What was your tipping point?

[catwoman7 10,845]

I've been obese for most of my adult life and morbidly/super morbidly obese after age 35 or so. I'd tried a million diets. On my more successful attempts, I'd lose 50 or 60 lbs, hit a brick wall, and then gradually put it all back on. Most of my attempts wouldn't even get me that far - maybe 10 or 20 lbs tops. I had over 200 lbs to lose, so I knew I was never going to get there if I couldn't even keep 50 lbs off.

I'd considered WLS for at least 10 years before I actually had it, but I was afraid of it and also, I'd have to change to a much more expensive insurance policy to get it covered. I thought I'd just wait until I turned 65 since Medicare covers it. But then I'd lie awake at night worried that I was going to have a heart attack, and I'd be in the ER and they wouldn't be able to do anything for me because of my weight. And at one point it occurred to me that waiting for Medicare to cover it was a bad idea, because at the rate I was going, I might not have even lived to see 60, let alone 65. How many super morbidly obese seniors do you see running around? Very few.

I can't remember what the last straw was (I had the surgery six years ago and started the process seven years ago), but it was probably the thought that I wouldn't live to see my 60th birthday if I didn't do something about my weight. And since I was 55 at the time, that day was coming up fast...

so- I did it. I have never been so grateful for a decision in my life. I should have done this YEARS ago. My life is a million times better now - and of course, my 60th birthday came and went without incident. Now I think I may be able to make it to 80+ !

[catwoman7 10,845]

P.S. as far as eating, you'll be pretty restricted the first few months - esp the first few weeks. But at some point, you'll be able to enjoy most or all of your favorite foods again, just in smaller portions. No one would ever be able to tell I had gastric bypass surgery at this point. I don't eat a lot - but I really don't eat any differently than my never-been-obese friends who are always watching their weight. At restaurants I'll order an appetizer and eat that. Or else I'll order an entree and take half of it home. Pretty much what many of my female friends do...

[lizonaplane 1,604]

I decided I had had enough when after 9 months of quarantine I was so sore and stiff from being sedentary and my asthma was so bad I couldn't use the treadmill I had bought. I had also gained 25lbs during the first 9 months of COVID (I spent a lot of time baking). I haven't had surgery yet but I've already lost more than 32 lbs and my asthma is so much better. Still stiff and sore all the time. I've been jumping through insurance hoops for 4 months and probably 2-3 months before my surgery still.

[lmsrny5 51]

Nearly had the sleeve in 2014. Backed out at the last minute. The actual tipping point was COVID. I am under 40 and have two children. The idea of being high risk for a virus that can kill me for being obese set me off. I am almost 2 weeks post-op and down 63 lbs from my highest weight last August. I am officially half way there- hopefully my new tool will help me get there!

[STLoser 1,085]

I decided I had had enough when after 9 months of quarantine I was so sore and stiff from being sedentary and my asthma was so bad I couldn't use the treadmill I had bought. I had also gained 25lbs during the first 9 months of COVID (I spent a lot of time baking). I haven't had surgery yet but I've already lost more than 32 lbs and my asthma is so much better. Still stiff and sore all the time. I've been jumping through insurance hoops for 4 months and probably 2-3 months before my surgery still.

I have asthma too, and I was only diagnosed around 2014, which is when I first reached my highest weight. I can't believe the difference in my asthma since I've lost 148. It's like I don't even have it now. I haven't had to use my rescue inhaler in so long I can't remember.

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[Kas75 19]

I had originally gone to my surgeon to repair a symptomatic ventral hernia. I had not even considered surgery for weight loss before I spoke to him. I just did not realize it was an option for me.

Over the last year I had a number of things go wrong, aside from losing my job due to covid, my husband died of alcoholism. He was a cruel drunk and I spent the last two years with him wearing a headset to block out his raging and hiding in video games from his cruelty. I gained a lot of weight quickly. My labs were growing increasingly bad, my liver enzymes elevated, and then I was diagnosed with parathyroid disorder and prediabetic.

Finally it dawned on me after I was given the option for weight loss surgery, it was time to reclaim my life and move forward and find my happiness. I was told the surgery would likely correct the things that had been popping up as long as I follow the program and lose the weight.

That is what I am doing and my life is slowly being reshaped as I take each step towards a healthier lifestyle.

[Greendragonfly 110]

My tipping point was being a diabetic and placed on insulin. Im 65 years young and I watched my husband suffer from being overweight and having diabetes before he died and he was only 59. I decided I needed to get healthy because there is a lot more life left in me.

[Flikka 20]

I spent 2 years working out but due to overeating/poor food choices the scale didn’t move. I went on a weekend away hiking with a friend and although I was fit enough to do the hikes we chose they were far harder than they should have been given I was carrying 130lbs extra!! Until that point I’d hidden behind “I’m fat but fit” but now my weight was seriously stopping me do things I wanted to do! After almost 30 years of dieting I decided it was time to get serious.

[Starwarsandcupcakes 1,892]

WLS first crossed my mind in 2002 when I saw a nighttime special on it. I was a senior in high school then. I wanted to join the military but when I talked to a recruiter both my weight and the prospect of WLS both disqualified me. I had thought about it off and on and been discouraged by others (including my ex-husband) with fear mongering and promises I could do it on my own.

That was until I had an appendectomy in April 2019. At my post-op appointment my surgeon said, “I know we’ve talked about it before but have you considered WLS?” I said, “ya know what, let’s do this!” And that led to my journey to WLS.

