Do you guys remember your turning point? When you decided to do something as serious as weightloss surgery. For me the last straw was when a woman on the bus offered me her seat. Not because she was getting off, she rode further than me. Not because I am disabled or elderly. She thought I was pregnant. I do carry most of my weight in my stomach area. That was the day I decided to have surgery. 

For me, it was when I realized I had gained back every single pound that I had recently lost in a matter of months after falling off of my other plan. And that has happened several times. And, since the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results," I decided it was time to try something more permanent.

The fact that my husband told me that he would be willing to lose our home if it meant me being happy and healthy was also a big indicator that he was ready to support me.

I just know I'm ready somehow. I can feel it.

Thanks for posting this topic, it really made me think and appreciate all that has happened!

Im not sure if it was one moment, but more of a series of events. 

I am thankful every day that I found the strength to do this, to leap.

And every one of us who has leapt is so incredibly strong for having decided to make this change.

Do I remember my turning point?  I remember the date and time!  It was when I got home from dinner on May 27, 2009 at 10:30pm.

Was it after having my doctor beg me for 5 years to consider the surgery?  Nope
Was it not fitting in chairs?  Nope
Was it not being able to walk 1/2 block?  Nope
Was it to better my health?  I felt fine, as long as you didn't count the shortness of breath, the inabliltiy to walk, step off a curb, or go up my stairs without stopping twice to catch my breath.  Not even mentioning not being able to walk the grocery stores.

What did it?  Having my job and me eliminated!  After crying, calling a friend and drinking my dinner (at Chevy's), the next morning I called the very same doctor who had been begging me to have the surgery.  She made the referral that day and I had my first appointment with the South San Francisco Baraitrics Department the next day!   A year later I had the surgery, and now another year later, I'm employed at my previous employer's competition! 

I finally realized all of the above questions I had answered no to, should have been yes, Yes I needed to lose weight, I had known that for many many years, but I was comfortable.  Too comfortable, I figured I had a good job, health coverage, why bother to lose weight?  Well, please take a note from my book, bad things do happen to good people.  I had been at my employer for 30 years always got outstanding service reviews, and yet, it still happened.  I realized at 400 + pounds I was not employable, so I was forced to wake up.  While the wake up call was quite brutel, it opened my eyes.

Sorry about the Great American Novel of an answer.  If my story can open one other person's eyes, that it does happen to you and not always the other person, it was worth it.

Liz

 Yup - I had thought about it over the years, but my PCP discouraged me because he had a patient who had died 6 mos after a malabsorption surgery (don't know which one).  So I kind of dismissed it until my GYN "gave me permission".  He had been after me about my weight for several years, sent me to WW, etc.  On that one visit, he again told me I had to lose weight, and I flat out said "I CAN'T."  He said, "then you need surgery."   Those four words gave me permission to change my life, and I will be forever grateful.  He gave me several referrals; I went to two different information meetings and heard about the four different surgeries available.   When I heard about the sleeve, the sun rose in the east (!!)    That was the answer, and I have never looked back.  I did a lot of research on line, talked to people who had the surgery and life will never be the same.  

 As for the PCP, I told him what I was going to do and asked him if he would be there for me afterwards (I had the surgery in Mexico).  He assured me he would.  About a year later, he told me he watched my progress with doubt, but became a believer as he saw my progress and how much healthier I became.  He said he had never seen anyone's blood sugar normalize overnight like mine did.  

 For me, it was when I was staring at my upcoming 50th birthday and my mortality.  I was also damn sick and tired of sitting on the sidelines of life.  I just snapped one day and decided to do it and have never looked back. 

I have struggled with my eating and weight my entire life.  My mother died unexpectedly in 1995 at the age of 59, probably of a heart attack and probably her obesity was a factor.  I was still struggling but when I reached my fifties, a dose of panic set in and I worried I would die early like she did.  This fear was enough to overcome my internal objections to something as drastic as surgery.

