Self-confidence, says law-student Karen, is something she's had all her life. Though she weighed 250 lbs before coming to St. Vincent's Bariatric Center, her social calendar was full." I didn't dwell on weight," she recalls. But the subject became crucial as she was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and was told having children might be problematic due to her weight."That worried me," she says. "My family history of cancer and my polycystic ovaries were bad enough. Knowing my health could deteriorate to where I might not be able to be a mother some day, that made me want to make a change."

It was on her birthday when Karen attended St. Vincent's free Bariatric seminar. "I'm a very methodical person," she laughs. "And Dr. Ehrlich is quite detailed in his explanations. I spent a month thinking about it." Then, in September of '04, she opted for Lap-Banding and went forward. "The Bariatric team is made up of the nicest people in the world," she says. "They put you at ease and make you feel so good."

Her observations since the surgery?"It really is a life-changing decision. My mindset about food has changed, cravings seem to adjust to what my body needs. Losing 102 lbs feels healthy, and I love shopping (she’s a size 4 or 6, depending) and hearing friends say nice things. Here Karen pauses thoughtfully. "But the person I am inside hasn't changed,"she says," and that’s important to me."