I was so happy to get my hair cut short today but I wanted to share my experience with two woman at the salon. 

I called and was nervous to make an appointment because I had an idea what I wanted but didn't really know. I was willing to spend a little more money to get someone experienced because I haven't cut my hair in years... I told them on the phone that I wanted some guidance in picking out a hairstyle and I was ready for a change because I had lost over a hundred pounds.

When I met my stylist she said she heard I lost a lot of weight and she asked me how I did it while she was washing my hair. I told her I had gastric bypass and she said "oh so you did have the surgery." What??? I never said anything to her before this so why would she even be thinking about that?? And then she continued on to say "I thought you did it the other way. By making good food choices and exercising...all that." UGH. I was annoyed. But I didn't want to act like a ***** because she had control of my hair. I explained to her that I still have to make good choices and exercise and eat healthy food or it won't work. She said "mmmm". 

THEN

When I was paying for my haircut the manager of the place asked me how I liked my hair and I was so excited and past the convo with the stylist from earlier and I told her I loved it. The stylist came over and told the manager I had lost 100 lbs and the manager asked me how I did it. She was pretty overweight herself but I told her because at this point I couldn't say anything besides the truth with the stylist standing right there. She stopped smiling!! Seriously! I wanted to slap her. In a suddenly dead voice she asked how long it took for me to lose the weight and I said I had the surgery in march and she continued to frown. I don't know if she realized she was doing that or what. 

I did not take the freakin easy way out.

At least I love my haircut!

You were obviously dealing with two talented (with hair) but uninformed people.  Don't take it too hard.  I used to think that surgery was the easy way out.  Then my health started to deteriorate due to my weight and I could not lose on my own with "good food choices and exercising..."  I have since apologized to those that I criticized.  I guarantee that the manager is thinking about you tonight.

Great job and I bet your hair is fabulous!

I agree with Stacy about her thinking about you tonight!
I was one of those people who didn't know better; uninformed is spot on,but believed you could lose with smart choices. I walked alongside this WLS path with 4 dear friends who have been very, very successful at using their tool.

WLS is probably the hardest thing I will ever do because I need to put my needs first.
Pictures of the new haircut! I'm so excited to see the results!!

Thank you. 

I agree about WLS being one of the hardest things I have ever done.  

I want to see pictures, too!

Yes Katie, post pics of your new do! And forget about what those women said today. They don't know the half of it. WE know better. Glad you like your hair.

Katie, first off....would LOVE to see the new haircut.

Second.....that was so crappy. I can't believe that you were doing something so fun and empowering and the stylist had to judge you like that....that was awful. I am so sorry. I had a similar situation happen to me, but it was pre op. It was during the testing phase. I was having a sonogram performed on my heart - I was afraid of the test b/c I had lost so much weight so many times that in my sercret heart of hearts I was afraid that I had somehow damaged my heart. This was the first time that anyone has ever looked at my heart. So, as I was lying there on the gurney with my heart being projected onto the screen the technician asked me why i am having this procedure and I told her it was in anticipation of weight loss surgery and she stopped....ACTUALLY STOPPED...and stared at me for a few seconds and said...."Well, why don't you just eat less?" I was so insulted and pissed but given my heart was being monitered for its beating and its integrity, I just stopped talking and let the test proceed. She then continues to tell me how she keeps fit by eating right, exercise videos and making her husband cook correctly for her. She even got her laptop out and showed me the weightloss web site that i should use. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????????? I finished the test and thought about it for a few days. Anyone who did not have a great resolve like I did could have crumbled. I did not, BUT after a few day, I decided to notify my surgeon. He was horrified and reported her to the head of cardiology. I did not want anyone fired,but God knows, what she did while I was having my heart examined was very UNCOOL!!!

Sorry you had to experience that, but I am sure you look darling. I would consider calling the manager and telling her of your experience and tell her that they probably lost a customer and that what was supposed to be a celebratory experience and a victorious experience for you into a harsh experience. YOU DID NOT TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT...this is the hardest thing we have ever done. To heck with them....you are doing so well...

WOOOOOW.. i would have flipped my lid if that happened to me. in the midst of one of my pre-op tests a few weeks back (i was being hooked up to a sleep study machine) the male nurse was like "so why is it you're having the sleep study done?" i replied that it was part of the many tests i had to go through in order to prep me for RNY surgery..he then said "oh, well have you tried any other ways to lose weight?"

SO LAUGHABLE. like, are you kidding? imagine? "NOPE, JUST THIS! I'M JUST RESORTING TO A LIFE CHANGING SURGERY WITHOUT TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT ANY OTHER WAY. I HAVEN'T BEEN ON A MILLION DIETS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, I JUST WOKE UP ONE DAY AND THOUGHT, HEY, SURGERY SOUNDS GREAT!"

people are soooooo ignorant. even people IN the medical field. it's such a shame! it can be so frustrating. thank goodness for this message board. we have each other to bounce this stuff off of!

 Thank you guys so much for your comments and support. I'm really not letting it bother me too much. I'm too happy with my new haircut and my new clothes for work and my new job!! My husband gets home in an hour so I will have him take a pic as soon as possible!! You guys are SO WONDERFUL!!

 Glad you like the cut...me I would call and demand to talk to someone higher up and explain to them that you will never be coming back and tell them why. Also that you will never recommend their salon to any of your friends. They had no right to judge you or make faces at you.

When people make that face at me I say "Stop right there, I did not take the easy way out. If you do not know from personnel experience about this surgery please dont tell me about it."  Then I ask them if they would like some info on it. 

@ Cheryl - You go girl...  Well said.