Fat Acceptance, ...or not?

What an interesting question! It is a complex issue...I agree that there is so much prejudice against the obese which is so wrong and hurtful. Like we obese don't have enough to deal with! But on the other hand, I think, to a certian extent, the 'fat acceptance' crowd are burying their head in the sand! Your're right - its a health issue! Its not about accepting that you have a big nose or something else. So, basically both camps are wrong! And right! I have a similar experience as your'se. I did not discuss my decision to have WLS with anyone outside my very immediate family and a couple of close friends for a long time. I didn't know what kind of reaction to expect. Well, I've started to share a lot in the last few months as my surgery got closer and I have been very surprised! The reactions have been opposite of what I thought! I thought my overweight and obese friends would be the most sympathetic and my skinny friends..well, I didn'tknow how they would react! But I think in the back of my mind I was afraid my skinny friends would wonder why I just didn't go on a diet or something, they they wouldn't understand. Well, its been exactly the opposite!!! My skinny friends (one of my best friends is about a size 2 - talk about demoralizing!) have been the most understanding and supportive! And my obese friends have been the least so! Which really shocks me! If anyone would understand what I've gone through, the immpossibility of just 'going on a diet' they would! I wonder if somewhere deep down they know that WLS is something they should be considering but they are not at that place yet so they feel like they have to talk me out of it? Like they are afraid of seeing someone else take that big step to getting back in control of their lives and it somehow puts pressure on them? I'm totally guessing but thats the only thing that makes sense to me!

Hi Lisa, You know - I had the same problem! It's funny how my overweight friends were so dead against the surgery but when they finally realized I wasn't giving up the idea.... They were supportive but I KNEW they never agreed with the surgery, EVER. It's not that I was lookin for prasie or premission from them but in the back of my mind, I always thought they'd be more understanding then others. Boy, how I was wrong! Funny thing is, I did get a reply to my answer and in different words it said - "You shouldn't be lookin for us to praise you and if you are - you need to give it a long hard loook... blah blah blah Plus, talking about someones medical past puts a person out of there comfort zone" I don't think they truely get what I was trying to say but Oh well... -Katie

Time for my two cents... My EXACT words to my Doctor were: "If you told me, that after surgery I would look no different, BUT, would feel better, live a longer and healthier life, I would STILL want the surgery". For ME, the decision to loose weight has nothing to do with my appearance, and everything to do with getting healthy. If i loose, and look better, that's a fringe benefit but not my sole desire for outcome. I love me no matter what, but I love me even more when I know that I'm doing something so nice for myself, AND those who love and care about me...Hugs to you all, Carol