What was the final straw/final trigger for you having WLS/starting the WLS process?

Wow, in that case, it was your off hand comment that set everything in motion! Good for you (and for her for seizing the opportunity and setting the appointment). I see we are very close on timelines; my RNY was 2/14.

Thanks for sharing - and this is a good question.

I was married at the time that I decided to have weight loss surgery. At almost 450 lbs, I obviously knew I needed to do something about my health; however, it wasn't until my father-in-law (at the time) passed away that I had the "come to Jesus" moment. I was in the room when he passed away and literally watching him take his last breath was a terrible thing I will never forget. It made me realize that my family was going to be surrounding me like this... watching me die at a young age because I couldn't get control over my emotional eating issues.

That was on November 1st, 2012 and my first appointment was November 20th. I never looked back and am forever grateful I went through with surgery. I only wish I had either gone to therapy and gotten control over my issues before I gained so much weight (to where I felt hopeless to lose it all without help) OR have gotten surgery earlier. I spent years in misery.

I started the supervised diet, unsure I was going to go through with surgery. It wasn't until I found this site and was "surrounded" by people just like me that made it click. If others could do it, I could do it too.

So glad to hear your story!!

Wow, that is incredible and makes me teary eyed.

This is a great site and I can't speak enough about the amazing support here!

Hi Partlypollyanna,

When my PCP of over 25 years said if I didn't have the gastric bypass I would be dead in 5 years. I was in my 40's. It still took me 18 months before I was wheeled into the OR...

Oh! I am of mixed minds of that level of candor...I'm sure it jumpstarted you and frightened you As it was intended to...but given I usually ended up crying over test results with my NP, I probably would have had to assume the fetal position at that point!!

We had a long standing relationship and she was a no BS Doctor. I miss her EVERYDAY!

I had been scheduled for and then cancelled lap band surgery in 2008. For the next 8 years I researched all of the surgeries and had decided if I ever did do it, I would do the gastric sleeve...but I never acted on it.

It was a one-two punch combo that finally made me make the decision. First, in 2014 I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and it scared the hell out of me. Then, I had been needing a hysterectomy for years. In a follow-up appointment after emergency hernia surgery in February 2016, I asked the surgeon about it; he told me nobody would do the hysterectomy until I lost weight.

That was it; 2 months later I had my first appointment with my surgeon, and the rest is history--no more diabetes, and had the hysterectomy a year ago tomorrow!!

ETA: In addition to the diabetes, I had additional co-morbidities of depression and hypertension. Post-surgery, the depression is still an issue because all of my female relatives take something for it so it's hereditary, but I used to take 2 BP meds--one has been eliminated entirely, and the other cut from 100mg to 50mg. I am, needless to say, a very happy camper!

Oh wow! Looks like VSG was the right choice, and you haven't had to deal with any of the lap band issues I've heard so much about!

Amen, sister! One of my BFFs had lap band...and had to revise to RNY because it didn't work for her and was a bunch of trouble.

Wow, it?s wonderful to read everyone else?s path to surgery.

When our older brother passed away at 44 from cancer, my other brother said he wanted me to think about as he didn?t want to be an only child... I started and stop the process twice, then my son blessed me with a grandchild. I was back in within the week and had the surgery 6 months later.

It really help that that my whole family, pretty much all my friends, and a great boss where all super supportive. My Aunt is now more than 11years out of VSG and has been my go to support. She still at goal weight and is extremely active.

I'm almost 2 years out and below all my and my WLS goals. I feel like a whole new person.

Liz