Texoma residents are turning to Gastric Bypass and Lap Band surgery to lose weight and other medical problems, like diabetes. We've looked at the popular procedures all month, and tonight we hear from two women about life after surgery.

Karin Lerew is a Registered Nurse, and helps people struggling with obesity by teaching a nutrition class. She used be just like her students, but after gastric bypass five years ago, she's 150 pounds lighter. But the road to losing weight wasn't easy, and it started with a tough decision.

 Karen often feared complications during and after surgery but existing medical problems like heart disease and sleep apnea outweighed the risks. Leaning toward surgery, Karin worried how it would impact relationships.

"I was worried about people judging me thinking I was taking the easy way out which life style changes are not easy." said RN Karin Lerew

Karin's family was supportive, but cautious. "They were saying you know everything is so good. Don't want to rock the boat, but it was a matter of you're on a cruise liner but my tug boat is sinking!"

But in the end, her children rose above expectations. They along with Karin, were both proud and relieved.

" It was the first time in my life I felt safe being me and that is free!" said Karin.

Cas Salkowski also had to get used to that feeling. She's lost 120 pounds after Gastric Bypass, and says her children's reaction to her weight loss was priceless. Her favorite memory is the day she visited her daughter Molly out of state. Although Cas was the only one in the airport, Molly begin to worry when she couldn't find her.

"I said Molly momma is right here she didn't recognize me she had never seen her momma smaller." said Cas Salkowski.

Molly supported her mother's decision to have the surgery, but Cas says many of her friends didn't.

"There are people who are jealous of it the best way to say it is probably you were there fat friend they may be fat too but your fatter so they didn't feel fat."

Cas's advice, is to just hang in there.

"I have found out they do come back once they figure out yes you did this and your not any different you are just a smaller person."