"So, your doing this for your health, right?

............no, I am doing it because it sounds like a great way to have some fun! Someone actually asked me that yesterday. I understand that people don't always get it, but really, are you that dumb? Is there another reason to do it? I have gotten some comments from people, but that one is truely the most idiotic yet.....

Yes, some people have no medical issues (yet) and DO have surgery just to lose the weight and be thin.

Lora

I would be one of those people who had ZERO health issues. I was tired of not liking myself and needed a change. I figured if I stopped hiding behind my fat suit, maybe I could figure out what was standing between me and contentment.

But no...not everyone does this with health as their primary reaon. Believe it or not, I had perfect blood pressure (which even perplexed me), no heart problems and wasn't even pre-diabetic. Now had I stayed obese I would have likely developed those issues, but I wasn't far-sighted enough for that to be a factor.

I did this sort of on a bet. I didn't BELIEVE at the time I was worthy of being happy and confident, but juuuuuust in case, I took a step forward on faith.

But you're right. The process isn't fun. But it is worth it (to me).

Nice reply. I really liked the way you put it. I also didn't have health problems, except for serious GERD issues which is why my doc sent me to  the bariatric surgeon in the first place. Getting rid of acid reflux was primary, losing the weight a bonus. I didn't have health issues like heart problems, high cholesterol or blood pressure and I'm sure diabetes was waiting for me down the road a ways, but I had it to lose the weight and feel better, and so far it's worked out great.
Jen 10yrs post op

I am equal parts for my health and wanting a change, but then I do have health problems, and at the rate I was going wouldn't have made it to 45. I have also always been the fat one. I've never had something like this for myself.

However I'm not fooled either. I don't think that model, or even athelete are on the table.
I'd almost be satisfied with half my weight.

And tomorrow is a brand new day...

I was overweight by about 35 pounds (not Morbidly Obese****il I had a "surprise" baby at 41.   I had gestational diabetes and gained a HUGE amount of weight during the pregnancy which I still hadn't got rid of a year later.  I hated being fat and felt terrible physically and psychologically, although I had no co-morbidities - other than the two auto immune diseases that I have had for about 30 years or so.

11 months after I had my son, I decided I had had enough and got an appointment with my surgeon, got a psych eval and did a nutrition class and was on the table 3 weeks later - a week before his 1st birthday and my 42nd!!!! 

NOW I have diabetes (despite being 100lbs lighter) - sometimes genes just win out ... and my auto immunes are as manageable as ever. 

I am VERY health conscious in terms of my diet and exercise - and live a lifestyle to maintain my good health rather than my weight, which I maintain anyway!

Honestly, I was hot, happy, and confident at 250 pounds. I had no trouble finding romantic partners; my wardrobe rocked. I looked in the mirror and saw a cute fat girl, and I was totally fine with that. Except for the health problems. If I could resolve my PCOS, diabetes, GERD, and muscoloskelatal pain without losing a pound I would do it. I have a lot of ethical issues with cosmetic surgery, and would NEVER have gone this extreme route if it were not absolutely medically necessary.

Not trying to upset anybody -- just my two cents.

 Oh wow, I can relate to this!  I spent a lot of time in the BBW community and developed some pretty good self esteem for a big girl.  I've got a whole bunch of mixed feelings about the surgery given the cultural context of fat hatred and women's oppression...but the arthritis pain in my hips, my high blood pressure and high cholesterol made it very hard to want to stay fat.  I'm doing this because I am not a healthy fat person, although I could very well be a happy fat person without the health problems.
I am very aware that this surgery can be used as cosmetic surgery, and I don't judge other women if that is what they choose.  But I would never choose to take the risks associated with surgery just to look thin.  I'm schedueled for surgery Jan.18th, 2012...wish me luck!

 Exactly!! Before now (and even now, to a degree) I was very, very, VERY fat-positive, and it's been extremely difficult for me to reconcile that part of my identity and my feminist ethos with my health problems. 

"I'm doing this because I am not a healthy fat person, although I could very well be a happy fat person without the health problems."

Mind if I quote you on this? It is EXACTLY how I feel. I understand that there are fat people whose fatness does not negatively impact their health. Awesome! Unfortunately, I'm not one of those fat people. In fact the only way to resolve my PCOS (my #1 health foe) is to reduce the amount of adipose tissue on my body. Period. And both fat-positive and scientific communities (not to mention personal experience) agree that the old diet-and-exercise formula just. does. not. work. Which is why I'm here, ten days post op!

Congrats on your surgery. I'm sure it will go grand (heh). Mind if I friend you?

Zero health problems here, just tired of not being able to ride horses, or wear clothes off the rack, or..... you get the idea.
My blood pressure has always been kind of low, my cholesterol was low (119 presurgery), no diabetes (though my mom is, so it was coming).

Kind of like Nik... my surgery was a "what if I AM worth having around long term?"