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

I have been overweight for over fifteen years. I have suffered with sleep loss (apnea), emotional and physical stress (taking a variety of depression and stress medications), and yo yo dieting. I wanted to see in the mirror the person who still existed in my mind. With three beautiful children, a loving husband, and financial stresses (four jobs between my husband and I) to maintain a home with Chinese Drywall and a life we've become accustomed to living - life just became overwhelming. There wasn't anything I could do with the amount of stress I live with daily to take a hold of my weight which has over taken me.

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

My loss of self-esteem because of my weight

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 just had surgery on Friday, and although I cannot "see" or "feel" any positive differences right now, I am running by faith that I will take back my life. Take back running around outdoors with my family. Take back my physique that I long to see again. Take back my self esteem in outdoor group activities. I want to bike ride, hike, go to water parks with my family. I no longer want to sit on the sidelines and watch life pass me by. I am ready, to start writing my new story on life.