FRUSTRATED--What do you think?

I'm a little over a year out and have lost 131 pounds. I'm really happy with my weight loss. I have 3 more pounds to go til goal. Over the past year I've changed a lot of things in my life. I'm much more active and work out 4 times a week. Anyway, I really wanted to do an active vacation this year and I decided to to a 6 day hiking trip in the Grand Canyon. I talked with the tour operator before I signed up, gave my deposit and bought my plane tickets. I described my general level of fitness and asked them if they thought I would be ok doing the trip since I wasn't an experienced hiker. They told me that it would be challenging, but I should be fine. I signed up and they sent me the paperwork. There was a medical information form with the paperwork. One question asked something about any physical conditions they should be aware of in case of emergency. I listed my gastric bypass surgery and the date. I'm traveling by myself and would want a doctor in an emergency room to be aware of my condition for treatment purposes, if something happened and I couldn't speak for myself. Well today, 2 weeks before the trip, I get a call from the tour operator. For some reason he thought I has surgery last month--instead of a year ago. I explained to him that I was a year out. Initially I thought that was it, but the guy kept saying -- do you realize how strenuous this is? etc.. I told him I thought I did and that I discussed this with them before I signed up, but the guy wouldn't let up. I asked him if he was telling me I couldn't go on the tour and he said that he just wanted to talk about it. He asked me my current weight, my height, what I eat and what exercise I do. I realize that the guy has some liability concerns so I was patient and pretty forthcoming about everything. Then he tells me that the reason I was overweight was because of a long history of inactivity. The more I think about it the more mad this comment makes me. Like he has a clue about my history and how much exercise I did and how fit overweight people are. The more I think about it the madder I get. I realize that it is the stereotypes about fat people. If I had told them I'd been a couch potato and started a fitness program a year ago...I think they would be cheering me on, but because I was obese--I must be lazy and incapable of accomplishing the kind of training that it would take to complete the hike. RRRG.....I'm really mad. Anyway, I mentioned that I had non refundable airline tickets that I purchased after consulting with his representative. And he says that they would refund my trip, but seemed to balk about the airfare. He wants me to consult with my doctor, to see if my doctor thinks I can do the trip. I've got my 1 year follow up Friday anyway... So I'm going to do that....but, somehow I can't escape the feeling that I'm being discriminated against. Any comments...you don't have to agree with me

Here's what I think? People who have never been obese do not understand obesity or WLS at ALL. Even people who have been obese do not always get WLS. I think that if your doctor is OK with you going and you feel up to the Challenge, You should go. And LET them figure out who you are when you get there!! I think to deny yourself the opportunity of a lifetime that you have obviously prepared for just because of ignorance is not good. If you do decide to not go: I would press for the airline ticket to be reinbursed too!! BUT I WOULDN"T GIVE UP THE TRIP. Ignorance is everywhere. And maybe by doing the trip you will have the chance to educate more people( Not with words but with you new abilities). I hope you go on the trip, have a FABULOUS time and show them all what you can do. Let us know either way. I am supporting you 100%. Good luck on your decision. Jacqueline

I say get your doctors consent . Have a great time then when your done go up to this man and say ok now what do you eat. Then say well i wish that would explain why your such an idiot and then say its really a bad thing to make assumptions about people but yours about him were totally on the mark. Then smile brightly and say have a great day and remember me when you prejudge people. Tammy O

Hi Courtney, this is terrible!! I keep flip flopping between getting the letter or whatever, and then jusr showing them that it can be a done!! The other part of me says make them refund your airfare and go somewhere else. But I think I would opt for the first choice just cause I think you are such a good example of someone who has had surgery and is so successful, and then it will break the way for someone else. Keep us informed! love donna

Courtney, I don't blame you for being mad. Do you have this "gentlemen's" phone number? I would get permission from your doctorand then go on the trip. I would also contact his supervisor and let them know what a completly insensitive jerk this "gentleman" was. There is absolutely no reason why you can not make this trip. Give 'em hell girl!!! Christine