My name is Deandra and I had been debating weight-loss surgery for the past three years. I went to the seminars, read books, even talked with patients that had the surgery, but that did not convince me.

When my brother died of obesity related problems at the age of 35, it seemed that I started to have all sorts of health problems. Borderline diabetic, my legs were swelling, shortness of breath, degenerative arthritis, pains in my body due to being overweight. I decided that the only way I would live to see 35 is if I did something about the weight. My whole family has been overweight all of our lives, eating poorly I can remember growing up. My mother was probably more than 500 pounds when were growing up and she never did anything about it. She did not work because of her condition and I looked at that as history repeating itself. I was already 320 pounds, what was going to happen next?

One evening, when I least expected it, I looked down and saw how much my legs were swollen, It scared me so much, that I said to my self, self, you better do something about this. I also thought about my children and how they would feel about not having a mother around for their childhood, or even having a mother around, but not being able to do normal everyday things with them.

I decided to call my doctor and explain the situation. I told her that I could not take it. Aches and pains in my knees. I could not even function within my everyday life anymore. She recommended me to a weight-loss surgeon and I made the appointment. I met with the surgeon about a month later, did everything they asked of me and they got with my insurance company and started the whole process. I guess I was in such bad shape, that it took my insurance company only six days to approve me. The whole process only took three months and then I had my weight-loss surgery.

The first month was hell, I was very sore and drinking was an experience. I felt so full after one sip, but after the first month, I started to get acquainted with my new stomach and things started looking up. The first 10 days, I lost 15 pounds and I could not believe it. The first month, I had lost a total of 28 pounds and now I am about four months out and I lost a total of 65 pounds. I feel better than ever. The holidays were difficult for me as I could not eat the sweets and cakes everyone else was eating, but I managed to get through it.

I now eat healthier, since I can only eat a 1/4 cup of food, I make it count. I feel so much better than I have felt in years. I am so thankful for my surgery.