Vanity...

[Surby 1]

Vanity to a very small degree. Here's what pushed me all the way over the edge. My mom, who was in perfect health and at a perfect weight, had a massive stroke on Dec. 22 of last year. Believe it or not, that's not what convinced me. She spent A LOT of time in rehab because of paralysis. Her roommate at one place was an obese woman, and it took 4 to 5 staff people to help her up and down. It was nearly impossible to bathe her, and the weight of her own body broke her leg during physical therapy. She probably only weighed 250 pounds. Obese, but not THAT big. I never ever want to be in that boat!! THAT'S what convinced me to be banded!

[susantunanoodle 0]

In my case, at my age, it was all about health. I used to run, be active and had a good BMI but a series of events (and my own food issues) led me to gain a ton of weight and now I can't climb stairs without getting winded, I feel sluggish, no energy and have lots of wierd musculoskeletal pains. I HATE being like this. I also have hypertension, bad cholesterol and mild/moderate osteoporosis. Im staring at diabetes. So, it's definitely a health thing for me. I gotta get serious about my body at my age if I want to have any quality years left.:sick

Cheers,

Susan

[LeslieM 0]

vanity? not exactly.

Once I was leaving on a camping trip and my husband rebuffed my attempt to give him a little hug and a peck. I was shocked and then realized that there were other moms there and he was embarrassed of me. Since then I've noticed he and my kids ignoring me frequently in public.

I am a civil engineer and I have to compete with other engineers to get good projects. I never get projects that haven't been passed up by all the other engineers. It has been suggested to me that it is the way I look.

I am an embarrassment to myself, my family, and my employer. I feel so exposed and mortified.

Is that vanity?

[serious 2]

All of the above. Vanity : because I was always one of those women who women hated and men loved because I was so pretty, I never lacked for male companionship, and I loved going out, I had a very active social life. Now, I spend a lot of time staying home because I refuse to buy any bigger clothes, and my self esteem is shot to hell. Health: because my right knee is beginning to ache, and my blood pressure is starting to edge up. Family: I have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and of course, obesity. Career: Because as has already been stated, the world we live in is very image conscious, and if you do not look the part you are not going to get the job.