TreeTrunks

Yes, that is something I am working on. It has always been my first reaction... hard to push down the defensiveness sometimes when you are consistently having to prove that you are allowed to take up space... thank you! Yes, thank you! This site is amazing - I guess curiosity wins out sometimes...I really just need to stop going to the sites where trolls and ignorance rule. Ha. I have been following your progress - you look amazing! Congrats!!! Thank you for sharing this. I figured this may be the case. If someone is going to be hateful, they will try to do so at any opportunity they can. I am so sorry you experienced this! BUT, I am glad that you described it as pathetic. That is indeed what it is. Pathetic. Thank you! Oh my goodness! I really never thought of it this way! Thank you. You are right!! So good to hear this! Thank you. You are all right, people will be hateful, mean and nasty especially when you are easy prey...which I am right now. I plan to use this advise and say EFF 'em! Thank you all! This community really is amazing.

Yes, it is absolutely insane. I think that @Deb9386 hit the nail on the head. The internet is full to the brim with trolls lately and I really should start avoiding these other sites, but curiosity seems to always win out. I am consistently looking for both sides of the story. I was just really curious if anyone on this site experienced what was mentioned... I have no doubts whatsoever that there are health professionals out there that are fat phobic. I have years and years of medical records to prove just that. "Oh, you have a sore throat? Well, it's because you are fat." "You are suffering from a head cold? Well, it's because you are fat." "You ran your foot over with a lawnmower and lost two of your toes? Well, it's because you are fat." Believe me, I have lived it. What I was questioning was whether the troll was actually a nurse or just posing as one to bring validity to the ignorant views they spouted on that site.

I also have thyroid issues...currently on synthroid and liothyronine. The little amount of weight I have lost thus far has been hard fought and so, I have been wondering how this will play into weight loss after surgery. I think @Deb9386 might be on to something with the meds...(Good luck with the endno doc - crossing my fingers for you!) Hopefully we can all find that fine line of what amounts we need to take. It has been a long battle trying to get that number correct...I have a feeling it may continue to be one. But, the great news is that your doctor actually has agreed you have a thyroid issue. Most don't even bother testing for it. Good Luck everyone. I will make sure to post my results as I go along....

I have to say, that I am SOOOO looking forward to this: But, I am more than positive that after working remotely since March of last year, when I finally do get to go back... I am going to witness this look more than once. Looking forward to it! HA!!

I hope to one day be this confident. Thank you for giving me a goal to shoot for! Again, crossing my fingers that the hospital staff do not include any of the ignorant/mean population... Thank you!

Yes! I am sure that with the events of this past year with COVID, the troll population has exploded exponentially! Ha. Will try to avoid these posts as best as I can and hope that I do not have hospital personnel who feel the same... Thank you!

Indeed. You are right, but sometimes it takes a thicker hide than I have to turn the other cheek. But, knowing that they are speaking from ignorance should help... crossing fingers... Thank you!

Well... isn't that the absolute truth. There will be people out there who will not stop at judging me for being overweight, yet at the same time they will judge me for taking steps to help in correcting the issue. Sometimes you just can't win with that certain sub-set of people. So, yes! Live your life the best you can. Thank you!

Thank you for this! You are 100% correct! I hope you don't mind, but if this subject happens to come up...I am going to quote you! This is perfect!!

Oh, indeed! I am certainly going in with my own feelings/research and you are right...there are WAAAY too many judgy-mcjudgers out there. I think it is just a form of ignorance, unfortunately. I was just really wondering if anyone had experienced this recently when they went in for surgery, but again, you are right... it really doesn't matter. Thank you!

YEEEESSSSS!! I KNOW! The countdown has begun! 39 days for me! How are you doing on prep?

Amen Sister! One of the many things I am looking forward to! Ha ha ha... Thank you for posting this! Made my day!

