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

Hello, I am new to this site. I had my RNY surgery on 10/17/07. I before the process began I started out at about 220 pounds. Going into surgery I was at 200 pounds. I had my daughter when I was 20 years old and never lost any of the weight after she was born and just steadily gained weight for almost 20 years before I looked into having the RNY. Nothing I tried seemed to work to take the weight off, or if it did, not for very long. I was depressed and became a homebody. Not going anywhere because I was embarrassed about the way I looked. I was a mess. My blood sugars just got higher and higher. That is what got me motivated to look into the surgery. I have known a few people with Diabetes and it didn't turn out good for them. If I hadn't had the surgery when I did, at my next appointment my doctor would have given me the official diagnosis of Diabetes. Since my surgery my blood sugars haven't gotten above 89. I will always be grateful that my health insurance and my surgeon approved me for the surgery, because now I don't have to worry about dying from Diabetes like so many people I have known. When I talked to my husband about having the surgery he was very supportive and has been ever since. He never nagged me about my weight, but I know it affected our lives. He was with me every step of the way, encouraging me, but never nagging. It really helps to have that strong support system.

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

Being emotionally and physically not able to do the things I wanted. Also the fear of getting Diabetes.

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 am now over 4 years out of having surgery. My life totally turned around after my surgery. I felt better physically and emotionally. I had so much energy and loved getting out of the house and doing all those things I wanted to do but never had the energy or the desire because I felt ugly and fat before. I know they said to expect to gain some weight back, but I have gained a lot more weight back then I like. My lowest weight after surgery was 122 but I am now back up to 155. The past two years have been very emotional with some family problems and I have resorted to my old standby of not exercising and emotional eating. My husband tries to support me the best he can, but he hasn't had the surgery and I just need some more support and advice from people who have. I would like to get back down to at least 130, but would love to be at 125. If anyone has any advice I would be really appreciative.