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

Hi Everyone, My name is Collette and I am starting my journey today I have a phone consultation on Thursday and I am having my surgery on 04/25/2012. I am super excited and nervous at the same time. I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager and have tried every diet possible to no avail. Weight goes up then down constantly. I have a torn meniscus in my left knee that makes it impossible to exercise, I had surgery on it but only made my knee worse. I know by taking weight off of it will help greatly I just need a little help and the right tools. Now at 37 I am finally ready to take control of my life again. yes it took me a long time to figure things out but I feel it is time and now that the Sleeve is available and more operations have been performed since it arrival in the US. I found an excellent surgeon Dr. Morris Washington in Myrtle Beach SC. I welcome any comments or advice anyone has to offer me. Thank you for listening to me ramble, Collette Beaverton, OR

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

The worst thing about being overweight is the pain I am always in. Being uncomfortable in my skin drives me bananas. The looks I get from people when I walk in anywhere I just know they are just thinking look at how big that woman is. Barely fitting in an airplane seat and needing an extender to buckle in for my safety.

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 have not had my surgery yet.