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

[2goldengirl 2,076]

There wasn't a single "aha" moment. I've been working with WLS clients for the past five years, and yo-yo-ing myself for more than forty years. In the past six months or so I've been working on making peace with my body, and realizing that the yo-yoing just wasn't an option any longer. I've ruined my metabolism over the years with going up and down, so my options without surgery are to be hungry, or keep gaining. Neither seemed reasonable to me. I have three friends who have had WLS: one lap-band, one GBP, and one sleeve. All are happy with their decision, as are all of my clients. At first I was certain that I'd be seeing a fair number of clients with complications, but I haven't seen any. Instead, every one of them said they'd do it again.

I finally had time to think about WLS seriously this past summer, and discussed it with my husband, who is all for anything I need to do, so long as I'm safe. I changed PCP's from one who did nothing but badger me (move more, eat less, blah-blah-blah - she's been thin all her life) to one who is in favor of me making this change. I'm going back on Thursday and expect my surgeon referral then. Fortunately, my HP has changed their requirements so I don't need to wait for months in the meantime. I do find it interesting that once I decided I was ready, I'm ready NOW.

Edited October 17, 2015 by 2goldengirl

[heather5565 959]

I have a few:

1) I was diagnosed with DRESS syndrome in March 2015

- it would be terrible if I developed diabetes or heart issues but couldn't take medications for it

(they both run in the family, my grandpa had his 1st heart attack at age 38, my mom at mid 40's.... I'm turning 40 soon)

So after my second bout of DRESS in July, it really woke me up and made me think of my future. Trying to nip all possible future co-morbidities now that are or could be related to obesity.

2) went for a mini getaway with my sister in July and the absolute fear of not being able to find a wet suit or life jacket big enough for the white Water rafting practically paralyzed me.

The next day we took our mountain bikes to ride a trail that supposedly people could ride their mountain bikes on. Pfffft who I have no idea because it was a treacherous trail and there was no way in hell we could ride our bikes on it. So we walked it while pushing our bikes. NOT FUN AT ALL! it was probably one of the toughest "workouts" I've ever done. It took us almost 4 hours and in the end my sister had to help me with my bike trekking it up super steep rocky terrain after she'd already gotten her bike up and had to come back down to help me with mine. Ugh!!

And then afterwards we went to another touristy thing and we took the Gondola to the peak of a mountain and then I sat there while she hiked up the rest of the mountain for the best view. I sat there for over an hour.

3) a couple weeks after that mini getaway with my sis, we went for an EASY mountain trail ride... in 10 minutes I was so out of breath and had to tell her I wasn't up for it. (Although at the time I was still recovering from a flare up of DRESS and on high doses of steroids so that also wiped me out)

We turned around and then the next thing I knew I was flying over my handle bars and crashed into the bushes. I think I passed out. I couldn't stop screaming from the pain for a good 15 minutes. My sister was helpless and I couldn't get up. Had some people help me and the worst part was that 2 paramedics, and 2 firemen had to come into the forest to get me... it took all 4 men to hoist me up onto the stretcher. Not to mention that they were all very nice to look at. Absolutely humiliating!! My poor sister was probably so embarrassed too because I made such a scene when I fell. I couldn't help it - I have never ever been in that much pain! I thought I broke my kneecap but nope just bruised it. It is now 3 months later and it's still swollen and bruised! I also bruised some ribs but those healed quickly.

My poor sister!

Anyways long winded reasons but those are my biggest most recent reasons.

Edited October 16, 2015 by heather5565

[Applebootom9 164]

There wasn't a single "aha" moment. I've been working with WLS clients for the past five years, and yo-yo-ing myself for more than forty years. In the past six months or so I've been working on making peace with my body, and realizing that the yo-yoing just wasn't an option.any longer. I've ruined my metabolism over the years with going up and down, so my options without surgery are to be hungry, or keep gaining. Neither seemed reasonable to me. I have three friends who have had WLS: one lap-band, one GBP, and one sleeve. All are happy with their decision, as are all of my clients. At first I was certain that I'd be seeing a fair number of clients with complications, but I haven't seen any. Instead, every one of them said they'd do it again.

I finally had time to think about WLS seriously this past summer, and discussed it with my husband, who is all for anything I need to do, so long as I'm safe. I changed PCP's from one who did nothing but badger me (move more, eat less, blah-blah-blah - she's been thin all her life) to one who is in favor of me making this change. I'm going back on Thursday and expect my surgeon referral then. Fortunately, my HP has changed their requirements so I don't need to wait for months in the meantime. I do find it interesting that once I decided I was ready, I'm ready NOW.

That has touched me as I read your testimony I was able to feel your sincerity and passion. You are ready, all it took was a made up mind. God Bless you on your way to a new you.

