Hi my name is Dawn. I have been struggling with my weight since my early 20's when I became pregnant with my first child. After that my weight just kept getting heavier and heavier. I tried every diet you could imagine. Sure it worked for a few months and then I would spiral out of control and gain all of my weight back and then some. In 2001 I had open heart surgery for an Aortic Aneurysm. They also replaced my valve. At the time I had a pigs valve which only lasts for about 10 years. I chose this because I really didn't want to take blood thinner for the rest of my life because I was only 34. So soon I will need another open heart surgery. So my cardiologist told me that if I didn't lose the weight, I could wind up dieing on the table. That was my wake up call. I was not going to leave my 2 children (even though they are grown now), one of them having Down Syndrome.

In April of 2009 I decided to attend a seminar. Then in May was the start of my 6 month journey before I had my lapband surgery. I then found out that I was borderline everything (diabetes, fatty liver, cholesterol, Sleep Apnea..etc.)

On October 23, 2009 I had my surgery and it was the best thing that I could have done for myself. The only thing that I regret is not getting it done sooner. I am no longer borderline anything. And today I was told that I no longer have sleep Apnea and can get rid of my CPAP machine. I AM SO HAPPY!!!

You know it's the small things in life that amaze me. Things that you miss when you are heavy. Like being able to cross your legs, tie your shoes, pick up things off the floor, being able to walk without having to stop over and over again. And most of all having people including your family come up to you and say, "I didn't recognize you. You look so good!"

If I had to do this all over again I would do it in a heart beat. I went from 304 to 217. I have 34lbs to go until goal. I went from a size 26 to a 14. And I haven't been this size since 1989. My self esteem is back and I feel very good about myself.

Congratulations on a new and heathier you!

Yay! You are doing great. So close to your goal. You are about 1 wwek ahead of me. I am about 20-30 near my goal, depending on whether I go by mine or my doctor's. Good luck. I hope that you and I can reach and maintain our goal. Karen