What was your defining

moment that made you get the gastric bypass surgery? I was posed this question from a person who is thinking about getting the surgery. I told her mine was when I could not carry my 9 month old daughter up a flight of stairs (only 12 steps) and I felt like I was having a heart attack. I was only 35 years old! SO I would love to share your story (no names would be mentioned) on why you decided to change your life for the BETTER:)

Mine was my 50th birthday - when my sister took a picture of me in the yard surrounded by pink flamingos and a palm tree and there's me trying to hide my big old fat self behind a little 12 lb puppy. I saw that picture and cried - denial is an amazing thing and I always told myself I just wasn't 'that' big, but when I saw that photo I knew something serious had to be done or I wouldn't live to see my 55th birthday. That was my 'ah-ha' moment for starting the process of weight loss surgery - I weighed 388 lbs. How sad.

My birthday pic is posted on my profile and I carry one in my wallet - for one it reminds me of how far I've come in my journey.

humm that's a good question. Mine was the fact that several Drs told me that I wouldn't be able to have children of my own. It was like telling me I wouldn't breathe anymore. For me the decision was a "no brainer" and well I've proved them all wrong! Here I am almost 3 years out and 11 weeks pregnant!

Another factor was the fact that my Dad is a type 1 diabetic, so is my Uncle and my Great Grandmother was. My Mom had recently been diagnosed with type 2 and I didn't want to end up there. Now 140 pounds lighter I hope i never cross that bridge.

Liz

Awesome question.  

I was 23 years old, and a regular at the clothing store Catherine's.   I went in one day because I needed a new pair of jeans, the ones I had were getting too tight.   When I went in, and told them that I needed the next size up..  and that I was currently in a women's 34w jeans...   they told me "that's the largest size we sell in the store we don't have anything above that size unless you order online....   "

oy.  In any other plus sized retail store the 34w was also the largest size they went up to... and lane bryant didn't even go up that high I don't think.   I was 23 years old...  and NOT ABLE to buy clothes at a store.  Not that nothing fit me right.. or that I was being picky.    NOTHING would fit me.  That was the most horrifying moment of my entire life.   And what did I do??  I went home...  ordered a pizza, an order of fries with extra cheese...  and a bag of chips..   sat and ate ALL of it crying my eyes out the entire time.. 

I knew I had a serious problem....

I'm not sure I had a specific defining moment.  I was working a 12-step program for co-dependency when God revealed to me that I was a food addict.  Someone at work mentioned that her daughter at GBS.  I wrote to her and she sent me to OH.  I did some research and made a decision that the surgery would be a good option for me.  I was right. 

13 days and counting here is my story:

My family got invited to a local swimming pool for some Sunday relaxation.  We got everyone ready, got all their "stuff" and headed out.  My husband took the baby in and since I DONT SWIM, rather I will not put on a bathing suit, there was no one to swim with Madison our 4 year old.  OH, WOW what am I doing!!!  One of my co-workers was there are got in with her because her Mommy who says she would do ANYTHING for her, would not go swimming with her.  I felt like..... I am not sure I can put a name or label on just how low I felt as a mother and as a person. That was it I made up my mind that I was not going to deprive my family and myself of a life because of my weight. 

~Anita~

Hi Shilpa,

That is a great question the person asked you. . .

Mine is actually posted on my blog. . .

It happened in two stages in March of 07, when first I went to Florida to celebrate my granddaughter's 9th birthday, at which time I told her that we were going to have special Grandma and Granddaughter birthday celebration and that she could chose what we would do that for her birthday.  Her choice was to go to Disney with me because as she told me, "even though I've been there many times before, I want to go and have fun with you there grandma. . ." 

Sadly, I had to tell her, that while I thought it would be a great deal of fun, that I was not up to doing that.  You see I knew that I could not spend an entire day walking around a theme park, as due to my obesity, even going food/clothes shopping had become something of a hardship, my back, thighs, ankles and feet would be screaming in pain if I were on my feet for an hour, never mind spending and entire day at Disney. 

When I came home from that trip I had my yearly physical scheduled and when I got on the scale and it read 254 lbs., a weight I had never imagined getting to, I remembered how I had disappointed my granddaughter and the reason was something I could do something about, I cried while I waited for the doctor to come in and because I had seen others in my family have and successfully change their lives by virtue of having gastric bypass, I made a decision to explore that possibility for myself.  At 51 years of age, I had gone from being a very social and active person to a recluse whose only real pleasure had become what I could eat and the sad part was I had done so without even realizing it, until my granddaughter woke me up to that fact. 

I am so happy that I took that first step in March of 2007, now there is very little I can't do, if I WANT TO!

Shilpa I don't even care if you use my name, I am not ashamed of having taken this path towards a healthy life that is so worthwhile today!

Hugs, Laureen

I knew when I was 15 years old that I was going to get it, it was a matter of time before I had the money and time to have it done.  Every diet I was ever on that failed because I was hungry all the time.  Every smirking glimpse from the outside world.  Every child that followed me in the supermarket pointing out my humungus butt.  Every breathe I could not catch getting up to use the toilet or answer the phone or the door.  All these factors did it for me.  And then the big one, being an embarassment to my daughter and myself.

Great Question:

   I had always been over weight and researched close to 5 years online and in books about Gastric Bypass talked to my PCP who was not 100% sure about the surgery she only had a few patients that had it. Around November of 2007 I crossed paths with someone who had surgery they encouraged me to check out Barix since I was at an all time high weight of 340 pounds and all time low in esteem I got information online then got a few phone calls from them but it was the holiday time so I put the information away my friend and me talked again they asked what I was waiting for and made a promise that I would call for a consult then the next day it was eerie I got an email for a consult so I replied and made the appointment.

I knew it was no or never my 40th birthday was appraoching and my Mom had died at age 55 she was over weight and had heart isses so all I kept seeing was 15 more years to live flash in front of my eyes when I would go to sleep. I knew I deserved and watned a better life then what I was living in regards to joint pain and not being able to do basic things so many people take for grant.

  So I think of my friend that crossed my path as an Angel that pushed me in the right direction to save my life and look at the outcome for me. Who knew! 

I started thinking about surgery aprox. five years before I had it. I kept letting my family and myself talk me out of it. They were worried about the risk associated. I would think well 220lbs isn't that bad, and then well 240lbs is something I can live with. Wow the scale says 250lbs now well I can adjust at least it isn't 300lbs, and then 270lbs, holy cow I better get this under control, then 276lbs my all time high. I saw a pic of myself at that weight and thought wow that can't be me. Then it dawned on me how close I was to the 300lbs mark. The pain in my back was getting worse and worse, my health was getting worse, I could do less and less. I finally broke down and agreed to see a back surgeon when my family doc told me that he thought there was some serious problems. Well there was the back doc said I needed to have back surgery and being that I was so young he really was hesitant to do it. I told him I was thinking about GB and asked if he thought that would make a difference. When he said yes my mind was made up. I didn't want to end up having back surgery. I have been overweight since I was eight years old and I have tried just about every diet I can think of, I knew it was time for drastic measures. This was what I needed to change my life. Seven months later and my back pain is minimal compared to what it used to be, I can function like a normal person. I am active and doing things that I would never have dreamed I would ever be capable of doing again. This has changed my life for the best. My family were very supportive although worried, and now that they see the change in me they are so happy for me. And so am I, thank God for this amazing new chance at living.