Lets see where do I began...... This journey is a long time coming for me. I didn't just wake up one day, tired of being fat. Honestly I've been tired a long time. I guess now I'm just brave enough to really do something about it. That's why I'm writing this blog. I want to remember every step of this journey. One day I want to look back and see how far I've really come. In order to do that I have to start from the begining.

I've struggled with my weight my whole life. I can remember my sister finding a note from the school nurse when I was in the fifth grade. The note was letting my mom know that I was 10 yrs old and 150lbs. The nurse wanted her to monitor my eating over the summer. How embarrasing is that ? By middle and high school my height kind of evened everything out. I still wasn't headlining any swimsuit issues, but at 5'9" I stood pretty tall and curvy. I was okay with that. fast forward 8yrs. I met the love of my life and I had just gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. I quit my job to become a stay at home mom, and everything went down hill from there. Don't get me wrong, My babies were the best thing that happened to me.

I started my pregnancy at 280lbs, but I was so sick during the first 8 months with morning sickness, that when I gave birth I weighed 245lbs. Staying at home with no job and not doing any exercise. My weight skyrocketed to 375lbs . I wasn't happy and neither was my husband . I tried every diet and workout video known to man. After many months of hard work I got down to 330lbs. This is where I am stuck. I have gotten as far down as 316lbs. But every time I hit a stall I get discouraged and balloon back up to 330lbs. I'm been riding this weight loss/gain rollercoaster for 10 yrs and now I'm ready to get off.........

I contacted a doctors office in my area (Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ) Dr. Rohit Patel is my surgeon. I went to my first appointment on October 2, 2012. I got the information and decided to wait until after the holidays to schedule my pre-op appts. Not so I could pig out on food, but this was the first Thanksgiving and Christmas I would be able to spend with my kids in 3 yrs since I left my job in September for eye surgery. I'm not good with pain and didn't want to be a party pooper for the holidays.

Now its the beginning of February. I contacted my Surgeons office in January and they got right on scheduling all the appointments I need. I have to do 3 months supervised diet with a nutritionist for my insurance. I have went to one visit and I have already been to my Psyche evaluation. All of my appts are spread out in 3 months. I complete my last nut appt March 27th. If everything goes according to plan I could be getting a surgery date as soon a s April. I'm super excited for what this surgery will mean for me and my kids and my marriage :wub: . My husband has been my bestfriend and my rock through all of my ups and downs. He has truly been supportive in all my decisions and helping me do whats best for me and my health.

I looked into this surgery eight years ago when everything first got out of hand. But at the time the main option was gastric bypass. My babies were about 2yrs old, My husband was so concerned for my safety that he begged me not to do it so I backed out. Now with the kids being ten and safer options available, I now feel like I can do something for me. And my husband is comfortable with my choice so I am excited and ready to embark on this life changing adventure. As I write this blog and move forward, I hope to encourage someone who is looking to change their lives for the better. I will document every aspect of my journey, until I cross the fininsh line of my goal weight. I am looking forward to meeting new peolple and making many friends and life-long encouraging relationships. If we hold each other accountable we will no doubt succeed!!! So feel free to read and comment.....To Be Continued...God Bless.