Jim D. Stephens, 44, knows the "ups and downs" of dieting. Since his early teens, he has been putting on weight and taking it off -- at one point losing 100 pounds only to see them come right back on - and more. When the 5'8" Placentia resident reached 264 pounds after yet another roller-coaster ride, gaining 45 pounds in four months, he finally decided to make a permanent weight-loss change - bariatric surgery.

"Unlike a lot of people, I didn't have any real health problems related to my excess weight, except high blood pressure," notes Stephens, a San Diego native. "I had learned to live with my weight, although the thing that bothered me most was walking around the pool in a bathing suit while on vacation. I felt myself grabbing for a shirt. I just didn't feel comfortable." Stephens, who is Director of Child Development Services for the Orange Unified School District, also felt uncomfortable in public places such as stores and restaurants. He felt that people noticed his weight before anything else - prejudging him before he could say or do anything.

This all changed in April 2002 when Stephens attended a seminar sponsored by The N.E.W. Program. "I was impressed with the scope of expertise with the program," Stephens recalls. "The one point that really made an impression, however, was when Dr. Quebbemann reminded us that we don't see too many severely obese 70-year-old people. They don't usually live that long."

After a comprehensive medical evaluation and patient education program, Stephens underwent minimally invasive gastric bypass on July 12, 2002. "The experience was terrific," notes Stephens. "Everyone was really, really wonderful. They have a lot of expertise in caring for bariatric surgery patients, and take a very compassionate approach. I had the surgery at 3 p.m. on a Friday, was discharged on Sunday afternoon and by Monday was out shopping with my wife, Barbara. And the surgery didn't leave any scars because it was done laparoscopically."

Since his surgery, Stephens has lost close to 100 pounds and today weighs 167 pounds. "I feel great, and have been able to adjust well to my new eating habits, which involve smaller portions and very few sweets," he says. "I also have a lot more confidence. I walk into places now and feel a lot more assertive and self-assured. It's a great feeling."

"Every day is wonderful," adds Stephens, who has been married to Barbara for 11 years and has two children: Waverly, 6, and Spencer, 4. "My kids notice not only a physical change in me but my energy level as well. It is an amazing, life-changing experience."