jes7997
Just a quick edit...I saw this and laughed.
I am now officially 30, as of today, April 2nd 2009. My son is 3 1/2 instead of the precious age 2.
Everything else is pretty much the same.
I have a great, wonderful, and loving husband. Sorry, girls, can't have him. Ha ha.
Hugs
I am 28 years old and like most, have suffered from obesity all my life. I started dieting when I was in 4th grade. My childhood memories are of me being 8 years old and wearing my Grandmother's dress, because it was the only thing that fit. I also remember always wearing boys clothes and shoes because they fit better. 
Obesity has run in our family to the point that the University of Utah did an extensive research on us trying to find the gene that was causing obesity in us. This was a heck of an ordeal to go through as a teenager. To see an xray of your entire body that shows your bones, muscles, and fat. It brought to light that I am a small/bordering on medium bone structure and that I had potential to be considerly smaller. What a shocking moment. I have carried each of those memories, along with the memories of ridicule all my life, for way too long. I have tried so many ways to lose weight, they were all short term fixes. Now I have even more reason to make a life-long change....my son.
My son is 2 years old, we named him James "Jimi" Hendrix Ragsdill. My husband is a HUGE fan...and so far, he is living up to his name. 
I loved being pregnant. But it was certainly sad to have people look at me and not know I was pregnant because my weight overshadowed my baby bump!!!
I have recently graduated with a Bachelors of Criminology and Criminal Justice. I received my Associates in 2003. So in total, I have put 10 years into my degrees. But absolutely worth it. Graduation was certainly a highlight for me...only wish I had been able to have surgery before graduating. A big girl in a black graduation gown...whoever said black is slimming hasn't spent a few hours in that gown!!! He, he, he.
Now that I am done with school, it is time to focus on ways to take better care of myself and help to insure a longer life expectancy so that I can be around for my son. My health is generally pretty good. But I have been having knee problems for quite some time and my doctor said that even with weight loss, she still feels I would need surgery. But weight loss will certainly help.
So I have done everything I can to make this happen. Through many denials of surgery by multiple insurance companies, I lucked out one day by finding a surgeon in Mexico who offered the surgery for a price I could afford. My surgery is scheduled for Saturday, February 9th, 2008. I am already in the countdown mode!!! I can't wait to change. I hope to have more confidence, a better self-esteem, and the ability to chase my son around the park. I hate pawning off play time to my husband because I don't have the stamina. My husband is very supportive and I am grateful to have him by my side.
My family is also very supportive. My mother had Open RNY back in 2002 (I think). She is certainly an inspiration!!! She is so beaitufl and gives me so much to hope for with my own success.
Sorry so long, just passionate about all aspects of my life.
Thanks to all, good luck to all, and congratulations to all.
