Cynthia---
I'll write the short version of my story. I gained weight in my early to mid twenties went into a depression about it and gained even more weight, and now that I'm in my early thirties and see that time is passing by so fast, I decided that I want to live a different quality of life. I'm not happy and I need to change it. So I've decided to finally take charge of myself and get my life back. I've been doing research on weight loss surgeries for a little over 2 years now and decided that if I was to ever have a surgery that It would be the Lap Band. Also In the meantime, I was trying to lose the weight on my own, and thought that if I couldn't do it that the Lap Band would be an option. All in all, I didn't do phenomenal, but I managed to lose over 30 pounds and keep it off for a little over a year, and then earlier this year, when a tragic unexpected death of a family member occurred I was Devastated and then, to top it off, 2 months later my little dog (who was literally like my baby) of over 15 years died also, that was it for me. I turned to food for comfort. I was supposed to be a Bridesmaid in a wedding this month (July 07') and when the dress came in at the end of June, I tried it on and cried and cried, I looked hideous it was not a dress for a large person to ever be wearing. So I had to call my friend and tell her that I couldn't be in the wedding, which upset me to no end, not to mention how she must feel, and so, that was my last straw. I picked up the phone, called the doctor that I had picked out the year before, and scheduled my surgery to be done in a month from the day of the phone call, and here I am on a Journey to finding, not the new me, but the old me, The happy go lucky girl that I once was. The one that when I look in the mirror, I can still see her eyes but not recognize her face. A stranger once walked up to me and said "you smile, but behind your smile is sadness, bring yourself back" and then walked away. I stood there in shock for a few seconds and didn't think much of it and yet, never forgot it. But now I understand, and hope you who are reading this understands too. =)
