What was the final thing that you encountered that made you say this is enough? I have had numerous.

1. Leaving a wife and 2 sons, Husbandless and fatherless.

2. Not being able to get on amusement park rides with my sons.

3. Not being able to take my wife to a concert, because i could not fit in a seat.

4. Avoiding restuarant,movie theaters and sports complexes with tiny seats.

For me, walking through a a department store and some little child looking at me like im a alien had to be one the hardest things.

Respectfully,

Joe

My old Weight Watchers leader always said "pictures don't lie." I've done everything I can do to avoid getting in pictures, but someone snapped one of me--a group shot--and when I saw it, my old Weight Watchers leader's face flashed before me. I can stay in denial as long as I didn't have to look at myself! Nonetheless, I had my surgery a few days ago . . . I'm ready!!

I'm sorry that you have had such a hard time. It's a vicious circle. You r depressed and then you eat and then you are more depressed. I like your post.

For me, I used to look like Sophia Loren in my 20's. I was about 125. But, then emotionally over the years, a bad marriage and big weight gain. I was about 220 and I lost about 20 lbs. Being infatuated with a gorgeous man. Then the weight gain was 20 lbs. Reaching 240. I looked pregnant and all I want to do was sleep. I was addicted to cookies, jellybeans and carbs

I hated my body. Also, my Blood pressure and Pre-Diabetic readings showed that I was headed for 300 lbs. So, I'm 218 lbs. Now. I can't wait to get below 200 lbs. I'm working out and eating Pureed foods at the moment. People would tell me "You're just voluptuous. You are not eligible because you aren't 400 lbs.". But, I was unhappy and I was eligible. I will lose about 70 lbs. And maybe a little more. It's been 3.5 weeks and I'm being good. I love how I feel. I have so much energy. I live in a mobile home with a tiny bathtub. I know how much I've gained by how I feel in this tub. So, even a smaller body is desired by me. My BMI was 46.

, so I qualified.

When I saw 349 on the scale, I had actually been watching the show Ruby to make myself feel better about just how heavy I was, because you know, I wasn't one of THOSE people. You know, the ones that have to have people come in and bathe them because they can't do it for themselves. How stupid and judgmental of me as an obese person to think that way, but I am working on keeping myself honest with... myself. I was diluting myself. I am no different or better than anyone else, simply because I am super obese and they are handicapped and super obese.

The 349 caused me to have about a week long spree of purging. I mean even normal amounts of food, and I had never done that and had always sort of looked cross eyed at the thought of someone indulging in bulimia. I mean, I loved food, that is what got me to this place, or so I thought. Why would I want to make myself miserable after eating? I actually went to my guy with the facts about me purging and told him I didn't want to live that kind of life. I told him I was tired of trying everything from weight watchers to Alli. I told him I would die if I didn't have this surgery because honestly, I would have.

Finally, I thought about my future.

In my future, there is a life that has yet to come into this world that I wouldn't dare bring into it with a Mom that was less than what they deserved. I want to have children, safely. I want to play with them, run with them, not embarrass them any more than normal sized parents embarrass their children, and I want them to know I am willing to do anything to protect them, I don't want to avoid going out with people because of my size, or avoid meeting new people because I am ashamed of myself. I want to ride the rides at six flags, sit in a movie theater comfortably, and not worry about what I am going to do if I have to fly on a plane. I want to buy normal sized clothing and shoes and honestly, I want to LIVE.

I think mine was last summer when I went to go visit my younger more healthy and thin sister in San Francisco. She wanted to show me around where she lived and she wanted to walk everywhere. I was 272 lbs and with all the walking up and down the hills I just couldn't do it. We would walk for about 5 mins and I would just get exhausted!! She just didn't understand and was getting very frustrated. I had to just sit down and realize I needed a change!! Best disision I have ever made.

karlam29 You r inspirational!!!

Lizzyloo, I feel you. I can't go to to my favorite dog beach. I park and walk 1 long stretch of sand and I have to take breaks. My young dig looks me and doesn't understand. I'm not going back until I lose weight and exercise. My RA is so bad I can't even get up and down on my towel. It was hard to play ball with my dog. I'm looking forward to many things in the future. Going to the beach is just 1 of them.

My "Final Straw" was a series of events.

Last November my weight began to creep back up in usual fashion. My friend recommended this weight loss doctor who had a program consisting of high Protein, low carb and appetite suppressants. When I went to the doctor he was so rude and the meds had some scary side effects that it pushed me to start exercising and dieting.

