the other surgery would someone be willing to help me.  She said she would.  I decided to look into it.  I made some phone calls and found that some would and some wouldn't.  I researched and pondered the idea.  I ultimately decided I wanted to go ahead try it the old fashioned way again.

     Well it's 2 years later and I am about 30 pounds heavier.  My husband and I agreed so I started researching again.  I went to 3 different seminars.  I ultimately decided to go ahead.  I found a Dr. through a word of mouth referral from a nurse and her daughter who is also a nurse who had Gastic Bypass surgery and had been very successful.  Over the last year I met so many people who have had Gastric Bypass surgery and all seem to be doing great.  I jumped through all of the insurance hoops with the 3 month diet, Psych Eval, Dietician, Diet journal, Stress Echo, PCP Letter, and a few others.  Believe it or not the hardest part was the letter from my PCP who suggested the surgery in the first place.    

     I am only 37 years old but I feel like I am, well lets just say a lot older.  I am not active enough with my kids, and I hurt when I sleep.  I am relatively healthy, but I know if I stay as heavy as I am I will  develop major problems.  My Mom also gained all her weight back and she has so many health issues now.  I want to do this now before I have those same problems.  I want to be the healthy Mom my kids deserve and see myself as my husband already does.  I have that whole if I knew then what I know now thing on my side, because now I know and I am wholeheartedly dedicated to being the best me I can be.  I know I can't do it alone but I feel like with God's help and finding this forum all things are possible!

     I am scheduled to have my revision on July 11th, 2007.  I have really found these forums to be invaluable.  I had started to freak out a little until I started skulking around last week.  Just know that all the questions and banter really make a difference to people out there.  Thanks to all!