Tammy L. “I love the new me!” Surgery Date: January 2009 Surgery: Gastric Bypass What was life like before your surgery? My life before surgery was lazy and boring. I didn’t like having my picture taken, even with my son, and I was a very angry person. I never went out with my friends and when my husband and I split up I did not even try to date. I had no self-esteem.  I was borderline type 2 diabetic, and heart disease runs in my family, so it seemed that by the time I was 40 I would have had a heart attack, like my dad and uncle.  I had an eight year old son I needed to think about. I have struggled with my weight since puberty. I was always around 160 – 180 lbs before I had my son, Konner. Then after he was born I gained 100 lbs.  My highest weight was 296 lbs in the summer of ‘08. What led to your decision to have the surgery? I tried so many different diets. I just would gain my weight back after only losing 40 lbs or so. One day I ran into someone I knew and she told me her daughter was going through the process of getting gastric bypass surgery at Barix Clinics. I asked for more info and looked into it. I had my initial group information session with Dr. Schram in August of 2008. I found out I was eligible for the surgery and applied to have it done. I had many questions by the time I went to my pre-op appointment, and they were all answered. I weighed the pros and cons but I really didn’t know how much this surgery would change my life. I did know that for the first time in seven years I felt relief and knew I could have help to change my life. How was your experience with Barix? My experience was wonderful. It was wonderful to go somewhere and fit into the chairs and not have people look at me funny or be disgusted because of my size. The nurses were amazing and any questions I had were answered quickly. My stay was awesome. Either I didn’t want to leave or I wanted to take all the nurses home with me. Anyone who asks about the surgery, I tell them about Barix. My pre-op nurse kept me very informed about what was going to happen and how my next couple of days were going to be. He was very friendly and he kept me calm; this was my first surgery ever, so my nerves were starting to get the better of me. The anesthesiologist came in and was very thorough and friendly as well. The doctor was the last to come see me before we went to surgery. He too went over everything. He then met with my husband after surgery to give him an update on how well it went. The nurses on the floor were phenomenal during my stay--always very friendly. How is your life after surgery? After surgery I averaged a weight loss of 10 lbs a week. I had lost 84% of my excess body weight by my one-year anniversary. Almost two years later, with quite a few phone calls to Barix for questions that were always answered, and I feel great! I am a happy person now and I am genuinely excited for the rest of my life. My health has improved and I met the man of my dreams. I enjoy day-to-day life. I can play at the park, go to the beach and live every day to the fullest.  I wanted to be a hairdresser but at almost 280 lbs it would have been hard to stand all day.  In September I am starting a hairdressing course.  I can go shopping with friends now and shop in the same stores they do.  I love the new me! My new and improved self has taken a lot of work, but if it were not for Dr. Schram and all of the Barix staff I would not feel this happy and look this good. If I had to do it again, no doubt in my mind it would be done at Barix. Thank you for saving my life. What would you tell someone considering Barix? This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.  It changes your whole lifestyle, what you can eat, where you can eat and what you can even drink.  It is hard and it is for the rest of your life, not just until you lose the weight. I would have the surgery again, tomorrow if needed.