Kim M. "What a huge gift!" Surgery Date: November 2007 Surgery:  Gastric Bypass My Life Before Bariatric Surgery I struggled with weight issues all of my life.  Up and down, up and down seemed to be the way I would live forever.  As I got older and quit smoking I gained and gained.  I craved junk food all of the time.  I began to isolate myself from the rest of the world.  My asthma and lack of mobility keep me from doing a lot of activities.    Making the Decision A friend of mine had gone through bariatric surgery.  I was inspired by her success.  As I researched the options, I happened to be on the phone with a customer and friend of mine and realized that she worked as a nutritionist for Barix.  It was great to discuss the surgery with her ahead of time.  I chose the laparscopic gastric bypass and it is the best decision that I have ever made.  The photo on the left shows my progress at 12 months post-op! Making Success Happen I lost 90 pounds in the first 5 months.  It has been 13 months since my surgery and I have lost a total of 126#.  I can't believe it!  I have just 12# to go to reach my personal weight loss goal and I know that I will be there soon!  So many people tell me that they are proud of my progress.  All I do is follow the guidelines to the best of my ability and it has gone perfectly.  I had no complications and the weight just fell off.  I melted away...just like the doctors said I would.  I have to watch my sugar intake, but other than that, I live a completely normal life.  I do not feel deprived in any way.  I started exercising right away.  First by walking at work.  Later, I picked up strength training.  What a huge gift to be able to toss out my asthma medication, walk everywhere and never huff and puff.  How My Life Has Changed Everything has changed.  I no longer crave junk food.  I find it very easy to be me and lose weight at the same time.  I feel more attractive (BIG TIME).  I no longer feel isolated.  I run around with my teenager.  I am free from the prision of morbid obesity.  Thanks to the Barix Clinics, I have probably added 20 quality years to my life and I am free.