Neg talk at work

Hello all, well today I was talking with some of the girls at work about my surgery, some are supportive some are not, well one of the girls said that she thinks that the surgery is terrible, "why would anyone in their right mind want a surgery that make you more or less anxoriea" I tried to explaine to her that it does not do that, that people do that to them selves. I explained that the surgery is just the "tool" and you have to learn how to use it just like anything else, but she feels that it is a heavy price to pay to be "thin". I explained that I am not having it to be "thin" but to have some contol over my life and to inprove my quality of life. I just wish people understood about this surgery, (she is an RN ) she should know the difference. She thinks it is terrible that "so many" people are having it anymore, she says that we will all "regret it one day" because we don't know the true "long term" effects that it will have on our bodies.I told her I know what the long term effects will be if I don't get the weight off either. We have about 20 people where I work have it done or are in the process of getting it done.( I work at a hosp), I just wish people would not pass judgement on others so fast. She of course does not have a weight problem and is about 6 inches taller than me.I just hate having to "defend" my decesion to people. The reason I told my co-workers at work is because we all work so closely together and you could'nt keep something a secret in that place it you tried, someone always finds things out LOL.Plus I do get support from some of my co-workers who think it is great. Anyway just wanted to share another moment of my day at work in the ER. Thanks for listening. Merry Christams to ALL!!

Hello, I am still pre-op. I just wanted to encourage you. You are never gonna please everyone. So don't try. Ther are always gonna be those negative nellies, at work, at home, where ever. Do your research, pray, and follow your heart. Just believe in the decision that you have made to improve your way of life. I'm sure she is probably one of those who considers herself fat, and needs to lose 5 lbs... I hate her and her kind..lol. They always have great suggestions, "jus****ch what you eat, and excercise". KILL HER....lol I mean we know all that, and if it were that easy none of us would be here. So you just stay in encouraged and do what you feel is right for you. Btw.. I was just joking.. don't kill her, I would hate for this woman to come up dead, and the FBI show up at my door. So for all of you law enforcement agents reading this. Remember I WAS JUST JOKING ABOUT THE KILLING THING... JUST JOKING...I AM NOT VIOLENT, NOR DO I ADVOCATE IT... I AM HOWEVER A FUN LOVING, GOD FEARING WOMAN.....Take care, be blessed,,, and Merry Christmas...

My little secret !!!! I stopped telling people. That ****** them off not knowing how you lost weight !!! I got tired of hearing bad stories. Take Care Hugs Barb

Hi Jan: I'm sorry that some of your co-workers have the Gull to judge you. I just wish people would keep their negative comments to themselves. My theory is" if you can't say something nice, then by golly don't say anything at all". Wish more people lived by this rule. Ha ha I have only told very few people about my surgery. My husband of course (really he was the hardest to tell because I guess his reaction meant the most to me), my sister, our son, my best friend and the girl I work with. (It was just too hard to try and hide phone calls etc.... in a office of two people). So far everyone has keep it to themselves. I still haven't decided if I'm going to tell more people or not. I'll think more on that after I'm approved and my surgery date has been set. Just remember that those people aren't important, and remember the one's who are. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. See you at the Feb. 8, 2007 Support Meeting. (Annetta)

My wife and I work at the same place, and when we decided to have the surgery we told no one. She had surgery on April 7th and I had mine on April 18th. We told people that her mom was coming to visit and we were taking leave while she was visiting. This was not a lie, because her mom came to take care of us until we could start driving. The main reason we decided not to tell people is exactly the same as what you've all just described. We did not want to hear the negative comments. We still heard enough after people found out, but it didn't matter then. Even now we still hear about people that have had the surgery that have had problems. Well, there are problems involved in every type of surgery and as you will find out, this surgery affects people in different ways. My wife and I were both affected differently. My incision leaked for three weeks and hers didn't. She had a complication 5 months after surgery that required another surgery, but I didn't. She can eat foods that i can't tolerate. Anyway, we needed to do this change for ourselves and people should appreciate that and quit trying to judge us based on what they don't know first hand. Being out 8 months from surgery and have lost more weight than I wanted to (my original goal was to lose 110 pounds and I've lost 140 poounds), I know this was the right decision for me. I'm sorry that people are so negative, but don't let it get you down, Jan. Keep a positive attitude and remember you have friends on this message board that understand. Merry Christmas! Floyd

Jan, Be proud of yourself and your decision. Don't let anyone bring you down. There is no possible way that someone without a weight problem could understand the world that we live in. I once told one of my friends to go carry around a 120 pound sack of potatoes for a week and then we will talk. At first I was not telling many people at all and most of the ones I told we very supportive.... but of course... yes there were a few that did not agree. Just smile and say I am sorry that you dont agree with my decision. Tell them you have weighed your options you have heard the good the bad and the ugly and now you are ready to change your destination. If they talk negative tell them you have heard it all and at this point preop, it is very important for you to stay positive and as stress free as possible... then change the subject. Be happy be proud and be confident after all this is about nobody but YOU!! good luck!

Jan, I'm sorry you are having to deal with that. It's not fun to have to defend yourself to everyone about why you chose to do it. Get this...someone at my work actually said to me that it was "people like me" that were making insurance premiums go up. And he also said that "people like me" don't learn anything from the surgery and therefore have to have it again and that he has to pay for that... I just laughed at him and walked away. I don't even have an answer for that because it was so ridiculous!!!! Anyway, hang in there. People who have never had a weight problem don't understand at all!!! Julie

Is this guy that spouted the health insurance premiums crap a professional health insurance adjudicator? If he is, then I'd value his opinion of "people like you" (WLS patients), but you what opinions are like....everyone has one and thinks the other one stinks! Obviously he's got his own issues! Health insurance premiums are going up because the gov't let it spiral out of control, not because of us! PLease!

Jan, Hang in there, you seem to have a good grasp of what WLS will and won't do for you. I'm happy for you that some of your co-workers are supportive. As far as the rest goes, maybe your success will change their minds. Merry Christmas to all on the Ohio board. Doug

Jan just tell them you have an eating disorder and are bullimic and anorexic.. Now that will get them really talking. Throw in a sexual additional and you have a full blown scandel. Just know that you are doing the very best thing for you and the rest can **** up a rope. I am right beside you all the way Love and hugs all the way Miss laura