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



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My epiphany came as a result of several incidents. I was on a physician supervised weight loss program and lost 55-lbs. I never did break the 170 barrier; my BMI was STILL above 30. Slowly I began gaining. I developed type 2 diabetes & my cholesterol and triglycerides started going up. I have severe sleep apnea which did not get any better even with the substantial weight loss. And THEN I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Ugh. First it was in my hands and feet--I have ruined feet due to life-long flat foot, plus post-tibial tendinitis. And in the middle of it all, my youngest child who is severely mentally handicapped, moved into a group home. Eat eat eat... The arthritis got much worse--suddenly my knees were giving out and the pain with walking was excruciating. Cortisone shots failed, Supartz injections failed. Suddenly, my legs started swelling and I needed BP medicine. In the midst of it all, my 79yo mother had 2 TIAs! And THAT'S when it got my attention. I decided that I could not go on this way. I recognized that at my age (56) , with my comorbities, the chances of me losing 80-lbs and keeping it off was about zero. I decided that WLS was my only hope. I turned in my paperwork yesterday and the office called me today. I was approved in less than 24 hours! Cigna didn't even bat an eye. I can't wait to get this show on the road!

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1. I went to the Wedding of a very close friend took pictures.

The picture for that day is my before picture I was astonished of my weight

After looking at that picture.

2. I have not been active since I got a torn meniscus and i still receive shots in my knees. I was riding my bike before that injury 4 times a week at 220lbs.

3. Most importantly my 5 year old would cry To go with my skinny Neighbor and her kids to the park because I was winded getting to the mailbox!

4. Have 5 boys who play or played basketball and I could nt even climb on the bench without moderate pain. I want to at least get back on my bike.

Friends wedding and now!

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I finally accepted medical help for depression and realized a. Its okay to get medical assistance. It doesnt mean im weak it means im smart! b. Nothing will change unless I do.

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Not fitting in my fat clothes during the holidays.

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I spend all my time in videogames. In videogames I'm beautiful, confident, and a man-magnet!

In real life, I'm in a marriage that I will never ever break, but because of me and my hubby's weight, we've lost all passion. He just never wants to do it, and I don't anymore either. I miss it very badly. Him not wanting to be passionate with me has crushed my self-confidence.

But the worst part is my husband's health. If he doesn't do something drastic, he will get diabetes, a bunch of other things, and die young. He's already in tons of back and knee pain. And he used to be a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, so he knows what it feels like to be healthy, and he's just crushed.

So we're gonna do this together.

Oh, and thank you everyone who's posted in this thread. Reading these has made me feel... less alone.

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When the scale said 294 I had a flashback of my sister telling me, "You better do something now. If you get to 200 it will be easy to keep gaining and you will not be able to lose it." I think I was 21 when the scale said 201. I wasted all of my 20's being fat. I looked into WLS in my mid 20's, but I never thought I would be able to save $18,000 (that's the cash price here) and my insurance rules out everything obesity related. So on January 2nd I went to a doctor for diet pills. I lost seven pounds, but then I would stray and gain it back. My sister went to the same doctor in February and he told her about people going to Mexico to have WLS. She thought it was totally crazy, but I decided to do some research. I found out I could go to Mexico and have the surgery for 1/3 of the price. I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza on May 10, 2013. I am down 58lbs from 294. I feel wonderful. I laugh every time someone says how "skinny" I am because I am still a plus sized woman, but people are always telling me how great I look. I would not change anything, unless I could go back in time and do it when the scale said 201.

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Hey guys im new to the forum and im 6 weeks out post op. Im in the soft diet stage and im wandering how everyone is handling the salt issue. See im a cardiac patient and have to watch my salt intake but it seems that evreything has salt in it. What do I do??

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Hey guys im new to the forum and im 6 weeks out post op. Im in the soft diet stage and im wandering how everyone is handling the salt issue. See im a cardiac patient and have to watch my salt intake but it seems that evreything has salt in it. What do I do??

I read all labels. If the salt is high it goes back.

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Every time I went to the doctor, the first thing out of his mouth was that my weight was causing the problem.... I could go in with a cold and he would blame it on my weight!. I got sick of it.

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I lost someone I thought was my bestfriend. He and I were very close, for 3 years. We hung out and talked all the time. He was even the first person I told about having surgery and he was so supportive. Now, If I see him on the street, it's a "what's up" or "Hey, D" and that's it. That's the straw. I miss him all the time but yet, I want him to suffer. Is it selfish of me? I guess. I have surgery next week (8/27) and I'm so ready for this change.

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A few years ago I finally found an exercise I love (tennis) and kept getting injuries. Final straw was getting overheated on the tennis court and not being able to cool off because of the 100 lbs of "insulation" I've been carrying around. I just got completely fed up! My parents have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea & one has had a stroke at 57. My husband told me a few years back that he was no longer attracted to me and my preteen daughter has started making remarks about my weight. I think I just had the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" switch flip. My friends are very supportive and so far I'm really loving this surgery!

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My thing is just mainly just skipping out on life....

Friends: "Wanna go to Miami?" A: No (swimsuit).

"Wanna to go Cedar Point?" A: No. (Seats).

"Wanna go on a hike?" A: No. I can't keep up. You will think I am having a heart attack.

"Wanna be on our softball team?" A: No. I jiggle when I run. It's emabarrasing.

"(At a charity event) What size t-shirt should I order you?" A: None. The biggest you have -2x- won't fit.

"Wanna go white Water rafting/canoeing?" A: No. I might sink the vessel.

... I think the final straw was when I went to Korea and China. Those countries are built for little people. The train seats were SO painful. My husband and I are not little. When in rural China, we had people stopping and asking us to take our pictures because they had never seen people so big. On the great wall, I go so winded, folks had to stop and wait for me. Frustrating.

Seriously stoked about LIVING life. No more reasons why I can't do anything. (Both my husband and I are doing this together -- a month or so apart) We will have the tools to lose this weight once and for all. We can start a family. We can teach our children about health and nutrition. ...And we are even toying with the idea of doing a sprint triathalon one day - because we CAN.

GAME ON!!! :)

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The last straw was a second knee replacement last November. My legs do not want to hold my weight. I have 14 ruptured discs in my back - just had four in my neck repaired in February 2013. Sciatica has become a big problem. It is getting more difficult to maintain proper hygiene because of places I cannot reach. Thank goodness for a shower hose, but I refuse to ask someone else to trim my old lady toenails. My weight causes so many other related health issues that I would not have otherwise. My weight keeps increasing in spite of my best efforts, and now I am carrying a whole 'nother person as a belt. I cannot enjoy shopping in a big box store. It's got to go.

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Planning an Alaskan trip last year and realizing that everything hinged on what I could and couldn't do. Also, seeing my daughter who had the sleeve before me and the progress she had made and feeling good about herself!!

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

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      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

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    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

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      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      · 0 replies
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