I know this is not a new subject thread...but I really need to share with you my light bulb moment! (sorry a little long winded....) So, to give a little background...I am having a really hard time opening up about my upcoming surgery to people. As of right now only 3 people know, including my husband. I have yet to broach the subject with my 2 sons and am holding off for at least until I have to start my preop diet. I have also skirted the issue with my supervisor and have not asked for time off yet. Luckily, I work in a small company and time off should not be an issue at all. However, I know that I will be criticized by most and I have been envisioning the horrible things people will think and say, so I keep dragging my feet. Which is completely ludicrous as I am already criticized and talked about because of my current size at work. I have been yelled at from passing cars while walking from the parking lot to my work building, telling me to lay off the donuts, I have been oinked and mooed at while checking the company mail and I have been almost been run over in crosswalks several times by cars that find it funny to play chicken with the fat girl. This all sounds like a Lifetime movie, but honestly it has all happened. I have no desire to add to the constant cranking workplace rumor-mill, but at the same time I am really angry that I feel the need to hide the fact that I am having surgery to save my life. I have been recently obsessed with coming up with the premeditated answers to people's probing questions. Then today as I was talking with my husband about the upcoming preop diet, has asked if I was going to share about the surgery to other members in our family, specifically his parents. I immediately went on the defensive (I've been on the emotional roller coaster since I received my surgery date!!! Ugh!) and asked why in the world anyone else had to know. He then said that people will wonder when I only eat a little at dinner and I am suddenly half my size. I then replied that I can say I am on a medically supervised diet, which would not be a lie. I then began the following rant: He had no idea what it is like living in an obese body (he drew the genetically lucky card at birth and has never had a weight issue, ever). That he had NO idea what it is like facing the daily horrors of life that come with aches, pains, horrific looks and hateful words from people, to be essentially treated like a circus freak. How people will judge and comment. That people will think that I am a failure and took the easy road out when they have no idea what the surgery is really all about. That they will continue to spout misinformation they have heard through the years and fail to understand how the surgery really works and why in the end I chose this path. Since this was NOT the first time he had heard this rant, he took a moment, shook his head, took a deep breath and said.... You should NOT be ashamed of this! This is a medically necessary step for a person who has battling this disease since birth. Who cares what other people think? If they don't like it or do not understand, then that is their issue and not yours. You know what is right for your body. If anything, you could be the one that helps people understand. You could be the one that explains why this surgery is life-saving and not a cosmetic operation. That obesity is not a chosen path guided by ignorance, laziness and lack of willpower. At that I was speechless. For once, I couldn't come up with a counter-argument. He is right! AND he has been listening to me! He has heard what I have been preaching for years. I was taken aback. After what seemed like several minutes of shock, I finally told him he was right. That I shouldn't be ashamed of this and should be preaching whenever and wherever I can. I agreed, but I am also not delusional. I know this will continue to be a hard sell. That until we all go out and spread the word, people will continue to feel free to treat obesity as a chosen path and WLS as a copout. With that, I go to bed tonight thinking of my favorite quote...and hope that I can muster the courage to talk to my supervisor tomorrow!! Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. --Eleanor Roosevelt--

No words can describe how sorry I am for your family's loss. My heart goes out to you.

UPDATE... So I did it. I finally spoke with my supervisor, well actually emailed because I am much better in written word rather than spoken word. I was more than nervous after I clicked send! After what seemed like years (more like 15 minutes - yes a little overdramatic) she replied and she is 100% supportive! She has even offered to look into short term disability if I would like to MORE time off than planned. Amazing, amazing, amazing. I will need to thank my husband tonight...

You have no idea what a relief this is to hear! I am hoping that I can also be in the same boat in 6 months. I think you are right, the first few times will be difficult, but the more I share, I think the less likely I will be so anxious about sharing. I also have been remote working since March and it looks like we may continue to do so until this March at the earliest. You will have to keep me in the loop about reactions once you return to the workplace. It sounds we work in very similar work environments. Sometimes, I feel like I am back in middle school with all the gossip and drama. HA! Thank you so much for reading!

Agreed! I am absolutely terrified of this and I think it is normal for everyone considering WLS or those who have already undergone WLS, especially those with a long past of yo-yo dieting. I am still laying out my mental plan and have taken to heart the advice of @catwoman7 and @ms.sss and I plan to create a RED LINE once I get to a comfortable place for myself and will include regular checks...

Thank you @AZhiker. This is what I hope to prepare myself for. Growing a backbone after years and years of being treated like garbage...I know it will be more than difficult. I am going to add this to the mantra, to realize that this is indeed my life, decision, health and MY success. THANK YOU! You have no idea how much this touched me @OAGBPal. Thank you for reading and you are right!! We can choose to claim our right to be here! Good Luck to you as well! Absolutely 100% agree @Mr Alley Gator!! I just hope that I can shrug off the negativity... it has a way of niggling into your brain and popping up at weird times. Like I told @AZhiker above, I hope that I can grow a backbone and for once stand up for myself. 45 years is a looong time of being stepped on! Thank you for reading!

Oh. My. Goodness! Amazing. Not only have you shrunk, your stance is completely different now! I know it is hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like you even got taller! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Hmmm... Do you think the powder tastes better than the pre-made shakes? I can't get over the taste of the pre-made Premier... I've tried the vanilla, chocolate, caramel and cookies and cream. I really did WANT to like it, I just couldn't do it...

I am having the gastric bypass. Good luck on the 15th!! It will go by SO quickly!!

Yes, unfortunately...I have tried this and it was still too fake tasting. Hoping that some of the many suggestions above will give me something that I can tolerate. THANK YOU!!!

Congrats! It is exciting and petrifying at the same time! I am also scheduled end of February - the 22nd. When is your date?

Great, thank you. I will add this one to the list! You guys are the best!!

Yes, agreed! I will definitely have to give the lean shake a try. I had planned on taking a trip to GNC this weekend, hopefully they have some samples I can try!