People are so interesting

How many of you have run into old friends or family members and you hear "you look great, you've lost a lot of weight" It makes me wonder if (a) do they feel you look great b/c of the weight-loss and if so does that mean you didn't look great before or (b) are people unable to see beyond the physical weight-loss to understand that the surgery was about improving ones overall health. Just something to make you say "hmmmm"

Dawn... I take it at face value. I try not to obsess over it because you will get in a damned if you do and damned if you don't mindset. Just take their compliment as it is given and thank them. A coworker stopped me last week and told me that I was beautiful. Me? Were they talked to me? Surely not. Never heard that before other than the old pat... "you have such a pretty face..... blah blah blah...".. but they pulled me aside and told me..... ...Elizabeth... I'm serious... you really DO look beautiful. Not only in the physical way but you are positively glowing and radiant (no I'm not PG either!)... they followed this with with the comment that they always thought I was a very pretty woman but that there was just something different now... not just the weight loss but something MORE than that... So I thanked them and smiled to myself and went about my day. Dawn- Just realize that some folks are truly being sincere and silently pat yourself on your back and smile and thank them... YOU HAVE SO DESERVED EACH AND EVERY COMPLIMENT YOU GET!~ Elizabeth- 3 mos. out LAP RNY -80 lbs!~*

Dawn, I think Elizabeth has a good idea. I try to be thankful that they are committing. I believe they are sincere in wanting to say something positive. I know I will always stay positive a bout my weight lose How beautiful I look ios in the eye of the beholder. I can not change my natural looks only my size. Just smile and keep walking Dolores

Hey Dawn...how about when they say NOTHING! Just business as usual! Now that get's my goat! Rosey

hi Dawn, I don't always know how to take comments that people say either. Most of the time i just say "thank you" and keep going. There are times though that i sit and think about what people have actually said, they tell me how "good i look" and "how beautiful i am" and how "i'm glowing". I think to myself that i am the same person that i was when i 88 lbs. ago and i was just as beautiful then as i am now. Unfortunately, people whom i would consider aquaintances are usually the ones to make those comments. My friends never tell me any stuff like that. They just comment on how much weight i've lost and that i'm "doing a great job" and "keep up the good work". They are also the ones that ask about my blood pressure and my acid reflux or my hormones. Those are the people whose comments i value the most. The people on the street or at work that just "know me", their comments don't mean anything, but i am still polite and say "thank you". Don't let peoples comments get to you and you continue to get healthier. Have a great day!!

I agree... most of the people that gush over how good I look were more of an aquaintance than a close friend. A co-worker of mine that got on my nerves alot for her attitude has been more and more pleasant to me with every pound I drop. I think it is interesting that people are nicer to you when you lose the weight and find it disturbing that people I am not close to think it is important they keep up with the numbers. I have no problem sharing with my close friends and family, but casual aquaintances seem to think they are entitled to the "scoop". My good friends are excited for me and that is a relief because I was worried about a shift in our friendship once I am the thin one. So far, so good and I'm very close to their weight now if not under. Laura RNY 9/7/04 330/232/140