• Save your money because you will eventually need a new wardrobe and/or surgery for skin removal. I have recently had a tummy tuck and a bilateral thigh lift.

• Also, I now have no rings or shoes that fit because of all the weight I have lost. But in the end, I love shopping so I’m OK with this!

• Find a positive support group. I am on several Lap Band online community sites on Facebook. • Even after surgery, you are going to have road blocks. Please do not get discouraged. I had about two years of major road blocks from emergency gallbladder surgery to a concussion that led to post concussion syndrome and was unable to work out for nine months. At that time, I joined Weight Watchers because I was at a plateau and couldn’t break past 160 pounds. After joining them, I lost 35 pounds in four months, and they asked me to come on board and work for them. That was the moment in my life that I am most proud of. I can now work with others who struggle with weight loss, trying to get healthy and food addictions. I hear all the time about what an inspiration I am to them and they are my inspiration. I now have a positive cycle in my life vs. a negative one.

• Before the surgery, I was highly addicted to Dr. Pepper. I would go through a 12 pack every couple of days. I had to give up sodas for the first couple of weeks after the surgery. When I was given the go-ahead to have them, I realized that addiction was gone. I had no craving or taste for it. About seven months after the surgery, I had a taste of it and spit it out. It literally tasted bad to me. I haven’t tried another Dr. Pepper since. Soda was one addiction I thought I would never get rid of, and now I have zero cravings for it and have saved lots of money because they are expensive.