Terri J-B. “I am able to zip line through a rain forest now” Surgery Date: July 2008 Surgery: Gastric Bypass What was life like before your surgery? Before surgery it was tough to walk very far without feeling pain in my joints. My knees and back were bad from the excess weight I had carried around for years.  I was not able to walk comfortably, and heat would bother me to the point that I didn't want to go outside.  Simple things like getting in and out of a chair were hard to do. I did not sleep well, either. Finding fashionable clothes that fit was not easy unless I wanted to grossly overpay for them.  Going to places where I had to sit down at a table was a worry because I couldn't fit into booths very well. Flying was a problem because I was getting too large to fit in the seat without bothering the person next to me. I had to pretend I wasn't interested in many travel opportunities because I knew it was something I would be uncomfortable doing. What led to your decision to have the surgery? I did research on the side effects of surgery to evaluate risk and reward.  I met with The Barix staff and attended support group meetings to talk to others who had had the surgery. How was your experience with Barix? My experience with Barix Clinics was exactly what I wanted it to be.  I loved talking with the nutritionist.  The staff was always helpful, friendly, and understanding.  The nurses for pre-care and post-care were exceptional.  The "Ollys" were great fun to be around and helpful in answering questions. When I stated that I was ready to go home my doctor listened and I got to go home after only one night.  How is your life after surgery? I'm much more active now that I don't hurt from walking.  And the heat doesn't get to me. I can easily jog, or full-out run if I have to, around my neighborhood, when before I couldn't walk.  I golf at least once a week and can walk 18 holes with no problem.  I can get on the floor and play with my dogs.  I enjoy clothes shopping; in fact, I do it every weekend, because there are so many more choices.  Travel is so much easier when you fit into the seats of a plane.  And I don't have to take two suitcases to accommodate large clothes. There's no more worrying that I will get pulled aside and asked to buy a second airline ticket due to my size.  I no longer have sleep apnea and sleep very well at night. What would you tell someone considering Barix? This can be life-changing but only if you're ready mentally.  You have to know this is a lifelong change that you have to work at every day, not a magic pill.  Once you lose the weight the journey is not over. This will change your outward appearance but only you can change your inward attitude and love for yourself.  The focus has to be on you and your eating, exercise, and habits, not on the scale itself.