I was not a “fat kid.” I was always average size, until I had children. I blew up to 200 pounds while pregnant, and didn’t lose the weight between the 2 daughters I have. Over the years I added more pounds every year. Oh, I would lose a bit only to gain it right back. This went on for quite a while. When I was 37 I was put on Glucophage to head off the diabetes that I was surely about to have. After a year I had lost 40 pounds and was proud of myself. Over the years I went on every diet, tried every diet pill there was.

I lost my oldest daughter in a car accident when she was 23 and I began to eat seriously. My heaviest weight was 266 pounds. It seemed I just woke up one day and could not believe I was THAT big. I started a new diet and managed to keep at it until I had lost 100 pounds. Then my back went out, which required surgery and retirement from my job. All of a sudden, I could not exercise, no job, nothing to do but eat. Back up to 228 pounds in 9 months.

I started doing my homework. The lap band seemed to be the answer, but I wanted to research it. I started having high blood pressure and was put on meds for it, as well as pain management meds and sleep aids, I was put on Celebrex for all of the arthritis. I finally chose Dr. Bagnato as my surgeon and made an appointment for April 28 2009. My insurance would cover part of the surgery and his office staff was wonderful, helping me with paper work, they were nice enough to not hang up on me when I called them DAILY to see if the insurance had approved me yet!!

On July 10 2009 I had the surgery that saved me!! Surgery went very easily and I was back to normal routine in 4–5 days. By December 2009 I had lost enough weight (don’t remember exact weight), but at my yearly physical my dr. was able to take me off blood pressure meds, sleeping aids, and Celebrex. This was great! I only take my Hormone medication, and the occasional pain meds for my back. I am almost to my goal now (June 2011) I am weighing 150 pounds and wear a size 8 and feel great!

Never again will I battle my weight. I feel like I did the BEST thing for me I will ever do and have sent 4 friends to Dr. Bagnato. All of them are doing wonderful post-surgery. I would highly recommend anyone to go talk to Dr. Bagnato — they can do it too. If I can — anyone can!!

• Weight at date of surgery: 229 size 20
• Weight today: 150 size 8
• Age: 54 years old