What was your "light bulb moment"?

I'm so glad you survived & are here with us. 

I'm so happy for you that it worked out. Kudos for your persistence! 

My light bulb moment.... when my mom fell in the middle of the night  (two nights in a row) and I had to call the fire department to get her up.  Watching these men struggle with her, I knew I never wanted to be in that position.  Two months later I went for an informational seminar and two months after that had surgery.

I had thought about WLS for about 10 years and even went to a few info seminars and support group meetings along the way.  I don't think my mind was truly in it then, though, and I was worried about the cost.  The only insurance option available to me that covered WLS was triple the cost of my HMO, which seemed outrageous to me.  I thought I'd wait until my HMO changed its policy and suddenly covered it (btw - this never happened - it still doesn't cover it).

During the last year or so before I had it, my mind started coming around.  I started thinking I was going to do it, but I'd wait until I was eligible for Medicare, since Medicare covers it.  

Then I went to my last info seminar.  The surgeon was explaining all the benefits of WLS.  Luckily, I had no co-morbidities other than early onset arthritis, which was probably amazing given I was in my 50s, almost 400 lbs, and had been obese my entire life (I credit good genes and nutritious eating (too much food, obviously - but always nutritious food)).   Anyway, he went through the WLS stats - 80% remission of this, 100% remission of that, 50% reduction in this, vast improvement on this that and this, on and on.  That did it.  For a long time I'd had visions of dying of a heart attack - or having had one and lying in the ER on a gurney with people telling me I wouldn't survive if I didn't lose 200 lbs *right now*.   But..those stats!  There was my solution!  And I realized waiting for Medicare wasn't really an option - I might not be alive at 65 if I didn't go through with this.  SO...I bit the bullet and did it.  Changed to the really expensive insurance (figured I'd really only need to do it for a year or two, and then change back) and started the process.

Like so many have said, I wish I would have done it years ago - but then I don't think my head was 100% in it until I had these insights a year or so before my surgery.  I have been phenomenally successful with this surgery - beaten the odds, as so many on this site have - and I know without a doubt I wouldn't have been nearly as successful if I wasn't 100% in it.

I agree.  I often regret that I didn't go through with surgery earlier -- but then, like yourself, I realize that I wasn't in the right mindset then.  I also don't think I was ready and that I wouldn't have been nearly as successful.  

I had just adopted my second child and knew I needed to be the one to raise them to adulthood. I knew I would not be able to if I did not take control of my health. I had considered WLS for several years. We went to visit relatives and I had a long talk with my cousin who had had RNY 3 years earlier. She lost all her excess weight and was so vibrant and active. I knew right then and there I had to get surgery. I was finally ready.

More mama-love.  

I suffered a traumatic experience at the hands of a serious boyfriend. It was a realization that he didn't love me; I was his feti**** was at that point I realized how miserable my life was. I was a spectacle wherever I went, I was in constant pain, and the man I had been discussing marriage with violated me horribly. What I wanted most, love and family, would probably never happen for me at my weight. So off I toddled to find a solution. Best decision I ever made! 

I'm sorry for your experience.  It's painful to be fetishized or objectified.  

Love to you.