I was always the girl who received the comments..."You have such a pretty face!" However, I was also the girl who always struggled with weight no matter what or how much I ate! I have been overweight since I was in first grade. Yo-yo diets were just a part of my everyday normal life! I was made fun of and always heard the whispers about my size as I walked past. Now people can't stop talking about how much weight I have lost in such a short amount of time! The compliments now are not condescending but rather genuine and up-lifting!

May 2005 was the beginning of my quest for freedom from obesity! I attended a seminar at Vanderbilt...all my questions were answered and my mind was made up to take the plunge. I began discussing it with my primary care doctor who was ready to support me. We began the 6 months of supervised weight loss and encountered a snag when we realized everything was not being documented properly. So, I continued the weight loss plan (having the same roller coaster effect as I usually did) and going to Curves for the next six months. In the summer of 2006, I was having severe pain in my lower back and went to a neurologist. I had an MRI and the results were a bulging disk, dehydrated disk, and herniated disk. The doctor scheduled me for surgery the next day. No more exercise for quite a while. This was discouraging and more weight automatically crept back. I began water aerobics once I was cleared to do so, but I wasn't getting enough strenuous activity to make the difference I needed.

With the notes from the neurologist and the documentation from my PCP, my Roux-en-Y was approved in October of 2006. Since I am a teacher, we had to schedule my surgery closer to a break. The surgery date was set for December 11. In November, my 88-year-old grandfather was remarried. That was also the day of the worst picture that has ever been taken of me! That is my before picture for now and forever. I look at that picture and see a miserable, worn-out individual wanting to feel like herself. I wore a size 24 and 3x clothes. I weighed a whopping 292 pounds! Well, I didn't realize then just how soon the real person would be able to shine through.

My weight loss was so quick! At my six month check-up, Dr. Richards called me a superstar. I had lost more in the 6 months (over 100 pounds) than some people had lost in a year's time. Protein shakes and exercise are the keys to that success!!!

I am now 9 months out from my surgery date and have lost 124 pounds! I have a mere 13 more pounds to lose to be at my goal weight of 155 at 5'9". I am wearing size 8/10 and Mediums!!! I never would have imagined myself this tiny! I owe it all to Dr. Richards and his staff! They gave me a precious tool to regain my life! I have tons of energy! Exercise is no longer a chore! People are amazed at how great I look. Those who do not know that I had surgery and are told about my weight loss are surprised. I hear comments all the time about how I don't look like I ever had a weight problem. Of course, they see me with all the clothes on. I have loose skin in my abs and inner thighs, but not anything that is not toning up with some time and effort. I see that as a small price to pay for a new way of life!

I would HIGHLY recommend this surgery to anyone who is obese! Do not wait. I am only 29 years old and will have so many more years with my family because of the choice I made! Thanks Dr. Richards, Jaime, and Christian!!!! You are life-savers!!!