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

I have spent my whole adult life battling my weight and the negative effect it has on my energy levels and how I look at myself. I have always had poor self esteem even before my weight gain started 25 years ago. I have gained the ability to love myself by understanding that I need to be like I am and that those things are what make me proud to be me. There are certain traits that I have been so envious about in other beautiful people I know, but I have managed to realize that some of those strengths / attitudes however wonderful, will never be traits that I will ever possess because however wonderful they work for other people, they are just not and never will be part of me. Conquering my weight will be that perfect final step in looking like the person I feel I have become inside with enough energy to show everyone how great life can be. It shouldn't be so exhausting just to do the simple, fun things in life. I want the energy to fight the negativity that some people insist on making a part of every day life or at least the energy to ignore it. New grandson / first grandchild born Feb 24, surgery is April 12th and I want to be the best me I can be.

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

I'm so tired of being tired. So many good ideas and good opportunities but not enough energy to do them. There is also that feeling when you are getting ready to go somewhere and there isn't a piece of clothing in the world that will make you feel good enough(thin enough) to enjoy going. Exhausting:(

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

Surgery is 13 days away, April 12th. Started Optifast today and wow, what a challenge. After surgery I look forward to getting out and being a bigger part of my community and being a better role model for my children by being more active. Look out world. June 27th, 2013 - I was told how great I looked in a bathing suit. I've lost 50 pounds and feel the best about how I look that I have in a very long time.