My life story will sound familiar to most. I was overweight as a child and stayed that way - until recently.

I’ve tried most diets. I was most successful when I did huge amounts of exercise. I got down to 115kg but put it all back on, and then some, when I stopped exercising.

I considered having stomach stapling but felt it was too severe. Then I heard about lapband surgery. I did quite a lot of research on it via the net. I had most of the questions answered, and my mind made up that I wanted to proceed, when I had my first interview with David and Wendy Schroeder.

I would be lying if I said I was not apprehensive leading up to the operation but I can honestly say the operation was a breeze. No problems at all.

I struggled a little with the fluid phase after the operation and, towards the end, cheated a little.

I’ve been very lucky and find I can eat almost everything. Sausages do give me some trouble and it will take me some time to stop eating so fast (a lifetime's conditioning). I’ve learnt when to stop eating and, if I don’t I get pain and hiccups, both go fairly quickly. I’ve never pushed the food intake so hard that I’ve needed to vomit.

My energy levels are now going through the roof. I'm walking for at least an hour 5 times a week and enjoying it to boot.

I hope to be 130kg by Xmas and then somewhere around 100-110kg in the future would suit me fine.

So if you have any questions fire away, it would be my pleasure to help out.