I am LIVID and had to share b/c I know you will all understand.

I am right there with ya on this Andrea. I agree 100%                                        Annie

I really appreciate your understanding.   ((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) It just really hurt my feelings and I had to "vent" to someone.  I do realize after having WLS, it is easier than it ever has been to lose weight, but it's NOT the easy way out. I know we all have our own trials and tribulations to go through before, during and after WLS. It's not like they just make your stomach smaller and you just eat whatever you want. It just makes me mad that she doesn't understand how much of a benefit this surgery was to me and will be to James! Honestly, I kind of knew the friendship had fizzled, I just had it confirmed for me today. Thanks, Barb and everyone for such kind words. I truly consider all of you my friends even if we don't see each other in person much. You are all right though, we need to surround ourselves with people that are our TRUE friends and leave the ones that aren't behind. Thanks again!

I had mentioned a looooong time ago to my BFF that I was thinking about WLS.   But I shrugged it off myself hoping to lose on my own.... well that obviously worked ( I gained 40bs in the past 3 years) anyway.... when I finally made my final decision to go thru the process and get it done and reclaim my life  .... the first person I told was her.....

She said "oh well I have been looking into the lapband but I KNOW I can lose on my own"  mind you she has gained herself over the last 3 years too.  She says she has changed her eating (she was eating at that moment .... a huge salad with TONS of FULL CALORIE ranch dressing on it and spaghetti and meatballs on the side.  Yup yup ......

I fear that as I begin to lose weight that will be the end of our relationship altogether.  *sigh*....... I know that other relationships will be affected as well but this one is one I don't want to lose.

Ahhhhhhhh...... anyway this topic reminded me of this I had read a long time ago...

Life is a theatre. Invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize, your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships. Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama, or don't really understand, know or appreciate you? The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life. You cannot change the people around you. But you CAN change the people you are around.

Monika, Thanks so much for this. She is definitely a freind under the category "which ones lean?" It does feel better to leave her back in the background. I know my TRUE friends are the ones that have a front seat and actually care about ME. I appreciate your understanding and I'm sorry for what you ae going through with your "friend". It just makes me so mad/upset that some people get so jealous and let it ruin a perfectly good friendship.  I guess it goes back to what I've always heard-- friends will come and go, but REAL friends will be there forever...

Thanks again for the posting.

She made sure to be your friend because you were overweight? What the hell is that? "Oh, thank you for your pity but I don't need it anymore." Ya wanna know what burns my ass? (You got me going hereLOL) Obesity is a deadly disease like any other. Now I no way mean to downplay the severity of cancer or kidney failure, I have lost people I love to both of them, but how come when you are diagnosed with another killer disease you are expected to seek help to save your life? But if you're obese then WLS is "the easy way out."  No one would say that to anyone else going through chemo or dialysis, right? So why to us? I guess because we are obese our lives are less significant? Whatever... I just don't get that mentality...and I don't want to be that shallow.  Sounds to me like the Divine Ms. "M" has got herself a severe case of jealousy. Don't let the buttmunches get you down kid! Tell her to KISS IT...from me!!!    xoxo Mare

Hey! I have an idea.    (Now this is my evil side coming out.) You should gather up some of your old clothes and give them to her. Say: "Here. I thought you might be needing these soon." BAH Hahahaahahahaha sorry...

Mare, you have me dying laughing over here!!!! I love it! Again, thanks to everyone for understanding. I know you ALL would know how I felt!

LMAO!     I humbly bow before thee o great Mare - Leader of the Great Comebacks Club!

Mindy~
You are one of the nicest persons I know, I would do what Mare said.. give her your old clothes LMAO There is nothing EASY about ANY bariatric surgery....that is called J E A L O U S Y dont tell me there are any large/obese people that would not jump at the chance to do what you have done!! 151 Fricken pounds is OUT FRICKEN STANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you dont need those types for friends Mindy, keep your chin up hun let them melt and keep stuffing that food while you turn into hottie Mama!!! LOL

Love ya girl
Darcie

You just have to laugh at the ignorance of some people....EASY?  Yeah...it's soooo easy to go through months of preparation and tests, have all of your indoor plumbing rearranged and change your entire relationship with food and exercise.   Mare has the right idea about people like her.   Congrats on your success!  Don't forget that we all understand and appreciate you for you! Lorie Anne