I noticed that my clothes were getting smaller, but I thought that the dry-cleaners were just shrinking them. I knew I needed to do something about my weight. I tried everything from national weight loss programs to diet pills but my weight always came back, sometimes doubled. At one time, I weighed nearly 400 pounds.

Then I met Dr. Christopher Joyce, a surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery.

I chose Dr. Joyce because of his intensive training with the renowned U.S. Bariatric Institute in Florida as well as his comprehensive program to help ensure my life-long success. Before I even had the surgery, I had several tests including a sleep study. And, I even met with a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist and psychologist to make sure that I was prepared for this life-changing procedure.

I was a perfect candidate for the surgery. I weighed at least 100 pounds over my ideal body weight, was under 60 years old, had failed at other diets, and had several health problems including depression, high blood pressure, weak knees and back, and frequent incontinence.

When I had the surgery in August 2002, I weighed 345 pounds. Since then I have lost over 120 pounds, and I am still losing. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 16.