*Jade*

I was absolutely terrified... I have a bit of a nervous feeling about medical stuff anyway but the idea of the sleeve (or bypass) just sent me into a tailspin. Then, I was quite worried I would be a failure. I mean, I had failed at the lapband and was already told that meant I wasn't likely to do very well with the sleeve. Luckily, my fears were unfounded and I had great results and maintaining my weight loss so far...

I kept telling myself that, "I can do this on my own." and ”I'm not afraid of hard work, because I've done it before." I finally came to terms with the fact that I needed help. I struggled with major plateaus for 6 months at-a-time, while practically killing myself working out 1-2 hrs/6 days-a-week while eating clean and giving up cheat days. I realized my body was fighting back, and this may be my only chance to see results and maintain the results without giving up everything, time, money, sanity for mediocre results. Some of the issue was cost/insurance, and some hesitation was because I know a few people that have either had major complications, or have regained. I was just tired of the yo-yo dieting, and knew that it is not healthy. I know how good I feel when I am eating healthy and being active, and I was starting to notice I was feeling worse and worse. I want to be here to watch my son grow up and be involved in his life instead on "watching" him grow up, because I am unable to keep up with him. I want to have a more healthy relationship with my husband in the bedroom; poor guy has suffered considerably because of my lack of drive, self esteem. I have also considered (every time that I have been at a healthier weight and active) that I want to be a fitness instructor, ZUMBA to be exact. I really want to pursue that possibility.
I have missed out on much of my life because of my weight, and I want to LIVE!!!!

I thought WLS was for only the super morbidly obese. I didn't know that you didn't have to be over 500 lbs to get WLS. When a family member suggested it I was really offended at first, but after some research I realized that it might be the right thing for me. Now I'm 30+ lbs lighter and off one of my blood pressure medications. Although I'm only 6 weeks out, I wish I would've gotten the sleeve sooner.

I had a complete fear of total failure!
I am very grateful that I have been proven wrong.
like that famous sports ad says "Just Do It"

GREAT poll Alex! I chose 'other'. My big hold up was actually food. yes, the thing i wanted to get away from was the thing that held down the pause button for me for over a year.
It's hard enough to admit you have a food addiction, but like most other addictions, 'just quitting' is almost never possible. I simply was not ready to bid farewell to my friend, food.
Now I am 3 days post op. Only 3. But...well, besides the soreness and the drain I have to deal with, I already feel better!
Today I went outside to just stroll around the yard while my hubby mowed the lawn. My husband came up to me and wiped a few tears and said to me "it's just so good to see you outside again after so long"...you see, it had been at least 2 years, maybe 3 since I had gone outside to bask in the sun, sit in a lawn chair, just enjoy the fresh air. before surgery, my only priority was sitting inside and eating as much as I could. Now i KNOW that this surgery will change my life.

I chose 'other' because for me, it was fear of the unknown. I was so worried about losing the comfort of food. I was in such bad shape but at least I knew what each day would bring. This was so foreign to me....eating slow, eating small, getting stuck, walking away from the table without eating everything in sight....I couldn't imagine my future.
Of course, now I can't imagine my life without lapband. It's given me my health back, my mobility, my femininity....my everything.

Thank you for your post. I have gone back and forth with the decision to have surgery. When i told my mother she didn't seem to approve of the idea. Heck, I think to myself, "Why can't I lose the weight on my own" I have tried all the diets you mention above and nothing works long term. I see that you are post surgery 6 months and it looks like it is working for you. Despite my mother's raised eyebrows I am proceeding. Every test is done, insurance approval complete, just waiting for approval from surgical board. I am excited and scared all at the same time. Thanks for the inspiration!!