Frankly, I'm a little shocked...

Well said.

Very well voiced ladies...I am glad I am not alone in the feelings...just cant seem to get my words together today.  Blessings to you all!

Oh god yes, nobody understands.  I get it cause I'm lucky and really don't need it, I don't have a lot of extra skin cause I was only 60lbs overweight and hadn't been my whole life.  I've lost 70? and want to lose another 10.  Anyway I really just want to turn back the hands of time and have the body of my dreams.  I don't care what anyone else thinks.

These same people probably had issues when you decided to have WLS as well. 

I've have lots done, including a facelift.  I think it's hyprocritical to support one form of plastic surgery - like skin and fat removal and then criticize another form like a nose job or a facelift.  For health reasons, I didn't need any plastics including the fat and skin removal stuff.

When I first started posting on OH back in 2005, just about everyone who was a WLS PreOp was having this surgery to "save their life."  After the surgery, all one ever hears about is all about the cosmetic stuff - like new clothes, new boyfriends, etc.  I had major health issues prior to my WLS that have been resolved for over three years and for that I'll be forever grateful that I had WLS.  But I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the cosmetic benefits of WLS and plastics weren't great.

Please keep in mind that while we all look great today and feel great our health has probably been somewhat compromised by having been obese at some point.  Be careful in your selection of a surgeon and don't schedule too many procedures (long surgeries) at one time.  No point in taking any extra risks.  Good luck with your work.

My MIL was like that. I was very hurt by it. But she hadn't seen me since i lost the weight. We just moved back home. She still didn't get it at first, until we went clothes shopping together and she saw just how much trouble I had with my new body. I had to wear large shirts to cover up the belly under the pants. Tehn she finally started to understand. Once I got my tt she completely understood after she saw the difference.

But I didn't let anyone's comments deter me from my decision. It's me that needs to be happy and if they don't want to support me that's fine. I do not regret having my RNY nor my tt. I am happy and that's all that matters to me.  :)

I have been very lucky and everyone has been very supportive with my entire journey. Both w/ my RNY and PS, no one has given me any negative comments. When I said I was going in for PS everyone knew it was for reconstructive reason not cosmetic or vanity. There was only 1 woman in my office who thought I was dumb for having my boobs done. However her only reference was our old receptionist who had hers done to increase her size and really flaunted them. She couldn't understand why I would want to get  huge boobs when I was now so small. I explained that I wasn't going huge but it was to get rid of the extra skin and fill them back in and only what was proportionate (sp?) w/ my body. Then she understood and said she didn't realize it was for the extra skin issue.

I wish everyone would have the same support that I have been given thru my journey. Sometimes it really surprises me since my family if very conservative and I didn't think they would be on board w/ the PS but they all are. So nice.

Sonya

1)  you shock pretty easily

2)  How you get healthy is no one's business but your own (and perhaps a spouse/SO)

I think people have negative reactions for a couple of different reasons (depending on the individuals).

Some are just jealous that you are able to do what they can't do,  Maybe they really would like a "mommy makeover" or their breasts lifted but they just can't afford it.

Some (usually family) are afraid because of the risks.  Face it it's not a medically necessary thing in that not doing will probably not cause you to die (with WLS there are risks but they out weigh the risks of being obese).

Husbands sometimes are afraid you will leave them once you have the "hot body" on the outside to match the "hot you on the inside".

Some think you should save your money for your old age or for the kids.....Well, if you are young enough you have time to save more for the kids and why shouldn't get the surgery if you can afford it and it will boost the quality of your life?>>>>> GO FOR IT

My health has never been better but I know for me that the only way I would feel I fully finished the challenge is to get rid of the constant reminders of the old me.  I'm not done yet (almost but not yet) but I am so loving seeing the new body unfold!!!  I'm feeling so good about myself physically, emotionally, psychologically that I will NEVER allow myself to destroy my body again. 

You are not alone in this.........Decide what is BEST for YOU and then follow your gut!
Best wishes on your journey.

There is a lot of meaning in a single word and the important word here is Reconstructive!  These surgeries are Reconstructive, not cosmetic!  I loved the analogy of the druck driver and the leg.  I truly treasure the comment about showing your friend your stomach so that they could finally "get it".  Trust me, if most of these people had to buy bigger clothes and never wear a skirt because they look like a bursting sausage, even though their BMI places them in the "normal" range, they just may be a bit more understanding!

 Obesity is a disease - period and it's one of the only ones where you cannot simply and away from the mechanism.  You must eat to stay alive.  Someone that has not been through it (or at least loved someone that has been through it) does not realize how debilitating it truly is and what is does to your body.  Having lbs of flesh cut off of your body is not vain, it's like having a tumor removed.  After getting your life back, asking to look more normal really isn't too much, is it?

That said, I am very careful with who I share my personal information with.  It is no ones business if I am having my breasts or arms lifted or anything else for that matter!  It alleviates a lot of the comments!

For most of us that have lost massive amounts of weight, PS is not "cosmetic" as much as it is "reconstructive". 

You body has been ravaged/maimed by the medical condition of obesity.  If you had lost one or both breasts to cancer, would it be selfish to undergo PS to reconstruct your breasts?

People who see PS as cosmetic are ignorant of just how badly obesity destroys the body.