I am just curious what was your final straw of being overweight that caused you to choose lap band?

Ugh, it happened last summer. We took our 1.5 year old ( at that time) son to his very first carnival and stood in line to take him on his first ride. As we got closer to the ride I saw a big sign that read " weight limit: 200 lbs". I went to the car and cried while my husband took him on it. I felt so horrible and vowed to finally do something about it.

Mine was just constant knee, feet, and ankle pain going up and down stairs. I'm only 30 years old and I knew it wasn't normal to have that kind of pain. My mother's family also has a history of heart disease and diabetes. At that time, my son was 6 months old and I could barely get down on the floor to play with him. I knew it was time for a change. I had my first consult in June 2010 and was told I would have to lose 30 pounds before they would do the surgery. I got depressed and gave up. I put on an addtional 14 pounds in a year and the surgeon's office called me in April 2011 to find out what I had decided about surgery. I met with her again and she convinced me to try and lose the needed 30 pounds (my hospital has a max BMI of 50 for Lapband).

I started an exercise routine and diet in May 2011. I lost 28 pounds in 3 months. She got me approved and scheduled my surgery in Oct 2011. Since then, I have lost 47 pounds for a total loss of 93 pounds (I lost 18 pounds on the 2 week liquid diet).

Weight loss has slowed somewhat, but my knee and foot pain are gone!! I fit in a size 20 jean comfortably (can't wait to move lower!!) and I have so much more energy to play with my son.

I love my life!!

I had a stroke at 39. While the doctor couldn't say my weight caused the blood clot they couldn’t rule it out either. The ironic thing is I was eating better and exercising daily and had lost about 50 pounds. After the stroke I had an eye appointment where they noticed swelling inside one eye. I went to a specialist who asked if I had ever considered weight loss surgery, and did I want him to write me a referral to their bariatric team. I was sooooo hurt and embarrassed. I left but started to think about lap band. I had seen the commericals and when I googled it I came across this site. I ended up going to Lahey Clinic instead off Mass General because it's an easier drive (Both are world class hospitals. We really have an embarassment of riches in the greater Boston area when it comes to excellent healthcare providers.)

My 'ah ha' moment was when I realized I'm only 23 and have to shop in the women's section!

I had so many, but the main one, I have always said was not wanting to be known as the "fat lady" in the choir. I had surgery in Oct 2009, no one remembers me from before!! I guess I was a nobody up until I lost weight! (by the way, I moved to this area and church in Oct 2006)!. Karen

I had so many' date=' but the main one, I have always said was not wanting to be known as the "fat lady" in the choir. I had surgery in Oct 2009, no one remembers me from before!! I guess I was a nobody up until I lost weight! (by the way, I moved to this area and church in Oct 2006)!. Karen[/quote']

My moment was last August at my cousin's wedding. I was so embarrassed by the pictures. Tried weight watchers since then and lost 10 lbs. Big deal. Decided I'm not going to grandma's birthday in Vegas next February this big!!

One of my ah ha moments would be when a women cut me off in her car and then had the audacity to call me a Fat Cow. That is just one of many. I wonder if people really think about what they say before they say something. If so, then that women is truly heartless instead of just insensitive. (plus she was a really bad driver) :-)

I think I had a few "Ah Ha" moments that helped me decide . . . health issues (high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol -- didn't want to develop diabetes and face knee and/or hip replacement surgery like other close family members have. My husband and I went to Disney World for an anniversary vacation trip and I could not keep up with him. I looked at the pictures and couldn't believe how much my weight had gotten out of control. I was tipping the scales at 250.

I lost my dad four years ago to brain cancer. I ate to cope with the loss. The weight kept packing on. I didn't realize how I had gained. I stand all day for my job and my left ankle kept really swelling so I went to my doc. We tryed lots of different things to help the swelling and they didnt help. I think he was embarressed to tell me it was my weight. He was my fahters doc so he had been through all that with us so he was close. I said to him is it because I am fat and he said it might have some to do with it. My sister is an er nurse and she told me if it is my left ankle it has to do with my heart and that scared me so I got ahold if my doc. He sent me to my surgeon for a consultation. My surgeon wanted me to do gastric and I told him no but I would do lap band. We sent it in and I was approved right away and here I am with 65 gone already!

When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and knew that if I wanted to continue to have a hand in raising my daughter by being able to move longer the weight had to go.!!!!

There are so many, but that was the actual ah ha moment! Great post.. Thanks

my Ah Ha moment was over the christmas holidays last year - when I realized that it was very difficult for me to get up and down when playing with 1 yr old granddaughter and then seeing the pictures my daughter was taking with her new camera....I remember saying - geez this new camera adds 30 pounds to me...then realizing finally that size 16 was so NOT cool for someone who is 4'11"...so I started investigating options - I was hoping to have this surgery done by the time I turned 50 this year...but 6 months of stuff for insurance...hope to be banded in late August or early Sept - hopefully in time to drop around 30 pounds by this years christmas holiday and have no more FAT FACE....