Tuesday, June 15, 2010

I don't tell either...

Gilly's not telling how much weight she's lost anymore. I don't tell either. Well, I tell BOOBs how much... 125lbs... and other than that I only tell a select few. My reason is mostly vanity. I don't want anyone to do the math. I am embarrassed by how much weight I've lost. When people ask me that question, my standard response is "a pound or two", with a wink. Maybe it's me, butI think it's actually rude for people not in your intimate closest circle to ask such a personal question. My husband told his dad how much weight I've lost, and I actually felt really betrayed. He was just being a dumb guy, and it didn't cross his male brain that there are only a few people in my real life who know details about my weight and loss.

When someone asks me about my band... that's another story. If someone I don't know asks me how I've lost weight, I usually say high protein and portion control. It's awkward for me to be asked such a personal question. But, if I know the person? Watch out! I love to talk about my band... especially that it's an amazing TOOL but that I still have to do MY part. I've never felt like anyone has thought I was cheating by using my band. I have my sales pitch ready before they even have a chance to think about it. And the band makes so much sense, I've yet to come accross anyone to counter the arguments for it. There really aren't too many negatives about it, and what it does... well, I hope just seeing me and how much healthier I am is enough to make anyone a believer.

I feel an intense need to be a strong advocate for bariatric surgery. And since our blog group has been such a successful group... I hope to the extent that everyone is comfortable, that we all do our part to promote such a powerful tool against obesity. I get that it's extremely personal. But, I also get what it's like to be a morbidly obese woman without hope. And the truth of the matter is, there IS a way out. It's still hard work, but there is help. Real help! Life is better banded. LIFE IS BETTER BANDED!

12 comments:

  1. Your hubby was definitely being a dumb guy, but that is only because he is so proud of your accomplishments!

    I haven't lost enough to really ever get asked. I mean the people that know me, know I had the surgery... <3

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  2. I understand how you feel. I decided to tell everyone about the band and now all they ask everytime they see me is "how much have you lost now?" It's frustrating when its only a couple of pounds as you can see the look on their face like "surely you could do that on your own?"
    Well done though, it's a great accomplishment x

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  3. First - your weight loss is such an inspiration!

    At the beginning of my WLS journey, right before my surgery date, one of my co-workers (who is my friend as well) asked me how much I wanted to lose and what my goal was. It was so hard to say out loud, outside of the doctor's office, that I wanted to lose 150 pounds...and even harder to say that my goal weight is 170. I knew he was doing the math in his head and that was just scary.

    And now (just like Fiona) he asks me "my number" and sometimes I feel like shit when I say the same thing I said two weeks ago. But I try to take it in stride. No one in my life brings it up or asks about it to be mean...they do it to be supportive.

    Let just one person get nasty with me about WLS. Just one!

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  4. I got cornered by someone this last weekend who wanted a 'number'. She even started the 'guessing game'!! Talk about awkward!!

    Great post!

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  5. I feel the same way about saying how much I've lost at this point because I'm still no petite flower, so it just sounds HUGE. I thinking I've been saying 60 pounds for months - I don't want to say 86 to anyone I don't know well.

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  6. I love the new pix! You look great and are such an inspiration.

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  7. I love that answer. I am going to just answer a pound or two in the future. Thanks.

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  8. AMEN!! Exactly why my blog is called Better Banded!!

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  9. I don't usually say either cuz then I see people do the math in their head. They always say I never thought you were that big - and I have to say - um yah I was. Who the hell would lie about their starting weight anyway? So yah - believe me when I tell you! Ugh.

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  10. This is something I have been struggling with now that I have lost over 40kgs and only half way. When you say I have lost 20kgs its great, but when that loss gets higher I feel that people will do the math and workout how big I really was (although I haven't told people my actual weight (just the total loss). I have to lose 80kgs (about 160lbs)...so I am scared to say I have lost 60-70 or 80kg's because that is like a whole person! But proud as well!

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  11. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about how much weight you've lost. You story is so inspiring! You've worked hard for every pound you've lost!

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  12. Oh I hear you but don't talk about it except with my BFF and DH. It makes it hard when I have to cancel everything ...like tomorrow to get to the Dr because I am having issues and am scared...DH doesn't even know as he is away ....and the dr is is so far away. 124 lbs is amazing...well done and thanks for being honest with us :)

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