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

I have always felt that I was heavier than I should have been but my weight has gradually increased over the years. I have started Weight Watchers more times than I can remember and I did reach my goal weight 13 years ago. That was many, many ups and downs ago! I have done Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, Dr. Bernstein (Vitamin B injections along with a 600 calorie diet), spending thousands of dollars to move up to a size 22 - 24. I could open a gently used clothing store because everytime I find myself at a size 8, I quickly fly by 10, 12 etc. etc. Over the last 2 years I have also been taking Prednisone which caused me to eat even more because I was hungry all the time. I have never done a self analysis about why I eat too much but I do remember hiding under the sheets in my bed with the cookie jar. My mother hid food from me as a child. My first husband was very critical of my weight and actually had bets with his friends that I would't lose weight after I had his baby. That was followed by my own self critism for my weight but inability to stop eating, especially sweets. I feel such shame when I look in the mirror and see my size. I have no energy, get out of breath easily, suffer back aches when trying to go for a walk, awful indigestion at times and find myself avoiding social events and friends because I just don't want people to see me like this. I am fearful of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and an early death related to my obesity. I feel that the last few years have been wasted because I have isolated myself. I am ready for change. I have done extensive research on weight loss surgery and feel that if given the opportunity, I would work very hard to comply and work toward successful weight loss.

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

The worst things about being overweight for me are the inability to exercise, the shortness of breath, the back aches and knee pain. I hate the indigestion and feeling tired all the time. I am self conscious of my appearance and have thus isolated myself. Truth is, there are very few photos of me in the last many years becasue I do not want any records of how I look. It sometimes makes me sad as I am not in any family photos or those with my friends.

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

My surgery is booked for August 21, 2012