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

I guess my real battle with weight began when I was about 10. I didnt seem to fit in well with my family I seemed to be the only big person and by the age of 12 I was wearing a size 12 in womens. I love food and I now know that I am addicted to food. Food has always been there for me so it was in some ways my best friends. When something good happened in my life I celebrated with food. If I was depressed I ate. Pretty much I just ate all the time. I began really gaining weight when I met my husband. When we met I was 205 pounds and five years later I ended up at 321. I was depressed and ashamed of my weight and it was taking a toll on my family and my marriage. I quit feeling comfortable with my husband because I felt like I was always smashing or hurting him.

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

The worst thing is my health. I was informed that my internal age is 61 and that I would be lucky to have 10 years left. I also would love to have a baby and at my weight that is impossible. The emotional aspect is pretty rough as well. The other day I was stopped behind a school bus and the kids turned a round and began laughing and pointing at me making pig noses and faces at me. Society really is rough on big people.

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 surgery yet. Roux-en-Y Surgery is scheduled for 3/26/12.