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

Growing up, I had an emotionally distant mother and a step-dad that turned to food instead of dealing with whatever issues he was facing. I chose to be like dad and avoid facing demons by eating the issue away. I started Weight Watchers at 13ish, as a way to support him, learning so much more about food than I ever thought I could. After he passed away when i was 15, I ate to fill the void losing him left. I restarted Weight Watchers, and done a bunch of "fad diets", I'm currently tipping the scales at 300 lbs, more than I was during each of my 3 pregnancies.

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

The worst thing about being overweight right now, is seeing my kids affected by my weight. My daughter wants to do gymnastics, but I don't have the energy to help her in any way. I have a mountain bike that's been sitting in storage for close to 3 yrs, because I feel like I'm falling off the seat when I try to ride it. My boys don't realize that mom can't play tag or kick a soccer ball around for long, because I can't breathe after. I went to see my gastroenterologist this week. She formally diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes, Fatty Liver Disease, and possibly NASH. She recommended i think about having the RNY procedure done, as well as starting a diet and exercise program. My current conditions include: Asthma Sleep Apnea high cholesterol borderline high blood pressure type 2 diabetes Fatty Liver Disease NASH?? to be biopsied soon Morbid obesity

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

Haven't decided to have the surgery yet, though I am leaning towards it. I want to make sure that I know as many of the risks and benefits before deciding as I can. My next steps include: calling my insurance company to find out if they even cover this. Talking to my PCP to see if she will help with the referal and insurance paperwork. Talking to my therapist, about how much experience she has with pre/post gastric bypass patients So much to do, i cant think of it all to write here. I'll update it in the near future tho.