Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What Was Your Final "straw That Broke The Camels Back"



Recommended Posts

  • Seeing my 75 year old dad struggling with food obsession that has gotten worse over years. That's all he can think about all the time. He is just like any other drug addict. Doesn't care about anyone or anything as long as his addiction is taken care of. I could see myself in him a few years from now.
Taking a 15 hour international flight on a window seat, I was spilling over into the next seat. The co-passenger gave me dirty looks the entire time. I did not even go to the bathroom for 15 hours because getting out and back in was very hard and would have been very embarrassing. I was scared of getting a blood clot. My legs went numb and were hurting. When she went to the bathroom a couple of times, I quickly got up to relieve my achy & numb legs. And I cried silently the entire way. Was hovering on the fence before this experience but by the time that plane landed, I was determined to change my life!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The end for me was when I looked at all the pictures of my daughter with me in them and thinking she can't see these. Telling people hold let me move so you can take pictures of her. Being 23 and 300 lbs and having my 50 year old aunt tell me that at my age she wasn't even close to my size, and she 450 now. That scared me so much. I know I have to do something now before my life and my daughter's is over. I don't want my back to hurt or my knees to pop. I have to fix it before the damage is unfixable. I want to be here for my baby girl for as long as I can, and be healthy for her so we can run and play without mommy having to stop to catch her breath or sit down because I hurt. I'm doing this for her as much as I am for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This may not be the best reason, but it was very motivational for me to finally get off of my bum and to vigorously pursue weight loss surgery. I'm on my husband's insurance. He'll be retiring in a couple of years. Not knowing what the future holds, I decided I better get this done while it's still an option.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There were a few things that made me decide to pursue weight loss surgery :

1.my mom died of a heart attack at 53

2.My daughter would draw pictures of us and I was always the big circle with arms and legs everyone else in her photo was a line.

3. Every time I would chat with friends about diets they would say "Your not THAT BIG". [hate that expression]

4. Tired of yo-yo dieting and constantly gaining the weight back

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Going to the springs where I swim every summer and having to have my husband help me get in and out because I was afraid I would fall or my knees would go out. I love swimming, I've done it since I was a child. Suddenly I was struck by two thoughts:

1. I'm going to lose swimming too and then my husband will be doing more in coming years than just holding my hand. Things I swore no one would ever do for me.

2. If I don't do something, this is as good as it gets and that's completely unacceptable.

Just had my first appt with the WL surgeon and I'm into the insurance approval process now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Buying an extra life insurance policy and after they called my doctor for my health info, I got a notice that I was being cancelled due to my height and weight!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1. Not fitting in an airplane seat.

2. Having to re-buy 3x clothes after I got rid of them after the last diet.

3. Metabolic syndrome and the prospect that with retirement 11 years away, I may not be healthy enough to enjoy it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was at the amusement park with my family and needed a wheel chair to get around. My right knee had been replaced two times and I was going to end up being a cripple if I didn't do something fast. I had lost weight and regained several times and then I heard about the Sleeve surgery and knew that was the tool I needed. My starting weight was 295 lbs. and I was sleeved on 8/16/2011, I am now 133 lbs. and have been maintaining since October of 2012. I am so greatful for my tool:)

Edited by diddled

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was working as a premisis tech at AT&T and while running cable under a house I became stuck. They had to call the fire dept and tie a rope to my uncle and pull me out.I was laid off a week later and that was the last straw for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, Rainmaker70...your story beats mine to hell . That's all I can say.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are a lot of 'little things' that over time I've come to realize are not so little.

I hate the fact that my kids will have tons of photos of themselves, but very few photos of us together.

I hate the 'hard to wash' parts in the shower. TMI, but it's true.

Yo Yo dieting - my last attempt was HCG - lost 40 lbs and gained back 50.

Celebrating when my kids learned to swim - mostly so I could stop getting in the Water with them.

Becoming less and less outgoing the bigger I get

Feeling ashamed of being the biggest wife at my hubby's work functions

I could go on, but you get the point. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been on this road to trying to get wls for years but over the years there have been many things that have reinforced the urgency for me to get it done.