I had been thinking about it for a long time but just couldn't commit. Then I was admitted to the hospital with chest pain. That didn't scare me but while I was being admitted my wife walked in and looked TERRIFIED. I took one look at her and knew I couldn't do that to her. I began planning for surgery at that moment.

I realized that I needed surgery when my health started to fail. Type 2 diabeties was kicking my butt. Insulin, metofrmin, and myself. I didn't pay attention to my diet, the drugs would fix everything. I got sicker. My heart changed it's beating pattern, right leg went numb and I continued to be in denial. My doctor told me I was a walking heart attack, well what did he know? LOL Funny how your head can screw you up. I loved food and didn't know it yet. Food was wrapped around me. My co-workers used to joke all the time. You eating again? every time I see you your stuffing something in your mouth. I used to say well I'm a growing boy and laugh it off. I was a growing boy! I lost the weight hundreds of times and grew it all back and more.

Well when I decided to have surgery, it was a medical choice for me. Health failing, heart attack waiting to happen, maybe loose a limb. It wasn't my fault, it was my bodies fault. That was a year ago! I jumped thru the hoops to get the surgery that would cure my problems and thats how I ended up on this site, reading about others that were in the same boat as myself.

But the funny thing about the surgery was, it made me look at myself and realize that I was the blame of where I had gotten. I think I could now change my life without the surgery if I had that chance. But I have learned that I got where I got by a life long series of bad choices. it was me and me alone. We can raise our children, make smart business decisions, and be a loving husband, but can't manage our addictions without realizing that we have a problem. I'm learning every day now, thanks to the sleeve. Maybe, just maybe, my subconscience was crying out for help when I went to that first seminar? I was in so much denial. LOL Seems like a hundred years ago now and somebody else. I now take every day, one day at a time.

Good Luck to all of you on your journey, Life is such a trip, isn't it?

January 2010. I had gone to the doctor to discuss my meds and recent labs. When I got there, I ened up seeing a different doctor. She said, "hmmm, your BMI is over 40. I'm going to refer you to bariatrics."  Things started happening very quickly as far as testing. Through this process, I kept saying...I'm just THINKING about it right now. But deep inside, I knew my mind was made up the instant that new doctor mentioned bariatrics.  By August or September I was ready, but I had to wait till November for my surgery.
During all those months of testing and nutrition classes, I spent all my time here on OH learning as much as I could. Initially considered the RNY, but read enough to decide I prefered the sleeve. I'm so glad I did this. So greatful to that new doc for the referral!

When I realized that I was 43 years old and I did not have any energy to play with my 1 and 4 year old. I was tired all the time and I had developed diabetes. My kids are the most important thing in the world to me and I need to be around for them. It was hard making a decision to have life altering surgery. But I know believe it was the best thing I have ever done. I can play with my kids now and not feel tired.

Mine was when for 2 years my 40 year old cousin and I kept sending in our video for the Biggest Loser COntestants. Then on Feb 16, 2011, she passed away, leaving a 4 monthold baby behind.

THAT DAY.. I called my GP, who was begging me to have the surgery for years, and said.. what do I do and who do I call.

Was the BEST phone call I ever made in my life. I am only 4 months out, 80 lbs down and feel GREAT!!!

I am doing it for myself and my cousin, Virginia!! And I am proud and happy!!!

After I had my second child I one I wanted to be a more active and fun parent and wanted to be around for my kids for a long time this is truely for then

I had been considering it for several years, but my turning point actually came about six months ago.  I was walking into Target with my 8 and 5 year old.  I walked in front of a car and the passenger leaned out and called me a fat***.  Having to explain that to my children was too much.  Of course I did this for my health and so that I would be around a long time.  But that experience is the one thing that I can point to that made me decide, "Hey, I'm doing this!"

