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

I have struggled wit hmy weight about 19 years. After I had my last daughter, the weight just would not come off as quick and it seemed that the diets and exercise was not enough, and the more weight that I put on, the more the health problems started appear. I developed High Blood Pressure in 2008 ant then followed Arthritis and gastric broblems also. I just felt like I was doing all that I could but I was not loosing weight fast enought, and I was getting closer to diabetes and high colesterol. Both of my parents have diabetes and I just know that if I continue to gain weight I was most likely going to ge it also. I had to decide that eventhough it is a drastic change and a huge decision, I needed to have the gastric bypass. I have been in the process for about 7 months and finally my surgery date is Feb 29th 2012. I am ready to start this journey.

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

The worst thing for me is the constant pain in my joints and not being comfortable in my clothes. I recently had to fly home, and having to ask for a seatbelt extender was SO embarrasing! I just know that there had to be a better way. I came back home and booked my surgery date. I also just hate the stares and snickers that I got when out and about, people just do not understand or even care about the struggle that overweight people go through.

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 have not had the surgery yet, but I sure look forward to all of the benefits!