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

Like so many here, I've been overweight my entire life. I was constantly made fun of for my weight in school and had no friends. I ate to fill that void to be accepted. When I finally went to college, I was able to find a good group of friends who love and support me and I was finally about to come into my own, but I was still using food as a crutch. After lots of problems in school, I ended up going back home. I was again depressed and used food as a cure all. However, in August 2008, things finally started to turn around. I found a man who loved me for me and found me beautiful and sexy, I was back in school studying what I love and doing well, and more importantly, I was comfortable and confident in who I am. Now I have a job I love, great friends and family, a great relationship (nearly 4 years!) and I am very comfortable in my own skin. But my job being very physical (I'm a nurse), I have noticed several changes lately. I'm achy after work and when I get out of bed. I'm starting to develop sciatica. I already have existing nerve damage in one leg due to my weight. Everything just hurts. And to top it off, my blood pressure is getting harder to control, so I decided it's time to do this.

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

Having to carry all that exess weight around gets tough on your body. Having to tell your patients to make good healthy choices when you're this overweight makes my job harder. And being fat is the last acceptable prejudice there is. I am a great person and hate that some people may judge me differently simply due to my pant size.

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'm scheduled for surgery 23 July, 2012. I'll keep you updated!