Jan 2014 I started exercise DVD programs and low carb dieting. Lost 23lbs by April 2014. May 2014-June 2014 I began to experience some weird debilitating light headedness so I stopped the dieting and exercise. By July I was feeling normal and had gained back 7lbs. By the end of August I gained back 15lbs.

*Final Straw*

September rolled around and a vacation that I had saved up for all year was approaching. Sadly, my weightloss goals I set for myself had failed and many of the cute outfits I bought in June for my vacation could no longer fit.

3 days before vacation I cried myself to sleep. I cried cuz I gained the weight back and because I failed another weight loss goal.

2 days before my vacation I texted my older sister that I was gonna have WLS. She texted me back "me too."

I broke my leg thru the knee joint 9/6/13. Had a plate and 8 screws put in to hold it together, spent 12 weeks in a wheelchair waiting for it to heal. The repair did not hold, and the plateau collapsed. Was told mid April 2014 that I needed a total knee replacement. I told the ortho doc, ok, but let me lose some weight first. He then told me that for every pound I lost, there would be 4 pounds less pressure on my knee. That was major incentive to finally have the WLS that I had been thinking about for years. I was self pay, so they "fast tracked" my gastric bypass surgery date. Had WLS done 10 June, 2014, gall bladder surgery on 28 July, and total knee on 15 September. Have lost 69 lbs since I started this journey, and aside from some knee pain, I feel great! Bypass was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Edited October 5, 201411 yr by Mayaresearchmom

My history. Started 120 pounds. Gained 50 pounds with first child, lost 30, gained 50 pounds with second child, lost 30. Gained 60 pounds from working 7 days a week, lost 50. Gained 70 pounds from stress of husbands cancer, lost 80 pounds for daughters wedding. Gained 90 pounds back in less than 2 years. Changed jobs and found out I had hypothyroidism. I'm praying this will be a tool and severe counseling to lose it and keep it off once and for all.

The depression and realization that I had alienated myself from everyone because I was so ashamed of my obesity.

I dread getting on a plane and if I do I get the window seat because I feel like I have a little more room. I had a slight melt down on my last trip in September because I had a middle seat and my husband was in another part of the plane. At the last minute they were able to change is to the exit row and I got my window seat.

My husband wanted to go to an amusement park and I said I didn't want to go which confused him since I love roller coasters. I didn't want to go because I knew I would fit into the seat.

I'm starting to have issues with my left knee and I have a hard time getting up from sitting and forget getting down on the floor!

Just a few things... There are more little things that convince me that this is the right choice. I can't wait to do whatever I want and my size being the last thing on my mind!

What finally made me decide was when I went with my family to a fireworks show this Fourth of July on the ohio river...when walking back to your car it is all uphill. By the time we got 1/3 of the way back I was dripping sweat and my lower back was killing me. I am 25 years old and felt 80. My family with me were mostly over 40 and I felt like compared to me they were practically running up the hill. I was almost in tears by the time we got back to the car because I was in so much pain and out of breath. The whole ride back with my family all I could think was this 300+ pounds is going to kill me it stops now. From that point I began researching what help was covered under my insurance whether surgical or non surgical and stumbled upon the hidden section of bariatric resources.....made my decision last month and am starting my journey to save my life.

What finally made me decide was when I went with my family to a fireworks show this Fourth of July on the ohio river...when walking back to your car it is all uphill. By the time we got 1/3 of the way back I was dripping sweat and my lower back was killing me. I am 25 years old and felt 80. My family with me were mostly over 40 and I felt like compared to me they were practically running up the hill. I was almost in tears by the time we got back to the car because I was in so much pain and out of breath. The whole ride back with my family all I could think was this 300+ pounds is going to kill me it stops now. From that point I began researching what help was covered under my insurance whether surgical or non surgical and stumbled upon the hidden section of bariatric resources.....made my decision last month and am starting my journey to save my life.

Last year my husband and I went to disney world/Harry potter world and there is a ride inside the castle at Harry Potter world that has a serious weight limit. But they don't tell you about the weight limit - they let you wait in line like everyone else and when you get to the front of the line, they pull the fat people aside and try to force them into a seat- in front of EVERYONE - and if you can't fit, they make you leave. I got outside and cried and cried - I was thin in high school and had never experienced not being able to fit on a ride. It was mortifying. Also, recently I went to a fall festival and sat on a bench (it was connected to the table) and the entire table almost flipped because it couldn't support my weight. I ended up on the ground with many looks of pity aimed my way. "That poor fat girl" I could just hear them saying. That's it for me. I'm done. No more! I can't wait for my surgery!