I am half way through the six month pre-approval period for surgery and things are going downhill pretty fast and as a result I'm doing what I do not normally do, emotional eating. I have had a lot of health issues over the past year. I am diabetic, hypothyroid, have sleep apnea and on antidepressant medication that increases appetite. I'm just getting over a bad bout of bronchitis so that may be affecting my mood. I'm having a lot of emotional issues that started when I started the six month approval process. I'm hoping that some people here can relate to some of these emotions and give some advice to get past them. Her they are, in no particular order.

(sorry this might get long)

I was given the "Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies" book by the Dean Weight Management Clinic here in Madison. I've read that after losing weight it can be difficult to adjust to people treating you differently since overweight people in our society are outcast and discriminated against. I grew up heavy, was the kid picked on and called FAT and really became a bitter and angry person because of it. A couple of years ago I went through a dramatic spiritual/emotional/mental change and concluded that the reason I was treated differently was not because I was fat but because I was projecting this bitterness and anger and people were only responding to that. I've been a much happer person since this change. Now I come to find out maybe it never was me, that people who are overweight ARE treated badly and discriminated against. This is really messing with my head!! Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this? What has been your experience in this regard?

I'm kind of stressed out because I've missed so much work over the past year that I'm afraid I'll lose my job over this whole bronchitis thing and if that happens I'll lose my insurance and I won't be able to have the surgery. Which, come to think of it is the least of my problems since I also won't be able to get all my medications for my long list of medical issues and will most likely die.

I'm feeling very out of control of my eating right now, which I have to say is an unfamiliar feeling for me so I don't know how to handle it. I guess I'm handling it by venting! So, thanks for listening. I feel better already.

Take some deep breaths.......do not worry until you actually have something to worry about......keep on with your 6 MO diet and don't stress about losing your job because at this point that is out of your hands. Just show up every day and do your best work. As far as the bitterness and being over weight I think that goes hand in hand for a lot of over weight people. Have you seeked any counseling for these feelings you are having? An outside opinion can never hurt.

Yes please breathe !! Inhaaale...exhaaaale......please focus on what u learned in your spiritual awakening.you can not change people's perception of you.you can only change you.Yes people treat fat people different but many fat people are not bitter or angry .I am known for being a happy Loving yet no nonsense person.and yes I think the no nonsense part did stem from bullying about my weight but because of my own spiritual journey I learned to love anyway.

And while we are on spiritual things.I've learned that you speak things into existence good or bad so with that said maybe stop saying you may loose ur job.Maybe start saying " I'm going to make it through this !! I will remain gainfully employed ! I will keep my insurance, i will have a successful surgery!! I will have peace of mind during this process ! "

I've been going through with my employer for 6 months I haven't worked but was in a situation where I could use up all my sick and vacation time.my last pay period eneded march 24the the HR person called me the day before my surgery telling me that I had no more time left and that my insurance premiums were paid for April from my last pay period in march but that I would be responsible for the total cost of my insurance ($1200) for May which will be due towards the end of April.long story short I was banded on April 6 I get my follow up appt tomorrow.I'm not sure how I will cover my first fill next month but I'm not worried I'm speaking into existance that it will be taken care of.

Banded 4/6/2012 20lbs lost from 2 week preop diet till today.

Take care Be blessed !!

So sorry you are feeling so stressed...but I to bet you are doing alot more worrying then you need to.

Yes fat people are judged and treated differantly by many...I look at that as it is their lost not mine I am the same girl I have always been just a lot happyier on the inside now...not just smiling to make people think Im happy...

God has plans for all of us....and remember if He takes you to it....He will take you through it...