In the beginning, there was a fat chick named Andie. A fat chick who was in denial over her own level fatness, and in fact avoided the word in reference to herself at all costs. That girl is, or was, me.

I offer "was" because I have been lucky enough to receive a new beginning in my life, and it came in the form of RNY gastric bypass surgery. That's right: on July 15th, 2009, at twenty years old, I took the plunge into what has already been a life changing experience.

So why start blogging now?

Four months in may seem like an odd time to start sharing one's experiences along this journey we call WLS. However, the road is a long one; and even four months in and nearly 100 pounds lighter, I still find myself in the stages of recovery. Both before and after surgery, nothing has helped me more than the personal accounts of fellow WLSers. So, I guess in some way, I hope to throw in my own experiences as well, and maybe help someone in the ways I have been. Though I can't say having outlet for my triumphs as well as my struggles will be a bad thing either. And maybe a little accountability along the way?

Who knows? We'll see where this journey takes us. From where I'm sitting, we're only just getting started...