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

I have been overweight most of my life. I was a little overweight starting at age 9. In my mind, I was the fat girl even though I graduated from high school at 150 pounds. Looking back now, I would love to look like that again. I am very self conscious about my weight.I eat because the food tastes good. I don't stop when I am full. I eat when I am happy sad and in between...it doesn't matter. I do find comfort in food. I enjoy going out to eat with friends. I have tried many diets in the past. I lost 50 lbs with Weight Watchers but got so obsessed with thinking about points that I was always thinking about food, which made me want to eat. I am the largest I have ever been now. My body hurts all the time. My joints ache. I am lucky not to have any serious medical issues, however, heart disease and diabetes run in my family. I would rather have gastric bypass now then heart bypass later.

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

The wors thing about being overweight is feeling like I am not as special as someone who is smaller. I dont't feel as important. I lack confidence as I hide in this body. I am a different person on the inside than I see on the outside. I also hate not being able to be a participant in my children's lives. I am a spectator because my knees or back hurts. I want to be able to play sports with them without pain. I want to be able to ride the roller coaster without having to worry about fitting in the seat.

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. My surgery is scheduled for April 23, 2012. I look at it as a new beginning to a better life.