Tracy Mitchell, Heart on My Sleeve wrote:

"Hi Julia! Thanks for taking the time to look at my page! I was inspired and motivated by others, who like you, shared their story and journey for a healthier life.

I hope that by sharing mine I can help someone else find the courage and motivation to make life-changing decisions as well.

Good luck on your book! I wish you much success!"

Check out Tracy's site: “Heart on My Sleeve” includes a series of YouTube videos and Tracy’s blog, with the aim of helping to educate individuals considering weight loss surgery options. Tracy has chosen the ‘sleeve gastrectomy’ procedure..." 

You can find an interview with Tracy and Miles to Go here under the section "featured articles and interviews" on the left.  

Thanks for your support Tracy, we wish you the best.

 http://www.heartonmysleeveblog.com/

Hi Julia,

I am a huge fan of your daughter Millie Holloman and now I get to be your fan. I am 36 and had WLS 12/28/2004. It was the best gift I ever gave myself, besides sobriety, which has in turn lead me to marriage and motherhood.

The journey was and still is just that a journey. I am so eager to read your book, it is not a subject that you can find a great deal of good publications on and I am so excited to see your book.

Morbid obesity is the last permissible prejudice and unlocking oneself from our own prison is a tremendous and crazy ride that can only be understood if you have gone through it.

So excited to have found you!

Cherokee Beaver Sprague

I recently heard from Kristen from Long Island, NY as she makes her decision about surgery.  

"I have been researching, contemplating and investigating if I would have insurance coverage for lap band surgery for 2 years. I have put on weight during those 2 years and it has been a roller coaster of emotions (thinking I could not afford it and finally being told I "probably" will be approved).

In the last few months, since finding a wonderful doctor, I have decided 100% that I need and will have surgery. I started to be concerned the band would not be a permanent enough commitment for me, so I have been considering the bypass surgery.

I want to thank you for this amazing website/blog. You have educated me more in 24 hours more than 3 seminars and a lot of other reading. Lap band patients have a universal site, it was more difficult to research bypass patient stories.

I struggle with feeling guilty, changing the body God gave me. Your biblical references and thoughts are so insightful and refreshing. You also thoroughly covered my greatest fear with bypass surgery-feeling sick or faint. I have a terrible fear of fainting. I am wondering how you're feeling now, and how stable your sugars are. I think I know your answer, BUT have to ask--would you get the bypass surgery again knowing the struggle you'd have with hypoglycemia?

Congratulations on your hard earned, well deserved success. You look beautiful and "sound" beautiful within. Thank you again for this site and your story! Enjoy your new life with your family!"

 Kristen (Long Island, NY)

Thanks to Kristen for writing and the answer to her question, is yes. Even though I have had some issues with hypoglycemia after three years out from surgery, it is a small issue considering the many life-threatening diseases I had related to obesity. I would have it again in a minute. 

Thanks again to Kristen. 

"Julia has developed a passion for taking care of herself and sharing that with others. I have a high level of respect for Julia both personally and professionally. I encourage everyone to hear her words, suggestions, inspriation and make them your own!"

 Chaundra Klein 

Chrysalis Center, Nutrition Therapist
Coastal Surgery Specialists, Bariatric Dietitian

"Giving up my favorite foods has been a very big deal.

Although I don't plan to ever have weight loss surgery, my obesity-related health problems have led to several hospitalizations that have forced me to change my eating habits drastically.

I am losing weight by eating frequent small meals of many of the same foods that are on your approved food list, especially microwave-steamable frozen veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, which I used to hate. Gone mostly, if not forever, are the huge high-carb meals that used to cause me great distress.

There's a wealth of useful information on your site for everybody. Thanks for sharing."     Rene