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GREAT FALLS- Nancy Ackerson of Great Falls weighed 400 pounds three years ago.

"I could not walk here to the sidewalk without being out of wind," sh recalled.

Born a diabetic, doctors told her if she didn't lose weight, she would die before she turned 50.

Three years ago, Nancy decided to get laparoscopic gastric band surgery and today, some 240 pounds lighter, she couldn't be happier.

Nancy also inspired other members in her family to lose weight. Her aunt, who once weighed over 600 pounds, now weighs 150 pounds, thanks to the same surgery.

Among her new-found joys: this is the first time Nancy has been able to have a garden in over 20 years.

The lesson she has taken from her experience? "I just learned that, I gotta stay healthy if I want to live. And if you weigh 430 pounds, you are not healthy."

Nancy says she loves everything weight loss has brought her, including greater self-esteem and the ability to play with her grandkids.

But she's not done yet. Nancy says she still needs to lose 70 pounds to hit her final weight loss goal.