Paula Eissner lost 127 pounds

Former weight: 340 pounds

Current weight: 213 pounds

Pounds lost: 127 pounds

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches

Age: 63 years

How long she's been at it: Started August 2015 and continues losing.

Personal life: "I've worked here at DeKalb Medical for 37 years," said Eissner, whose background is in social work. "I have a daughter that lives in Atlanta. My husband died about six years ago." She lives in Lilburn.

Turning point: "I've lost over 100 pounds at least three times in my life. I have been on every diet you can imagine. … My health was really at risk, my blood pressure was really out of control. My A1C, the test for diabetes, was getting higher. I was borderline diabetic and I hurt from head to toe in every joint — I was eating Advil. I have worked in a hospital for years; it's not like I don't know what happens to a person as they age." In August 2015, she had laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery at DeKalb Medical. "I am very familiar with the bariatric program; I wasn't scared to do it. … I ran the stroke support group here for over 20 years. I know what can happen when people don't take care of their health. … I did not want to get to the point where I was really sick, and I knew I was headed there."

Diet plan: "I still eat primarily low-fat proteins: chicken, turkey, eggs, cheese, a lot of vegetables and no carbs. I have not had a piece of bread or pasta for over a year, and I don't miss it."

Exercise routine: "I have a Fitbit now. … I have dogs and I walk them. … I walk in the tunnels at work and park far away. I take the steps. I just walk, walk, walk."

Biggest challenge: "I felt like I was hungry all the time; no matter how much I ate, I was still hungry. I think that was because I didn't feel good and I was bored. You know how eating can become like your friend, that was one of the big things surgery helped me with, was controlling that."

How life has changed: "It is just remarkable how much better I feel every day. I feel like a new person. People tell me all the time they don't recognize me. … The [surgery] absolutely gets you started, but then you gotta keep working at it — it's a lifetime commitment."