Interesting Encounter

Hi everyone-hope you're all having a good day. Something just happened that was interesting I wanted to share. The blood mobile was here at work and while I wanted to give blood, I figured I would explain about the upcoming surgery first and get the nurse's advice. What did I get? Not an answer about giving blood, but the third degree about why someone my size would consider such a drastic dangerous procedure. So I told her b/c believe it or not I weight 250lbs. and have been overweight my whole life. Well, her tune didn't change, she just said, "Well you sure don't look like you weigh that much but anyway I wouldn't let you give blood anyway b/c that goofy surgery is going to deplete you of your iron so you need to keep all you have stored right now!" The other nurse that was with her took me aside and asked me for some more info. on the surgery, insurance and my surgeon b/c she was considering it...she said the two nurses she works with have really been condemning her about her pondering the idea . I was just glad to give the lady some support but you know the irony in all of this, ALL THREE NURSES WERE BIGGER THAN ME!!!! I guess I still haven't adjusted to the variety of responses to my coming out of the closet about the surgery yet. And I felt bad for the one nurse who is seriously considering it b/c she's 280lbs., is currently on yet another diet and has actually GAINED 5 lbs. What a day, huh? Danielle

It really is strange the reactions you get. I have been lucky, most are interested, but not rude about it. But believe me I have ran into a fewof the rudest. I am sorry you had to go through that, but I am glad you are doing what you feel is right for you. gail

Things like that are one of the reasons I have never come out of the WLS closet. I just don't need the hassle! I had mine done 5/25/04 and have never told anyone except my husband of course.(no one else lives with me) It really ticks me off when complete strangers think they have the right to force their opinions on me. Espically things like WLS that are so very personal. I would have just told that nurse that my WLS was no longer up for discussion. Kallen

Shame on that nurse! It is true, you need to keep all the blood at this point. I attempted to give just for my use if needed. They would not take it. Told me I needed to keep it and chances are I would not need blood. Marla

It's reactions like that that are making me careful in telling anyone here at work about the surgery. Very few know. Basically only those who need to know. The rest of them will just be told my gallbladder is being taken out (which isn't a lie). People can really be against this surgery and it floors me that people can outright blast you for making a personal decision to do so!

It's amazing but some of the most ill informed on these surgeries, are in the medical profession. They still believe that diet and excerise alone works for everyone. And like you said so many of them are overweight also. Go figure.

Same thing happened to me when I was shopping for my vitamins and supplements before surgery. The salesperson asked specifically what my needs would be so I explained about the surgery. She looked me up and down and said, "How did you get approved for that, you are not that much overweight" She didn't beleive I weighed 265, which I guess is flattering, but she went on to tell me that I "carry it well" and a good diet and exercise would be much better, and maybe I wasn't meant to be "model thin", oh yes, and I should be happy with the skin I'm in. Then I got to hear all about her neighbor lady who was at least (in her words) 8 times my size and could barely walk, and how people like her are the ones that benefit from the surgery. Thankfully she was done with her preaching by the time it was time to ring up my stuff. I tried my best to defend myself, but she really wasn't listening. She wished me luck as I left. Oh and did I mention she looked like she didn't have an ounce of bodyfat on her anywhere. Anyway, I got over it as soon as I told my husband about it and he said, "boy what an idiot she is". =) Michele

My Goodness arent people something. Twice I was explained to me how a friend new someone who died during surgery and how someone else gainned all their weight back. My biggest problem is I dont feel as if I deserve any credit for losing the weight I have lost. People have made me feel as if I took the easy way out. Good luck lizz

Yet another reason why I'm keeping this surgery to myself as much as humanly possible. People who are against the surgery seem almost militant in some cases, don't they?

Thanks for everyone's input. What the lady said to me did not make me feel bad or apprehensive. I am still going to proceed on b/c I have made my mind up. I just can't over the judgemental folks out there and it's crazy this notion that WLS is the EASY way out...b/c I've seen it and heard from Post-Ops on here that it is by far not the easy way out. I just hope the other nurse can get the courage she needs to make the right choice for herself. As for sharing with people, I was so excited and told people here at work. A handful of people were VERY judgemental and rude-I don't talk to them about it now, just dropped it. I did have a few that were not only supportive but VERY happy for me and it was great. My supervisor is even being supportive although she's worried about me at the same time...luckily she is being very accomadating when it comes to my return to work. Bottom line is once we've made up our minds, those negative people just don't matter-it's our health, our life, our decision. Best wishes to you all! Danielle