PLEASE! If you are 'open about your surgery'

SassyItalian
on 11/14/11 6:46 am - Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis

PLEASE be a role model. Please, be a poster child.

What I mean is: I know for many of us that were anticipating upcoming surgery, we all heard tales of the bad results of bariatric surgery. From death, to people being maimed, losing no weight, losing too much weight, becoming cripple, having a transfer addiction, becoming alcoholic/sexaholic/gambleaholic (yes i made that up!), and the list goes on!!

People love to spread these tales to those having VSG.

The day before my surgery, my trollish ex supervisor decided to tell me I would probably be on a ventilator from surgery like another girl someone knew who had surgery..

BE THE GOOD EXAMPLE. BE THE PERSON THAT PEOPLE CAN RECOUNT THE STORY OF! INSTEAD OF "I KNEW SOMEONE WHO DIED" THEY CAN SAY, "OH I KNOW SOMEONE WHO CHANGED THEIR LIFE AND DID GREAT!"

This is the MAIN reason I am open about my surgery. If one person can learn about VSG from me, if one person can be inspired, every little struggle is worth it.

I AM A SUCCESS. AND SO ARE YOU. SHARE IT. OWN IT. BE THE POSITIVE ROLE MODEL.

                      HW: 258lbs  SW: 240   CW: 140 I am 5 foot 7 and 30 years old
                 VSG 12/21/10  Plastics: Tummy tuck, breast lift, and augmentation 11/3/11
                                             Soon to be veterinarian!! xoxo

Marcia B.
on 11/14/11 6:49 am - CA

VSG on 07/13/11

I am open about my VSG and tell anyone :) I feel no shame or reason to hide the fact that I needed help to lose weight and this was my help.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Stephanie M.
on 11/14/11 6:53 am

VSG on 05/24/11

I'm out and proud! I love to dispel WLS myths and explain how VSG is so different from the other ones.

High weight: 276

Lowest weight: 155.2

Currently : 159-164

Couch potato to runner in 18 months!

(deactivated member)
on 11/14/11 6:54 am

VSG on 06/30/09

I agree with you 100%. I think that any moment of discomfort I might feel at being judged is outweigh a thousand times by one person getting their health back because of what I might have inspired them to do. The beautiful thing is that I now know many people that make excellent role models and poster children for this surgery. There is power in numbers. Now, when someone tells me that my success is an anomaly, I can just point to a whole host of other people that I doing just fine. I feel like this surgery has given me a much better life and I want as many people as possible to get the same feeling of freedom and health for themselves. I really like your post and your point of view.

acbbrown
on 11/14/11 6:56 am - Granada Hills, CA

VSG on 06/10/11

"Like" !!!

www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status

11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.

HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op

~~~~Alison~~~~~

MyOwnSunshine
on 11/14/11 6:57 am

VSG on 09/13/11

I totally agree with you.

I did not tell many people before I had surgery, but I have told everyone after surgery, especially those who tell me how great I look and who marvel at my weight loss.

I'm definitely not ashamed of having surgery. It has become a part of who I am and if I can help one person experience the happiness I have right now, it will be worth it. I have not heard a single negative comment from anyone, and in fact, have experienced support and encouragement beyond my wildest dreams.

I agree with you -- I want to be a positive role model and inspiration for others, and I am strong enough to withstand any negative judgement that my come my way, although I doubt much will.

" I am not at all concerned with appearing to be consistent. In my pursuit after Truth I have discarded many ideas and learnt many new things." Ghandi

Nancy B.
on 11/14/11 7:03 am - Bridge City, TX

VSG on 08/27/11 with

I haven't hid the fact that I've had surgery, but I'm not just putting it out there either. Not like my husband that posted our whole journey to Mexico and back to Facebook...lol I think I still struggle with the shame I felt from being overweight in the first place. BUT, what you wrote about is the reason that I am trying to be more "out there" about it... The whole reason I even considered the sleeve in the first place was because of others in my community that didn't mind people knowing, so I want to be that source of inspiration for others if I can!

-Nancy

HW 238    Starting Weight 227   Surgery Weight 212   CW 155
Height 5'5"            Lost 9 lbs. pre-op, and another 6 lbs. on the liquid diet.

theshrinkingmimi
on 11/14/11 7:07 am

VSG on 06/10/11

I'm open with the few people that I tell.

Pre-liquid diet 392; VSG'd on 6/10/11; 5'9"; SW 368/ GW 195?

Pounds lost: mth1=26.7; mth 2=21.2; mth 3=24.8; mth 4=13.8; mth 5=14.2;
            mth 6=11.8; mth 7=9.2; mth 8&9= 17.2

SassyItalian
on 11/14/11 7:10 am - Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis

VSG on 12/21/10

And to add..I know that some people are not open about it, telling others isnt and option for them. and that is a personal choice. thats ok too.

But for those who are, this is what we should strive for (IMHO)

                      HW: 258lbs  SW: 240   CW: 140 I am 5 foot 7 and 30 years old
                 VSG 12/21/10  Plastics: Tummy tuck, breast lift, and augmentation 11/3/11
                                             Soon to be veterinarian!! xoxo

edelu
on 11/14/11 7:16 am - los angeles, CA

But what if it hasn't been a success for you, what then? should you lie? I'm happy for all the folks who have had success but there has to be room for people who have not had that. they already feel like outsiders being outside the norm. of what one can expect with that surgery. There should be a little room for them.

PLEASE! If you are 'open about your surgery'

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PLEASE! If you are 'open about your surgery'