Give up? We both had WLS (weight loss surgery) about 4 years ago. We were both secretive/sly about having it done. Turns out that we were both embarrassed by our “failure” to lose weight using conventional diets. I know that Star has taken a lot of media hits recently. I don’t know much about her, but I could relate when she recently disclosed what many had believed to have been the case, that she had had gastric bypass surgery about 4 years ago.
November 19th is my “anniversary”. I have NO regrets. I lost the equivalent of more than a whole person. Unlike Star, I don’t have the resources necessary to reconfigure my body via surgery, personal trainers and lush spas. So I will have to live with the ugly reminders of my past life, “flubber” as my kids refer to it, jowls and skin everywhere. Not that I have any desire to have more surgery (ie more pain, inconvenience and down time), but a restful spa visit every now and then might be nice.
When my weight loss first became obvious, people would ask me what I had “done”. One lady accosted me in the grocery store (literally grabbed me by the lapels of my jacket) and demanded that I tell her what diet I was on. I looked in her cart and resisted the urge to tell her that it was not soda, choclate and chips! My standard answer was “it took a lot of hard work” (it did!) I do not consider this to be a lie and fully support Star in her evasiveness. When people asked me directly if I had had surgery, I was equally evasive and said things like “I’ll never tell” or, even more delicately, “it’s none of your business”. Really and truly, it is none of anyone elses business.
So why “come out” now? Frankly, I just don’t care anymore. Four years ago was a long time to me, and as big as I was, I never really felt like a “fat person”. My focus now is on being as healthy as I can be and being the best wife, mom, and grandma that I can be. I don’t care what other people think and having the surgery was just a part of my life’s experiences. If I can share them to help others make a decision about whether or not to “do it”, it will just add to the overall benefit of having it done.
Well, I too have had the WLS and wouldn’t change a thing! I lost a whole person too, but unfortunately have been adding him back a little at a time. Two ‘bumps’ back upward of about 20 pounds at a time… but the battle continues and with summers beautiful weather upon us maybe motivation will be not far behind?
Maybe it is different for men and women when it comes to talking about the surgery… or maybe it is just a personal thing – each to their own. I didn’t care a fig who knew – in fact, I was telling everyone!
Then again, men are certainly judged less on appearance or presentation, so for me it was simply the health benefits and not the “look” I was after.
I am heading into 4 years myself…
Great luck with your weight and here’s to your continued good health!
PS: If you are ever back in the old neighborhood, we would love to see you! I think you know who this is???
Comment by The B, The (inside joke) — July 11, 2008 @ 10:52 pm