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

It was hell. I would try to diet, only to binge. People constantly told me how to diet and how I wasn't making effort and so on. I lost 75 lbs 3 times and regained it 3 times. I tried Mfast, WW, JC, Atkins, and etc. I just gained it all back.

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

Not being able to hold or carry my babies in my arms would be the worst. The next worst was dealing with the insults men would hurl at me and the discrimination I faced even in my own family, let alone when I was in public. Now that I am on the other side I can say with absolute knowledge that obese people are discriminated against almost constantly. I am treated with so much more respect now that I am in my normal weight range.

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

Climbing stairs! I just love going up even 5 flight of stairs. Then riding my bike for miles with my kids on their bikes is a great joy. I love getting out and doing physical activities with my kids.