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Unless you're 6'8" or something, 300 lbs. IS morbidly obese, generally. It's at least 100 lbs. above healthy BMI. Tell them the truth: diet and exercise alone have an average long term success rate of 5%, WLS is a tool that accompanies diet and exercise that increases that long term success rate to 65%. Tell them you just want to live long enough to hold your grandchildren, or see them graduate college or w/e. Obesity related illnesses can kill you as early as your 50s, sooner for some. Obesity is also a pre-existing condition re: Covid that puts you in the high risk category. Tell them that this is your best chance for long-term success and that you'd really appreciate their support. They're old enough to understand this if put in these terms. Good luck.

I've always been overweight. I honestly can't remember a time when I wasn't. But it's crazy how when you're a kid, you're not fat, obese, or whatever, you're cute and chubby, and the extra weight that you're carrying is no need for concern. But as you get older that quickly changes and you're no longer perceived as chubby and cute, and the extra weight has become a major problem, not just for yourself, but for others as well. I wonder if any of you can relate to this. I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I know many people say this and it's as if they're just talking, but I've actually been the biggest person in my class, school, church, etc. It was rare that I would see someone that was just as big as I was, if not bigger. I've tried different diets, exercise plans, supplements, nothing has worked for me. If I did lose any weight, it was a short-lived accomplishment. I've struggled with deeply rooted insecurities that only further fueled my horrible relationship with food. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years because in my mind I could never get to that perfect weight or body. Just a constant battle with myself for most of my life. It has taken a great deal of trial and error for me to get to where I am today in how I see myself, physically and otherwise. I have come to love myself and my body and I feel that there's nothing wrong with loving who or how you are physically, mentally, spiritually, and yet you feel the need to change a part of you. I believe most people would associate this with insecurity, but I beg to differ. I believe that it is the reasoning behind the decision to change that makes the difference. While I have learned to love and appreciate my body for all that it has done and continues to do for me, I am also very aware that carrying over 200 pounds of extra weight is not healthy for me. I want to have children one day and I don't want to put them or myself at increased risks because of my weight. I don't want to be at an increased risk of high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, or congestive heart failure. These things run in my family and I don't want to be next in line. I want more for myself. I haven't went swimming in years, but I remember how good it felt to feel weightless in the water, how peaceful and serene it was for me. I view this surgery as an opportunity to experience life in a different way. Even though I can walk or run at the weight I currently am, I know that my body will feel a lot better walking and running with less weight being carried around. Even though I can go swimming now, or travel the world just as I am right now. Simple things such as "will I fit in this seat? Will they have clothes my size? Is there going to be a lot of walking, etc...". I don't think many people understand the daily struggles of an obese individual. Yes, we're all aware of the "health concerns" associated with being over-weight. But not many people are aware of those small things that affect us daily such as standing for extended periods of time, back and body aches, getting winded or out of breath easily, etc. I've made the decision to have gastric-bypass surgery as I'm confident that this is the tool that I've been missing to help me finally be successful in my weight-loss journey. I'm nervous and excited, but in the end I know this is the best decision for me. I'm interested to meet anyone who would like to go through this journey together, no matter where you are in your own journey. I'd love to hear from you all and know how you're doing and if I can be of some help to you, even if it's just a kind word. Good Luck! And Blessings to you all!

Ok so I am over 30 days post opp RNY, and down to 210. I feel really good about the weight loss so far, I am able to eat almost anything I want of course I don't. I include exercise everyday because I really want to increase my weight loss b4 the holidays, just to give myself a little cousin incase it gets tough. SW: 235 CURRENTLY: 210 GOAL: 170-160 B4 MY 40TH BIRTHDAY IN APRIL. Sent from my SM-G970U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm a woman, but I told my 9 year old son. I didn't want it to have to be explained to him if anything happened to me. I've told him everything about the surgery and also explained why I was having it. He was totally fine it all. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

This may not be a popular line of thinking but here goes: <!-- Deep Thoughts, BEGIN --> I think that alot of WLS folks believe that those around them would naturally share the same opinions and thoughts they themselves have about it, because, I mean, its a good thing, right? Why wouldn't anyone and everyone with a heart and a brain support and cheer someone on who wants to better themselves (for whatever reason)? The reality is that not everyone will think the same way as you. Yes, one may get disappointed and hurt when those who we care about aren't on the same page, or react/behave in a way that we don't like/want/expect. Whatever their motivations are, in the end the only thing you can control is YOU. You have 3 choices (in terms of relationships, or anything else for that matter): work to change it, accept it, or leave it (and know when to do which). Anything else is doing a disservice to yourself. I know, easier said. But I think the sooner one can recognize what things help and what things don't help (and act accordingly) for any situation, the sooner one can exist in peace and contentment, no matter what situations or people cross their paths. <!-- Deep Thoughts, END...lol --> Good Luck! P.S. Re: Dating...take it easy and try not to put too much pressure on yourself...like attracts like. Again, I know, easier said. Good Luck! ❤️

Hey i think youre brave for sharing your story with most people. Thisll help other obese people To have hope that perhaps bariatric surgery will help them as well. People downplay that obesity kills. Better alive with unnatural anatomy then dead with no potential for improvement. As for dating i agree to find other activities but most people do like to eat. I once read soup is a good thing to order as a bariatric patient When out with others and most places seem to have it. Keep up the good fight!

I have reached my weight loss goal and am looking for meal ideas to stop losing weight.

I initially told my kids (11 & 13) I was having another surgery to help my back get better (had two previous back surgeries) and they were going to remove some tissue that might be causing my pain. Eventually I told my oldest the whole truth, he was kind of impressed with the non-lie-lie and thinks it’s cool he’s one of the few people that know. I haven’t told the youngest yet because he’s oblivious to anything that’s not Fortnite related........ Edit: I showed him a pic of the part of my stomach they removed and he thought it was the coolest thing ever. 

I am looking in to a few things. I don't keloid REALLY bad, but my scars from my breast reduction 30 years ago are still somewhat visible, as is a scar on my forehead from when I was six. Ugh. Of course, I didn't really take care of them, because I was young and invincible, right? I don't smoke cigarettes, thankfully.

There is still a difference between "hiding" and "advertising". Nobody wants patients to wear an "I had WLS. Kiss me!" shirt. But losing weight and giving people the "just diet and exercise, man" schlock is something that feeds into the lack of acceptance of WLS. There is always the middle ground. --- However, there will always be discussion about this issue and I think I have made my opinion on this clear more than one time in the past. In the end I won't change anyone's mind on this anyway. If people want to hide their surgery, they will hide it as best as they can. Some will be able to hide it, some will be outed and some will be talked about behind their back because people are not as naive as some seem to think they are.