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

I remember being in 5th grade and going on a diet for the first time. I lost enough weight that I don't have to shop in the husky section for the first time --- and the last time. In the years since my weight has been a constant battle. When I was 32 I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and struggled with that for many years, then 4 years ago it all came to a head, I was in heart failure for about 6 months and lost 50 lbs., but gained 50 lbs of fluid on my body. I was a mess, my cardiologist told me that I would die. I recovered from that only to gain all the weight back and insulin dependent diabetes as well. My cardiologist finally suggested that have bariatric surgery about 2 years ago.

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

the looks of other people. Clothes not fitting right. Being tired all of the time. Being on tons of medications.

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 love that I have so much energy. I love not taking so much medicine, and all of the side effects.