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

When I was younger I didn't have any issues with my weight but I was the sibling or relative that always ate a big meal. At the age of 10 I was diagnosed with Asthma. After I graduated from high school, a year later I found out I was pregnant. I weighed 183 lbs. I was having a high risk pregnancy because I had High Blood Pressure and Blood Clotting Factors. At 36 weeks pregnant, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I gained 50 lbs in my first pregnancy with him and I lost 20 lbs but eventually put it all back on. I continued to have controlled High Blood Pressure with Meds and trouble breathing due to my asthma. I weighed 233 lbs. In 2010, I had Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery from poor eating habits. Two months after surgery I found out I was pregnant with my second son. Before I graduated from college I gave birth to my second baby boy but unknowingly he passed away from SIDS at almost 4 months old. His death took a toll on me and I went into a depression. I gained 61.6 lbs in 8 months after his death. I weighed 294.6 lbs. I began to develop sleep apnea and my High Blood Pressure was still High even on several different meds. I began to not be able to walk from the parking lot to the Publix grocery store and back without gasping for air and walking up and down my stairs in my house was more than just a workout. It felt like a heart attack because once I walked up to the top I couldn't walk any further. I noticed I had to push my seat all the way back because my stomach would touch the steering wheel. A picture with my son, his father, my brother and I are what turned my life around because I was biggest person in the picture and I never really realized how BIG I truly was until I saw that photo.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is not being able to play with my son. He loves to play sports. I am the parent that is there supporting him on the bench.bleachers instead of on the sidelines rooting for him near sided. I couldn't get on fair rides during fair season and I was always too tired to do anything.

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 enjoy taking my son to the playground and playing with him instead of watching him. Being able to swing on the swings alongside with him instead of just pushing him and getting tired myself. I enjoy going for daily walks with him while he is riding his biking and teaching him how to play soccer, flag football without even getting tired. I most enjoy being able to get on theme park rides because I can fit in it again. My RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery saved my life for my son and I.