What Is (or Was) Holding You Back from Weight Loss Surgery?

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

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[terrydumont46 1,954]

I was always so successful in dieting. all I needed to do is do what I had done before. until diabetes became my life and I couldn't lose for the life of me. and than my heart stopped for 11 1/2 seconds. when my husband and daughter pleaded with me to live and I looked into my granddaughters precious face I knew I wanted to live. I was going to seminars almost as soon as I left the hospital because of my heart. my primary insurance wouldn't pay but I was eligible for medicare. it takes awhile for that to get started etc. a slew of medical emergencies later I finally had surgery. the best thing I ever did. and the hardest thing I have done.

[Weeviegurl 81]

I kept telling myself that, "I can do this on my own." and ”I'm not afraid of hard work, because I've done it before." I finally came to terms with the fact that I needed help. I struggled with major plateaus for 6 months at-a-time, while practically killing myself working out 1-2 hrs/6 days-a-week while eating clean and giving up cheat days. I realized my body was fighting back, and this may be my only chance to see results and maintain the results without giving up everything, time, money, sanity for mediocre results. Some of the issue was cost/insurance, and some hesitation was because I know a few people that have either had major complications, or have regained. I was just tired of the yo-yo dieting, and knew that it is not healthy. I know how good I feel when I am eating healthy and being active, and I was starting to notice I was feeling worse and worse. I want to be here to watch my son grow up and be involved in his life instead on "watching" him grow up, because I am unable to keep up with him. I want to have a more healthy relationship with my husband in the bedroom; poor guy has suffered considerably because of my lack of drive, self esteem. I have also considered (every time that I have been at a healthier weight and active) that I want to be a fitness instructor, ZUMBA to be exact. I really want to pursue that possibility.

I have missed out on much of my life because of my weight, and I want to LIVE!!!!

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

I was absolutely terrified... I have a bit of a nervous feeling about medical stuff anyway but the idea of the sleeve (or bypass) just sent me into a tailspin. Then, I was quite worried I would be a failure. I mean, I had failed at the lapband and was already told that meant I wasn't likely to do very well with the sleeve. Luckily, my fears were unfounded and I had great results and maintaining my weight loss so far...

[jacileggs 402]

The only thing that held me back initially was that it wasn't previously covered by my provincial health care plan. I finally decided to self pay and then discovered that by then it was covered by my health plan. So I decided to jump through the hoops and have it done for free rather than spend $15000. It all worked out perfectly.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Fear, fear and fear. And the thought that it was a selfish thing to do. How F'd up is that?

[BladeFox 235]

I actually didn't consider it until a couple of months before attending the information session. Prior to, I had heard that many people actually hated people that got the surgery because they thought it was a cheat and they thought that it was for extremely obese people.

Before I dove in, I had tried at least 2-3 diets and they worked only to have regained it back. I knew that I didn't have the willpower to prevent me from overeating. That was half the battle. Now the only other conscious battle (the other half) is in keeping the carbs in perspective.

I encourage people to do them and not worry about the naysayers. They don't live in our skins!

[NYCkindofgirl 62]

I said other. There were multiple things holding me back.

First, I actually didn't mind being fat. My social life was good and my friends and family were there for me. I was however deluding myself by thinking the weight wasn't harming me.

Second, I've had multiple surgeries in my like and I just didn't want another one.

Lastly, and this is still on my mind, I don't know if it will make a difference long-term. I have lost in excess of 100 lbs. more than once in my life, and managed to gain it back. Not only have I gained the weight back but each time I have gained more than I lost.

So, I'm cautiously optimistic and still glad that I've started the journey.

[The Icy One 518]

I chose "Other."

For me, it is just darned ornery-ness. I would get going on a weight loss program, lose a pile of fat, feel all good about myself, fall off the rails, gain it back, invite a whole bunch of that fat's friends to the party and start looking at new diet programs. And WLS. The more I dieted, the more seriously I looked into surgery. Then I would get p*ssed, get back to work and start the whole stupid cycle all over, again.

In 2010, I lost 130 pounds through hard work and diet. Over the next few years, I gained almost all of it back. And I knew that I had hit my breaking point. I had to get off of that idiotic roller coaster, once and for all. I Googled Lap Band discussion forums, landed here, lurked, read for a day or so, saw an ad for True Results in Scottsdale, hooked up with them online, registered an account here and the rest is history.

[InfiniteButterfly 438]

The insurance/ payment was a big issue. I had first started looking into it when I had great insurance, and when I lost my job and insurance due to some family issues, I didn't have that as a resource, and most if not all the money I had at the time went toward my kids. (my ex had destroyed my credit rating, so I had no credit and no savings. But bonus! I no longer had the ex, so it was worth it)

When hubby got a fantastic job with great insurance benefits, I dove in head-first. He knew it was something I'd wanted for a long time, and he supported me every step of the way.

[roundisashape 712]

I chose "other" - my insurance DOES cover surgery, but I'm already behind just keeping up with copays and stuff the insurance didn't cover up to this point.

[Texasmeg 568]

I chose:

• You are not sure which type of weight loss surgery is best for you.
• You are afraid of complications or side effects from weight loss surgery.
• Other - thought my BMI wasn't high enough at 37

It was primarily fear of complications, though.

[Texasmeg 568]

I decided to add to my response after reading the other responses.

A primary reason (which I had forgotten) was that I had to come around to giving up food as comfort, entertainment, stress relief, and a means to connect with other people. Worse yet, I had to give up diet coke. As the surgery grew close, I felt like I was an addict going into Rehab, but was more and more ready to do that.

food doesn't have the hold on me it once did and my life is so much better for it. I couldn't possibly have pictured it at the beginning - so I'm not sure I could reach out to anyone else to let them know it will be ok - but it will be!

[maroon5197 4]

My biggest concern about WLS was that I viewed this as the last ditch effort for losing weight and having had a past of losing weight only to gain it all back again eventually was preventing me from making this decision for fear that I would be doing something as drastic as this and it was probably not going to work either. thankfully, I overcame that fear after listening to my surgeon at the info session explain all the health benefits of WLS and all the health detriments of remaining obese. I have to admit that now even 18 mos. post surgery I still am fearful of gaining back my weight.

[nerms 237]

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