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

I started my battle with my weight when I was 8 years old. My father passed away and food became my comfort. Through high school I managed to keep myself under 200 lbs but after school and over the upcoming years I managed to eat myself to 400 lbs. With the threat of diabetes knocking on my door, high blood pressure and depression my Dr recommended gastric bypass. After completing the 6 month approval process for the insurance company I got my approval and gastric bypass surgery on 12/30/11. It's not just a physical battle but it's a mental one this disease called obesity. Since my start date I have lost 71 pounds and physically am feeling the difference. Mentally there is a whole new learning curve that goes along with it.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is the judgement of others..

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

Well, I'm still in the early stages of my weight loss but fitting into the movie theatre seats more comfortably is definitely a major improvement.