[Applebootom9 164]

I have a few:

1) I was diagnosed with DRESS syndrome in March 2015

- it would be terrible if I developed diabetes or heart issues but couldn't take medications for it

(they both run in the family, my grandpa had his 1st heart attack at age 38, my mom at mid 40's.... I'm turning 40 soon)

So after my second bout of DRESS in July, it really woke me up and made me think of my future. Trying to nip all possible future co-morbidities now that are or could be related to obesity.

2) went for a mini getaway with my sister in July and the absolute fear of not being able to find a wet suit or life jacket big enough for the white Water rafting practically paralyzed me.

The next day we took our mountain bikes to ride a trail that supposedly people could ride their mountain bikes on. Pfffft who I have no idea because it was a treacherous trail and there was no way in hell we could ride our bikes on it. So we walked it while pushing our bikes. NOT FUN AT ALL! it was probably one of the toughest "workouts" I've ever done. It took us almost 4 hours and in the end my sister had to help me with my bike trekking it up super steep rocky terrain after she'd already gotten her bike up and had to come back down to help me with mine. Ugh!!

And then afterwards we went to another touristy thing and we took the Gondola to the peak of a mountain and then I sat there while she hiked up the rest of the mountain for the best view. I sat there for over an hour.

3) a couple weeks after that mini getaway with my sis, we went for an EASY mountain trail ride... in 10 minutes I was so out of breath and had to tell her I wasn't up for it. (Although at the time I was still recovering from a flare up of DRESS and on high doses of steroids so that also wiped me out)

We turned around and then the next thing I knew I was flying over my handle bars and crashed into the bushes. I think I passed out. I couldn't stop screaming from the pain for a good 15 minutes. My sister was helpless and I couldn't get up. Had some people help me and the worst part was that 2 paramedics, and 2 firemen had to come into the forest to get me... it took all 4 men to hoist me up onto the stretcher. Not to mention that they were all very nice to look at. Absolutely humiliating!! My poor sister was probably so embarrassed too because I made such a scene when I fell. I couldn't help it - I have never ever been in that much pain! I thought I broke my kneecap but nope just bruised it. It is now 3 months later and it's still swollen and bruised! I also bruised some ribs but those healed quickly.

My poor sister!

Anyways long winded reasons but those are my biggest most recent reasons.

Glad you made the decision when you did and family being family she was probably more worried about how you felt then herself. The 2 of you should talk about it if you haven't already. God Bless you on your journey.

[jmapsyd 6]

I can understand......my final straw per say is the fact that my back hurts when I bathe my little one. My feet tingle and I'm always tired. I want to be able to take my little girl to the playground and run around with her without feeling like I'm about to have a heart attack.

I've made my first appt w the surgeon on 11/13! Excited!

[LadyK44 263]

I have been going through the approval process, but until last week I think I was never serious.

I travel for a living, and for the first time, got on a plane and couldn't buckle my belt. I was so humiliated at the thought of asking for the extended in front of my colleagues that I sucked it in and spent 4 hours gasping for breath.

When I got home, I took 2 of my 3 daughters to the store. There was a woman in the parking lot blocking the aisle and talking in her phone, oblivious to a whole line of cars waiting. I gave a little toot on the horn, she moved, and I parked the car. We got out to go into the store and she was waiting behind my car and let loose with a stream of obscenities that I could never repeat. I asked he to stop talking that way in front of my children while trying to get away from her, so she followed us and got personal. She called me fat...and went into detail about how ugly I was. My daughters were sobbing and begging her to stop saying those things to their mommy. And she followed us into the store and continued in front of the other patrons while all 3 of us cried until a store clerk threatened to call the police. People were standing around staring and video taping it on their phones. It nearly broke me, and I am a 2 time cancer survivor who never once let anything beat me before. I vowed in that moment never to be an embarrassment to my girls again, and to get healthy. When I arrived home, I had a message that my surgery was approved and they were ready to set a date. November 23. I'm ready.

First congrats on being a cancer survivor! Secondly you can't change what happened but know even if you weighed 1000 pounds knowbody has the right to disrespect you! You are brave and strong! Your girls are blessed to have you for a mom! Just remember to talk with them about what happen. Let them know it was nothing they could do! There are a lot of crazy people in this world! There is also a lot of love. Work on being healthy but please don't let negative people crush your being.

Edited October 23, 2015 by LadyK44

[downsizingdiva 459]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE EXACT STRAW WAS BUT ONE THAT STICKS OUT TO ME IS AFTER NOT GETTING TO EAT ALL DAY LONG AT WORK, I FINALLY GOT OUT SOME Peanut Butter AND CRACKERS. A CUSTOMER WHO WAS WALKING THRU WAS BEING AN ASS AND SAID, STOP EATING SO MUCH ALL THE TIME, I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN SO PISSED, EMBARASSED, HURT, ANGRY, AND WELL, ENRAGED. I WANTED TO SHOW HIM A LESSON WITH THE BUTTER KNIFE THAT I WAS USING LOL. ANYWAY, JUST BECAUSE I WAS FAT DID NOT MEAN THAT I ATE ALL THE TIME. AS A MATTER OF FACT, ONE OF MY MISTAKES WAS NOT EATING ALL DAY AND THEN GORGING MYSELF WHEN I GOT HOME. BUT ANYWAY, I STILL WOULD LIKE TO PUNCH HIM IN THE THROAT FOR THAT.

