Reading through other's profiles on this site, I am sure my "story" is not unlike anyone else's considering I am a member on this site and I am considering WLS as the end to my weight battle.

What did it for me, why WLS? Easy. I love to scrapbook for my children and it was fast becoming my favorite hobby until I went to a workshop and one of the gals said "the book is great, but why aren't you in any of these photos with your kids?" That one single question got me thinking and all I could come up with was "why would I want to be photographed, I hate how I look". Well, I knew it was time to get serious. Like many of you, I tried a lot of other programs. "Eat less, exercise more" - ya, easy for them to say when I never feel full and I don't look forward to exercising because of the panting and sweating that go along with it and the extra 150 pounds I carry daily. Go figure.

My research into WLS started over 5 years ago when a co-worker had the surgery performed to hopefully put an end to her infertility issue (which mind you worked for her - she now has a beautiful daughter as a positive result of the surgery!). I wanted to support her new lifestyle changes the best I could so I went to an information session as a support person. But everything I heard that night I felt was for me in every way. Then came a job change and a pregnancy so my research stopped for a couple years, but I remained interested in the surgery so I continued my quest about 3 months ago. A dear co-worker of mine had surgery recently and has taken time to share a lot of her experience and knowledge with me and I feel very blessed to know her and have her in my life - she's been a real rock to lean on. My outlook is positive and I feel it is the right decision. My faith is strong and I will rely on that and the support of all those "losers" who have gone before me!  My #1 support person is my awesome husband of 10 years - he is on board with me for this journey and I am very grateful for that.

Blessings to all of you who may read this and congratulations on all of your success whether it be WLS or not - I am a firm believer in celebrating all successes in life!