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

I reached a point in my early 30's - I am 57 now - when I decided after several unsuccessful attempts at sustaining weight loss, that it would be better for my overall health (or so I told myself) that if I maintained my weight, rather than being a yo-yo. When I was 25, I participated in a medical weight loss program (modified protein sparing fast) at a local hospital, I lost over 100 pounds, and as soon as I started eating food again, I started gaining, and gaining. Shortly, after I "graduated" from the program, it was shut down. I tried Weight Watchers a few times, and lost weight - losing the weight seemed to be the easy part - keeping it off was the challenge.

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

There are so many worst things about being morbidly obese: loss of energy and interest in daily activities; medications for high blood pressure, polycystic ovaries syndrome, high cholesterol, and depression; sleep apnea; limited clothing selections and finding clothes that fit; being self-conscious; and so on.

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 am finding great joy in simple things - being able to comfortably walk, without pain in my knees and feet; getting down on the floor to play with my granddaughter - there are not words; being able to do a squat; not having to sit down after standing for just a couple of minutes; shopping in the regular size clothing section; really tasting and enjoying the food that I do eat; eliminating medications; cooking healthy meals for me, and my family; walking on the beach; flying without having to ask for a seat belt extender; good, deep, and, restful sleep. I feel alive! I have energy! I am healthy!