[daviswrld 5]

My final straw was being at the beach and not being able to get off the ground to stand. I remember sitting there and feeling all eyes on me and feeling the pity and hearing the laughter coming my way. I sat there as my friends and their children stood over me trying to figure out what to do. My son sat down and tried to help but by the grace of God I was able to get up. But the tears didn't stop as I walked to the car. I thought to myself, what have I done. I have a 27 year old daughter and I desperately want to be around for her wedding and my grandchildren. I am going to succeed.

[Applebootom9 164]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE EXACT STRAW WAS BUT ONE THAT STICKS OUT TO ME IS AFTER NOT GETTING TO EAT ALL DAY LONG AT WORK, I FINALLY GOT OUT SOME Peanut Butter AND CRACKERS. A CUSTOMER WHO WAS WALKING THRU WAS BEING AN ASS AND SAID, STOP EATING SO MUCH ALL THE TIME, I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN SO PISSED, EMBARASSED, HURT, ANGRY, AND WELL, ENRAGED. I WANTED TO SHOW HIM A LESSON WITH THE BUTTER KNIFE THAT I WAS USING LOL. ANYWAY, JUST BECAUSE I WAS FAT DID NOT MEAN THAT I ATE ALL THE TIME. AS A MATTER OF FACT, ONE OF MY MISTAKES WAS NOT EATING ALL DAY AND THEN GORGING MYSELF WHEN I GOT HOME. BUT ANYWAY, I STILL WOULD LIKE TO PUNCH HIM IN THE THROAT FOR THAT.

Amen! I hear that.

[Applebootom9 164]

My final straw was being at the beach and not being able to get off the ground to stand. I remember sitting there and feeling all eyes on me and feeling the pity and hearing the laughter coming my way. I sat there as my friends and their children stood over me trying to figure out what to do. My son sat down and tried to help but by the grace of God I was able to get up. But the tears didn't stop as I walked to the car. I thought to myself, what have I done. I have a 27 year old daughter and I desperately want to be around for her wedding and my grandchildren. I am going to succeed.

WOOHOO!!!

[skmjs 34]

My first post... I decided to have surgery last week and am going through the insurance approval process right now (getting all of my required appointments and paperwork taken care of).

I got married 2 months ago in a private ceremony on a beach and it was the best day of my entire life. Then the pictures of myself looking giant in my dress at 300 pounds broke my heart. It breaks more every day when people beg to see the pictures - everyone means well, but I'm asked multiple times per day to produce pictures for friends, people at work, Facebook, family - and I can't show them. It hurts too much to see myself like that, I've hidden them away and they won't come out until I have an "after" picture to put next to them.

I don't want to be this way when my wife and I have babies - always dodging the camera, cropping myself out of pictures with the kids, panicking every time I'm at an event and a camera comes out.

And that's just the vanity talking. I've got a million reasons for health and lifestyle, like everyone else, but for me, the final straw was my wedding day.

[Magsqoti 79]

Skmjs: Congratulations on your marriage! You are not alone as many of us have felt the same way about photographs. I got to the point where I refused to have my photo taken. However, since my sleeve procedure (March 2015) I now welcome the camera, enjoy being social again and embracing everything life has to offer. I wish you success and joy in your life.

[musty-rusty 5]

After 30 years of every kind of diet, Type1 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol I was getting close to retirement. First I had to deal with the emotional issues with food. Then I got approved for the band. My job moved me to another city and I let the approval expire. I finally decided that I wanted to enjoy my retirement with my wife for as long as possible. On October 12 I had the sleeve surgery and I am down below 300 for the first time in 20 years. I am so excited to have enough energy to get out and walk and ride my bicycle. Sorry for this reply being so long, but, it has been a long road to getting my life back. This is the first day of the rest of my life!

[Applebootom9 164]

After 30 years of every kind of diet, Type1 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol I was getting close to retirement. First I had to deal with the emotional issues with food. Then I got approved for the band. My job moved me to another city and I let the approval expire. I finally decided that I wanted to enjoy my retirement with my wife for as long as possible. On October 12 I had the sleeve surgery and I am down below 300 for the first time in 20 years. I am so excited to have enough energy to get out and walk and ride my bicycle. Sorry for this reply being so long, but, it has been a long road to getting my life back. This is the first day of the rest of my life!

WooHoo!! Good for you, glad to know you have no regrets. Continue in this journey and God Bless.

[marcossleeve 8]

I'm 50 years old, just had the sleeve, on 10/26, I'm so happy, but I know that road ahead won't be easy.

The worst think for me, was to ask for an extension on a airplane, I hope to but that behind me.

We have to stay strong, in the end of the day, it's all mental.

Good luck to you all in this new journey !!!