What WLS will NOT do for your life

One thing it DID do for me, that I absolutely wasn't expecting, is that it will "Out" the people around you *****ally did discriminate against you because you were fat.

I was and am one who has a very healthy opinion of myself. That didn't develop easily, and it wasn't an easy place to acheive. I remember coming to terms with my obesity when I slipped a disk in my back, and had no insurance to make it better. For two months I had to use a walker. For another six months I used a cane. When I was done with all of that, I found little things like being a larger woman weren't nearly as important as being able to walk un-aided. I came to grips with ME and I became a very happy person who wasn't disgusted or down on my self.

Being so self-assured though, led me to be utterly unaware to any sort of prejudisms around me. For certain I knew that my teenagers I teach thought uncomplimentary things, but they're teenagers and their brains are maturing and that's natural and normal. But I absolutely expected my professional colleagues to respect the person I was, and my abilities as a teacher. Therefore, it came as a complete shock when a woman I worked with every summer for a six week period suddenly changed drastically. The first few years she treated any and all of my suggestions as unworthy of her consideration. I frankly just though she was a micromanaging ***** Then when the weight sloughed off, I found that she was actively seeking my opinion, modeling her summer school after mine, and treating me with all of the courtesy and concern I would expect from a colleague. Since the only thing that had changed was my weight, it came to me that I had gained respect with the loss of weight. Overall, though, I think that discovering this about her made me realize that she is a sad and limited person who allows her misconceptions and prejudices to color her life. I can't imagine what it would have been like for an obese student in her class. They probably felt like trash.

Post Date: 3/16/12 8:56 am
"One thing it DID do for me, that I absolutely wasn't expecting, is that it will "Out" the people around you *****ally did discriminate against you because you were fat. "


This is SOOOO TRUE!!!!

 You've really gotta make these posts into a book. Required reading for pre-, post-ops & professionals alike!!!! 

 You know one of these days I just might. My writing process is so funky. I actually write best when I am trying to work on ten different things at a time. So when I get home and try to think of things to write creatively on my own (not for my job) I think I just go blank. You  notice most of my soapbox posts are during the day, when I'm working and my mind is filled with a bunch of "stuff."

I'll get on it ;)

Love it!  Thank you for this post.  I am about a week and a half post op, and this post reminds me that starting therapy was a good idea.  I need to fix me, you know the real me, while I'm fixing the weight.  Thanks again!

Well damn.  Now you tell me.  And here I thought I wouldn't eat certain foods, I'd become a health nut, make me hot and sexy and make not only me, but everyone else love me.

It's amazing what people think.  WLS if the magic cure.  I actually had to explain to someone (who is comtemplating surgery) that yes, regain is possible.  WLS is not a cure.

Hope you will re-post this often as a reminder to us all. Very informative. Thank you.

After reading Lady Lithia's post I realized one thing that really came to light after my weight loss.  As my body shrunk I became more visible to those around me, even strangers.  When I was bigger I wanted to be invisible and not stick out in a room even though that was impossible with my size. Now people notice me all the time and its something I am not comfortable with at all.  It's just funny because I would think now that I am smaller I should stick out less.

Not sure if others have experienced this or not....maybe I am the only one.

Christy

 Really Good Blog...Keep up the good writing...I read your stuff all the time 

Awesome post.  Im printing it out and will refer to it again as I go through this journey!