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

I often feel the eating is just a small piece of this battle, but the mental/behavioral/emotional or whatever you want to call it can be even worse. I was always athletic through HS and college, but the bigger girl with curves. It wasn't until a bad job experience that I started eating non-stop. I wasn't one of those people when they were stressed didn't eat. I ate. After a rocky 10-year marriage, divorce, single mom to a 2-year old, I put my life on hold for 11 years focusing on my son and building my career. While he's doing great, I'm miserable. Like so many I have tried everything, but know I need another tool to help me. The sleeve is it! My insurance wouldn't cover it so I went into debt for other things why not something that will help and give me a second chance. I'm getting my sleeve on 11/21 with Dr. Alvarez at Endobariatric. Just a "little" nervous, but even MORE excited!!!

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

Where do I begin? I think the worst thing is I hardly have any pictures of me and my son. I hated taking pictures. Seeing my double chin. Seeing the twins aka boobies take up the whole picture. All I would see is this fat person. Plus, some airplanes the seat belt worked and some they do not. I never want to ask for an extender again. Don't even get me started with theme parks and rides. Always being the biggest person in the group. I never want to shop at a plus size store again. While I can exercise, I can't wait to REALLY exercise. And of course being single for so many years thinking no one would love me as a fat person. While I started dating last year and there's guys out there who do love curvy women, I'm looking forward to REALLY dating again, but as a much thinner person.

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

No surgery yet, but wish me luck - 11/21 is MY day and the next chapter of my life. I cannot wait!!!!!