The straw that broke the camels back.

I was having a discussion with my personal support system (Wife ).

I was telling her that I wonder what was the exact point in other people lives that they knew that they wanted to get WLS surgery or that they needed to make a drastic change in their lives.

Mine was over two years ago.  I woke up in the middle of the night from a fitful sleep with my heart pounding, I felt like I was being smothered by my own body. The weight on my stomach and chest was pressing down on me affecting my ability to breath. My lower back was in pain from the weight. My joints ached from carrying the weight around during the day. I actually was afraid.

 I knew at the moment in my pounding heart that If I did not do something to change my life, I would die in my sleep sometime in the near future. I had been warned by doctors about my weight, counseled by family members and Friends, but I had not yet reached that point in my life to make a drastic change to consider a surgical approach to getting healthy.

That night was the last straw for me, I started researching WLS surgery and began my journey.

Does anyone care to share  what was theirs?

 

 

Gary,
Good Question!
I guess for me it was my son telling me I was fat!  I had enough of insulin and being sick yet it really wasn't until my then 9 year old son said "mom why can't you keep up like all the other moms?"  and "why are you so fat?" That really made me think about what I needed to do.  I wanted to be healthy and be a good example to my kids.
The truth hurts but in this case it helped me more than it hurt me!

Hi Gary,
My point was when my podiatrist told me that if I didn't lose weight I would end up permanently in a wheelchair.  Also my cardiologist told me that if I didn't lose weight that I would be disabled in 5 years, and she said something last year, when are you going to have a heart attack, before I retire or after I retire, as I have may health issues as well as family history of heart problems.  It's was a wake up call for me.  They really opened my eyes to what needed to be done. 

My last years check up with labs.  My doc told me I was diabetic.  That did it for me.  Besides the HB, arthritis, and high cholesterol and knee and back problems, it all sucked. My future was bleek.  So I asked about wls and was approved as soon as she sent in the paper work.  Best thing that ever happened to me. I have a future now. 

Mine was almost like Reggie's. My Dr told me I was borderline diabetic. My father told me that he had been taking BP meds for so long that his Dr told him he had kidney damage caused by them. I never knew that it was a side effect. I wanted off those meds more than ever, when I found that out. And when I flew back East to see the family it was so embarrassing to ask for a seat belt extender. I have never regretted having the surgery either time.

Wow

For me it was a few differant things,,  Being put on Diabectic meds, high blood pressure, enlarged heart , family history - that I ignored ---- But The final Straw was being told I had Cancer and that unless I lost the weight  I would have a more higher risk  of having additional cancers .. That did it for me!  I knew I had to brave out that Damn needle phobia and go for it.

Funny  thing is the First Dr  *****ally gave me hope was Dr Schlesinger.

well for me it was a lot of things. i am only 25 year old and i have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesteral, athritis over 95% of my body and number of other things.  i have two kids a 
2 1/2 year old and a 19 month old. i can't do anything with them so i did it to be a better mom and to live a life i never have been able to.  i wanted more than what i had. i was 318 lbs when i went in for surgery now 6 weeks out i am 35lbs lighter. it is amazing

Danielle

The straw was being diagnosed as pre-diabeties. I was already so overweight and having so many problems with my body and personal image issues. I'd already started resurching WLS, but it was the pre diabeties that decided me once and for all.

For me I think it was really not being able to be the father I want to be for my little girl.  Also the fact that I could not go into a store unless they had electric scooters. 

Gary!  You totally rock!  (so does your wife!)...........great question to stir up some heartfelt chatter!

My moment of WLS commitment came with a combo of medical stuff....I'd been insulin dependent for a  while but finally the neuropathy in my feet was making the foot doc say things out loud to me that gave me visions of wheelchairs, amputations, etc.  .... then stuck in the hosptal for a week with heart stuff.....had to miss my son's vollelyball graduation awards thing that I had organized!!!!!  .........PCP told my son (cuz he thought I wasn't paying attention) that if I didn't lose weight I wouldn't be around much longer!  .......  So, here I am today maintaining a healthy weight, no diabetic issues, no heart issues and I just attended my son's wedding celebrations looking and feeling GREAT!!!!  ............There have been tradeoffs.  We trade fat for loose skin, loose skin for scars, .......handfuls of meds for handfuls of vitamins........and some of us having a few extra issues.  But, the bottom line is that it gives us a second chance at life!  .....  I LOVE all the doors that have opened in my life!  I LOVE my life!!!!