Jeanne G.
HI there! 
I'm 5'5" and 294 pounds, my BMI is currently 48.9
I have always been severely overweight 
The lowest weight I can ever remember being is 199 lbs, I was 11. My hyper-skinny mother told me when I reached a womens size 13, at 10 years old, that "if you get any bigger, I'll starve you." then she laughed, well, she didn't starve me. I AM the second largest person in my family on both sides, I have an uncle that is very large. But he's also 6'1" and has a large frame. I rival his weight! I think I might weigh more? 
So, I first heard of Bariatric surgery about 7 years ago, but didn't start really researching it until about 5 years ago. I had reached 270 lbs regardless of my attempts to lose weight. It's so embarrassing to go out into public when you're the largest person in your family, I always felt like I was being judged. I was picked on relentlessly as a child for my weight, by my own cousins, kids in school, even some of the adults in my family! I had people in junior high actually tell me they wouldn't be my friend simply because I was FAT and UGLY. Those things have hurt me horribly my whole life. I have always put on the front that I didn't care what people thought of my appearance, but the truth be known that I do care to some extent. I have a lot of positives in my life however, and I am so GRATEFUL for them, my husband is fantastic, tall, handsome and supportive and we're completely in love with each other regardless of my weight. 
His stand on my weight is that he just wants me to be healthy. He loves me just the way I am 
He hopes I can get the surgery because I want it and he has been with me through all my attempts to lose weight. Bless his heart! 
Our 11 year old daughter 
tells me everyday I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, my eyes always tear up. haha. My 6 year old son 
doesn't care what I look like either so long as he has his mommy. I'm afraid though that if I can't do something that works I won't get to be here for them for much longer. I want to take them to the beach and not wear blue jeans, I want to take them to amusement parks and ride the rides with them, I don't want to try and make excuses as to why I won't attend school functions, when simply, I am just embarrassed about my size. It's started going beyond just apperences now though. I'm feeling the effects of being as big as I am. I have pain in my leg joints from my hips to my feet, I have stress incontinence, I get over heated and out of breath very quickly. I really want to stop it before it gets any worse!
Diets I've tried and failed at:
The water and popcorn diet - age 13 
The Campbell's soup diet - age 14 
Weight Watchers - age 15 
Walk n Trim (GNC) - age 19 
Metabolife - ages 21/23/25 
Rela-core - age 24 
Corti-slim - age 26 
Atkins Diet - ages 26/27/28 
The South beach diet - ages 28/29 
Meridia - age 30 
...and only GOD knows how many other things I've tried!
Don't get me wrong, I've lost weight on all of these, but it ALWAYS came back (same old song and dance, everyone here knows that one) Nothing has had a lasting effect.
Wow... I've come a long, long way. I am amazed. Today, I weigh 158 lbs and have maintained this weight for about 6 years. The first two years were a little slow going for me, but here I am. Nearly half my starting weight. Amazing.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
