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

My battle with weight control has been a lifelong rollercoaster of short lived successes and long,depressing and agonizing struggles to achieve them. Finally, with the help of bariatric surgery (lap band) my two steps forward are not followed by two, three or more steps back. I can revel in my successes all the while knowing that the next step will be in the direction of my final goal. It is surprisingly easy and fun developing my new nutritional program and self confidence.

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

Being so overweight is a depressing handicap and because it is self induced, it is doubly agonizing.

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

One year out since banding. One of the things I really enjoy is shopping in my own closet and finding clothes I love that FINALLY fit me! I also enjoy giving away clothes I've shrunk out of. I do my best to be sensitive about it though. I've been where those size 24 to 32 ladies are and I do not want to appear gloating. We are sisters in our journey and have so much to learn and share together!