ROLL CALL!! Oct 22, 2007

Stayed the same this week 226. Still 80 lbs gone since May. What was my catalyst for this surgery? My Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer in January of 2006. The following 9 months were pure hell. The cancer didn't kill her but the treatments almost did three different times. During that time I thought alot about her dying and leaving me that led to thoughts of me dying and leaving my son. He's only 8 and I knew I had to do something so I would see him grow-up. I made an appt in Sept of 06 after they told us my Mom's cancer had gone to her lungs, had to wait until Jan 07 for a consult but it was worth it. Needless to say me and my Mom are doing great, I had the surgery and her cancer was a wrong diagnosis (she had a lung infection, not cancer). My only regret is not having done this 7 years ago when I first thought about it (but I was too afraid), maybe I could have had more children but now it's too late, I'm too old. On the bright side I'm healthier and going to live a long, long time. Have a great week everyone!! Robin

Hi Lea, My weight this week is 166 one pound from goal. I don't know that I had a breaking moment.I had been thinking about it for awhile.I was still in pretty good health,but my blood preasure was creeping up and moving around was getting harder.The biggest factor for me was probably due to my mother.She died 21 yrs ago at the age of 66 from diabetes.Even though my blood sugar levels were fine,I'm sure it was only a matter of time til I started to have problems.I decided it was better to have the surgery before I developed any major health problems.

I am at 160 today. I am stoked. I want to go ahead and set my goal for New Years at 145. Lets hope I exceed it, but will see. Why did YOU decide to have weight loss surgery? What was your breaking point or deciding moment to go ahead and pursue this journey? And, would you do it again? Now for my answers. I decided to have surgery when the my knees started hurting again even though I have had surgery on both knees. I was told that I was pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I at first figured I could deal with the pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive, but when I had to wear the combination Darth Vadar/Hannibal Lector mask at night or risk dying then that is where I drew the line and decided with my families support to start being pro-active with my health. Plus my mother died weighing 250 and on several medications two of which were for hypertension and Type-II diabetes. I love her and miss her, but didn't want to end up like her healthwise. My breaking point was the sleep apnea and my husband staying awake most of the night to make sure I was breathing. Would I do it again? My only regret is that I should have done it sooner so yes in a heartbeat I would do it again.

I weighed in at 272 this morning! I am so close to my goal of 270 I can feel it!!!! I'm glad I made my goal somewhat far reaching because I feel like I really fought for it! 17 pounds in 6 weeks is pretty good! I had RNY because I knew I would be dead in a few short years. Having a 2 year old the idea of leaving her behind because of my addiction to hurting myself with food really opened my eyes - and I couldn't be happier. I love my RNY!!!! Jen R

Good morning Lea. My weight this morning was 176.6. This week's Question of the Week: Why did YOU decide to have weight loss surgery? What was your breaking point or deciding moment to go ahead and pursue this journey? And, would you do it again? The reason I finally decided to have weight loss surgery is because of all the constant pain I was in with my knees and back. Also, my doctor told me I was on the verge of either having a heart attack or stroke due to my cholesterol being so high. After fighting my insurance company for 2 years and getting no where, I decided if I wanted to live then I'd just have to pay for it myself. Would I do it again, you darn right!!! Don't even have to think about that one!! Michele

I am at 270.1 Not much of a loss this week. But still good. I see my PA for my 3 month check up on thursday. My best friend Lesa used to tell me to have the surgery and I was not ready. She always pushed me to lose weight but I wasnt ready. I was in a terrible car accident and lost her. She passed away in the accident I spent the next ten weeks in the hospital recovering. My Doctors all told me to lose weight they said I wouldnt wal****il I lost some weight. I had a double femur break and alot of other injuries. My doctor pleaded with me and I agreed. I am happy to say the time between deciding and the time of surgery was quick. I would defin do it again I feel great!

Lea, I joined the Christmas mini challenge or thought I did. AM I at the right place? I never know where to go. As to answer your question: I had the open RNY because I had had surgery 22 years ago to lose weight and was having severe complications from that surgery. I was throwing up every meal and had severe severe anemia and other issues.THey went in and UNDID that surgery, PRAISE GOD, and did this surgery plus repaired two hernias. Now I can eat without throwing up and it has so awesome! It has been wonderful and I wish I had done it sooner. I am a slow loser but that is ok. IT is coming off and I am so grateful. Please let me know about the Christmas challenge. THanks, Darlene

Darlene, While you are welcome to join our challenge, I think you mean the "Christmas Challenge" that someone else started this month and I think they do their posts in the Lap Band Forum? http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/a,messageboard/action,replies/board_id,5359/cat_ id,4959/topic_id,3431547/ I would like to invite you to join our challenge now! If you'd like to be part of it, we need your numbers... high/preop weight current weight goal for New Year's (when our next round will end) Hugs, Lea

I weighed in at 283.8 this morning, meaning that I lost less than 1 lb. this week. I hate feeling so discouraged about the really slow weight loss. It is so much easier to stay on track with the food and excercise when you can see real results, and so now I am fighting a 'why bother' mentality. I had this surgery because mobility was becoming really difficult for me. I would not walk anywhere more than a couple of blocks away if I could avoid it, and my foot and ankle hurt all the time. Also, my sex life was dwindling rapidly and my snoring was irritating my husband. But what really compelled me to have this surgery was that I saw the great results that a friend had with her RNY and I wanted the same opportunity for myself.

My weight today is 179 lbs. that's a loss of 1 lb. I'm going in for hip replacement tomarrow and don't know if I will be able to check in next week for the final weigh in. But I'm not going to stop my progess, I only have 4 more pounds to go for this challenge. I decided to have this weight loss sugery because, I couldn't move hardly and felt like hell and decided I couldn't take it anymore. And I would do this again a 1,000 times over if I had to, and not even think twice about it. JoniK