Hi, all...

I'm still in the early stages and haven't even been approved by insurance for surgery yet.

I have had most of my questions answered here and at a local support group, but I have one more...and I guess this is mostly directed at those who had had significant results post-surgery or have met their goal weight...or for those who are still in the same boat as me...I'd like to hear your opinion on this as well.

This might sound petty and I'm sorry if it does. I've always been overweight, but became obese, then morbidly obese only after having my children. I don't know if the realization of the following is an observation that is in my mind only or if it is reality. Maybe I have just grown up and realized the world isn't what I believed it to be.

Over the years, as my weight has gone up, I have noticed that peoples' attitudes toward me have changed. Of course, the people I have known all along still treat me the same but I have found that people I meet out in public or professionally have a different attitude toward me than the general population did ten years ago.

Is this just a coincidence? Has anyone seen this in their lives as well? After meeting significant weight loss goals, have you noticed people's attitudes toward you improving? I'm doing this for myself, but I am SOOO frustrated that people don't take me seriously professionally anymore. I used to be on top of my game and now I am treated like a total peon. I hope that in addition to my personal goals for myself, I can improve my public image. It's not a deciding factor, I'm just wondering if this is a real observation or if I'm just being oversensitive because of my insecurity.

Thanks,

Julie

It's so sad but true. Once I had a guy come up to me at the gas station and said I was too fat to be wearing what I had on (ok I had slacks and a long sleeve button up shirt??). What's the reason for this? Just that there are too many people that feed off making others feel bad.

Fortunately for myself, I guess I've never had a problem with self-esteem but I do notice that I tend to be "invisible" the heavier I weigh...who knows.

It's so sad but true. Once I had a guy come up to me at the gas station and said I was too fat to be wearing what I had on (ok I had slacks and a long sleeve button up shirt??). What's the reason for this? Just that there are too many people that feed off making others feel bad.

Fortunately for myself, I guess I've never had a problem with self-esteem but I do notice that I tend to be "invisible" the heavier I weigh...who knows.

I totally agree with what you are saying. I feel like people used to look "through" me and not look "at" me. I've lost 67 lbs and am still over 200 lbs. but even today when I was out and about, people (even men) are actually "looking" at me and smiling before I smile at them.

Unfortunately, I am at a point right now where it actually makes me angry and sad at the same time. I am still who I was, just lighter.

Our society is just so superficial