Bridget Alati

My whole life I have been heavy. I'm a full blooded Italian and you know how us Italians like to eat.. lol.. Well that's my family.

I have 2 beautiful daughters that I raise on my own and when I turned 40 my health was taking a turn for the worst (high blood pressure, sleep apia, couldn't breathe on far walks etc..). So I had went home on vacation the summer of 2010 and my best friend and I were talking and I asked her opinion about the vertical sleeve and how she felt about it. She told me that she was very scared for me to make this decision but if that's what I wanted she would stand behind me 100%.

I was telling her why I wanted to do it.. The flight to NY was 5 hrs and I couldn't even buckle the seat belt :( I literally had it squeezing my thighs :o for take off and I couldn't wait for the seat belt sign to go off so I could take it off. The whole time on the flight I would get hit with the cart and people's butts because I was sitting in the isle seat and I was really getting upset not at everyone else but as myself. I kept asking myself how could you let yourself get this big. I wasn't even this big when I was pregnant with my kids. I was so sad and disappointed at my self.

My BFF again told me that she would support me. When I came back home to Vegas I did some research, now I have been wanting the By-pass surgery now for like 10 yrs but something kept telling me " not yet Bridget now is not the time". So I always watched my co-workers, friends and family go through the changes and the ups and downs the drastic weight loss then years later put it back on. I didn't want that and I still don't and wont let it happen.

So when I finally said YES a friend of mine told me everything I possible needed to know about the Vertical Sleeve and in August of 2010 I took the first step and went to a support group and by November I was approved and was going through the best life changing experience of my life.

I look back and thank the man upstairs for giving me patience and letting me know when the right time was. :D :D :D

My starting weight was 260 lbs and I now weigh 145 lbs. My goal is 130 (maybe) :) and it has been 1 year and 4 months out. And I feel GREAT!!!!!