Sassy Little Redhead

Probably not. At least not until after. But what's done is done. I did need to tell my own truth before my very gossipy boss shared for me, I wish I would have been able to do it in my own time as opposed to feeling pressured into sharing now.

Thanks SteelMagnolia!

Beni, you are absolutely right. Unfortunately many people they don't look at obesity as a disease but a lifestyle choice. They are sympathetic to what they deem as "real diseases".

I tried explaining that is a health issue, but that follows with I should try harder. Some I just have to agree to disagree and let it go. It's always mean hard for me to open up about my weight issue. Thanks for the support!

I'll start off by saying, I am a nurse and I obviously work with nurses. Nurses are really judgmental at times, especially to one of their own. It just in most of our natures to have the "suck it up buttercup and quit feeling sorry for yourself. You did this to yourself" attitude. Anyway, for this reason I was trying not to tell anyone other than one close friend/coworker and my nurse manager. Well my nurse manager forced my hand, for reasons I won't bore you with, and I felt the need to own my situation and tell my unit. It's a small 13 person unit and we love/bicker like sisters. Most have been supportive but some keep saying "you're not that big", "you don't have that much to lose, you shouldn't need it". Well let me tell ya ladies, if it was that easy I would have done it when I was 13 and battling it, or all of the other failed attempts, most of which involved weight loss meds. I know I'm "only" 190, but when I have 70lbs to lose it is a lot to me. My joints are wearing from the weight due to my rheumatoid arthritis and I am in a lot of pain. They don't see it because I don't broadcast it. They don't see me fret over my LDL of 186. I just don't need people being flippant and judgmental right now. It was a very difficult decision and I feeling a bit vulnerable.

My employer offered the coverage and many ppl took advantage. In one year 11 ppl had VGS. One week before my consult they dropped the bariatric coverage because it became "too costly" So I am stuck obtaining loans and using my meager saving. My surgery is now 10/22/14 Good luck to you, I hope it works out for you

The first step is acknowledgment so congrats! Keep up the good work, I know it's difficult. Now is the time to reflect and deal with our food related issues and where they are rooted. I'm going through that myself. I realize I need to replace eating and the emotions they're connected, with expression of those emotions and/or find activities to replace the action.

Oct 22nd, 2014

Sooo, my date has finally been confirmed after a loooong journey. I am scheduled for Oct 22nd, 2014. However, this is all becoming very real and all of my demons are coming out of the closet. I am coming to terms and embracing my new eating style. I am already increasing Protein, cutting out carbonated beverages and consuming food differently. As I am doing this I am also dealing with my emotional connection with food. I didn't realize how much of my life was directly centered around food. Celebrations, rewards, socialization, guilt, boredom, love, you name it and there is a connection with food. I am learning to replace food with actions, not so easy but I'm doing it slowly. Anybody else having this clarity while wrapping your head around this life change?