Brn2blossom

So this is going to piss off a lot of people. But I call BS on everyone that says they are a "private person" or "its nobody else's business" when trying to justify why they don't admit to having WLS. Saying you had your gall bladder removed or a hernia repaired or any other number of fake surgeries instead of WLS is "sharing" a personal health issue, just not the one you actually had. If you needed a knee or hip replacement, would you fib and say you sprained something to explain your brace and/or crutches? Do you hide your need for insulin if you have diabetes? Do you all wear contacts instead of glasses so people don't know you have bad vision? How about if you needed your appendix removed? A kidney transplant? Can you seriously say you would come up with a "story" to cover up the fact you needed these surgeries?

What are you all afraid of? Why are you ashamed? This was a huge commitment for all of us. Why aren't you willing to stand up and defend your convictions by being honest about your decision to have surgery? Some people claim they don't want to hear negative feedback. Well how is the social stigma of obesity and WLS ever going to be overcome unless those negative people hear and see all of our success stories for themselves. Every time I am asked about my weight loss I see it as an opportunity to educate. Maybe next time the subject is brought up, that person can say "I know someone that had VSG and she looks and feels great! Why don't you give her a call".

I don't mean to offend, I just don't think "privacy" is the whole reason why WLS isn't admitted to and talked about openly.

I completely agree with you. I felt that if I was ashamed of it, i shouldn't do it. Ive told people about it and also educate them at the same time. Most people have no clue. And what's funny to me is, I get more negativity from overweight people. My friends that are healthy are excited for me and support me. I NEED a support system, and keeping my surgery a secret would not create that.

Im 250 but hold my weight pretty well, i went into my clinic today for a pre op appointment and a patient in the waiting room asked how much ive lost with my surgery. When i told them i hadnt had it yet i got the "look" it really bothered me. She doesn't know my story....so now im judged by thin people AND overweight people. But ill try to take it as a complement even though it has kinda messed with my head now

November 18th! But....i haven't heard from my insurance yet...nerve racking