Greetings Everyone:

I am so excited I can't stand it. If you bear with me - I'll tell you why.

In the spring of 2003, I was out of work on LTD - suffering from depression. Mostly depressed because I hated myself, and primarily because of being overweight. I'm 5'2" and 232 pounds. A friend of mine from childhood named Peter had been making headlines because after gastric bypass surgery he'd gone from 853 pounds to 227. Peter and I spoke about the surgery and he recommended I see his Dr. I made an appointment and saw another Dr. in the office, thought she was great, and then I saw the psychologist and the dietitian and did the ketosis resulting diet.

However, while out of work on LTD, my supervisor phoned and advised me that a promotion I'd applied for was opening up and if I wanted to be considered for it, I had to return to work. So I did. Got the new job and like most of my jobs, I loved it at first. Then hated it. And, unfortunately still depressed because of my weight.

From the spring of 2003 until 2006 I just sort of muddled along losing and regaining the same 45 pounds over and over. Last July 19th, I wasn't feeling well, went to see one of my doctors, and he immediately called an ambulance for me. Went from the doctors office at 12:00 noon to the ER and was in the IC Trauma unit of the ER until 10:00 pm. WIthout getting too dramatic, and into particulars, I came very close to dying at age 52.

It caused me to have an epiphany though. I wanted to live. But, not only did I want to live, I wanted a better quality of life. Because of my weight, I have a slew of comorbidities. Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Barretts Esophagus, GERD, Hypoxia, Enlarged fatty liver, Sleep Apnea and test as 'pre-diabetic.'

So, once again I phoned the same Dr. I saw four years ago, and had my appointment on May 31st. This time we decided that we would do the Lap Band - which makes me happier since it's less invasive - and because of the Barretts Esophagus, the band may cause me problems and have to be taken out. My appointment with the psychologist is June 9th, with the Dietitian, June 11th and the mandatory meeting is June 20th. After that, I should be ready to have my second Dr's. appointment and get a surgery date.

I can't wait.