Who am I to Judge?

I recently went to amuesment park with my kids and for once my kids were ready to leave before me. I'm down 120lbs. and have even started "jogging". I can see my hip bones when I lie down. I did not know they could be felt. I found myself looking at the overweight people, and for a split second watching and listening. They were panting from being out of breath and stuggling to lift their legs to get in the rides. Who am I that these thoughts come into my head. I was bigger than some of these people. I am so ashamed of myself. Then it came to me. People have been looking at me and judging me THIS WAY? My wholelife I have been treated differently because of my weight. I feel like one of those TV shows where skinny people dress up in "fat" close to see what it is like. People I have known for years treat me differently. Men at work are flirting with me now. GIVE ME A BREAK. I'm still the same person. It's hard to believe that most of the "thinner" people saw us as different as black and white. Tammy Lowery Madison, ny 300/199/180/?

I have noticed that I also pay more attention to other obese people now, than I did before. I want to talk to them. Preach to them. I have to hold myself back. I can't help but think, if this surgery can work this well, why is it so difficult to get??? Why is it not more readily available.? Why make people jump through insurance hoops, just to get their health and their lives bacK? Don't be ashamed for thinking like you do. It will help you to remember where you came from and prevent you from going back there. I will always want to remember my "fat" days. Karen G 294 / 206 / 150 ? Toronto, ON, Cda

I try very hard to avoid making judgements about people who are overweight, since I'm not that far away from them myself. My mother, however, stares at anyone who is large and then says to me "aren't you glad you're going the other way?". I've tried to then say to her, "not everyone is a lucky as I was to be able to have the surgery", "not everyone wants to make that decision", but she persists. Sue O.

Tammy, Thanks for your post. I have noticed myself doing the same thing. I wish everyone could have this surgery for their health. I want to just go up to them and tell all about my surgery but I don't. Sometimes I forgot that I was that "FAT" person only 8 short months ago. Deana 252/147

Tammy, I completely understand what you are saying here. I look at overweight people and feel such empathy for them. It is hard not to notice how they stuggle to do things as we ourselves were in the same boat not too long ago. I want to reach out and tell them about the surgery and what an amazing tool it is. I don't - I know that until I reached the decision myself I wouldn't have appreciated anyone coming up to me and talking about it. I also relate to what you say about people treating you differently now. I am finding this as well and I have very little respect for the people who now make time to talk to me that could barely give me the time of day before. Mary 302/200/1??

I pay closer attention to the obese people but only because my heart goes out to these people and I want to run up and say. HEY!! STOP have you ever heard of WLS? Donna

hi. i didn't have any physical problems that i knew of when i weighed 60-70 more pounds then i do now. i do know that i was always nervous about fitting on the rides, the embarassment of not fitting. when i went to the amusement park recently, i still worried about that (guess that will never leave me) but i know that i fit, because i did with no problem. but i have noticed that men pay alot more attention to me now and that kinda flatters me but also ****** me off. i mean, who are they to notice me now when they hardly did before? i am the same person (maybe alittle more confidence now- but i always had that). but, i can understand where you're coming from. i still see myself comparing me to other overweight people wondering if i look like they do or not. that will never change with me- i did that before my surgery. i just wanted to respond to you to let you know i do know how ur feeling. ur doing great, by the way... sue

I find myself noticing obese people more. I feel so sorry for them. I know some of them are scared to have the surgery or people have made them feel that it is the "easy" way out, which it is far from. But I have watched myself come off all medications for Blood pressure and diab...I no longer run out of breath....I am so different and so much healthier and I want this for them also.....I think I am sympathetic but I also wonder how our world has gotten to this point with obesity??? These people deserve the same help that I have recieved....but they have to want to help themselves first....the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem....