HAS ANYBODY ELSE HAD TO DEAL WITH INSULTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE AFTER WEIGHT LOSS?

I had something happen to me a couple days ago that I'm really having a lot of trouble dealing with. I had open RNY on October 1, 2002. Pre-op I weighed 284 pounds. I am 5'6" and currently at 141 pounds, with a BMI of 22.8. While I don't look great (in my opinion) and haven't quite reached my goal weight of 130, I am at a normal weight and BMI for my height. I have the expected sagging skin and stretch marks, but I look at them as my "battle scars" and they are my daily reminder to never again allow myself to become morbidly obese. This year I am enjoying being able to wear shorts in the hot weather. After 43 years of suffering through having to wear long pants to cover the rolls of fat, it is nice to have a respite from the heat for a change. I don't wear the shorts to try to show off my legs or anything like that. It is strictly for comfort. Anyway, the other day I went with my daughter to her pre-natal appointment. When we walked into the doctor's office, I noticed a male and two females sitting in the waiting room. As I went to sit down, I heard the three of them giggling, then laughing out loud. After years of having people laugh at me because of my weight, I instinctively turned to see what they were laughing at. I then heard the male say "Some people just shouldn't wear shorts", to which one of the females responded "Especially when their legs look like that". It was obvious that it was me they were referring to, as my daughter and I were the only other people in the waiting area, and my daughter was not wearing shorts. My first instinct was to confront them, to scream at the top of my lungs to let them know the difficult journey I had been through. But, this was supposed to be a joyful day for my daughter, and the last thing I wanted to do was ruin it for her. I have had insults hurled at me regarding my weight all of my life, but these comments seemed to hurt more than any other I had ever received. My mind keeps telling me to let it go, to rejoice in my success so far, and to consider the source of the insults. But, my heart keeps saying "One of the reasons you had the surgery was to put a stop to words like this. Did you really go through all of this just to have people continue to make fun of you?" I know all about the positive physical aspects of having the surgery, and I keep trying to remind myself of all of the reasons I decided to have gastric bypass surgery. But, as all of you know all too well, the emotional impact of hearing words like this spoken about you cut so deep that it becomes difficult to look at the positive side of things. Has anybody else had to deal with the thoughtless, painful words of idiots like this after having worked so hard to lose your weight? How did you deal with it? And why do people feel they have the right to say things like this and hurt another human being this way? I hate being in this mode of self pity and want to get out of it. But right now, it's awfully hard to see the rainbows due to the rain. Any words of comfort would be GREATLY appreciated right now. Thanks so much, and lots of love to you all.

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