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

I was active for the first 4 decades of my life. When I turned 40, I started my first real stuck-to-a-desk job and the pounds crept on. I weighed 143 after the birth of my second child; my neighbor asked me to go to Weight Watchers with her. I did not think I was overweight and I was in good shape---I was only 24. In my 40s, I did a doctor supervised liquid diet. Lost lots! Regained more! And so it continued. I had a banding surgery in 2008; however, it twisted and was removed 2 years later. I think I have a sugar addiction esp. if I am depressed. My 2nd divorce at 45 years of age, really kicked in the overeating.

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

Loss of self-confidence. Not able to play with my grandchildren as actively as I'd have liked to do though I could still walk a mile or two with my dog.

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 had a gastric bypass on December 23, 2013. Today is January 9th, 2014. Since starting the pre-op diet on Dec. 9th, I've lost about 25 lbs. I already feel better! Much of the weight loss is in the stomach area so it's easier for me to get off the couch, get down on the floor with my 8 month old granddaughter, and I sleep better already. I hope to lose 70 more lbs. I am lucky (plus lots of walking the past few years) that I did not have diabetes or high blood pressure or other comorbidities. My BP was creeping up slowly however. The surgeon also repaired a hernia which has been the only incision that has been bothersome. I started baby sitting my granddaughter after 14 days.