Guest guest Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 Thanks Sharon! Even if you are not here, I feel your hug which I sorely need. Thanks my friend. Love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 , you are all a gift from God. I knew I couldn't have said what I said on Sunday to anyone but to those who know what it's like. Much love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 Dear Squeek, Yes, I am doing much better and my week will be better cuz of you. Much love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 In a message dated 11/17/2003 10:16:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, Graduate-OSSG writes: > Not only do men treat me differently... women do > to. They actually look me in the eye now, and they > actually start conversations with me also. How does that make you feel? What is your immediate reaction to this behavior? Would love to get more thoughts from others on this thread. I love this part of my journey...(background...i just finished my MSW and think that this is the most undocumented part of post op life) This makes me happy I love to talk to people and love that people find me friendly and approachable....it is a Yeah Yvonne! moment for me...(I was a cheerleader in hs..) it is a validation that i am not a scary person...and i am ok...unfortunately for me it is an external validation and i need to work on the internal dialog (can anyone relate to that?)...Cheers, Yvonne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 > > Not only do men treat me differently... women do > > to. They actually look me in the eye now, and they > > actually start conversations with me also. > > How does that make you feel? > > What is your immediate reaction to this behavior? When I was about 80-100 pounds out, people were saying stuff all the time to me---and I noticed a difference in how strangers noticed me now. At first, I was angry, thinking that I am the same person I was when I was fat, why is it they only notice me now that I have a cute figure??? Now, I chalk it up to that is how society is---fat people are ignored. I was ignored when I was fat, even in the SCA and other groups I belong to. The way I can change this problem is to make sure I don't treat overweight people that way----I go out of my way (not obnoxiously) to look people in the eye, I'll strike up conversation in line, just small talk but nontheless, I make an effort to treat all people the same. AND, if the opportunity presents itself, I tell people that I've had bariatric surgery and let them know how wonderfully it's changed my life. I was in JoAnn Fabrics the other day, and I over heard some ladies talking about the SCA and Pennsic (it's the medieval re-creation society I belong to and Pennsic is one of the major events of the year) I came over and started talking to them---they were all super morbidly obese so when they asked me how I dealt with the heat and walking issues at Pennsic, that's when I brought up my surgery, I told them before surgery, I couldn't deal with those issues---after surgery, they are now non issues. We probably talked about the surgery and how I've dealt with it for an hour and a half. They had all heard about bariatric surgery, one had even looked into it--but they were scared. Now that they've talked to someone that's been through it---they are all calling to set up an appointment---which is wonderful because they all have serious co-morbidities and this could help them so much! One issue that's been more difficult for me is how men react to me. I went kareokeing the other night with some girlfriends and for the first time in who knows how many years, I had at least 4 different men hitting on me. Now, they were all drunken scumbags---but it was weird because I could have been the only woman at the bar before and they wouldn't have even seen me. I kinda wish I still had that invisibility after those creeps, LOL! I do notice that customers at work are more receptive to me now also. Women that I know are kinda strange about my weight loss---some are very supportive and very happy for me---others are now all of a sudden threatened by me---they seem to stick closer to their husbands/boyfriends when I'm around---like I'm gonna steal them now because I'm thin???? Those people, I don't bother with. I am the same person (basically) that I was pre-op, although I do have more self confidence than I used to--if I wasn't a man stealer then, I certainly not one now! My morals didn't disappear with my weight, you know? All in all, it's been a strange ride----I'm actually looking forward to my 20th high school reunion next year----I wouldn't have gone were I still fat---now I won't miss it for the world! I haven't seen most of my high school buddies in years, and the last time I did see them I was huge, so it should be fun to see the reactions! As for how it makes me feel when people treat me differently now---it does make me sad that I'm now worthy of the attention of the people who didn't acknowledge my existence when was fat----but it is how society is taught----thin is in, as they say---people are judged everyday on their looks and not on their character---whether they are thin or fat or ugly or beautiful. It's just more noticable with overweight people cause there are more of us that are overweight than there are super models out there. All I can do to help with change is to continue to appreciate people for who they are inside---and to teach my children to do the same. That includes sex/race/religion----it's all the same thing. Tolarence should be shown to all people no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love, what god they worship and so on. If we all take the effort to remember that in everything we do, we'll make a difference for fat people and all the others who are treated badly by the world! :-) Open RNY June 4th, 2002 Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery Dr. Sonpal 285/140/where ever my body decides to stop!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2003 Report Share Posted November 22, 2003 > > How does that make you feel? > The other day at work, I actually had several people admit that I look like I would be a bitch. Wow. That is the first time in my life that anybody had ever told me that. I guess that my self-confidence is showing for the first time in my life, but does that mean I am or appear bitchy? I guess to some people who don't have the self-confidence that I have now, maybe perhaps. kathy ******************************************* The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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