Surprising reaction to opening up and telling people...

I have been so incredibly stressed during this process, that I finally broke down and told a few people. (note.. surgery is not the only stress. I'm having major problems with the ex husband too right now).

Anyway.. The psyche strongly suggested I tell my Mom. I was scared to death.. she is so judgemental and will just lecture for hours and hours. And then her hubby joins in and it feels like I'm being ganged up on. So, I've been avoiding it. Well, I told her as the psyche suggested, and she was SO happy. She told me she's seen so many stories on it, and was so happy that it will probably eliminate my diabetes. She also confessed that several years ago she thought about suggesting it, but didn't want to hurt my feelings. So that was an awesome experience opening up to her :)

Now, as for others. Have you noticed... People that are in really great shape seem to be happier for you than those who aren't? I've only had two people that had a weird look on their face when I said it and both of them are overweight. Everyone else is practically jumping for joy when I tell them.

I told my friends.. I said its ok for you to know, and a few others to know. Just please understand that if we run into someone and they say Oh wow Michelle, you look great! I would be very upset if someone blurted out... "She does! She had weight loss surgery!" LOL. So, I just asked that they let it be MY life to share.

Sounds like this might be a healthy bonding experience for you and your mother and that's wonderful! I think the reaction you're speaking of is the manifestation of the conflict so many of us have regarding our own guilt, self image, jealousy and judgement of others in an area that's close to our core.

 So glad that you have that weight lifted off your shoulders! 

I am glad that went so well with your mom! You need a great support system.
I also like what you told people, Its MY life to share, I'm gonna use that one.
You are also sooooo right about healthy people being more supportive I haven't shared on FB about surgery (don't even know if I will) but I have been posting that I am working out and eating right and my healthier friends are uber supportive and some of my not so healthy friends are always try to distract me, like going out for drinks or dinner or questioning why I am make changes...Makes you think huh

 I've been saying all along that I do not want to tell my obese girlfriends. I've told a few people that I'm close to, and I'm not telling anyone else until I'm closer to the date (at least a year away).

I really think my MO girlfriends will be the least supportive - even though they've been my friends for a loooong time.

my fit friends, on the other hand, will be thrilled when I can join them on hikes or kayaking or horseback riding...

 I have noticed too that slender people tend to be more excited about my surgery.  Some of my obese friends seem to feel like I am betraying them somehow by having surgery, or somehow judging them for not doing it as well.  There is one person I know who is probably 300 lbs overweight and has serious joint issues from it.  They seem to resent it most of all, 

I sometimes get the feeling that they think that by sharing my success and joy at how I am changing that I am rubbing their face in my success.  It couldn't really be further from the truth.  I try to remember how I felt at almost 400 lbs around my skinny friends.  

As far as people suggesting WLS to others, I wish more would.  I wish my PCP had suggested it to me years before.  That being said, I don;t advocate it to my obese friends unless they ask.  I don't want to feel like a bariatric "pusher".  Also, I think that making the commitment to WLS is almost like recovering from addiction.  You have to hit bottom before you are ready to commit to that kind of life altering change.  Somethiong has to drive the change from inside.