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

Oh, dashofsunshine . . . I have a lump in my throat reading your passage. I feel for you! I just had my surgery on September 26. There are great things in store for you! You're going to be a new person and be SOOOOO happy!!!

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!

Nice to see Disney has such compassion for people who do not fit their mold of perfection. Not.

Somebody ought to get on their case. If that isn't discrimination, nothing is. Kudos to you for putting up with such insulting treatment with grace and style. You will take those qualities into your next "incarnation" into the world of the sleek and slim. You will be slender AND have compassion and grace. I have learned quite a bit being a fat woman. I will use my experiences in being overweight to be more understanding of others. I will use being fat as a life lesson.

I have lost 26 lbs. And people r saying you look like someone else and you r "The New and Improved Victoria.". I feel slim and it feels great!!! You will too!!! Good Luck!!!

I'm tired of being tired. I've lost and gained the same 60 lbs back. But my true motivation, is my son. He's special needs. I'm scared we'll be out somewhere and for whatever reason I'll need to pick him up or push him (he is in a wheelchair), and run like hell. I can't do that right now and it terrifies me.

I feel like I walking on air. I walk my dogs and it used to be so hard and painful. Not now. It's fun. As I'm walking I feel slim and light as a feather. I still need to lose 44 more lbs., but if this is what 26 lbs. Feels like. Than 70 lbs. Is going to be Amazing and much more.

karlam29 You r inspirational!!!

zengoddess! Thanks soo much

I considered surgery several years ago but didn't follow through. Thought I could try (again) to lose the weight on my own. Got part way there and stalled out due to a back injury. Had the necessary back surgery and am now ready to take the next step in taking my life back. I have a surgery date of 10/30.

Good Luck Fireweed56.

I have an unique final straw:

The straw that broke the camels back for me was learning that obesity increases a persons risk for Alzheimer's disease. My grandpa, his sister and one of my aunts have Alzheimer's. My dad and two of his siblings died before the typical age for developing the disease so we don't know if they would have developed it. The first memories I have of my grandpa is my dad getting phone calls and having to go search for him.I work with a man who has Alzheimer's. The disease has taken this once hard working man and made him unable to take care of the basic household necessities. He was a computer programmer and can no longer do basic things on the computer.

Not long after doing that research I saw an ad for the newish bariatric surgery program associated with the medical group I use.

I have a beautiful wife of 16 years, an awesome 12 year old son who has already earned his black belt in Taekwondo and plays football every season, and my baby girl my 15 year old daughter who is on traveling dance competition team and a red belt in Taekwondo.... God has truly blessed me with an amazing family.... I'm 38 years old 5'10" and weigh about 550lbs.... My breaking point... Was when my daughter asked me to be in a father daughter dance with her... I tried so hard going to her dance class learning the dane but its hard when you can barely stay on your feet 5 minutes without back pain and knees giving out... over the last few years i pretty much just sat on the sidelines of life watching my family experience life without me.... I'm hoping to get the sleeve in January of 15

Go Bears!!!

Go james112!!! You will love the new you.

The "final straw" is actually a build-up of years of self-loathing. Harsh, I know, but a lot of you know that feeling of self-disgust. This past summer I turned down an invitation to my 35th high school reunion--and I really wanted to see a lot of the people there! Then--and here comes one of the many straws--a dear friend who had gastric bypass surgery got down to a SIZE SIX and looks unbelievable!! She started out at 420 pounds and I thought, hell, if she can do it, so can I! She's been a big inspiration for me. I also had to accept that it was going to take something drastic because everything else I've tried over the years has either fallen flat or resulted in gaining back the weight. I just got sick of it. I want to wear nice clothing! Oh, and yesterday I was dizzy and lightheaded (surgery was September 26) and I had my blood pressure taken and it was too LOW! Ha ha! Low! My doctor has changed my blood pressure meds to a lower dose because of the 26 1/2 pound weight loss (so far!). I felt pretty crappy yesterday but it's for all the right reasons!

Yes, my blood pressure is really low too... We need to exercise to get it up there. Before surgery, my blood pressure was high also. They took me off the meds. Congratulations!!!

I had a grandmother who I loved very much,but who was extremely obese. She lived until she was eighty five,but she was unhappy. She had heart problems and it was difficult for her to move. The older I get, the more I reminded myself of my grandma. I do not want to end up like her,unhappy and unable to move. Plus I have a fifteen year old son with Autism and I need to be able to take care of him.

For me it was the beginning of diabetes. It's such a terrible disease.