Taking a bit of a stand...

Here is the article: http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=157581 My reply: Dear Ms. Fargen, I belong to an online support group for people dealing with obesity and your article in the Boston Herald on this subject was posted by a member. Many members of the support group found your article disturbing. Perhaps your article was written solely to muster up attention and controversy - well, if so, you definitely succeeded. I assume it was not your intention to deepen existing stereotypes about the obese and make them more subject to ridicule then they have already suffered but alas you have succeeded here too. Obesity is one of the allowable prejudices in our society. Everyone makes fun of the obese from small child to mature adult. It is encouraged at every turn. Your article showing the particular gentleman actively participating in acts of true and disgusting acts of gluttony just goes to reinforce the prejudices that the obese have thrust upon them one of a complete and utter lack of self control. I battled my weight from age 12 on. I went up and down the scale facing very serious health issues along the way many of which were passed to me genetically. Did I eat gluttoneous amounts of food to maintain my hefty weight - no. I age good size portions are are customary here in these United States but I never sat and tried to eat a 64 oz steak or a gallon of ice cream in one sitting. I ate what other ates and I gained. I once was on vacation for two weeks with a friend of mine and we ate identically bite for bite. She gained 1 lb. I gained 12. Life doesn't deal people the same metabolisms. In September of 2005, my mother suffered a series of strokes and passed away. She already had suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and had triple bypass surgery years before. I found myself in my early 40s with diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea following in her footsteps to an early death. I consulted my doctor and she suggested gastric bypass surgery. I decided to seek out the surgery and had my consult. I didn't follow that consult with eating binges or "last meals" before surgery. I worked hard in the couple of months leading up to the surgery to getting used to chewing food very slowly and well in preparation for my post-op experience. Since I had the surgery laproscopically my surgeon required some weight loss prior to surgery to shrink my liver so make the surgery easier. I lost 32 lbs during this time and it was hard work. I had my weight loss surgery on May 20, 2005 - that would have been my mother's 73rd birthday. I've lost 84 lbs since surgery for a total of 116 lbs lost and have been at my goal weight now for a few months. I now weight what I weighed in 8th grade. The surgery was far from easy. I've had mystery pains and some small issues but I'm doing fine now. My diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea are worries of the past. I keep my diet high protein and filled with low carbohydrate vegetables and fruits. I take a host of vitamins and supplements and follow-up with my doctors regularly to stay healthy. I workout an hour and a half 4 times a week. The surgery got the weight off but it is my battle and fight to keep it off. For the rare story of utter gluttony like you wrote about on the other side there are thousands that are more like my own. I'm more indicative of the average weight loss surgery patient than the man you wrote about. Kathy W Fairfax, Virginia p.s. My husband is also a weight loss surgery patient. He had his surgery in August of 2004 and went from 450 lbs to 250 lbs.

You GO! Kathy

Wish I had known before my ire got up that is a tabloid type paper. Wouldn't have wasted my precious keystrokes. Eh, so what's a little rise in blood pressure that is so nice and low normally, anyway. Thanks! How soon to the reunion? What's the countdown? Kathy

Bravo Kathy, See ... you have a gift with words - and are using it wisely. So what if it is a tabloid. Hopefully you were addressing a HUMAN and perhaps gave her a reason to pause and reflect. Changing her opinion and prejudice of course is her choice. Seeds sown tho make flowers grow . Take a bow, you done good! Mary

Kathy, I was also not one of those people who had the "last meal" mentality. I think it was due to all the research I did pre-op. I knew it was not going to help me be successful. This guy is young and doesn't get all that yet. He will though. I appreciate you taking the time to write a rebuttal. Lori

Thanks, Lori!