I was suprised to see this in the newspaper today and I thought it was a good topic.
What do you think about her response?

Dear Abby: I am an obese woman who had the lap band procedure done three months ago. I am now able to eat only three or four ounces of food at a time, and I am starting to show some major weight loss.

What do I say to people with whom I go out to eat when they think I am being finicky or snobbish for not eating my entire meal? I have gotten some pretty weird stares, and one of my co-workers believes I have an eating disorder.

I would prefer not to come out and say I have had weight-loss surgery, but I don't want people worried about me. Any suggestions?

— Mini-Me

Dear Mini-You: So many people in this country have serious weight problems, I see no reason why you shouldn't be frank about what you decided to do about yours. It's not shameful, and it should not be a guilty secret. People who know you well will find out eventually.

If you feel you cannot reveal you had the surgery, when you eat in restaurants, order only an appetizer. That way, less food will remain on your plate.

Am I an odd ball? I love sharing my weight journey with people - that includes telling them I had surgery! If my story changes the mind of at least 1 person ...I've done my job. So anyone that I'd be going to dinner with knows my situation. But I'm curious (for those that hide this info) why do you hide it?

I'm an oddball too then!!!   I tell everyone about my weight loss journey, and I mean everyone!  LOL   I'm just like that I guess, way up front about everything about me...  . 

I guess I'm an oddball too  LOL  I tell anyone and almost carry around my size 70 pants to prove it LOL

For me..I have only told people really close to me that I'm going for surgery. Once I get approved, then I'm  telling others. It's just a personal choice of mine to make sure it's really going to happen before I tell the world. But I am very proud of my choice to have WLS, and I have already talked to my favorite  restaurants about how I can order after my surgery. Most have no problem with me either just ordering something small or even sharing with a friend or my Fiance...

Not only do I tell anyone who asks (which is a ton of people especially at my gym) But I carry a picture of me around when I was at 300 pounds (currently 143) and I normally don't get any flack after that. It's obvious it was a smart decision.

I actually like what Dear Abby had to say...

OMG  I thought I was nuts LOL  I have a picture of me at 409 lbs in my blackberry, and I show it to people.  I too liked what Dear Abby had to say.

And what is your general reaction from people when you show them?

Usually it is something along the lines of "OMG  you dont even look like the same person!"   However my favorite response was "Wow, you look so miserable and sick in that picture"  To which I responded yeah, I was killing myself with food, so obviously I was miserable, which is why I did something about it!

lol.. I get wow I would never have recognized you.. Or you look so much younger, followed by how do you feel??? But it usually starts when I tell people I used to weigh 300 pounds. Then I get NO WAY. That's impossible! I don't believe it.. Then I pull out the pic baby.. And they become instantly silent.