Reasons for WLS

 I was just thinking about why do we have weight loss SURGERY. I mean it's such a drastic and life altering thing to do to yourself so what finally makes us decide to do it. For me I got sick and tired of dieting but getting no results and being a slave to food all the dammit time. I couldn't take being fat anymore so that's mostly why I had the surgery. I remember researching it and then finally just went ahead and did all my preop stuff and had it done. But I'm sure there has to be some other reasons we choose surgery to correct this. Maybe we think it's a fast way to get some weight off? Maybe we're vain and/or lazy? I'm not being accusatory I'm just saying there has to be other reasons to have potentially deadly surgery for a weight problem. 

This is a very good question and thank you for asking it. For me....for me its a means to an end. I can lose weight and have lost weight. I have a fat family so to speak, I have fat DNA and a few of my cousins decided about five years ago to break the cycle and have surgery. My parents both died young. I have "sick DNA as well". I want to be around a bit longer. 

I'm willing to go through the surgery to take more of the weight off. It's been amazing I have been overweight ALL my life! And I mean all of my life, I have no idea what  "being a normal" size means. I have never hated myself for that, I have never had self loath, until I started this process!
I know amazing! I have had to tell therapist and I hate my body just to get what I want.  I have had to act sad about not being able to wear cute clothes, when in fact I rock in the clothes that I wear.  I know others have had issues, I know others are afraid of "attention".

And since it is available to me and it is an option, frankly I see it as no different then getting lasic surgery or getting a boob job. I'm trying to improve my overall "self"

Good question!

For me, I'm 53 years old and been overweight/obese for most of my life. I have lost and regained weight yearly for most of those years, but never to a truly healthy weight and never for very long. This  takes a toll on the body and the heart.

I watched my mother slowly and painfully live with and then die from obesity-related diseases... diabetes and all its complications, heart failure, mind going from lack of blood flow... you all know what that's about. It broke my heart. She finally found release from her suffering this past December.

I know I am going to die... none of us gets out alive. BUT I am NOT going like that.

I wanted a quality of life... with reducation in pain, physical and emotional. I wanted to do things before I die that I haven't been able to do because of my weight. I wanted the confidence and the accomplishment of having done this life-long quest.

I found WLS to be my last hope tool to get me to a place of health and comfort in my body. I was careful not to see it as a magic solution. I did know it would require work. I didn't know it would require this much work. Even knowing what I know now, I would do it again. No regrets.

Raven, I read your post after posting mine. We have similar stories. 

Very good question! My #1 reason was for my health.

Four years ago I had a heart attack and triple bypass. My brother has similar heart issues. I felt the heart attack and cardiac rehab would have taught me a valuable lesson. Unfortunately, it did not. My weight crept up again. at my heart attack I was around 275. After rehab I was 235, still too heavy. I just went back to my bad ways and next thing you know I was 260 again. I knew some drastic change had to happen.

My partner Brett had RNY 2 1/2 years ago and has been so successful. His health is so improved. I decided to pursue my options and after consultation with my surgeon, I decided on lapband. I felt my multiple health issues of cardiac disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea put me at a higher risk with RNY. Lapband seemed to be my answer.

I know that I will not be a skinny guy but my hope is to be a healthier guy. It was a very good decision. I am still learning the ropes but feel so much better. The side benefits are also good for my heart. I exercise daily, eat better and watch my health. I would be in much worse shape today if I had not altered my life 7 months ago.  -- Tom

I didn't have any great epiphany...I just got tired of being fat.  I was an Irish step dancer as a kid (10 years) which takes it's toll on the knee joints as we get older.  As an adult I have been active doing hiking, cycling, going to the gym, etc., but then I started having real problems with one of my knees a couple of years ago so I had knee surgery.  In the last 16 years I've had surgery on both knees and I'm only 40.  Anyway, I like being active, but I couldn't be as physical as I wanted at the weight I was because of the strain on my knees.  Other things added to the laundry list of why RNY: I love traveling to explore, but I wasn't comfortable flying at that weight...it's embarrassing asking for the seatbelt extension...I'm a theater goer (live theater and movies), but the seats were uncomfortable.  So, in the end I was tired of my fat stopping me from enjoying life.  Other than my knees I hadn't developed any life threatening illnesses...my doctors said I was the picture of health...except for the extra 130 lbs...lol.  After a co-worker of mine had the surgery and lost 200 lbs, I knew I was ready to experience that freedom and live my life to the fullest.  I'm now doing all the exercising I want and I'm taking figure skating lessons.  I go to the theater and fit comfortably and this summer I'm off to explore Ontario and maybe Maine in the Fall...life is good!

Brid

I have arthrhitis in both knees, an ankle, and my lower back. I was in pain all the time from the back and I knew something had to be done. I was also diabetic, had high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. My health sucked and I knew it was weight related. I knew I wouldn't be able to work out enough to help cause of pain. I didn't want to fail at another diet. I had a friend that had WLS and found out that you do eat again. I always thought you were on mushies and shakes for the rest of your life. I have too much of a love affair with food to do that. When I found out she eats real food just smaller portions, I knew I could do it. That was what sealed the deal for me, I could eat food and not have to give it up.

That's a good question. I was one who said I would never have the surgery scared the hell out of me. Now its the best thing I ever did. I was paying so much for my medication, my insurance went to a deductible from a co-pay. I knew I had to do something, my energy level was zero and I felt really bad. I had a friend who had RNY and did really well after watching her I started asking her questions and then really started looking into the surgery. I did it mainly for my health, but there is also a part of me that has always wanted to be normal or even skinny. I was never small even as a child I was always over weight and nothing worked until I got my new tool.

 I was becoming more and more anxious about participating in life.  Though mildly painful and winded, most of my problem was the sweating.  Any little activity and I was profusely sweating and then horribly embarrassed - at work during a stressful event, walking in the grocery store, sitting in a bar that was a bit warm, walking in a mall, hiking, doing housework.  Anything with any movement and the dripping was profuse - I hated it!   I love new experiences and excitement so much . . . I was becoming trapped in my body.  And, this "isolation" resulted in escalating anger which was seriously impacting home and work relationships.

i am now trying to accept that my sweating is not excessive at the gym.