Felicia D. “I want to say that if I can do it, you can” Surgery Date: March 2011 Surgery: Gastric Bypass What was life like before your surgery?   I have been a big girl (woman) most of my life. I remember being 12 years old and wearing women’s-sized clothing. Growing up I always looked at girls who were smaller than me, and wishing I had a body like theirs. I was very active as a kid and teenager but by the time I was 20 years old I was in size 20 clothing. I found out I was what they call a stress eater: the more stress, the more I ate. I was married at the age of 23 and my husband loved me the way I was, until he didn’t. I started hating the way I looked. At the age of 35 I was married again to a man who liked full-figured women, plus we went to high school together so I was comfortable with him. But by that time I had very high blood pressure and was told I had angina and was always having chest pains. I also had arthritis in my knees, shoulders, and hips, and I had degenerative disc disease along with 8 herniated discs. Failing health and depression set in. In late February 2011, I went to see a new doctor, who within 20 minutes of knowing me and my background, suggested I look into weight-loss surgery. After I got home I called my mother-in-law and told her what my new doctor said, and she suggested I call Barix Clinics. I looked Barix up online and filled out an online info card and they scheduled me for one of their consultations. What led to your decision to have the surgery? After doing a lot, and I do mean a lot, of research I attended the meeting with Dr. Taylor and found the information and his presentation very helpful. I felt confident in what he was saying, but I still wanted more information. After the meeting he met with each person privately, and by the time he was done I looked at my mother-in-law and said I was ready. How was your experience with Barix? I found Barix Clinics very clean, the staff very friendly and helpful, and I felt that I was in a very safe and capable environment. From the moment I got the call about my approval for surgery, my date for pre-testing, and my meeting with the nutritionist, I felt that the staff cared for me like I was one of their own family members. I remember the morning of surgery asking questions and having them all answered and the nurses making sure I was comfortable and at ease. Waking up in my room after surgery, everyone was so nice and patient with me and I felt as if I got the very best care including from that wonderful Dr. Taylor. How is your life after surgery? After getting home and starting my recovery I really didn't have the urge to eat, but I knew I had to follow the Barix guidelines. By the time my two week check-up came I had lost 17 lbs. I couldn't believe it but that was what pushed me to strive to succeed with this journey. I started working out five weeks after surgery and I hadn't felt so alive in years. The weight just continued to come off with eating healthy and drinking plenty of water and exercise. I was 337 lbs the day of my consultation. At my post-op visit with Dr. Taylor 16 ½ months later, I weighed 206 lbs. I had more energy than ever, and more confidence, joy and drive to live my life, and I can't stop looking in the mirror, lol. What would you tell someone considering Barix? I want to say that if I can do it, you can; and I will say that if you want it as bad as I did, go for it.  You really have to want it. Weight-loss surgery is not a magic pill, it's a tool, and you have to be ready mentally as well as physically. I would just hope that if it's your choice, you strive to do the best you can to get where you want to be