Going Public

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I think that the answer is just to post some more pics between now and the Con so that people have "fair warning."  And, as a friend mentioned, if I don't want to have a conversation, I shouldn't be the one to start it, eh? :P  

It's definitely a confusing thing to handle.  Or, it can be.  It is for me!

You are doing great!  I haven't looked at your photos recently,  but I'm guessing that people will notice,  especially if they haven't seen you for awhile.  As for the Facebook thing, I can't tell you what to do,  I probably wouldn't do it and just address it with people that ask how you lost weight,  but I totally understand that you don't want it be all everyone is talking about. I felt that way at work right after my surgery,  it got kind of old. But you are doing amazing and I hope they do notice! 

Thank you!  I haven't actually posted any pictures here, which is why you haven't looked at them ;)  

I've decided (99%) that I'm just going to post some pics between now and then on FB and just deals ith the questions as they arise.  I think that'll be the best bet for me.  

I think thats a good idea! I'm sure you will look great at the conference :)

This is what I have found: my weight loss caused surprise in people I had not seen once I got thin, but not until I was thin. Was my weight loss the topic of conversation? I sincerely doubt it. I was obsessed with my weight loss. No one else was concerned about my weight loss beyond being happy and thrilled for me. I was the one who lived and breathed food plan, nutrient tracking, exercise and weight loss. IF my weight loss was the topic of conversation, it was kept from me and what people say out of my ear shot is fine by me. I don't care one way or another what they might think. Some people I told about my WLS. Others I didn't. It just depended on the cir****tance.

Though you have lost a great deal of weight already which is fantastic, you are still morbidly obese. Sadly, most people will still see you as fat. Those friends who are observant  will notice your weight loss, but many others may not. I was just over 100 pounds overweight when I started my WLS journey. I didn't start getting comments really until I was down almost 70 pounds and hit the overweight range. Those who were in the know supported me along the way, but it wasn't until I was about 25 pounds away from goal that people really started mentioning my WL to me.

I think it is normal to want to share your excitement and glee about your new approach to your food life. However, I would not announce on FB. I would instead deal with each person or group individually. It may be easier in the long run to approach your weight loss and WLS on an as needed basis.

Thanks.  I really appreciate your thoughts on this matter.  They mirror some of my own concerns.  I'm going to opt for the "post pictures between now and the Con" method of addressing this which will give people fair warning that my body has changed, but not make a big dramatic thing out of it.  Then I can deal with questions as they arise - if they arise!

Gwen, honestly, I think people will think what they think and say what they say no matter if you try to prepare them or not. So it seems to me that whether they find out on FB or in person, it's all the same. Some people will be happy for you, some people will be envious, and most probably won't care one way or another!

Which con are you going to?

Yeah, I think you're right.  I think I was getting way too worried about this!  I'll just take the easy way out and post a few more pictures between now and the Con, so that people have fair warning ;)  

I'm going to GenCon, the biggest four days in gaming!!  I'm super excited - I've been going in various capacities since 2006 and this year I get to go JUST as a tourist.  I can't wait.  (It's in Indianapolis which I love.)

Oh, have a lovely time! I haven't been to GenCon in ages (like 20 years, gulp!), but I have such fond memories. I wish I still had the time and inclination to game, because I really enjoyed the intensity of it all. Too bad life is so darned short!!!

Thanks!  Most of the years I've been there I've worked, so long 12 hour shifts and then a really awesome dinner at a local restaurant.  This year I plan to spend lots and lots of time wandering through the vendor hall.  And hanging out with my friends when they're not working!  :D 

I love to game, but I'm not so thrilled about gaming with people I don't know so, go figure, I don't plan on doing a lot of gaming ;)  Although there might be some Cards Against Humanity with some friends which would be amazing.