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

I actually had a really active and healthy sort of youth. I was never overweight, I ran,I played sports. However, I did eat a lot while doing all of those activities. When I got to college, I wasn't playing organized sports anymore, I went to frat parties, I didn't exercise regularly, and basically just had a really good time. I never paid attention to the fact that I was still eating the same amount as I did when I was so active. I kind of grew up being one of the thin girls so I never really paid attention to how my addiction to food was developing. Ever since college I've slowly and consistently been gaining weight. I had two kids and put on weight from that. And despite numerous tries. I've never been able to reverse the cycle. So, that's what I'm really hoping the surgery will help me kickstart.

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

Besides all the superficial things like looking good in clothes, and joined shopping, not being self-conscious about when I'm eating… It's probably the fact that I feel so terrible about doing this myself. I had a great start in high school, and I had the opportunity to continue it through college and all of my life up until now. Now I'm 38, 20 years later, and 100+ pounds has been packed onto my body. For what? So, it must be the disappointment I feel in myself for letting myself get this point.

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 haven't had surgery yet but I'm scheduled for January 14. And I'm looking forward to just about everything.