????The fact alone that I am 26, 5'2" and 325lbs! I've tried desperately to get that number down and at one point got down from 280 to 220 only to quickly gain it all back and then continue to pile on more pounds...I am literally afraid to diet now for fear that I'll just gain back plus more.

????having to use a seatbelt extender on planes. Having the person next to you either move or ask the flight attendant if they can move. And having people take your picture while sitting in the airport (some lady sitting across for me forgot to turn her sound off).

????Not being able to do as much as I want on mission trips and in some cases not being able to doing anything physical.

????Being asked if I'm doing okay because I'm breathing heavy when I don't even know I'm doing it.

????Being unable to do certain activities with friends (sky diving, hiking, roller coasters, unexpected trips ect) and becoming more of a hermit because of it.

????Being unable to ride my horses anymore.

????Being too embarrassed to go to my sisters sports games or anywhere in public with my family because I'm the towns "fat girl" and I feel ashamed and don't want them to be associated with me.

????the pain, constant back and knee pain.

????Having children pat and pinch my fat arms because they don't know any better and aren't use to being around someone my size.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been on this road to trying to get wls for years but over the years there have been many things that have reinforced the urgency for me to get it done. <br>

ddd39The fact alone that I am 26, 5'2" and 325lbs! I've tried desperately to get that number down and at one point got down from 280 to 220 only to quickly gain it all back and then continue to pile on more pounds...I am literally afraid to diet now for fear that I'll just gain back plus more. <br>

ddd39having to use a seatbelt extender on planes. Having the person next to you either move or ask the flight attendant if they can move. And having people take your picture while sitting in the airport (some lady sitting across for me forgot to turn her sound off). <br>

ddd39Not being able to do as much as I want on mission trips and in some cases not being able to doing anything physical. <br>

ddd39Being asked if I'm doing okay because I'm breathing heavy when I don't even know I'm doing it. <br>

ddd39Being unable to do certain activities with friends (sky diving, hiking, roller coasters, unexpected trips ect) and becoming more of a hermit because of it. <br>

ddd39Being unable to ride my horses anymore. <br>

ddd39Being too embarrassed to go to my sisters sports games or anywhere in public with my family because I'm the towns "fat girl" and I feel ashamed and don't want them to be associated with me. <br>

ddd39the pain, constant back and knee pain. <br>

ddd39Having children pat and pinch my fat arms because they don't know any better and aren't use to being around someone my size.

Welcome.

It's the best decision you can make. I only wish I had done it sooner. I am 60. Down 85 pounds, and feel and look Great!

I know I am more healthy. And will be there for my sick wife.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome.<br><br> It's the best decision you can make. I only wish I had done it sooner. I am 60. Down 85 pounds, and feel and look Great!<br><br> I know I am more healthy. And will be there for my sick wife.

Thank you, I have been trying for 6 years now to try and get WLS but it's always been right out of my grasp and I'm now at a point where I HAVE to do something. I'm really hoping my new insurance change will bring about good news in that department. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Perhaps my reasons could be because I'm young and a high school graduate, but I'll share my past pain anyway.

I couldn't fit into anything--XL sizes in stores were still too tight. And going into the plus-sized sections (though there is nothing wrong with being plus-sized, but this is me) only made me want to cry and leave. I would no longer be in the mood to shop. I never wanted people to take my picture, because next to everyone I felt like I looked like a pig. I would eat something ridiculously unhealthy and fatty at a restaurant and finish it all, but whether or not it was delicious, I found myself depressed and crying afterwards because of my lack of self control.

But I suppose my final breaking point was when my OB GYN told me that aside from having PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and being pre-diabetic, my poor health could also take a toll on my fertility.

While I'm still much too young to ever have children now, I definitely want to in the future, and just the thought of not being able to shattered me.

I knew I needed help, and as diets and exercise regimes never helped, I turned to gastric surgery and never looked back. I'm happy with the choice that I made.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×