"I started my battle with weight as a small child and was on my first "official" diet at age 11.  I would lose weight and then gain it all back plus more.  It was a vicious cycle I lived for thirty something years.  One and a half years ago I found myself nearing age 40 and began noticing severe effects of my weight.  I got on the scale which had become my enemy; only to find out I had hit an all time high of 245 pounds.  I was wearing a size 26. 

The sun I had always loved growing up became a frightening thing for me.  As the temperature rose, I had started having experiences of heat stroke.  My calves and ankles were swollen every day.  I wasn't sleeping well at all and occasionally woke up dizzy and gasping for air.  Later, I found out that this was due to the fact I had sleep apnea and actually stopped breathing several times a night.  Walking around was no longer comfortable.  I started realizing that when I would sit in a chair my sides would spill out outside the chair.  Stairs were not a consideration for me anymore either.  I would get so out of breath going up even one or two. 

To say I was scared would be an understatement.  I made an appointment with my primary care physician.  My blood pressure was dangerously high and I was immediately put on daily blood pressure medication.  I had to take my blood pressure several times daily using a home monitor and call the results into my doctor.  After a lot of blood work I learned that I had a 25% chance of having a heart attack or stroke at any given moment.  My doctor told me that I was risking my life with my weight and recommended I look into weight loss surgery.  I went home that day more depressed than ever.

As an overweight person I hid in my home.  I am the single mother of two beautiful boys and literally had stopped living.  Eating was my coping mechanism.  It didn't matter if I was depressed, sad, happy, whatever, I would eat.  The more weight I gained, the more depressed I became and the more I ate.  I avoided all events.  I missed my high school reunions, friends wedding, birthday parties, it didn't matter I missed them all.  Ashamed and embarrassed would be the best way to sum up my feelings.  My couch was my best friend and where I hid from the world.  So leaving the doctors office was no different; I went home sat on the couch crying and ate.  Sounds ridiculous, but it is true. 

As the next few weeks passed I realized that I needed to do something - I needed to be here for my kids.  I spent the next many months researching the gastric bypass surgery, meeting with doctors and fighting the insurance company for approval. 

I had my surgery on September 7, 2010 with Dr. Jenkins.  He and his staff are the best.  They did not treat me as a "fat" person; they treated me like a real human being.  Growing up as a fat person dealing with the ridicule, you realize the difference very quickly.  I now had a tool to assist me in a new journey to a healthy new me.  The weight started coming off very quickly.  My body began craving exercise and the more I did it, the more I wanted to do. 

I am now 13 months out.  I am down from 245 pounds to a healthy weight of 139 pounds.  My size 26 clothes are long gone and am now comfortably in a size 2.  More importantly than that is the fact that all my blood work is now normal.  My heart attack and stroke risk is gone.  My blood pressure is perfect and I am completely off blood pressure medication.  I no longer stop breathing in my sleep.  Stairs are something I now seek out. 

My 15 year old son said to me recently "you know mom I didn't even realize that you were the size you were, but what I notice now is that you are happy and you smile all the time."  Both my boys also shared with me that they are excited because they can wrap their arms all the way around me when we hug.  My 16 year old son picked me up off the ground and threw me over his shoulder recently.  It was such a neat feeling.  I feel like a kid again.  I love being active, and recently spent the day riding go-karts with my boys.  They love that I play with them now.

If you are reading this and contemplating having the surgery, the best and most sincere advice I can give you is DO IT!  It is truly life changing and was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.   I am now healthy and happy, and even started dating again.  I never miss an event, and want to be with people instead of in hiding. 

I highly recommend Dr. Jenkins.  He cares so much about those of us living unhealthy and truly wants to assist in building better, healthier lives.  I felt so safe and informed through the entire process.  He is the best and I could never thank him enough for the life he has given me.  All of his staff are great too, but I have to mention Heather.  She was always there for my million phone calls with questions and worries.  I could not have asked for better support."