Whern I realized I could not maintain my weight loss after my lap band could no longer be filled anymore. I was only maintaining 35 lbs, not much but it was something and then after 6 mos of no fills I gained back 25 lbs. I went to see my surgeon and he started telling me about the VSG and RNY options. I let him talk thinking no way was I going to do either. And there I was at 5 ft 1 1/2 inches and 225 lbs with high blood pressure and a back that is a mess. And a history of obesity since I was 6 years old.
I went back to these message boards the next day to get more info on the VSG and saw someone's post who wrote that she had no problem getting rid of 85% of her stomach. After all, what had it ever done for her? And that was it my mind was made up! I started the process immediately to go from band to sleeve. It was so worth it and I am not even 3 mos out. BEST DECISION EVER.
Oh and by the way, I flew to Tucson for business in late October and was humiliated that it was the first time I needed the seat belt extension. My sleeve plans were under way and all I thought was "the first time for this extension and the last time".
By the time I had my sleeve I was out of breath going up stairs, my back and legs were killing me, all my clothes did not fit and I was 100% miserable.
We went out to dinner at a Japanese place last night. I had no food mourning. I was so happy to eat an ounce or two of my sashimi tuna. I didn't have to eat like a hog and hate myself the rest of the night.

oops! Meant *3 weeks out*

I don't have my sleeve yet but I wanted to share. I was at a store with my husband and two boys about a year ago. While checking out the cashier commented on how beautiful my family is and bless me for having another on the way. At first I didn't realise what she meant because my youngest was just under 1. Then it clicked.. she thought I was pregnant. I had just lost 15lbs and had started for gain a tiny bit of confidence and in a second it was all gone. I was humiliated and had tears in my eyes... my husband didn't know what to say when we got back to the car. After that, I went on a strict low cal diet and exercised daily. I lost 40lbs only to gain it back a few months later because its hard to starve yourself! I was always hungry. So, about a month ago I went to my best friends house and her son asked if I was having a baby. That was it! I called my PCP to talk about WLS.

Then came the Dr visit, I am 31 pre diabetic and after giving birth to my son, I have elevated blood pressure. I have PCOS and constant back pain. I am also always tired! I fall asleep randomly during the day. I don't have enough energy to keep up with my kids. Every day is a struggle. Oh, and I also found out yesterday that I have fatty liver.

So, now I had to change my insurance company (we are lucky we had this option) and put away money since I have to pay about 10%. Jan 12 I went to my first info session, next week I'm going to another one so I can decide which surgeon is best for me. I also have my first apointments already scheduled with both so when I decide I won't have to wait very long.

I can not wait to have the surgery. I am sick of living like this! Reading all the posts on OH is helping me understand what's to come. I need a support system so anyone looking for a friend,please message me.

I had a handful of things happen at about the same time that I consider my "perfect storm".  I was diagnosed with sleep apnea... in addition to already being borderline diabetic and borderline hypertension.  I also had chronic back pain and arthritis in my knees.  My father, who was about 50 lbs lighter than I was at that point and had always been active but overweight, was diagnosed with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and an EKG revealed that he had a heart attack.  He was 59 at the time.  My sister, my best friend, was pregnant with her first baby and I was lacking energy and thought there was no way I could get down on the floor to play with my nephew even if I wanted to for fear that I could not get myself back up.  My husband was seriously considering weight loss surgery after being encouraged by our PCP for about 5 years... and when I was helping him research, I found I also qualified too.  I had just turned 30 and realized that I spent most of my 20's dieting... only to end up 70 lbs heavier... clearly what I was doing was not working and I knew I needed some serious help.

Well, almost 10 months later, it is the best decision I ever made.  Diabetes and hypertension is gone... actually I now have the opposite problems... low blood pressure and low blood sugar if I do not eat regularly.  Although I still have the arthritis, it is not nearly as bad.  I am being retested for the sleep apnea next month.  And, best of all, EJ, my nephew, will be 1 year old tomorrow... hopefully with no memories of his "fat auntie" other than the pics in his baby book (I had my surgery when he was 2 months old... but was already on my pre-op diet when he entered this world) who couldn't do things with him.  Today, I worked a full day, went to a benefit dinner for a patient of mine after work, went to the gym after, stopped by and carried around and played with EJ for an hour, came home and cleaned a bit around the house, and now just relaxing.  This never would have happened a year ago... I would have only accomplished work and relaxing on a typical day.