I know, I know the first and foremost reason is myself.

But there's another person that had a big impact on my decision. Its my new grandson, Landon:wub:. He's now 17 months and i was banded the month he turned 1. He always wanted me in the floor...which was so difficult. And can we talk about running up the stairs to retrieve his clothes just to remember, when you get back down, that you forgot his shoes. UP & DOWN. And lets talk about being out of breath & sweating (perspiring is just too kind'a word).

Now think about it... who's that special someone or thing that your mind went to when you where contemplating this?? Or maybe now you can see it when you couldn't before.

Share your special purpose.

Edited July 9, 200818 yr by NANAbanded

I can relate to playing with the grandbaby. Mine just turned 1. I did not want to be the one that said I can't play with you. She is on the go all the time. I also have Fibro and RA so anything that lightens the loas is good. I have mine done on the 16.

Shaz

Future kids... ones that I hope to have by losing some weight.

My son! He deserves a mom who can play on the floor, run around outside, etc. I want to do all the things with him that I got to do as a kid, like roller coasters, horseback riding, etc. I've already missed out on so much....

I was banded first and foremost for me, my health, mental, physical and emotional. But there is one person that I also did it for, My Mom. I'm not sure if she would have been banded if I didn't do it too??? Her health was getting bad, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, fibromyalgia (sp?), knee problems, there's more, just can't think of it all. We lost Dad in 2004 due to diabetic complications and I just didn't want to lose another parent. I also was right behind my mom with insulin resistance, asthma and blood pressure that was starting to creep up.

The good news: We were both banded on 30May08. Mom is off the metformin!! She has an appointment to see about her blood pressure (we think she might need less or a different med) We've both lost about 29lbs!!! We are truly a team!

I love my Mom!:biggrin2:

I guess alot of us youngsters in our 40's and 50's have something in common...... yes, first I got the band for me. I feel like I have been on the sidelines of life for several years now and I'm tired of being an observer instead of a participant, tired of the increased health problems from being overweight, and the aches and pains in my joints. I am so excited about this journey!

But yes, like several others of you mentioned..... grandchildren. I don't have any yet but I'm hoping to in the next few years. My daughter and son-in-law often joke about how important it will be for the health of their relationship, for them to be able to go out on a Saturday night and have Grandma keep the baby overnight..... as much as I'm looking forward to that, it also scared me. I knew I didn't have the energy for carrying a baby around, nor did I have the knees for getting down on the floor with a little one. And just my health in general.... once I finally become a grandma, I want to be around to watch that child (or children) grow up.

Fujika, your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you both. Tell mom congrats and keep up the good work.

I did it for me, for 2 main reasons. I was in 26/28 and they were getting to be too small. I didn't know where you even shop for clothes after that.. and had visions of moomoos in my head.. terrifying for a 21 year old :smile:

Other main reason is I was crippled from lower back/leg pains, I couldn't walk from the parking lot to the grocery store without crying from the pain. Much less actually shop! Again, at only 21..

Had to do something!! I have no will power with diets.

There were a lot of mini-reasons that add to it, but the top 2 reasons were the reason I had urgency to get it. I couldn't keep goign on like that.

I also want to be able to get pregnant, and have a healthy pregnancy.. want to be able to wear not-plus-size clothes, etc.

I got banded for me.

My quality of life as I relate to the world around me. For my daughter, to be a healthy role model for her. To show her that active is better than sitting on your behind.

I got banded because there is so much out in the world that I want, jobs, money, joy. I was too consumed with my size or blocked by not accomplishing weight loss to see beyond my fat to realize my other dreams and goals.

I know that if I can do this there is no limit to anything I set my eyes on.

Watch out.

I got banded because there is so much out in the world that I want, jobs, money, joy. I was too consumed with my size or blocked by not accomplishing weight loss to see beyond my fat to realize my other dreams and goals.

This is exactly how I feel....well put.

For some reason I was just hit with the fact that I won't be able to teach my son to ride a bike. There was no way I would be able to run along next to him as he was pedaling. Then I started thinking of all of the things I wouldn't be able to do with him; play baseball, go on the swings at the park, etc.

I thought about him getting older and going to his school. I know kids can be cruel and I didn't want him to have to defend his "fat" mother. I couldn't stand the thought of me being a reason for him to be teased in school. I want him to be proud that I'm his mommy.

My daughter.

My father died at the age of 48 of a sudden heart attack. I had just turned 18. He missed so much btwn myself and my siblings. While I was adopted and had no blood relations to him, I was getting to be about the same size and body type he had.

I couldn't do that to my daughter. She deserves her dad to at least make it easier for him to get to her graduation from hs and college, to walk her down the aisle of her wedding, and to see her children grow up.

That was actually my #1 reason for this surgery.

First and foremost for myself. I was tired of hating myself because I couldn't loose the weight. Plus, obesity related comorbidities were just around the corner for me. Secondly for my girls because I worried about them seeing me so down on myself. Also, I never wanted to do anything because of my weight. I want them to have a happy childhood and remember their mom doing stuff with them. Also, I'm very active at their school and I didn't want them to be embarrassed by my weight. My oldest daughter had to defend me in first grade because one of her peers made a comment about her "fat mother". That broke my heart.

I haven't even lost 30 pounds yet, but the change is already amazing. I feel better, have more energy, and am my old confident self. I still have a long way to go, but I'll get there having fun!

First and foremost I did it for me, but a close second is my 6 year old little girl. I was diagnosed with a form of leukemia back in February and it puts me at greater risk of other forms of cancer. I also have bad cancer genetics and obesity raises that risk as well, so we are trying to take out whatever risk factors we can.

After myself, the people I did it for are 1. my Mom who had already lost a husband and child by the age of 56 and I'm the only immediate family she has left, 2. my new husband, and 3. future children I hope to have when I get to a healthier weight.

My father died at 59 of a massive heart attack and was diabetic prior to that. I also had 2 grandparents who were diabetic and the other 2 had high cholesterol, high blood pressure and angina.

I want not only to live longer so I can have and raise a family of my own, but I want to be healthier during those extra years.

I was banded for me - I wanted to extend the years I have left on this world - I wanted to improve the quality of my life

But like the rest of the Grandma's here - My grandkids were part of the motivation too - I want to see my grandkids get married (I have 3 - ages 17 - 13 - 4) and maybe even see a great grandchild or two.

I gotta say that my 17 yrs now ask me why I am running - when in fact I am just walking - he use to have to stop and wait for me to catch up when we went to the mail :thumbup: