To look at Jennifer now, it's hard to believe this petite bundle of energy once weighed 258 pounds. But less than two years ago, Jennifer was terrified she was going to die from the adverse effects of morbid obesity.

"Food was my best friend. And my best friend was killing me," she says.

Jennifer had battled with weight since elementary school. She'd tried every kind of diet and sometimes was successful. But the weight always came back with a vengeance.

"It got so bad that I just didn't even want to get out of bed."

Frustrated and despondent, she began to research bariatric surgery with her husband, Tom. Tom was taking 16 different kinds of daily medication to control the chronic symptoms of his obesity. At 358 pounds, he was spending a fortune to control his blood pressure and the pain and inflammation in his joints.

The Galloways talked to their family doctor, who referred them to the Bariatric Care Center at Johnson Memorial Hospital. "When I met Dr. Lindsay, I felt like I'd met my new best friend," says Jennifer.

"You have to make a choice, because this is a life-altering decision. You have to be committed to changing your lifestyle, eating right and exercising. It wasn't easy, and it certainly wasn't a quick fix. But I'm so grateful that I have a chance to live a healthy life. Honestly, I feel like I've been reborn."