For anyone who has followed me knows that I've surely had many ups, downs, complications, BUT I also had the blessing of celebrating many victories along the way. I would NEVER trade any of those victories to give back any of my complications. I believe with all my heart that if I did not have WLS(s) I would be one of those folks showcased on My 600Lb Life. I would be very super obese, and living a miserable, unhappy and worse, unhealthy existence. I was already well into the 300's by the time I was in my 20's. I was headed for disaster! The most sad fact is, I probably wouldn't even be here right now typing all of this out. I might have been stroked out by now, as I was diagnosed with HBP at 31 years old, and I had an uncle who died from complications of that disease when he was only 44. I'm turned 40 in December. I would probably not even be alive... as scary a thought as that is.

I am forever thankful to myself that I loved me enough to do whatever it took to save me.

How about you? How do you think your life would have played out if you didn't have your WLS?

Bypass surgery was the greatest gift I gave myself.

I once was a size 34/36 and 350 lbs back in 2006. Slowly over a seven year period I lost some of that weight but I still needed to do something or I'm sure I would have gotten back up there again.

I had diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and a few other things that came with being big.

I finally made up my mind last year to take care of me.

I no longer have those health problems.

This surgery helped me be able to move around better even though I have fibromyalgia, osteo arthritis, stenosis of the spine, RSD. I'm still in pain but not as much with less of me. I don't have to use a cane any more to get around and I don't have to use the electric carts in stores any more.

So yes I have a better life because of this surgery.

I thank God every day for the lap band, I know i would be heavier and more misreable than I was. If i had been able to lose weight on Weight Watchers I would have skipped the lap band, but 12 lbs lost on a year of WW was' nt cutting it, so 2.5 years ago, the band was a last resort, and im VERY happy about it ! Just this morning I had a follow up visit with my surgeon, he told me I have done everything right as far as following his directions, and he was very pleased, as am I !!!! Im healthy and happy , and getting stronger every day ! Thank you Lap Band ! !!!

Without my sleeve, I would have been dead soon, or in a nursing home wishing I was. I had alrady had both knees replaced, many spinal issues, and a stroke that forced me into early retirement. All of my numbers were bad, and my weight was skyrocketing exponentially in spite of my best efforts. I was developing all of the co-morbidities that caused the early death of many of my relatives. I had asked my primary about a lap-band, and when I went to the bariatric clinic, the staff introduced me to the possibility of a sleeve. I had never heard of that procedure. The sleeve (Miss Tummy) saved my life. I am battling my way to goal, but I don't mind, because I am still alive to even face the battle.