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

I was skinny all throughout my younger life. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put on medications, which initially caused my weight gain. After my first pregnancy, I gained 30 pounds and was unable to lose that weight (that was 16 years ago), I got married March 2000, at which time I weighed approx. 130 pounds. With my second pregnancy (11 years ago) I gained 60 pounds and was unable to lose any of that. I just continued to gain weight, I went on countless diets and lost maybe 5 to 10 pounds but it always came back with a vengeance. With my third and final pregnancy (3 years ago) I started out weighing 250 pounds, ended up weighing almost 270 with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. I still to this day have diabetes and high blood pressure. 6 months ago, I went to see Dr. Stephen Boyce at the recommendation of my PCP. I now weigh 230 pounds and will be having RNY March 20th, 2012. I can not wait to be back to my healthy self again.

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

I have no energy to play with my son, who is 3 years old. I am on numerous medications and my knees, ankles and feet constantly hurt. I have severe back pain, diabetes and high blood pressure. I have 0 self esteem and I hate the way I look. I'm disgusted with myself. I feel like everyone is always staring at me.

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

Have not had surgery yet