This story begins like many others. I was very active throughout my teenage years up to when I got pregnant at 27. After that, it was extremely difficult to lose weight. I had a young baby, a booming career, and a house. I was a very overwhelmed and insecure young woman who never knew if she was doing anything right. I went through postpartum depression, then general depression, and a failing marriage. Exercise and eating well were not on my priority list. Throughout the years, the weight piled up. I was over 40, in between jobs, and desperate to lose weight. I decided to go through with the gastric balloons. I lost 45 pounds in 57 days and gained everything back within a year after that. At that point I was 47 and needed a drastic change. I was at my heaviest weight ever, 237lbs. I went to see Dr. Yu in September of 2018. He recommended for me have a sleeve gastrectomy. On October 2nd, I had the surgery. Recovery was very manageable. I was able to work from home 2 days after the surgery. To date, I have lost 94 lbs. The only thing I regret is not having had the procedure done sooner. The main tip I can give to someone about the diet after the surgery is to eat the majority of the protein on your plate before everything else. Then follow with the vegetables. That has helped me a lot. I am told I still eat very little portions, but I can tell you that I don’t like the “full” feeling so I stop before that. I am way more active than before; I went back to playing tennis and walking 5K at Memorial Park several times a week. My confidence level is very healthy, and I love my life. Don’t waste anymore of your time. Take charge!