What Was Your Final "straw That Broke The Camels Back"

[linarestribe 24]

Falling asleep at a stop light with my boys in the back seat because of sleep apnea.

No energy to play with the boys.

[mustlovepoodles 18]

My epiphany came as a result of several incidents. I was on a physician supervised weight loss program and lost 55-lbs. I never did break the 170 barrier; my BMI was STILL above 30. Slowly I began gaining. I developed type 2 diabetes & my cholesterol and triglycerides started going up. I have severe sleep apnea which did not get any better even with the substantial weight loss. And THEN I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Ugh. First it was in my hands and feet--I have ruined feet due to life-long flat foot, plus post-tibial tendinitis. And in the middle of it all, my youngest child who is severely mentally handicapped, moved into a group home. Eat eat eat... The arthritis got much worse--suddenly my knees were giving out and the pain with walking was excruciating. Cortisone shots failed, Supartz injections failed. Suddenly, my legs started swelling and I needed BP medicine. In the midst of it all, my 79yo mother had 2 TIAs! And THAT'S when it got my attention. I decided that I could not go on this way. I recognized that at my age (56) , with my comorbities, the chances of me losing 80-lbs and keeping it off was about zero. I decided that WLS was my only hope. I turned in my paperwork yesterday and the office called me today. I was approved in less than 24 hours! Cigna didn't even bat an eye. I can't wait to get this show on the road!

[Ballermom 803]

1. I went to the Wedding of a very close friend took pictures.

The picture for that day is my before picture I was astonished of my weight

After looking at that picture.

2. I have not been active since I got a torn meniscus and i still receive shots in my knees. I was riding my bike before that injury 4 times a week at 220lbs.

3. Most importantly my 5 year old would cry To go with my skinny Neighbor and her kids to the park because I was winded getting to the mailbox!

4. Have 5 boys who play or played basketball and I could nt even climb on the bench without moderate pain. I want to at least get back on my bike.

Friends wedding and now!

[ElyQuint 446]

I finally accepted medical help for depression and realized a. Its okay to get medical assistance. It doesnt mean im weak it means im smart! b. Nothing will change unless I do.

[lotti 154]

Not fitting in my fat clothes during the holidays.

[Jouselle 45]

I spend all my time in videogames. In videogames I'm beautiful, confident, and a man-magnet!

In real life, I'm in a marriage that I will never ever break, but because of me and my hubby's weight, we've lost all passion. He just never wants to do it, and I don't anymore either. I miss it very badly. Him not wanting to be passionate with me has crushed my self-confidence.

But the worst part is my husband's health. If he doesn't do something drastic, he will get diabetes, a bunch of other things, and die young. He's already in tons of back and knee pain. And he used to be a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, so he knows what it feels like to be healthy, and he's just crushed.

So we're gonna do this together.

Oh, and thank you everyone who's posted in this thread. Reading these has made me feel... less alone.

[Mandagirl 11]

When the scale said 294 I had a flashback of my sister telling me, "You better do something now. If you get to 200 it will be easy to keep gaining and you will not be able to lose it." I think I was 21 when the scale said 201. I wasted all of my 20's being fat. I looked into WLS in my mid 20's, but I never thought I would be able to save $18,000 (that's the cash price here) and my insurance rules out everything obesity related. So on January 2nd I went to a doctor for diet pills. I lost seven pounds, but then I would stray and gain it back. My sister went to the same doctor in February and he told her about people going to Mexico to have WLS. She thought it was totally crazy, but I decided to do some research. I found out I could go to Mexico and have the surgery for 1/3 of the price. I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza on May 10, 2013. I am down 58lbs from 294. I feel wonderful. I laugh every time someone says how "skinny" I am because I am still a plus sized woman, but people are always telling me how great I look. I would not change anything, unless I could go back in time and do it when the scale said 201.

[meredithv 1]

Hey guys im new to the forum and im 6 weeks out post op. Im in the soft diet stage and im wandering how everyone is handling the salt issue. See im a cardiac patient and have to watch my salt intake but it seems that evreything has salt in it. What do I do??

[kw2walker 211]

Hey guys im new to the forum and im 6 weeks out post op. Im in the soft diet stage and im wandering how everyone is handling the salt issue. See im a cardiac patient and have to watch my salt intake but it seems that evreything has salt in it. What do I do??

I read all labels. If the salt is high it goes back.

[lextran500 6]

Every time I went to the doctor, the first thing out of his mouth was that my weight was causing the problem.... I could go in with a cold and he would blame it on my weight!. I got sick of it.

[BKLYN 14]

I lost someone I thought was my bestfriend. He and I were very close, for 3 years. We hung out and talked all the time. He was even the first person I told about having surgery and he was so supportive. Now, If I see him on the street, it's a "what's up" or "Hey, D" and that's it. That's the straw. I miss him all the time but yet, I want him to suffer. Is it selfish of me? I guess. I have surgery next week (8/27) and I'm so ready for this change.

[ShrinkyDinkMe101 82]

A few years ago I finally found an exercise I love (tennis) and kept getting injuries. Final straw was getting overheated on the tennis court and not being able to cool off because of the 100 lbs of "insulation" I've been carrying around. I just got completely fed up! My parents have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea & one has had a stroke at 57. My husband told me a few years back that he was no longer attracted to me and my preteen daughter has started making remarks about my weight. I think I just had the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" switch flip. My friends are very supportive and so far I'm really loving this surgery!

[MetroDetroitChic 86]

My thing is just mainly just skipping out on life....

Friends: "Wanna go to Miami?" A: No (swimsuit).

"Wanna to go Cedar Point?" A: No. (Seats).

"Wanna go on a hike?" A: No. I can't keep up. You will think I am having a heart attack.

"Wanna be on our softball team?" A: No. I jiggle when I run. It's emabarrasing.

"(At a charity event) What size t-shirt should I order you?" A: None. The biggest you have -2x- won't fit.

"Wanna go white Water rafting/canoeing?" A: No. I might sink the vessel.

... I think the final straw was when I went to Korea and China. Those countries are built for little people. The train seats were SO painful. My husband and I are not little. When in rural China, we had people stopping and asking us to take our pictures because they had never seen people so big. On the great wall, I go so winded, folks had to stop and wait for me. Frustrating.

Seriously stoked about LIVING life. No more reasons why I can't do anything. (Both my husband and I are doing this together -- a month or so apart) We will have the tools to lose this weight once and for all. We can start a family. We can teach our children about health and nutrition. ...And we are even toying with the idea of doing a sprint triathalon one day - because we CAN.

GAME ON!!!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

The last straw was a second knee replacement last November. My legs do not want to hold my weight. I have 14 ruptured discs in my back - just had four in my neck repaired in February 2013. Sciatica has become a big problem. It is getting more difficult to maintain proper hygiene because of places I cannot reach. Thank goodness for a shower hose, but I refuse to ask someone else to trim my old lady toenails. My weight causes so many other related health issues that I would not have otherwise. My weight keeps increasing in spite of my best efforts, and now I am carrying a whole 'nother person as a belt. I cannot enjoy shopping in a big box store. It's got to go.

[carstanger 346]

Planning an Alaskan trip last year and realizing that everything hinged on what I could and couldn't do. Also, seeing my daughter who had the sleeve before me and the progress she had made and feeling good about herself!!