My name is Teesha.  I am 31 years old, and had laparoscopic RNY surgery on Feb. 4, 2003.  I can't begin to explain how thrilled I am that I have lost 135 pounds already! 

I started getting heavy in junior high, and by the age of 15, weighed 150 pounds.  I consistently gained 10 pounds with every year of my life, even though I stayed as active as my friends.

After I was married, I ate portions equivalent to those of my husband.  He has hovered around 175 pounds all his life, and I watched myself get bigger, and bigger, and bigger.  By the time I was 30 I weighed 300 pounds.

I was never one of those people that complained to her friends about weight.  I didn't want to be one of those friends that are always whining about which diet they were on, or what cute clothes they couldn't fit into.  A couple of my friends were surprised that surgery was something I was even considering, because they didn't think I had a problem with my size.

Believe me, on the inside, I was horrified, mortified, embarrassed and depressed.  I knew that in almost any public place I was that I was the biggest person in the room.  That is a tremendously horrible feeling.

The only time in my life that I did experience some weight loss, was a subsequent 'not hungry' feeling associated with anti-depressants that I took for about a year.  But, of course, after getting off the medication, my weight went right back up and brought 15 pounds with it!

I had resigned myself to the fact that I was always going to be fat, would always have joint and health problems, and would probably not live as long as my husband.  He was always, and still is, completely supportive of my struggle, and my biggest cheerleader.

The decision to have this surgery was not difficult to make.  I hadn't realized that insurance companies usually pay for the surgery, and had always assumed that the people who had it done had the money to pay for it easily, such as Carnie Wilson and Al Roker. Once I realized that by meeting certain criteria, my insurance would cover it all, I immediately wanted to sign up! 

I did all the research and had all the prerequisite testing (pulmonary, psychiatric, blood work) accomplished. At the first meeting with my surgeon he told me that I was an excellent candidate, and that he would write a request letter to my insurance company within a week.  I was approved in one week and scheduled to have my surgery only 3 weeks later! 

I couldn't have been more excited or anxious!  Those three weeks were the slowest of my life.  I didn't have any of the normal doubts and negative anxiety until about 24 hours before my surgery, but I knew that everything I was feeling was normal anyway.  I knew that I was making a decision that would save my life.  I also knew that I could end up being a death statistic, but I was willing to take that risk.

I have not had any complications and only an occasional bout with nausea or vomiting.  And of course, that only happens when I am eating too much! 

This tool is very powerful, but it is not a magic wand.  There is a lifetime of dedication needed in order to make this work, and I have never regretted my decision for a second.  I have faithfully made myself get up 3 to 4 times a week in the morning and do 45 minutes of cardio, and then 40 minutes of weight training.  I also try to walk on my lunch breaks between 1 and 2 miles a day.  I could never imagine exercising like this before my surgery, but it has become a welcome part of my life now. 

It is so exciting to see the results!  I have gone from a size 28/30 to a 10, and I'm only 8 months post-op!  My plan is to lose another 20 pounds, and I can't wait! 

My family and friends are amazed now at how fantastic I look, and it is quite a shock to bathe in that kind of attention.  Before, all we heard was negative things about our body image, or at least knew that people were thinking them.  It feels so good to be a 'normal' person and blend into a room full of people. I'm not the biggest one in a room anymore, not by far!

For those of you that are struggling with who to tell, this has been my experience:  I did not tell anyone at work except for my immediate supervisor.  She was happy for me and just told people that I was taking some time off.  I was out of the hospital in 3 days, and back to work in 12 days.  My first week back I only worked 5 or 6 hour shifts, because I was so tired and drug-out.  I didn't tell anyone else at work for the first few months post-op, because I didn't feel like hearing horror stories from people.  I was so excited about my decision and I didn't want anyone bringing me down.  Now, 8 months later they know about my surgery and are of course are happy for me and supportive, but I still wouldn't have told them before my surgery. 

I shared my impending surgery news with about 6 close friends, and most of them were supportive although some were apprehensive.  When I told my mother about what I was planning on doing, I did not ask her opinion, but simply told her what I was planning to do and let her know that I would supply her with any information she would want.  It took her a while to come around. My father didn't want anything to do with it at first. Now they are two of my biggest fans. 

Life now is absolutely amazing.  People comment to me all the time about how great I look.  Bank tellers, grocery checkers, the mailman, everyone comments. I made a list of "things I can't wait to do" before surgery, upon the recommendation from Barbara’s book.  I pulled it out last week and was able to cross off about 75% of what was listed!  I can climb stairs now, paint my own toenails, ride a roller coaster, sit in a movie seat, make better love to my husband, wrap a bath towel all the way around, the possibilities are endless! 

I feel great and am so pleased that there are skilled professionals out there to help people like me.  My surgeon, Dr. Michael Snyder, and his team, are incredible.  He is caring, knowledgeable, highly skilled and very much focused on our success.  The amount of information that he makes sure we have studied and understand is awesome.  For anyone in the Denver area looking to have this surgery (RNY or lap-band) please check out his website:   http://www.denverbariatrics.com

I wish everyone the best on their journey, and would love to answer any questions or lend support when I can.

Teesha Lane Murphy