Came "out of the closet" just now

 Okay, I just came "out of the closet" on Facebook.  I'm at 4 months post-op and I've been living a lie with all but my closest friends and family.  I think I'm about to feel a whole lot better about myself.  You may have seen my earlier post about being depressed today.  I think my lie has been part of that burden.


So, I need to get something off my chest.  As a general rule, I try to be as honest as possible in life, so keeping quiet has been weighing on my heart.  Though I tend to be a very private person, it's time to open up and spill the beans.
Many of you have noticed my weight loss this year.  I'm down a total of 82 pounds from my highest weight a year ago.  I've been exercising like a mad woman (5 or more hours a week) and following a very low carb diet with a nutritionist since April.  
What I haven't mentioned is that only 37 of those pounds were without help.  On June 11th, I had weight loss surgery to assist my efforts (a vertical sleeve gastrectomy).  In the four months since, I've lost the additional 45 pounds.  It's the bravest thing I've ever done.
Why have I not been open about this other than to a few close family members and friends?  Fear of being judged mostly.  So many people think that weight loss surgery is the "easy way out."  I can assure you that it is not, as anyone who sees what I go through daily can tell you.  It's merely a tool to assist you.  You can still eat your way around any weight loss surgery if you want.
I have much more weight to lose, but I'm down to my high school graduation weight.  Not a great place yet, but I'll take it.  I've lived nearly my entire life overweight, obese, or more.  When I started this path, I was 7 pounds away from being "super morbidly obese."  I'm now just plain old "obese" and have "overweight" to look forward to sometime in the next year.  I may no longer be in danger of heart attack, stroke, or diabetes in the imminent future.  I may live to see my beautiful daughter go to college. 
Anyone who would like more information about my surgery for themselves or their loved ones, feel free to contact me.  If you want to say negative things, keep it to yourself.  I'm not interested. 

There, let the chips fall.  

That's a brave decision!  Congrats!  I've told everyone right from the beginning and no one has said anything negative.  If they do in the future - well screw 'em!  :-)

 I've never even met you, and I am SO proud of you!  It's hard to tell people something that they may judge you for.  What a brave, amazing and inspirational thing to do.  Go YOU!!

 That was awesome! Way to be proud and own your decision!

Brava! What a great message. Absolutely...let the chips fall! I would hope that your true friends would applaud your efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle and be around longer for your daughter. I don't think I could ever be so brave to 'come out' on FB like you...but we'll see.

 You are super brave!!  I tell anyone and everyone about my VSG but FB is the one place that I havent posted a general update that I had WLS...the important people need to know and people can always ask.

I am super proud of you!! I hope you will spend some time reflecting on the strength this took and be proud of yourself. 

 

 Thank you all.  I DO feel better now.  Maybe this "lie" was weighing on me heavier than I thought.  

Congratulations!!  I'm having a hard time telling people close to me that I'm considering it.  I can't imagine telling the whole world!! GOOD FOR YOU! To do it and on your terms!  Let the chips fall.  You inspire me!

Elisa

What z courageous thing to do, and quite possibly a gift to someoglasses whois struggling! Hope the truth sets you free, to enjoy the journey again, and to stop quantifying the measure of your successes so far. You are very successful, and deserve to be even more so . And you will be. Yay you, rock on!