Gastric Bypass Surgery

I recently went to my initial gastric bypass surgery appointment and I just wanted to let you guys know how it went. 

It was weird actually being one of the smallest people in the room for once.  That never happens.  The appointment was shared with about 40 other overweight people wanting to get the surgery done as well.  It was a big information session where you learned more about the surgery and everything that goes along with it.  We had to fill out lots of paperwork, and got to meet a wonderful woman who had the surgery done herself 10 months ago.  

First off, my husband came with me to the appointment - as did a lot of other husbands and wives to support their loved ones.  He had just left work, and I guess wasn’t thinking that much about where he was going… he walked into the room with his fast food.  We all almost trampled the man!  It smelled delicious… Anyways, he hid it under the table and didn’t touch it until we left.  It was nice to have him there with me though. It gave him a chance to understand the changes my body was going to be going through and how he could help me deal with them.  

After this meeting, I have decided to go through with the surgery.  I honestly think it’s the best thing I can do for myself, my husband, my future family and most importantly my HEALTH.  It’s time to get my life back under control.  

Thank you to everybody who has written to me about their personal experiences with the gastric bypass surgery, I appreciate it as it has really helped me come to my final decision.  I’m very excited for this process, and can’t wait for the big day to come!  

If you’re considering the surgery, I’d definitely recommend getting 100% educated on the topic before hand.  Don’t think of it as an easy way out, because it’s far from that.  It’s a HUGE change of lifestyle, and it will probably be one of the most difficult things you ever do.  

I’m having all of my pre-op appointments within the next month, and my first appointment with the surgeon is on October 16th.  I can’t wait!! 

Get Real…

I’m all for promoting fat and self acceptance but I’m sick and tired of everybody else who claims to be representing the same thing constantly saying, “real women have curves” or “this is what a real person looks like”.  

Everybody comes in a different shape and size.  Everybody is different.  Just because I have more curves than you it doesn’t mean that I am more ‘real’ than you are…  just as you being thinner doesn’t make you more ‘real’ than I am.  

I understand that the media portrays an unrealistic view of what women do look like.  They never show the variety of women, they only show one size… skinny.  But, newsflash, real women come in ALL sizes.  Real women are skinny, average, curvy and fat. Real women accept who they are and what they look like - and pass that message onto others to do the same thing.  

Love yourself for who you are, and don’t put yourself up on a pedestal because you believe you’re better than someone else.  If you’re comfortable in your own skin, you should accept other people in theirs.  

Thank You!

Thank you all for your positive vibes, stories, and comments about the lap-band surgery.  I appreciate it a lot.  It’s definitely making my decision-making process a lot easier.  

Much love.  xoxo

The easy way out?

About 2 years ago, I went to visit my doctor.  Depressed about the way I looked and how I felt, I asked him what my options were.  We tried diets which failed due to medications and health complications, and eventually came to the conclusion that the gastric-bypass surgery was my best option. 

Nearly forgetting about putting myself on the wait list, not too long ago I got a phone call reminding me of my orientation appointment this coming September.  

I now find that I’m fighting with myself over what the best choice is. 

I’m comfortable in my own skin.  I’m fine with the way that I look.  I’m proud to be a sexy, fat woman.  However, I’m not fine with everything else that I have to deal with due to my weight.  I have started exercising and eating properly… I have lost 24lbs since last September.  Slowly but surely, it’s working.  

Now, I wonder if I should continue what I’m doing, or if I should still consider the surgery.  

The pro to the surgery is that it’s quick, and an easier option than fighting with myself for God knows how long to lose the weight.  

The con is that you have so many restrictions afterwards.  Supplements for the rest of your life, a 6-8 week healing process…. among many more things! 

I’m having a hard time making the right decision.  I know the final decision I make is going to be the best one for me.  I just don’t want to have any regrets.  

