I was just wondering

I had been considering it for a few years, but the final straws were when I had to have dental work done and couldn't have the normal anesthetic because my blood pressure was too high ( and not being controlled by any medicine.) I had to go get put on a blood pressure medicine - that just felt like it would be the first of many illnesses that I would have to navigate. The other was when they gave us pictures of ourselves that they had taken at work. I was wearing a dress that made me look absolutely immense. Probably because I am large but seeing that picture was just heartbreaking. -Anne

Anna, speaking of almost your turn. Best wishes this Friday. Keep that positive energy flowing. If you need anything please just ask. Keep us posted.

This past winter I had a stubborn upper respiratory infection that had to treated with prednisone which slowed my overactive immune system (lymphedema)so much that I lost a lot of the excess lymph fluid in my legs (25 pounds worth in 4 days!). That drop in weight (fat or flluid feels the same on the heart & joints) allowed me to walk long distances and be free for the first time in months (I went to Jungle Jims just to walk and Costco because I could). When I went back to the doctor to check my infection I begged him to leave me on the steroid (I knew he would not) and I cried and told him I could not go back to being almost unable to walk (the pain in my knees was excruiating) and he (bless him) mentioned wls and Dr Fischer, I was finally ready to admit that this drastic step was for me. Thank god for that upper respiratory infection.

Hi Terrie, He does work in wonderful ways. How are things going? You are almost one month out. Hope you are feeling well and the walking gets easier for you.

For me it was being pregnant and because I was so large I had to be mostly bedridden the entire time so that I would not lose the baby. I remember laying there and thinking it will be my fault if I lose this baby. She is two years old this month and this month I have my one year anniversary to mark my losing 200 pounds. Cheryl

Cheryl, Bravo Bravo. You are an inspiration. I hope on my anniverary I have such great news to report. The terrible two's ohhhh booooyyy. I barely remember them with my boys. They do learn other words besides "NO".

My defining moment was when I was sitting on my proch swing watching my very physically fit husband and two children playing outside and I realized how much I was missing. I remember my daughter asking me to come watch them play baseball in the yard. It is like she knew not to ask me to play because I never did. Now I play all the time!

Wow, I loved your story. I wish I had had the surgery when my sons were younger. I lived through that nightmare myself.

I adopted my daughter as a single parent when she was 10 years old. In our early years as a family, we had a lot of struggles with her opening herself up to being loved and parented. She's 17 now. Early this year she told me how afraid she was that I was going to die because of my weight and how scared she was that this would leave her orphaned and all alone again. That did it for me.

my moments were not as clearly defined as some of yours--i had considered wls- but was having another try at just one more diet- and failed--- hubby (of less than 4 mos at that time) had a heart attack and was in hospital for 14 days after quad bypass- my thoughts were that it should have been me--i was an "apple" figure mostly-- so many ppl would say "but you'r enot that heavy " --mine was compacted quite well on my frame!!!! i had tried to become employed and feel that my weight was a detriment-and kne wthat , in order to someday move to hawaii, i had to work.... then, last summer, i couldn't play with my granddaughter- couldn't even stand up when she would run thru the sprinkler- no energy for her or her baby sister-- i was approaching 50 and knew that there had to be a better life--i've come a long way, Baby!!!!!!!!! sorry- writing a book- so glad that i decided and pursued the surgery!!!!!