I gave my noticed to my work early today because i am going to have surgery on the 4th of august. I just got home and i am feeling so down because of the reaction of everyone in my work place. The word of me having the lap band surgery travelled like wild fire. I went to a company meeting this afternoon i had this coworker tell "its important to love yourself the way god made you and you only 23 you young i am sure if you keep trying you will not need to go that far". I asked myself for the first time in a long time why are people so stupid? why do skinny women and the rest of society thinks fat people are just lazy people that sit and eat all day and dont love who they are. I know i should not let what my coworker think upset me, but it does. It upsets me because i know am doing this because i love myself and i want a better life for myself

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything.

Yep some folks just don't know when to keep their mouth shut.

You know, I really understand. It is so frustrating to struggle with your weight and all the many issues and stresses that larger people deal with, and have some person who has ZERO challenges just tell you to 'work harder' or try something else.

Even my sister, who loves me dearly, when I reviewed the eating plan and the liquid pre-surgery diet said "Well - why don't you just do that without having the surgery". Like - hey stupid - you know, you could just not eat as much and excercise alot more !!

People with no eating or weight struggle just can't relate to people who do. I am thrilled to find a tool that will enable and empower me and YOU, to do what's best for ourselves. Ignore them - their struggles just don't show on the outside.

Congratulations on taking this step. Rock on !

I totaly understand you fustration gigis...

To avoid the why, what, when, etc, I've not told anyone at my work what I'm getting done. My supervisor doesn't even know.

I'm just out of the office for two weeks on FMLA leave.

I didn't tell a soul at work because I was afraid of this. It is my journey so only those people who "need to know" know about it.

Wow!! I am still in the research stage of looking at lapband surgery. I have gone to the introductory meeting and am scheduled to see my PCP on Friday.

The comments that people make who don't have weight issues are maddening but they have no idea what we deal with. But given that I also am wondering if I can do so many days of a liquid diet prior to surgery and the restractive diet after surgery I ask myself why can't I just do this on my own. Of course the answer is that I lose the wieght after great sacrifice but always return to my heavier weight. I now have diabetes, now take insulin and now have gained even more weight. My thoughts always come back to "Why can't I do this on my own?"

Gigiswords, you are one smart cookie to do this at a young age so that you can enjoy your life to the fullest. I have spent a good portion of my adult life in seclusion to the excess weight. You are doing the right thing!!

I will keep you in my thoughts,