I look small for my weight...

[Kgmz0219 10]

I weigh 236lbs, I'm 5'5 but I look a lot smaller then I weigh. I've struggled with my weight since I had my daughter 4 years ago. It just won't come off. No matter how hard I workout and different diets I try.

When I tell people I want to get the gastric sleeve. They look at me crazy.

Anyone experience this? How do you handle it? I'm kinda to the point where I wanna keep it a secret bc I hate the judgement?

[sleever13 2]

I was in the same boat. Same weight and height. After my children I could not get the weight off. I was sleeved last Thursday and have been feeling great.

I didn't tell many people just my immediate family. I didn't want the judgement or them telling me I didn't weigh enough. I have been overweight my whole life, just got bigger after my babies. For work they wrote me a letter saving I was having abdominal surgery and no one asked questions.

I am already so happy with my decision. Best of Luck to you.????

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

That was the route I took -- told only hubby and two close friends who live nowhere near me.

This is a personal decision. Not a group experience.

And one thing I've learned is that for those who associate with other heavy people -- NONE of your friends and family will think you need WLS. You look just like they do. And THEY certainly don't need WLS!

LOL!

[SesaAlegria 12]

I've had the same experience. However, once I decided to actually get the surgery, I only told a few people. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it once I get it done, and the weight starts coming off...

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

YES!!! The EXACT same experience. I am 5' 6" and I was around 250 pounds at my highest, 230 pounds at the time of surgery. People always said, "You carry your weight well. You do not look that big." Then I received a lot of negativity for wanting this surgery. People would say, "You're not that big. You can do it on your own." Ummm, I have been obese for 10 years, and despite the fact that I exercise (via step aerobics and running--3 miles), I have not been able to do it on my own. Well, I did not listen to anyone who was a nay-sayer, I did the sleeve and I LOVE my sleeve. Gaining control of the portions of food that I consumed made it so much easier to transition to a diet that weeded out bad foods (90% of the time!), and teach myself to consume quality-body-mind-loving food. Exercise became easier without all the excess weight, and I was able to take my fitness to a whole different level.

So, don't give power to the negative Nancy's!!! You know yourself and your body, and if this is what you want, you've got tons of people on here who've got your back!

[Kgmz0219 10]

Seriously thank you guys for the feedback! I'm feeling a lot better about my decision. I'm scheduled for surgrey in May. I can't wait

[2goldengirl 2,076]

I've only told a handful of people. Two of them who don't believe I'm "big enough" are in different camps. One is a dear friend who herself has lost 150# with her sleeve. She's nearly a head taller than I am with a much larger frame, so I see where her perspective comes from. To her, I'm tiny. The other is my boss, who is herself tiny. I didn't tell her my weight, I told her my BMI. She was actually very complimentary; she just said "I just can't see where that extra weight is on you". Both of them have been totally supportive of my decision.

[Mrs_O 118]

same boat here. it really stinks to actually be overweight and it starting to cause some other slight issues but to hear people say you "aren't fat enough" to need surgery. i really do think it is a slight jealously there with some people. my mom, hubby and a few other very close family members know but thats it. i don't need your opinions. after it is over with, i don't mind telling anyone because they won't be trying to talk me out of it. if they don't like it or have something nasty to say, i seriously have no problem just cutting them right out of my life. i have a serious problem with food and this looks to be my only option because nothing else has worked. I've done the research and i am ready to let food have way less control!!!

[willfish 3]

Same here! I am tall, very active, and healthy - so most people think it is crazy too. My sisters understand how hard I have tried to lose weight and that my joints are hurting now and they are super excited for me But to the average person I think they don't think I fit their preconceived notions of the size/type of person that has weight loss surgery. However, I met with the surgeon last week and they were very excited for me as well and think I will do great. I am keeping the surgery to myself and my family right now though because I don't want the comments.

[beckibut 10]

I also " carry it well" at 254 right now and 5'8". Most people are shocked that my BMI is 40. I work in the OR as a surgical technologist, so I have been VERY open about it at work. We always discuss BMI as an indicator of how well a patient will do during surgery and during the recovery phase. There is no fooling surgical staff so I want them to be aware should I encounter any problems. I work in big Orthopaedic cases and lifting is a must. I am taking 6 weeks off from work because of all the heavy lifting I have to do with surgical instrument trays. I have had very few negative comments about it and I really appreciate the support! It will be interesting post op for sure! I'm gonna need to buy new scrubs!

[ANewMe16 42]

Exact same boat. 5'5 and 230. I've only told a few people because I get the same reactions if I mention wanting to lose 80#. I used to be anorexic weighing 100 at my smallest. Finally got my weight under control making it to 145 pounds. Once I got pregnant I started discovering foods that I had avoided for 10 years and put on 100 pounds (not knowing how hard it would be to lose). At this point, screw anyone who has anything negative to say about me and how I look. This is all about YOU.

Edited January 22, 2016 by ANewMe16

[dietbelle 36]

I am 5ft 6 inches and 235lbs I have told my family all are supportive except my Father.. He is obese to. He thinks I look good as I am and should diet and exercise. I have and failed over and over again. I went to a health camp for 4 weeks last year in April lost 8 lbs I exercised 4 hrs a day and lived on 800 calories a day. Of course not sustainable when I returned home plus it cost a bomb! I hope the sleeve works as dieting is 80% of my my problem! I am getting sleeved on the 9th Feb. I haven't told anyone else.

[PageRN 78]

I was the same way, I'm 5'5. My surgical wt was 235. 1 wk post op and I am now 220lbs. I didn't think I looked real heavy. As a matter of fact, i have always embraced my size and wore it very well. However I have had so many medical problems including cancer until I decided I must get my weight under control. I finally realized that it was not cute to be over weight and unhealthy. That's when I decided I have to make a change. People tell me all the time "you are going to be so skinny" or "you are going to be sexy". I remind them oh I am already sexy, I am getting the surgery to become healthy! #Boom #Biggirlsaresexytoo

[Babbs 14,681]

I used to say the same thing. That I carried my weight well and didn't really look like I weighed 235.

Now that I've lost the weight and look back at pictures of me at my heaviest, there was nothing "small" about me. And no, I didn't carry my weight well.

It will take you to lose the weight for everyone else to get a little perspective, too. You'll show 'em.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

The thing about carrying your weight well is you carry it really well until one day you don't anymore. The weight, age and gravity catch up to you eventually. I carried my weight really well for a long time, then I was huge.