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

I have always been overweight since i was born. When i was little it was cute to be "chubby", but as i got older it was no longer "cute" but "gross"( as others would say). I am very confident in who i am. I may not like the outside of me but the inside of me is my best quality. The time has come now when i can't stand my looks or weight and hide from everyone. I don't over-eat, I just eat the wrong foods. I try to eat right but junk food has a strong grip on me that is so hard to escape.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is the fact that people assume the worst of you like you are lazy, have no will power,you did this to yourself, you're uneducated etc. I hate being stared at like a freak show and people talking about me without even knowing me.There is only so much i can take. People don't realize how hurtful words and stares can be.

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 had surgery in August 2012 and so it is still fairly new to me but i have loved being able to go out and walk farther than before and actually go shopping in stores. My clothes are not as restrictive or tight and i love that.I just hope that this ride never ends because i am starting to feel content with myself.