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

I have been overweight since I was in grade school, being well over 100lbs in grade 8. By the time I would have been done high school I was 180. I maintained that weight through 3 pregnancies and it wasn't until I had an ileostomy done for crohn's that I shot up to 287. I am only 5'2" so I was obese with a BMI of 53 or so. My surgery date is May 15, two days away and I'm starting to freak out....am I doing the right thing, what am I getting myself in for. My husband is supportive, but is turning into my food cop already. I've been yoyo dieting for many years and have tried almost every fad diet out there. It wasn't until I had a stroke in 2011 that I decided I needed to turn to bariatric surgery.

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

The worst things about being overweight are 1. health problems, 2. not being able to ride my horse or run and play with my grandchildren 3. the embarrassment I feel out in public, 4. not being able to find clothes that fit me and don't make me look dowdy.

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 have not had surgery yet, but it scheduled for May 15, 2013.