Those 7 months flew by and I had VSG in December 2019. I’ve had a revision since then due to a hiatal hernia causing GERD but if I could do it all over again knowing what I know now and what I’ve been through since, I totally would! It’s saved my life in more ways than one. Without the pre-cert process I’d never have known I have 2 congenital heart defects and now regularly see a cardiologist.

[GingersnapMI 29]

Welcome!

My story: I had been an excessively skinny child and teenager but during my 20s I became more "normal" weight-wise. I was always able to eat anything and any amount that I wanted, thereby developing some pretty bad eating habits.

Time marched on, I had three kids and found myself continually hovering at 30-40 pounds overweight during my 30s. Add menopause in my mid-40s and I became continually 60-80 pounds overweight. Throughout these years, I was able to diet off significant weight several times but it always came back, plus more.

In my 50s I became continually 100 pounds overweight. I'm in my late-50s now and what tipped me over into considering and doing WLS (I'm one week post-op RNY) was my 83yo mother. She, like everyone else in my family, is considerably overweight. She needs daily care and assistance with everything. I looked at her and thought, "That'll be me in another 25 years". Being elderly is never a piece of cake but being obese and elderly is a truly difficult challenge. Mom could do so much more for herself is she weren't 100 pounds overweight. 😞

Edited May 18, 2021 by GingersnapMI

[Greendragonfly 110]

1 hour ago, GingersnapMI said:

Welcome!

My story: I had been an excessively skinny child and teenager but during my 20s I became more "normal" weight-wise. I was always able to eat anything and any amount that I wanted, thereby developing some pretty bad eating habits.

Time marched on, I had three kids and found myself continually hovering at 30-40 pounds overweight during my 30s. Add menopause in my mid-40s and I became continually 60-80 pounds overweight. Throughout these years, I was able to diet off significant weight several times but it always came back, plus more.

In my 50s I became continually 100 pounds overweight. I'm in my late-50s now and what tipped me over into considering and doing WLS (I'm one week post-op RNY) was my 83yo mother. She, like everyone else in my family, is considerably overweight. She needs daily care and assistance with everything. I looked at her and thought, "That'll be me in another 25 years". Being elderly is never a piece of cake but being obese and elderly is a truly difficult challenge. Mom could do so much more for herself is she weren't 100 pounds overweight. 😞

I can very much relate to your feelings of being overweight and getting older and not being able to care for myself. I have had those exact thoughts and frankly they drive me to get healthy. I feel for your mom.

Edited May 18, 2021 by Greendragonfly

[Luna Girl 307]

16 hours ago, Kas75 said:

I had originally gone to my surgeon to repair a symptomatic ventral hernia. I had not even considered surgery for weight loss before I spoke to him. I just did not realize it was an option for me.

Over the last year I had a number of things go wrong, aside from losing my job due to covid, my husband died of alcoholism. He was a cruel drunk and I spent the last two years with him wearing a headset to block out his raging and hiding in video games from his cruelty. I gained a lot of weight quickly. My labs were growing increasingly bad, my liver enzymes elevated, and then I was diagnosed with parathyroid disorder and prediabetic.

Finally it dawned on me after I was given the option for weight loss surgery, it was time to reclaim my life and move forward and find my happiness. I was told the surgery would likely correct the things that had been popping up as long as I follow the program and lose the weight.

That is what I am doing and my life is slowly being reshaped as I take each step towards a healthier lifestyle.

So sorry for all your heartache the past year. You persevered! And now on the journey to your new life! Congrats!!

[blackcatsandbaddecisions 844]

The impact being morbidly obese had on my life was everywhere. I was ashamed of how I looked and didn’t want to see people anymore. I hated eating in public thinking of what people thought of me. Constantly wondering if I’d fit in chairs/certain places. Knowing I was unable to fly in a plane due to my size. Not being able to buy clothes or take any pride in my appearance. Feeling sluggish and lazy all the time. Feeling out of control and ruled by food and the ever increasing scale. And finally knowing that my children deserved a mother that had energy and enthusiasm for life again.

I’m still in my journey, I have 41 lbs to go to reach goal. But 135 lbs down and I’m “overweight” now, I can run and have energy again, I can buy clothes at regular stores and I love how I look, and I’m finally taking care of an issue that’s plagued me since grade school. I would do it all over again a dozen times if I had to.

[ruthpets 77]

My tipping point:

My mom started having weight-related health problems at a young age - late 40's - (she developed high BP, Type2 diabetes, eventually congestive heart failure) and died at age 74. In fact, she was hospitalized for heart issues, and in the same hospital as I was when I was giving birth to my youngest child at age 41! She didn't even live to see my daughter's first birthday.

Anyway, long story short, a year after my mom died, I was 80 pounds overweight and saw myself going down the same exact path. This was all 12 years ago; got a Lapband, lost the weight and just recently got a VSG revision because of a hernia and GERD.

Losing weight has changed me in so many ways, not the least of which is freeing me from my "living to eat" mentality. I still enjoy food but I know at the end of the day, it's just a meal.

All my best to you - it's the start of something wonderful for you!

[TheAngryMeow 99]

On 5/17/2021 at 1:30 PM, muala94 said:

Not being able to buckle my seatbelt in the backseat of most cars.

This. I was delivering flowers for a friends business and got into her ford escape and the stearing wheel was IN my gut. I could not buckle my seatbelt at the max length. I also was working with a client in home health and could not buckle my seat belt and the client kept asking what the alarm was. 😔 That was a HUGE wake up call. The BREAKING POINT/TIPPING POINT was when I saw a photo of myself from the side. Massive arms, huge stomach, and 3 chins.

See photo of before and after. My tipping point photo is on the left.

Edited May 21, 2021 by TheAngryMeow