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

I have built an emotional wall with my weight to hide myself behind. I'm good at hiding because I've been doing it my whole life. My self-esteem has never been great and now it's even worse being obese. With the help of therapy, though, it's getting better. It's amazing how no one in my life has told me I have control over my own life and my own body. At 40 years old I've had to figure it out on my own. What a feeling of loss. I've wasted so many years feeling sorry for myself and creating a past that I didn't have to create. Amazing. I'm now going through anger at not only myself but my parents and family who allowed this to happen!! I feel like they actually created it! I guess I'm my only advocate in comparison. :) I do have a support system for the surgery so that's good. My brother and sister-in-law and friends. The surgery may be the best thing for me. I really see it as my last hope for living a long and healthy life.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is I can't do the things that I really want to do like take long walks with my dog, go hiking, tie my shoes like a 'normal' person, get off the couch easily, shop at regular stores...there's lots of things.

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 haven't had surgery yet, but will let you know!!