Taking a road trip down memory lane everyone, so please bear with me.... October 2013, SW: 275 I am a 38year old mother of 4, newlymarried. Beautiful house, nice vehicle, great kids, loving hubby....I should be happy right? No, I was not...was not happy with myself & that turned me into a monster.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder with severe anxiety & panic attacks,OCD Hypothyroidism, Elevated Triglycerides, Asthma and PCOS just to name a few.

I was trapped inside of a heavy drum and could not climb out and break free, I began hurting myself b/c I could not feel anything anymore. On the brink of suicide. I wanted and needed help.

I met DR. SAMUEL BLEDSOE, and HE & HIS STAFF, literally saved my life! He is a wonderful surgeon with an outstanding bedside manor. They walked me through the whole process with a checklist that needed to be done before the surgery could transpire. From his seminar(which he does on a Saturday)to sleep study, to lab work, to meeting with the nutrionist...I was able to contact his nurses PAM & HALEY at anytime with any questions or concerns.

The information packet they give is so very informative and I did my homework to prepare...Fast Foreward to January 2014...I had the SLEEVE surgery at CHRISTUS CABRINI HOSPITAL in ALEXANDRIA, LA.

The most kind and compassionate surgeon ever... Dr Bledsoe talked and even prayed with me before taking me to surgery. He, along with the hospital staff, took such great care of me during my one night stay...one night!!! Cheering me on with every little step I took and every little sip I drank!!

Looking back, I not only did I feel mentally prepared, by attending the seminar, but to know that I had a team of people, standing behind me, to pick me up if I would fall...and that was a relief in itself! I cannot leave out SANDRA (nutrionist) for she gave me great ideas on foods and proteins when my taste for things changed or getting stuck in a little rut on eating the same foods...

Now, here in the present, I am 14 months out...weighing 184 pounds. I am not at my goal weight just yet, however, I AM HAPPY WITH MYSELF!! It has been a journey that I wanted to take for ME..no one else!! I still struggle with depression and the like, but it is tolerable, and I do still take meds for it. But I have the energy to move myself and stay motivated! I no longer have asthma, no longer take meds for high triglycerides and I am on a lower dose of thyroid medication.

What I want to say to those of you who are thinking about the surgery...make sure you find a surgeon who is compassionate and caring. Without that, you are just a number... Thank you for allowing me to share and to brag a little on my surgeon????

Thank you for sharing your story. I too have many of the same conditions. I am praying that I get approved for surgery next month. I am currently on a 2 week liquid diet (day 2) as part of the process for getting approval for the surgery. I love this site, it is very helpful.