Two years ago yesterday, January 11, my life changed. That was my first consultation with my surgeon's office, and from that very day I made changes to make my life better. I immediately started following everything my surgeon and his team told me to do, starting with logging everything on MFP and starting to exercise. Exercise at 382 lbs was no easy task. I would go to the park and walk, but after just a mile, my feet would KILL me. I was also embarrassed. I didn't let any of that stop me. I knew if I didn't do what I had to do, I might not live. I was slowly able to increase my exercise, and eventually I was up to 45 minutes on the elliptical at the gym. My surgeon wanted me to lose 35 lbs before surgery, which ended up being 9 months from my initial consultation because of my insurance. I lost 70, and he was very happy. I truly believe that making changes and doing a lot of work pre-surgery helped my recovery and helped me be successful. I had minimal pain after surgery - I didn't even have to take the pain meds after I got home. I was up and about quickly and it was an easy transition into the post-surgery diet. I followed my surgeon's plan to the T, and my weight loss has been great! I am down a total of 208 lbs, and I couldn't be happier or feel better. I have a life now that I wasn't sure I would ever be able to have. I just wanted to share this (I know some of you know this story already lol) because I want people to know that this tool is life changing on so many levels. No matter if you have to lose 50 or 100 or over 200 like me, we are lucky to have this tool to be able to get control of our lives back, and it CAN be done. I look back two years and it's like I don't know the old Dale, but she is still definitely part of me. I just take much better care of her now.