Carey P. "The pounds and inches melted away!" Surgery Date: January 2004 Surgery:  Gastric Bypass My Life Before Bariatric Surgery My serious weight problems didn't start until I turned 18.  Two beautiful babies later, lots of extra weight, a multitude of diet attempts and I was at the end of my rope.  I knew that I had to do something.  I was becoming very depressed and withdrawn.  I was so unhappy and hated myself.  I did not want to go anywhere, make eye contact or even see my own friends.  I was to the point where I had no more will power.  I would not even last two weeks on a diet.  I was so tired of setting myself up for failure.  I just could not do it anymore on my own.  I had tried so many times and just did not have it in me anymore.   Making the Decision I started researching surgery and program options in February of 2001.  When I told my mother that I was considering weight loss surgery, she talked me into Medical Weight Loss instead.  It actually worked...for a while.  I lost 100 pounds, but the minute I stopped the diet, my body was like a sponge and I quickly regained the weight that I worked so hard to lose and then some.  In October of 2003, I made my consultation appointment.  I didn't tell anyone what I was doing, not even my husband.  I needed to find out if I was a candidate first.  Although my BMI was high enough, I didn't have any medical issues besides sore joints.  I was happy and humiliated to find out that I was a candidate.  Happy for the hope that the surgery offered.  Humiliated because I had to admit to myself that I was that big.  It was time to tell my husband of my future plans.  He was great--so supportive.  He just wanted me to be happy.  I proceeded with all the testing and clearances and scheduled my surgery.  I didn't tell anyone but my husband that I was having surgery.  I couldn't take the chance that they would talk me out of it again.  Making Success Happen I followed the instructions exactly.  I did everything that I was told and lost weight ahead of the expectations.  It was difficult to adjust my eating style.  I had to learn to eat all over again--small bites, chew well, slow down.  I took advantage of that first year window to lose my excess weight.  I went to the gym 6-7 days a week.  I was always in the gym.  My super supportive husband took over with the kid's dinner and activities so I would have time for working out.  How My Life Has Changed As my size went down, my confidence came back.  I felt like the "old Carey" was coming back.  After I lost 125 pounds, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Vincent DiNick, a plastic surgeon.  What a great doctor.  I had a tummy tuck and a breast lift.  I walk by a mirror and I can't believe it's me.  The icing on the cake.  Dr. DiNick made such an impression on me that I decided to work for him.  I now help other people look great.    Final Thoughts... This has been quite a journey for me.  I worked hard to get where I am and I will always have to work to maintain my weight.  The surgery was a tool, not an easy way out.  I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to have surgery at Barix and plastic surgery with Dr. DiNick.