Is it harder to get support from friends being a "lightweight"?

Small intro, I'm Colleen, 47 yrs old with a BMI right under 40.  Closer to 40 now that I've had two "obligation" vacations this past month, one to Alaska and one to Grand Cayman.

I have friends some overweight , some not, and they can't believe I'm doing something so drastic. I feel like they would be more understanding of it if I was more overweight.  I shouldn't say they aren't supportive, they are, but I just feel like I have to justify it more.

My sleeve date is July 10th and, for the most part, I can't wait.  I know I have a hard road ahead, but there are so many things that I can't wait to be able to do.  

I was surprised by how supportive everyone was. The unsupportive ones have mostly been strangers and even they have been few and far between.

However, there are people on the main board whose friends and family tell them they aren't big enough for surgery and they weigh over 300 pounds! So I think maybe we lightweights get that reaction more often from more people, but I think in general the world is crazy when it comes to weight and you can't trust a lot of people's judgment.

Basically when they say you aren't big enough for something drastic, that just means:

I am used to you and I like you and WLS is for 'other' people, not people I know and like.

At least that's my take on it.

They seem to get all judgmental and crap. I'm so glad I kept my decision to myself. The less other people know the better. You can decide who to tell when you're comfortable post-op.  Good luck!

--gina

Welcome to the light weight board.  Good luck on your surgery and come back often to let us know how you are doing.

i was open about my decision and the process.  Folks seemed surprised but supported me.  It wasn't until after surgery that they told me all the horror stories about problems and regain.  Now they are thrilled and a little surprised when they see me after a while and I am still small. 

You need to make the decision for yourself.  You are the one who will live with the changes. 

My friends were very supportive.  I had a larger BMI.  I was very open about my decision and once I talked to them and explained my reasons for wanting this surgery they have been great.  I had a few that told me about their friends that had it and it didn't work good for them - I just told them Thanks but I was going to do my best to be successful.  It never bothered me to explain it to my friends- of course where I live when you say WLS not many have a clue there are different types so I did get to educate a few of them.

Welcome to the LW board Colleen!!

Linda

I was 41 BMI.  I told people at work, and in hind sight I wish I would have kept it to myself.  People are very judgmental, and upper management had no sympathy for surgery complications because I chose to do 'an elective surgery, practically plastic surgery'.  

My family was great - but then I told them I was having my surgery to cure my diabetes and sleep apnea.  Now that made total sense to them, and they were very supportive of the surgery.

Now that I'm 5 months out, I don't tell people.  I've lost 70 lbs and I just say that I've been low carbing and exercising, which is true.