When I was in high school I was active. I played softball, track, and many other fun sports. After I got married and had children, my activity level changed. I wasn't as active as I once was and I started putting on extra weight. Gradually, I put on extra pounds and it seemed that the more I tried to get them off, the more I gained. I would become discouraged when I didn't see immediate results and give up. Then my weight eventually got up to 300 lbs. I couldn't play with my kids like I wanted to or ride bikes with my family and that really bothered me. I had considered gastric bypass and I researched it for about three years before finally doing something about it.

I saw my family doctor who told me I was an excellent candidate for the surgery. Thus the process began. I called Dr. Rita Anderson and the team at South Dayton Surgeons and made an appointment to attend their free information seminar. After I attended the seminar I knew I had to do it. I saw it as a way of saving my own life. I wanted to be healthy, happy, and most of all, I wanted to still be here to enjoy my children 30 or 40 years down the road. At the rate I was going, that wasn't going to happen. The real kicker for me was when I had to go on a business trip and I had to request a seat belt extension on the plane. I was so embarrassed I cried. It was a mixture of all of these events that helped me make my final decision.

I am now 15 months post-surgery and I am living the life I always wanted to! I've lost 160 lbs and am much healthier. My ultimate goal was to ride bikes with my family and I can proudly say I've accomplished that goal! So now I've moved on to bigger goals. My energy level has increased tenfold! I eat right, exercise, make sure I get plenty of water, and take all of my vitamins and protein supplements. My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner!