Sticks and Stones...

[Dragon64 142]

I have been called a lot of names over the last 50+ years. You know the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me..." Well, being labeled "Morbidly Obese" is the most hurtful label that has ever been placed on me... and I own that. The medical industry created the label, but I stuck to myself... To me right now, these are the most foul two words in the English language... one is the stick, the other is the stone.

These two words are one of many reasons I am seeking help with weight loss surgery.

[Healthy_life2 8,324]

8 minutes ago, Dragon64 said:

I have been called a lot of names over the last 50+ years. You know the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me..." Well, being labeled "Morbidly Obese" is the most hurtful label that has ever been placed on me... and I own that. The medical industry created the label, but I stuck to myself... To me right now, these are the most foul two words in the English language... one is the stick, the other is the stone.

These two words are one of many reasons I am seeking help with weight loss surgery.

The words hit hard for me too. I knew I was overweight but to see I was really morbidly obese was a wake up call. I wish you the best in seeking weight loss surgery. It's about our health and living our best lives! Keep us updated.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Welcome and good luck on your journey into becoming normal (BMI).

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

1 hour ago, Dragon64 said:

"Morbidly Obese"

@Dragon64

these two words - can hurt the strongest and destroy the weakest

kathy

[Mattymatt 491]

2 hours ago, Dragon64 said:

I have been called a lot of names over the last 50+ years. You know the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me..." Well, being labeled "Morbidly Obese" is the most hurtful label that has ever been placed on me... and I own that. The medical industry created the label, but I stuck to myself... To me right now, these are the most foul two words in the English language... one is the stick, the other is the stone.

These two words are one of many reasons I am seeking help with weight loss surgery.

Those words are vile and they really show the bias that the medical community has against people that are overweight. It seems like people who are overweight still face the largest stigma out of every disease in the books. Not even people whom are HIV+ or mentally ill experience as much stigma. One would think that the medical community is becoming more learned but there is still a prevalent attitude that if people are overweight, it is their own fault. Even people that practice in the very area of weight management itself, still look on their patience with some disgust - this was the reason why I changed hospital programs, potentially costing me more time.

That much said, I won't let a silly label be a reason, albeit even a small one, for me to lose weight. I don't want to give the powers that be the satisfaction. The reason I am going down this surgery path is so that I don't die early and painfully. sleep Apnea, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure are seriously no laughing matter. I don't want a toe or foot amputated because my blood sugars are in the danger zone. The psychologists all advised that I find another reason, other than health to lose weight but I just don't care right now because I feel like the floor of a taxi cab. I know that once a significant amount of weight comes off, I will feel better.

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Late husband saw on some of his paperwork Obese White Male, said it was too close to Obese White Whale for his taste.

When I went for my tubal ligation chief complaint cited "Patent Tubes" I wasn't complaining, it was after a difficult last delivery where my baby and my own survival were on the line it was time to cease my procreation.

One of my fairly rotten relatives, ah come on we all have at least 1, doctor wrote out on the paperwork he was suffering from a Paxil deficency.

You know i' ve lived 72 years and accrued a lot of stories, but I'll hang around a little longer and watch this old world turn.

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[blizair09 3,250]

When I first started my journey, they said I was "super morbidly obese." It did hurt, but once I heard it and digested it, it served as a huge motivator to be successful!

[MissFish 6]

Those words are vile and they really show the bias that the medical community has against people that are overweight. It seems like people who are overweight still face the largest stigma out of every disease in the books. Not even people whom are HIV+ or mentally ill experience as much stigma.

I agree with that and I’ve been saying it for years that the overweight are pretty much the only group of people it’s still seen as acceptable to hate. Alcoholics, smokers, drug users, mentally ill and even more recently, bullies, are all accepted and given a free pass in some way but the minute being overweight is mentioned, suddenly you’re the worst person alive and it doesn’t matter what reasons you have for it, it isn’t viable.
My brother is pretty thin but eats loads of unhealthy food and no one ever says anything to him about it. But put us side by side with a slice of pizza each and people would give me the disgusted looks. I’ve seen it many times before. That’s why I don’t buy into the “we’re only concerened about your health” line people come out with. It’s just an excuse most of the time.

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Hey I have a question, maybe the Michigan people can weigh in? Somebody told me due to lobbying by the National Association of Fat Americans it is no longer legal to discriminate on basis of size. Did such a bill pass the Michigan legislature?

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[Mattymatt 491]

1 hour ago, MissFish said:

I agree with that and I’ve been saying it for years that the overweight are pretty much the only group of people it’s still seen as acceptable to hate. Alcoholics, smokers, drug users, mentally ill and even more recently, bullies, are all accepted and given a free pass in some way but the minute being overweight is mentioned, suddenly you’re the worst person alive and it doesn’t matter what reasons you have for it, it isn’t viable.
My brother is pretty thin but eats loads of unhealthy food and no one ever says anything to him about it. But put us side by side with a slice of pizza each and people would give me the disgusted looks. I’ve seen it many times before. That’s why I don’t buy into the “we’re only concerened about your health” line people come out with. It’s just an excuse most of the time.

Right, because if they really were concerned about our health they would provide us with accessible solutions to the problem.

[beachingit 5]

very hurtful label - but i did it to myself.

[Dragon64 142]

mor·bid

adjective

Characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease.

o·be·si·ty

noun

The condition of being grossly fat or overweight.

An interesting combination of words...

Edited February 20, 2018 by Dragon64

[Creekimp13 5,840]

mor·bid·i·ty

môrˈbidədē/

noun

MEDICINE

1. the condition of being diseased.

   "the therapy can substantially reduce respiratory morbidity in infants"

[Creekimp13 5,840]

(medically) Morbid = disease inducing

Obesity = extreme overweight

Morbid obesity simply means.....This person's degree of overweight can potentially induce or has induced disease/illness.

It's an objective true statement. There is nothing demeaning or offensive about it.

[Dragon64 142]

...and sometimes the truth hurts. That is why we are here, to correct those truths that do us the most harm. Being labeled morbidly obese because of my choices hurts, and I aim to change those choices.