Forum:ME1 Carry over question

Ok I just beat ME1, I did all most every side-quest and all the DLC. I got to level 45 in one playthrough. Afterwards I decided to start another campaign with an "existing ID", my level 45 of course, but then I thought to myself I really wanna play a Biotics or tech character so I backed out if him. Now my question is since I simply MUST play Me2 because this trilogy is simple one of the best out there, were all of my 1st characters decisions wiped out when I made the new one. I still have a save from right before I fight Saren..... How exactly does the carry over work, because Im going to be f*****g pissed if I don't get to have ALL my exact decisions carried over.

Please help I really want to start Mass Effect 2 but not if my decisions got wiped out.