I AM 63 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE BEEN BATTLING A WEIGHT PROBLEM SINCE THE 4TH GRADE, DIETING OFF AND ON MY WHOLE LIFE. IN 2009, I WAS SO PRIVLEDEGED TO HAVE THE LAPBAND SURGERY BUT OVER A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS I JUST CONT. TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE SURGEON TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TAKEN OUT BUT I WANTED TO TRY TO CONT. TO WORK WITH IT. FINALLY IN 2013, I HAD IT TAKEN OUT AND HAD THE SLEEVE SURGERY. I CAN NOT BE MORE PLEASED. HIGHEST WEIGHT IN 2006 WAS 264 LBS., IN 2009, DAY OF LAPBAND SURGERY, I WEIGHTED 244. I NOW WEIGH 175. I NEED TO GET TO `140, BUT I FEEL GREAT, I CAN WORK HARDER AND FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME, IT WAS A TOUGH DECESSION TO HAVE MY STOMACH CUT AWAY AND THROWN AWAY, BUT IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL JOURNEY AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN TODAY.

Welcome to the losers bench!

I was a fat child and was teased all through school.

Lost about 75 pounds to join the Army. Spent seven years and a few months in the Army and as soon as I got out and quit smoking--weight came back with a vengence.

Just a tiny suggestion, please turn the Caps Lock off on your keyboard. Text that is all capitalized is the equivelant of shouting when you're posting. Like I said, just a tiny suggestion because I know you want to shout about your positive turn!

Blessings,

Kathleen