Update on progress

I went to see my surgeon today for my 1st post op visit. I have lost 26lbs since 12/1/08!!! I was so happy. (as you can tell). Had surgery 12/08/08. He told me that I barely have anything in the band and he will fill it in 4 weeks. So to get ready because as the swelling goes down the hunger comes more often. Not looking forward to that but its all part of it. I had a little problem with my largest incision. It was red and warm to touch so he put me on some antibiotics just incase.

At first I was getting lots of supportive comments at work but as the weight comes off (not like its been that much) some of the ladies who are my size seem to somewhat negative. Saying it wouldn't be worth it to them and other silly remarks. I take it all in stride but it does bother me. We were all close and now they seem to be pulling away. Has anyone else experienced this? How do you handle it? It is starting also with a couple of siblings. It hurts but I try to stay focus and positive.

Any time any one loses a lot of weight, for whatever reason, it sets up some conflicting emotions in friends and family.  The large ones begin to feel like "they" should do something to, but maybe they aren't ready, and they may even feel guilty for feeling jealous.  Smaller ones might begin to feel their place as the "small one" is being threatened.  Been there, done that, have a t-shirt.

In my opinion, the best way to handle it is to continue to conduct yourself in the best way possible-and realize when you are sharing your joy, it is going to create conflicting emotions.  Don't let that dim your you one little bit.  I finally realized all those conflicting emotions belonged to other people and it was up to the other people to sort them out-not me.  In fact, I would even go as far to say if you try to help them sort them out-it will come back to haunt you.

I pretty much kept everything low key-to the point of letting people know I appreciated their interest but I would only discuss current "stats" when I felt like it-I got really tired of being asked "how much did you lose this week?"  because not every week is a good week, and I felt pressured to "produce" a loss.  I usually updated once a month or so-and this went for everyone, even my own mother.

The silly remarks do hurt, and sometimes they are probably even intended to hurt.  Next time someone says "it wouldn't be worth it to them" just agree and say "we all have our own priorities".....and let it go.  That acknowledges their right to choose, and YOUR right to choose too.

One of my rules to live by is I only defend my right to choose, and not my choice.  If you defend your choice, it just opens up a whole can of not anyone's business (your own personal reasons). 

Wow !!!  Hey 26 pounds IS that much !!!!! You are doing great and keep up your chin up!!!!!  I know what you are going through at work.  Some of my co-workers act like I am somehow "cheating" by having the gastric sleeve.  That is is a lazy way to lose weight and that I have no self control or I would just "eat less".......heck, I've been trying "eat less" since I was eight years old, which just led to yo-yo diets and ever increasing weight.   Last year after five months of absolute torture I lost 24 pounds going to weigh****chers.  I had surgery on 11-26 and have lost 19 pounds in four weeks.  Not as much as you...but I'm still proud and feeling confident that I will continue to lose and my health will just get better.
So hang in there and when you need a kind word and a pat on the back....just think of me and all the people that are 100% on your side
Jeanne

congratulations on your success. I am sure the negative comments are because they are jealous and wi**** were them losing the weight. Keep up the good work and don't let the negative stuff steal your joy.
Emily