What was the straw that broke the camels back for you?

Hi Maryellen, First I must apologize for not making the meeting.  I will definetly be at the next one. My straw was the feeling of desperation, both mentally and physically, just not being able to function as a normal person on a daily basis.  I work in Manhattan so I have to do a lot of walking, part of which is up and down stairs.  I could hardly get to the top of the stairs it was a horrible feeling.   Today it is a whole lot different when I go up those stairs.

This surgery has changed my life and I will be forever grateful to my doctor who went to battle for me in order for me to have this surgery. Take care and see ya soon.

Hiya Beth,

Thanks for sharing.  It was a really good meeting, you were missed, I'll give you your straw next month. Maryellen:)

it definetly wasnt cause my belly was getting in the way of sex thats for sure ......... for me as well as it was physical ith was mostly mental .... my weight got in the way of me wanting to leave the house and a bunch of other things i was depressed on top of the physical issues i ever had.....

Hi Mary Ellen, Well like everyone else I have been fighting over weight for years, yoyo diets and all that, not very healthy.  I worked as an RN and that started to become difficult, my weight interferred with my job, then I have both knees that are bad, hip and back problems, my PCP suggested I do wls and this could help save knee replacement etc.  Along with this thyroid problems don't help the problem with weight, So I think it was the fact of the full knee replacement that made me think more.  I'm 8 day post op and doing great Judy

For me, it was a couple of different  straws.  I think the main one was the number 300.  As my weight crept closer and closer to the 300lb mark, I became more and more aware of my body, how I looked, how clothes didn't fit, and how crappy I felt all the time.  That number looming ahead felt like the drop off a cliff.  If I went over it, I was doomed. 

The other thing that motivated me was a woman I know who had hers done about three years ago.   She never had a single problem and she could not be happier.  Seeing her and talking to her inspired me to put my fears aside and go for it.  She's been a wonderful mentor thru my whole process. 

The final factor was my children.  I realized that just being here while they were little was not going to be enough.  I need to be here when they are teenagers and young adults and young women making their way in the world.  I don't want to leave them motherless until they are old women!

Thanks for sharing everyone.  Lets never forget where we've been and where we want to be.

 

Maryellen:)

oh and we never took a photo ..... i was looking at the two prior and what a difference in most that are early out .... i enjoy seeing the transformation

Hi there.   I had a few straws as well.  The main one being my health.  Being a nurse and teaching proper diet and nutrition every day to my patients i started to feel like a total hipocrit.  How dare i walk into a room and tell someone that they are not eating properly.  I would walk around the units tired with swollen feet.  Look in a mirror and cry.  Try to play with my kids and be so out of breath .  Walking up the stairs to my kids parent teacher confrences and sweating and breathing like i was having a heart attack.  Lots of things brought me here to where i am today. Today i am healthy, happier and just a better mother, nurse and person all around.   Thanks. LisaMarie

i agree that it was quite a few straws, i can't point to one particular event... some of my straws were: ~having to stand on the train because i didnt want to SQUEEEEZE myself into a 2 seater or in the middle of two people in a 3 seater.. i'd actually gotten dirty looks when i did find the nerve! ~not having the energy level required to teach young children ~when my swollen ankles pretty much stayed year round and now extended up my calves ~~hobbling out of bed in the morning like an old lady because my ankles and knee kill me! ~~sitting home weekend after weekend feeling like the world is passing me by ~~not wanting to do things i really want to do (like take dancing classes) because of my weight I could go on and on! And the confirmation that I was definitely doing the right thing came when I discovered I have impaired glucose tolerance and sleep apnea! Ten more days!

Maryellen,
This is not only a wonderful question, but the idea that you had about handing out straws to your group is top notch. You go girl!

My last straw was when I was diagnosed with fatty liver. I had tried so many times to lose weight and failed that I was resolved to try and be "fat and healthy". My liver told me otherwise, and it scared me to death. I started researching WLS at that point. It has changed my life.

Keep up the great work!

xo
Amy