I had a meeting at my church last night and before we begin we all sit in a circle and share what is going on in our lives. For the first time I told everyone I was having a Lap Band surgery this Monday. I haven't been hiding my plans, but I really haven't talked about it either. I was surprised at how emotional I felt telling people about it!
I was also surprised at the variety of responses I got from people.
One woman was shocked that I would take such a "drastic" step just to control my weight! I told her I was 100# overweight and had lost and regained the same 50# for more than 10 years. A drastic step is called for, methinks! I don't know that she was convinced, but at least she wasn't calling me crazy anymore.
Another woman thought the whole thing was too scary - she heard about lots of people who had recently died having the procedure and thought I was nuts to risk my life in such a "risky" surgery when I had a family to think about. I did remind her I had nearly the same anesthesia about a month ago for a knee surgery and had no problems. There are risks, I guess, of lacerating my liver, other bleeding, etc. But I have no risk factors (normal blood pressure, no diabetes, etc) and it should help me avoid so many health issues in my old age! Her I do think I convinced.
Most everyone else was very supportive - most knew someone who had the procedure and liked it. I also did get some cautionary tales of people who gained all the weight back, but I knew about that. The coolest thing was one woman, whom I admire very much, telling me that I was her hero. She said I was brave to have the surgery, but even more brave to be so public about it. Made me cry...
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