As I sat and read various profiles I saw a commonality. I am no different than many of my brothers and sisters fighting this ugly disease. Recently 3/27 I turned 25 and I finally hit an all time low .... see... I vowed to myself long ago that when I hit this age  I wouldn't be fat.. and guess what ?.. I am. I have been overweight since the first grade. I remember being 189 in the fifth grade, 244 my sophmore year, 312 at age 18 and now at age 25 I am a whopping 352lbs. I am damn near tongue kissing the 400lb mark... no offense to those of you who are. I have no one to blame but me. I have done all types of dieting ranging from Slim Fast to Weight Watchers, to the Atkins to self starvation.. u name it I did it and guess what.. no results. The weight I am carrying is affecting various parts of my life from infertility (thanks to PCOS), to fluctuating blood pressure, and as of lately Asthma that I am finding hard to keep in line. I have struggles just like everyone else with a healthy body image. I hate looking at myself while trying on clothes, I think my belly is an alien that attached itself to my lower torso from another planet   I am conscious about sitting in chairs (thinking they may give out), shoes that lean over, not being able to paint my toe-nails, having to drive with my car seat wayyyy back, only dating guys that like BBW's..... feeling as if people are staring at me while I eat in public, being the largest one at family gatherings, being the largest one at work gatherings, being one of the heaviest friends.. etc..the list could go on. I ran across a woman at a prior job who had the WLS and she said it changed her life and maybe I should look into it. I did some research off and on throught the past three years... I had a few jobs that offered insurance that excluded the surgery or made it virtually impossible to get approved. I am blessed that I finally have a job whose insurance covers the surgery with a six month physicians based diet. I am so ready to push forth into a normal healthy life, get my self esteem back up, stop being a hermit, take the dating scene by storm , exercise and not feel like I am about to see the throne of Jesus (LOL) and just live!!! I hope you guys enjoy viewing my journey.

                                                                        Things I Will Accomplish With WLS       

1) BEAT PCOS (POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME) 

2) ENERGY GLORIOUS ENERGY (NO MORE CONSTANT SLUGISHNESS)

3 HAVE A HEALTHY (LOVE RELATIONSHIP) NO MORE SETTLING OR AVOIDING LOVE.

4) BECOME A SHOE WHORE

5) WEAR HIGH HEELS (done 06/01/08.. can u say 3 and 4 inch wedges all day ?)

6) OWN A DRESS AND WEAR IT. ( currently I feel like mogilla gorilla so I don't wear dresses) {DONE 08/10/08, AND PICS WILL BE ON MY PROFILE SOON}

7) CROSS MY LEGS

8) LOOSE 100 LBS { HAD A STALL FROM HELL, AS OF 08/17/08 I AM 106LBS DOWN)

9) GO TO VEGAS FOR HALLOWEEN 10-31-08

10) TAKE PROFESSIONAL PICTURES ( haven't had any since grammar school) 

11) GO TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK AND FIT ON THE RIDES { DONE! WENT TO NAVY PIER AND GOT ON RIDES WITH NO SECOND THOUGHTS}

12) NO MORE MEDICATION TO REGULATE MY MENSTRUAL CYLE (03/12/07 Done 1 month after surgery and every month since then)

13) FEEL SEXY FROM THE KNECK DOWN ( the day that I love my body the way I love my face I will finally know I have arrived)

14) LOSE A SHOE SIZE ( good bye wide widths) /accomplished 03/12/08, 1 month post op!!)

15) ASTHMA NO LONGER FLUCTUATING

16) BUY A PANTY & BRA SET FROM VS (VICTORIAS SECRET)

17) NO MORE JOINT SORENESS OR STIFFNESS (done.. no knee, back or joint stiffness)

18) BUY KNEE BOOTS

19) PURCHASE A LEATHER COAT (hello Wilsons)

20) TAKE A VACATION TO A TROPICAL ISLAND

21) GO TO A CONCERT

22) GO TO A CLUB AND DANCE (getting over a fear here)

23) GET A TATTOE ( Done! second week of June.. I have shooting stars going down left calf to my foot)

24) BUY KNEE BOOTS ( my calves are so wide right now these are just a dream away)

25) GOOD BYE PDS ( personal doormat syndrome) NO MORE SHYING AWAY FROM CONFRONTATION ( DONE!!!)