My turning points to decide on WLS, what were yours? With pics

 if found out my insurance covered 90% of it

When my kids asked me why I don't like doing certain things with them like going to the beach, river, or swim in a pool and I was too embarrassed to tell them the real reason. Family went on trips without me whenever water was involved because I felt awkward being the fat guy on the beach or in Lake Havasu.

I refused to let my weight ruin my life any longer and have been on a mission ever since.. I will never be the old me again and will not take my fat picture off my desk even once I reach goal.

 I had no co-morbidities, but last May (2011) I was 28 years old and got put in the hospital on Mother's day. My feet and hands were numb. They thought I had MS. Turns out that I didn't, I had Guillian Barre. This will Paralyze your entire body, and I was paralyzed for three weeks. I had to have multiple test done and overtime I had to be moved, it took at least four people to help lift me from bed cause I was completely paralyzed. It was very humiliating. I knew then I had to change something because i wanted to be there for my kids and live life to the fullest. i was in the hospital for over three weeks and PT all summer. I am doing great now with no effects of the GB!! 

 Having to get out of a roller coaster because I couldn't fit.  The most embaressing thing ever.

Reason #1  I have had high blood pressure since the age of 19 and i was just slightly overweight.  As i have gotten older,  heavier,  but not wiser my blood pressure has been almost uncontrollable.  
My mom had her first stroke at age 48 and looks like im on the right path for one too.

Reason #2  Out of breath and have to sit after walking up one flight of steps,  can't walk and talk at the same time or im out of breath.

Reason #3  I will be 40 in 2 years and i have always said i have to lose this weight before im 40.  Well I'm not getting any younger... lol

And i think the main reason that made me Dial the # was my daughters sweet 16 pictures made me cry when i saw myself.  I could not even recognize myself.  I was angry at myself for "letting" myself get to this point.
This is the dreaded picture.

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Maybe I am wrong for having this rational thinking but for me it was just that I wanted to be skinny.
I wanted to be a skinny, cute, pregnant woman and I wasn't.
Sadly, I will not be having more children but I still want to be skinny.
Yes, I never fit in a plane seat or never went on a roller coaster.  My husband still loves me and so do my kids.
I guess it bothered me a bit but not as much as I wanted to be thin and wear cute clothes.
I really am not vain but it's just how I feel.
I had surgery 2/1/12 and have lost 43 pounds.  I am so happy.  Just another 80 to go!

Being Diagnosed as Borderline Diabetic and also like you, the constant back pain from lugging around almost 250 pounds. (Just a note: I still love the pin-up photos). :)

 Separating from my husband. I had been thinking about it for over a year. I have diabetes and high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides!  And i am only 38!!  I knew there was no way he would support it. After we separated last September I started thinking more and more about it and the. Started talking to a couple of coworkers that had the sleeve done. So here I am scheduled for April 24th!!

 1. The usual aches and pains in back, knees and feet - feeling I was 70 yrs old before I was 40.
2.  Leaving my husband because I wanted more joy, love and passion in my life - but knowing it would be a struggle to find it at my size.  Still best decision (next to sleeve) I ever made.
3.  Traveling for work and the dread of fitting in a seat and the embarrasement of needing an extender.
4.  Knowing that diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure were not far off.
5.  Withdrawing from my friends and family because I was unhappy with myself and felt shame.  So not my personality - I am very social - but found myself more and more on the coach at home on the weekends.
6.  I am successful at everything I put my mind to - except my weight - and it drove me crazy.  I often felt out of control and at war with myself.
7.  Chaffed thighs, stomach rolls, bra strap red marks, flattened shoes, back fat, tummy problems, medications, creaking chairs, restaurant booths, shopping at big girl stores, fitting into comfortable jeans...

But the actual tip of the scale :) came from a conversation with a very close male friend who runs a medical tourism business - he brought it up and asked if I had ever thought about it.  After being ticked he brought it up  I was honest with him and admitted I had researched it significantly but I would be to embarrased to have WLS.  He asked if it was more embarrasing then being overweight?  Which ticked me off more...but he was right.  He also said that he loved me so much and that he felt like I wasn't living my life to the full potential and it made him sad.  He was right and I felt the same way.  After that conversation it just clicked and 2 weeks later I had my self pay surgery scheduled.  Now 9 days Post op and am soooo glad I made the choice to do this for me!

1. 4 situations where kids called me out on being fat. 2 were in public and very, very loud and humiliating. I have been terrified of kids ever since.
2. Sleep apnea for 4 years, but the realization that I wouldn't be able to find a boyfriend who would accept Darth Vader (my machine) so I'd have to stay with the boyfriend I had at the time.
3. The fact that I was looking everywhere for a teaching position and everytime I walked in I knew I was automatically disqualified due to being 380 pounds. THAT was devastating. THAT can make me cry just thinking about it. I still refuse to apply for any positions. It didn't matter what my answers to the questions were, I might as well not go on any interviews until I lose a lot more.
4. I couldn't even walk to the car, have a conversation (even while sitting down) without having to stop and breathe. I never knew I'd get to that place but I did and I knew I'd get bigger.
5. I could no longer fit into chairs or booths and I started declining every invitation to go out. If I did go anywhere I would have the worst anxiety about whether I would fit into chairs there and would even call ahead to see if the chairs had arms or not. I still do it and still think I won't fit into most things as I'm currently 300 pounds.
6. My depression got to a point where I didn't want to live. (tears just came to my eyes)
7. NOT having the surgery just wasn't an option anymore.