Nora L. “I can run with my two year old” Surgery Date: January 2010 Surgery: Gastric Bypass What was life like before your surgery? I was a fat, lazy mother and wife.  I was becoming that dreaded fat woman who sits in her chair yelling at her kids.  I was tired all the time and my body had aches everywhere.  I had become so disgusted with my appearance that I didn't like to have pictures taken even with my beautiful kids. What led to your decision to have the surgery? I had been looking into surgery for about five years.  I could lose weight, but not keep it off. Then I would gain more than I had lost.  I was borderline diabetic, and then they found a heart defect during my third pregnancy.  My husband had never been on board about the surgery and I was not willing to do it without his blessing.  After much prayer and gaining and losing 400lbs during a ten-year time frame my prayers were answered.  My husband told me to go for it. He knew I was doing myself more harm than good and we had three girls to think about. My pre-op weight was 276 lbs. My surgery-day weight was 268lbs.   How was your experience with Barix? Everything fell into place perfectly.  Every person I spoke with was extremely patient and kind.  Several people had had the surgery themselves, which was wonderful.  The doctor was fantastic, and so was the rest of the hospital staff.  Everyone made me feel like they were there for me and wanted me to succeed. I got lost on the way to the hospital on my surgery day.  We took the wrong road about sixty miles the wrong way.  The staff was so great; they figured out where I was and how to get me to the hospital, and they called repeatedly to make sure I was still on the right track.  I even got there in enough time that my surgery didn't get set back. How is your life after surgery? A little over a year later and I am down 124 pounds.  My feet and my knees don't hurt.  My back doesn't hurt.  I can carry around any of my three children.  I can run with my two year old.  I can crawl around and bend and twist in ways I never thought would be possible.  My girls are surprised at the things I can do right along with them.  My husband hugs me and can't believe the difference.  My girls can wrap their arms around me.  There are just too many “I cans” to list!!!! I have this huge desire to run up to people I know would benefit from this surgery and say, “Look at me--you can do this thing!!!”  When anyone tells me they know someone considering this surgery I hand them my number and email address.  I just feel so sure about this.  What a blessing God put in my life, a surgery that would make me live longer, live better, and live stronger. What would you tell someone considering Barix? Pray, do your research, commit.  You must change your ways.  You may not be able to do it yourself.  This will work.  Go to Barix Clinics, because bariatric surgery is what they do.  The staff is great.  You will not regret it.