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

I was so sad, I became a emotional roller coaster, I had to medicate to boost my mood, to make me socialize with friends. I would not answer my phone avoiding visits. I used to be a very athletic teen and remained active dancing and doing things with my daughter's. ...I crashed, eventually felt helpless, and hopless, I had ballooned from 130 to 235 pounds. I was turned down for the surgery when I first applied, years later and at 210 pounds (yes weighing less) I was approved for surgery. Divorce, Declining Health, Asthma, Headaches, Joint Pain, HBP, Sleep Apnea, and Depression it all took hold of me. I avoided cameras and mirrors. Finally had surgery April 8 2013!

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

Being disgusted with myself, hanging my head in shame when I looked in the mirror, being in tears. Not having Interest or engery in doing anything, hiding my body, being called Fat A** by family. Experiencing my health going down.

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 still have to get to this point of enjoying anything just yet. I can say I feel a sense of small achievement when I see the pounds fall off and regardless to the lack of encouragement from doctor as long as I See the numbers go down I take some comfort in that. Aug 2013 now 4 months out and I have went from a size 18 to a size 6 ! . . . I can cross my legs, I have no need for girdles and foundations, I can jog, never thought that I would do that! I still have about 30 more pounds to go, I hope to get down to 125, we will see what my body will allow. . . . Now at 150 Wow, Its A Wonderful World.. . . 125 would be even better.