post op questions

I am having surgery on Thurs (2/3), and in anticipation of the post op era, I have a few questions. I was just wondering how other people perceived you and treated you post-op when they found out you'd had surgery? Or maybe even pre-op when you were telling people. I guess what I'm getting at - were the majority of people supportive or did you get a lot of guff? And for those that were not quite so supportive of your choice, how did you handle them? While my family has known for quite a while what I'm doing, I've just started telling some friends and I know there'll be more questions after surgery. just curious. thanks.

Most people I told were supportive and asked a lot of questions. I did have one co-worker that seemed to taunt me with food right after I came back to work but she's stopped that now that I can eat almost anything. And I really don't think it was maliciously done. You will have people who just have to inform you of all the horror stories they have heard, either first or tenth hand. Everyone will become an expert and think that they know way more than you do, like you just decided to do this yesterday and have done no research. Just smile and tell them thanks for caring. Try not to get weirded out by all that. As long as you are going into this fully informed, and I'm sure you are, don't pay any attention to anyone but your doctor. He's the expert. Just get ready to accept compliments gracefully as you shrink away! Best of luck!

I was so excited about having the surgery, I told everyone, even people who were practically strangers. Living in a small community, the news spread quickly. To be totally honest, I have never heard a negative remark. I have had people call & ask questions, people who were considering it themselves. People have stopped me at work, & I know very few of them, and tell me how good I look & some who hadn't heard how I lost the weight ask how it happened. I did have two ladies try to talk me out of it. They both had a different weightloss surgery years ago & it failed for them. Actualy, I believe they failed the surgery,if you get my drift. One of them tried to convince me that it wouldn't work while she was just finishing off a Big Mac and fries & was about to eat a big piece of Peanut butter Pie! She has since tried to get a revision. My MIL was not in favor & at the last moment tried to convince me I would die! I just let it pass as I don't listen to her about anything anyway. I have an idea that your experience will be similar. More people are aware of how much this surgery can change a person's life & are happy for us. Yes, there will be some who watch to see if you gain it back & hope it will happen (MIL comes to mind). Those kind of people are everywhere but you have the power to avoid that happening. Good luck on Thursday! Dixie

I've really only had a couple of people who commented negatively. One asked if I wasn't afraid of having the surgery - to which I told them I was more afraid of what would happen if I didn't. I also had one which I have taken numerous exercise classes with who seems to rub it in that she did it the "the old fashioned way" and not the easy way. I just ignored her comments and considered the source. I go to Curves and I know I do get some negative vibes there on occasion - it seems even from the manager. I think people can be very ignorant about the surgery and lifetime followup that is required. I had an aquantaince yell at me in WalMart parking lot on Sat that wanted to know where the rest of me had gone!!! Get used to getting compliments. You will be getting lots of those. To those who ask questions you don't want to answer, just smile and tell them thanks for their concern or compliment -- whatever. Best of luck to you -- will probably see you on Fri nite!! Janie

First of all congrats on your date. There will always be those that aren't so supportive, those that will have questions & be downright snoopy. Ignore those that aren't supportive, I have found those people are the ones that are usually failures in things they do & don't ever have positive things to say anyway. You'll know how to handle everyone once you have surgery & have begun your journey into your new life. Waiting for you on the losing side... Carolyn