Hello VST,

When I first thought about having my surgery, it was about "health". First, in my mind I had to convince myself that I could do this. You know, change the diet -- stick to the plan..etc. I have gone down from 227lbs to 185 thus far. My goal...135-145lbs.

When I began this journey, and read all the stories about "Who did you tell..." I knew, that I would not tell many people. I'm a private person. But, I did tell 1 of my sisters. Her comment, "Well, I know a few people who did that and though they lost weight -- they didn't loose that much." How much are you thinking about loosing?

My response, it's not about the numbers, it's about my health! I had high blood pressure -- bordering on kidney failure, etc. I knew though I was althetic and have been for 20+ years, I still had to make a change. My diet was not right for the years that I was approaching. (Of course not! I was working out and still a size 16. No matter what I did -- the weight would not drop.)

Sooo, bringing us to the future -- I had my surger back in Sept '11. It is now 4 months later and I am down 40+lbs and several more to go. I have went down to a size 12 in bottom and M's in tops. I recently spoke to my sister (who has lost weight the regular way and struggling to hold onto her 12's); she asked me what size was I trying to be? I told her I will maintain between 4-8. Maybe a 6 would be good to me. We'll see since I've never been a size 6 before.

Her response -- you can't get that small! It's not in your family genes. I told her -- this surgery will allow me to do things I have never done before. It's not really about the clothes size, it's about the weight loss! I am RUNNING AWAY from my high blood pressure and issues with a fast vengence! Soooo whatever size I end up -- I will be.

I have all the confidence in the world that it will happen-- so I know that I will get\be smaller. I mean really - Its' only been 4 months for me. I go home in April of this year, and can't wait for her to see my changes! Yesterday, when I walked in my gym I had someone tell me "Don't lose too much weight -- you are starting to get skinny"...lol Talk about great feeling!

(Excuse the long letter..lol), but I must ask -- What has someone said\or did to you, where you've had to prove them wrong?

People are afraid of change. I don't think they mean to be discouraging. I think that since they know we'll change physically that maybe we will also change mentally and that's kinda scary to them. YOU might be the one to get all the attention and compliments when it may have been the other way around in the past. You may become more confident and excel into a whole new GOOD life, and that's intimidating to people. Your BIG change is hard for them to deal with. But you know what, they'll get over it!

It's very rare to find a family member that gets excited about someone having weight loss surgery. Friends who know about your struggle with weight loss may be excited, but sometimes family members are just accustomed to you being the big one in the family, that's just the way they expect things to be. Your decision to have weight loss surgery is almost like when parents announce that they are getting divorced. That means lots of changes will be taking place, and it scares everyone. Eventually when she sees your weight loss and sees the change in your attitude, she'll come around!

All the best to you on your journey. And be sure to let us know her reaction when she does see how fabulous you look and feel in April!