Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.

It's been ten years since my surgery. I'm thankful to this day that I did it. It may not be the answer for everyone, but for me it worked. IWeight Loss Surgery (WLS) is not an end it is a means to and end. I lost 125 pounds and over the course of ten years I gained and lost again 20 pounds. I am more aware of what I eat and I exercise 3-4x/week. I thought long and hard before having the surgery I realized that I was permitting a surgeon to move perfectly good organs around. Desperate people do desperate things. It was major surgery and it took a major decision, I could not find another diet aid that would work. I had tried EVERYTHING. Bariatric surgery was the last straw and it worked for me. In 2004 I wondered about the statistics for long term success/effectiveness. Somewhere I read that only 2%, of people having bariatric surgery, keep the weight off. Many gain all the weight back and then some. I consider myself a 2 % 'r. I had no negative side effects, no plastic surgery. My skin bounced back with the exception of my little tummy roll. I could use a tummy tuck, but it's nothing major. The first few weeks and months after WLS were tough, between the pain and the new eating plan, doctor visits and the worry "if it will work for me" I managed to hang in there. I tapped into the online support group - for people who shared my same surgery date. Those folks were a Godsend. The site was my lifeline. I didn't comment often but I read everything written. It was a huge help to me.

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?

Before the WLS I could not cross my legs and I was uncomfortable in airplane seats. Walking distances was no joy and amusement park rides just wasn't part of my life. More importantly I wanted to be healthy. My blood pressure was out of control. My family has a history of heart problems and diabetes I didn't want any part of that, so I had the surgery. It worked and it is still working. To this day, I never eat a full plate of food, I could but would be Very uncomfortable. I don't eat much sweets, is makes me nauseous. Weight management is still a journey that I travel and work at each day. I'm happy that my health is in good shape. My blood pressure is controlled and I have no known health issues. Had I continued without the surgery, I'm not sure I would be this healthy.

If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

I LOVE to challenge myself physically. I actively participate in 5k run/walks, just to stay focused and in shape. I now own a bike so I cycle for pleasure. I travel more because walking long airport corridors are no longer a problem nor is keeping up with tour groups a problem. I never worry if I will fit in a seat. I can cross my legs in an airplane seat.! It's the simple things that I appreciate most.