Originally I was going to keep my surgery a secret, but I really dislike secrets and I was inspired by Angelina Jolie to share to help reduce the stigma. I posted the following to my Facebook friends and emailed it to family and friends who are not on Facebook. I don't think this is the right move for everyone but it was the right move for me.
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I really dislike secrets. That's the reason for this post. I am typically a very open person, especially when my experience might help someone else.
You know how Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy before she got breast cancer, as a preventive measure? Well, last week I had surgery for a similar reason. I had a weight loss surgery called the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). This is a different procedure from the lap band or the gastric bypass. The purpose of the surgery is to allow me to eat small enough portions to lose a significant amount of weight, while feeling much less hunger.
I wasn't originally going to disclose it beyond my very closest family and friends, because there is a huge stigma about weight loss surgery. The stigma of weight loss surgery is almost as bad as being obese itself. But I think the stigma is wrong. I had the surgery to address my diabetes, which was extremely manageable before the surgery but is already in remission, only days afterward. I did it to prevent sleep apnea, arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease, none of which I have yet.
I also did it because being fat in this culture is very hard, emotionally and psychologically. People are cruel to fat people. I've been told by family members that I caused my diabetes, that I would never find love or marry as long as I was fat, and that I'd look so much prettier if I lost weight.
I probably won't talk much more about the weight loss surgery or the weight loss itself. While compliments are nice, compliments about weight loss make me feel very uncomfortable and feel extremely personal. The "losing phase" will probably last a year to 18 months, and then I will be in "maintenance" for the rest of my life, which will hopefully be long and healthy. I won't be crowing about how much weight I have lost. It's a personal issue and I have no idea why people think it is appropriate to ask.
But I want to do my part to end the stigma about weight loss surgery because diet and exercise alone don't work for 95% of people who are obese. If it has worked for you, I'm happy for you. If you've kept the weight off for several years, you are quite an outlier. Surgery works in almost every case.
Please don't send me your friend-of-a-friend anecdotes or other negative opinions. I am not a doctor and I will not give you medical advice. If you have a friend or loved one considering this route, please educate yourself so you can be supportive to them. If you want to know what I can and cannot eat now, that information is pretty easily available too.
It's not an easy decision and it is certainly not the easy way out. Thank you in advance for your support.
Hi all, I'm looking for some motivation and I probably need a good ass swatting while we're at it!!
I am almost one year out (2 weeks shy) and I have been completely off track since December. I had my gall bladder removed at the end od November (emergency) and I haven't lost any weight since then. I've been gaining and losing the same 3-5 pounds and have noticed (and tried to ignore) myself falling back into old damaging habits.
Since my surgery I've had a major upheaval at work, and have been dealing with a lot more responsibility and stress. I began having problems with my husband which came close and may possibly still result in divorce. I do not have a strong support network and I've always been kind of a loner anyway.
I've recently been telling myself that i would get myself back on track after our anniversary trip to Mexico with my husband, but I've had to postpone that due to work. I'm disappointed not to be going but I'm trying to look at is as a blessing in disguise.
I've decided that I need to take the bull by the horns and just get back on track. Its so much harder to do than to say though. food has always been my comfort and with all the stress at work and at home, i am acutely aware that i am walking a very dangerous path. I do not feel any kind of restriction when i eat and i am scared and embarrassed to go to the doctor to see if im stretched back to pre surgery.
I've been thinking about going back on the pre surgery liquid/protein shake diet and kind of starting over. I feel like maybe that will get my head back in the game. I would like to point out that making a doctors appointment is not possible for me right now due to my work schedule (hence canceled vacation) and im not likely going to be able to go at least for another month or so.
I'm looking for some support and motivation. I have been working out twice a week for the past 5-7 months give or take and i intend to up that immediately. I put an ad on craigslist locally for a workout buddy and have had one person respond so far. Im very serious about getting back on the wagon. This post is my public proclamation of that intention.
I love this idea.
My name is Karen, I am 36 and single. I work as a business analyst for a life insurance company c(pls don't hate me). I have worked for the same company for a
lmost 10 years. I have one brother and a nephew who is the most beautiful boy and brings so much joy to our live, I am completely biased.
I love travelling, it is my passion, have visited much of europe, 38 Us states, parts of Asia and Africa. I speak Hungarian as I was an exchange student there when I was younger, friendship I still maintains to this day.
I also love listening to live music.