Do you know somebody that has had this surgery in the past?  How did it go for them?  I’ve heard some horror stories about people dying during and after the surgery, but you take that risk with any surgery you have.  I’ve googled before and after pictures, and read a lot about the difference people have noticed in their health…  I’m just stuck.  

Thank you in advance for your help! :) xoxo

[I don’t want any opinions on how this is taking the easy way out, etc.  I don’t want to hear the comments about how I should just “get off of my fat ass, exercise and eat healthy.”]

‘Sizeism’ - is your size effecting your job?

Imagine not getting a job at a great company even though you’re more than qualified for the position.  You wonder what went wrong; maybe something on your resume needs to be tweeked, or maybe it was something you said in the interview?  But what if you found out that the reason you didn’t get that job was because of the way you look?  Surely the employer would never admit that you don’t “fit” the part, but sadly enough this is a growing issue in our world. 

Your colour, gender, or sexual preference does not effect your chance of gaining employment and neither should the size of your body.  It’s discrimination all in the same.  There has been such a fight over the past few decades about ending racism, sexism and promoting equality of all people.  It is time that someone takes a stand on “sizeism” - not being accepted because you’re “too skinny” or “too fat”.  

Companies pride themselves on being equal opportunity employers, hiring visible minorities into their businesses to be fair to all people.  Where are the rules and guidelines for hiring the “fat” people and the “skinny” people?  Where are the laws protecting our selves and our pride?  Why is it okay that we have to just accept that this is the way it is?  It’s not.  And, we shouldn’t have to conform to the media & society’s view of the “perfect” person. 

As a proud plus size woman, I can say that I’m confident that my size has no effect on my personality or my ability to work hard at my job.  Unfortunately, I know that my size plays a big part in my current unemployment.  I have watched employees laugh & whisper while I walk proudly into a store (catering to smaller women) to apply for a job.  I have also been witness to employees ripping up my resume as I’m walking out of said stores, because I do not fit into the clothes that they sell.  I have applied at restaurants and heard, “she’ll just eat all of the food if she works here!”  Yet I still manage to hold my head up high, puck myself up and keep trying. 

The world has this stereotype of plus size people.  They think that if you’re fat, you’re lazy and unmotivated.  You spend your days sitting on the couch stuffing your face, you’re unhealthy and unhygienic.  We need to change this view!  We need to take a stand against sizeism not only in the workplace but everywhere! 

Bullying and harassment are huge issues today, and it fills me with disgust that things like this are still happening, and that things like this are still being said.

Let’s stand together.  We’re better than this.   

Because I’m FAT

The other day I found out the reasoning behind not being liked by someone (who is supposed to be) important in my life.  

I’m not going to give names, or go on a rant about how mad I am.  All I have to say is this is why I’m not liked: 

BECAUSE I’M FAT.

That’s not news to me.  I know what I look like.  My problem is that I was unaware that my size was a bearing on my personality.

I’m not part of a cult that forces people to be fat.  It’s what I look like.  It’s who I am.  And, if you don’t like me for who I am - I guess you’re a really bad judge of character. 

Don’t let anybody tell you you’re a bad person because of the way you look.  Hold your head high, and keep going.  If someone won’t talk to you because of the fact that you’re fat, you don’t need them in your life.  They obviously have some deeper issues that they need to work out.  

Stop Assuming

I went into the corner store the other night to buy some chips and a chocolate bar for my husband.  I thought it would be a nice surprise when he came home from a long day at work!  

As I was walking around the store, a woman said to her friend “No wonder she’s so fat!  Step away from the candy bar!”  And they started laughing hysterically.  

While I don’t let stuff like that bother my self-esteem, it really irks me that people assume that just because I’m fat - all of this food must be for me.  

People need to mind their own business, and stop believing the fat stereotype.  

Contrary to popular belief, we don’t all sit at home on the couch 24 hours a day being lazy with a scratching stick, eating junk food, watching TV.  A lot of us are bigger and or can not lose weight due to health problems. 

Why don’t you take a minute to ponder that before opening your big mouth?