Doc asked if they could use me as a success story for the program- feeling guilty for declining

Do not feel guilty. Unfortunately many people are judgmental and people do not respond to weight loss surgery the same way they do to other illnesses and surgeries. Hopefully this will change in time with more education. For now it is more important that you do what is best for you. Lets face it our mental health is very important too and definitely impacts our physical health. I am sorry you are dealing with additional health issues....celebate the fact that your doctor feels you are such a success and take that as the huge compliment it is. Good luck with your health and I hope you will release yourself from the guilt and concentrate on the positives. BTW thank you for being a teacher! I wish I had the patience to be in such a noble career.

I agree people can be judgmental, but I truly believe that is changing as these surgeries are becoming more and more common and the general American population is becoming more and more overweight.  Sadly, there are too many folks who can relate to being overweight now.  Thanks for your reply :)

You need to do what is right for you. The others have said it is your journey and you betcha it is. Your success in this journey is personal and if you do what others want rather than what is right you, you will be adding stress to your life that you don't need. The guilt for me is the people pleasing part of my personality. I have come out and made it well known to people and sometimes I wish I did not because you still get that oh you did it that way. I am getting stronger at saying yes I did with my head held high and full of pride at how far I have come; and thinking and how's your plan working for you? One day I might even have the courage to say that rather than just thinking it. But then I would be being as rude as they are, so maybe not.

You take care of yourself and I will pray that your situation improves and that God knocks your cancer on it's butt.

Loved the part about saying what you are actually thinking... I have to admit I have had to really struggle keeping that in check, as I am pretty assertive by nature!

I have a completely different take on this...

I do agree that you have nothing to feel guilty about, and that you have to do what is right for YOU.  Knowing what I know of you from the messages we have sent back and forth and communication here and mfp, you have more than enough on your plate already without adding anything else to that mix.

Would it be cool to be the person who inspires someone else to make a life changing decision?  Absolutely. 

On the other hand, I think we as teachers are often put in a position where we are expected to be heroes.  To work miracles.  I think sometimes it's hard to keep this mentality in check and not let the "superwoman" expectation bleed into everyday life.  After all, you already need to focus on maintaining your loss AND staying on top of your fight with the cancer, all while doing what's best for your students... oh and we haven't even mentioned your family yet. 

Sorry if I sound like I'm rambling... I'm kinda tired lol.  I guess my point is that you shouldn't feel guilty for thinking of yourself first.  Even when you were relying on others to help you get through your cancer treatments, you thought of others first (feeling guilty for asking them to pull your share of the weight for a while, etc).  But I learned a long time ago that I cannot be what my husband and my students need me to be if I'm not taking care of myself.  Therefore, if allowing your doctor to feature you in that article and website would cause you more stress at a time when that's the last thing you need, you're not being selfish at all by turning him down.  You're simply keeping your priorities in order. 

I seriously wouldn't give this another thought.  You made the choice that was best for you, and the people who matter most in your life will be better off from you thinking of yourself for a change.  Love ya!

Thank you for the reply Courtney, and you make really good points.  I think you hit it right on the head with that teacher mentality bleeding over into this, and I need to keep that in check.  And on a hjack note, only 2.8 more pounds to go for you!!!!!  I am SO THRILLED FOR YOU!!!!!