I posted this under another topic but am placing it here since I am a newbie and want to share my story.

I am 56. I was with my former employer for 22 years and hoped to someday retire from the company as I was very happy with them. I was then laid off (along with hundreds of others) when they decided to relocate the corporate office. I was out of work and looked very hard for a job for a year. I would get calls for interviews and the phone screens would go very well. But when I went in, I would literally see their expressions change as I am 100 pounds overweight (although I dress professionally, am well-groomed, have great teeth, good people skills, etc... So I'm not a scary freak show or anything!) The excuse then was always that I was "overqualified"... as if they learned something in the face-to-face interview that wasn't in the phone screen! Do they think I am stupid? LOL! I was humiliated and began to feel hopeless and depressed, which only made things worse. I finally got back on with my former employer but had to relocate hundreds of miles to do it, so I commute on weekends to my home and husband. It's been two years and still no luck finding a job in my home city, still the same result over and over. Time to get serious! So I had my first appointment on May 22 with Dr. Richard Peterson at Univ of Texas Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery in San Antonio. All of my fears were immediately put to rest. I feel so comfortable with him as a physician and am now really excited about the process. (And I have a huge amount of respect that he did two combat tours in the USAF.) I am making my way through the checklist and all of my appointments are scheduled. So far, nothing has presented an obstacle and my insurance covers 80/20. I am hoping for a Sept surgery (sleeve)! I will have it done at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Westover Hills, which is a new and very nice hospital. I am excited and hopeful for the first time in a long time. I am going to get healthy, buy a great suit, and knock the socks off all those companies that blew me off. I can't wait!

For those who might be interested, here are some links to Dr. Peterson’s program:

http://utweightloss.com/index.asp

http://www.christussantarosa.org/meet-the-team

You go girl!

Thank you so much!

I know your pain very well. It is amazing how you can have a fantastic resume, dress uber professional, and have a great people skills, etc etc then get "that look" when you walk into a job interview. It is sad. It will be a fabulous feeling for you to walk in and rock their world!

Thank you! I am trying not to take it personally because it happened to many of my co-workers as well, so I know it is not just aimed at me. It's their loss - when they pass up experienced workers because of age or weight, etc, it just costs them an opportunity to hire someone who can really contribute to their business. But even if if this all makes no difference job-wise, it will be a real blessing to be able to feel better and be healthier. How wonderful will that be? So that's my main focus.

It takes a special level of ignorance to be that way, which is beyond my control, so I can't take it personally. Just smile and carry yourself professionally, and it will indeed be their loss. Totally agreed! It will be fabulously wonderful! I can't wait myself!