Small Minded, Huge Idiots

I have major issues with varicose veins in my legs. I shouldn't say major because they don't really hurt, they are just ugly. I've had them since I was 18 years old and stood on my feet in 4" high heels working retail.

The veins are much more noticeable now that I've lost weight. Maybe they are just more noticeable to me.

Anyway, I went to a Women's Expo this past weekend and there was a clinic that does vein work. I started talking to someone working at the booth. I explained that I was interested having mine removed but that I wanted to wait until I finished losing weight. She asked how much I had lost. I forget how flabbergasting the idea is to someone else when they learn that you've lost close to 200 pounds. Of course, her first question was how I had lost all that weight. I always pause when this question is posed because I'm not really sure I want to open that door. You know, the weight loss surgery door.

In the midst of all of this, this other woman who was working the booth came over and interrupted our conversation. I have to describe this person. She had glasses on from the 80's that resembled owl glasses. Her wrinkled white shirt was tucked in crooked into her pants that were pulled up to just below her bra. Her greasy hair was sloppily pulled back into a messy pony tail. She appeared to be about 40ish and was at least 60 pounds overweight. She was a mess.

In the middle of the first lady's and my conversation, she butted in and said, "You had weight loss surgery, didn't you?" I explained that I had indeed. She proceeded to tell me that I was going to die a slow horrible death based on the fact that my body had been "disturbed". She informed me that she knew this because she was, in fact, a doctor (I've never seen a doctor that was dressed like she was, but her name tag did state that she was indeed a doctor). She asked if I had side effects from having had the surgery. I told her that I didn't. She yelled, "Well, you are one of the lucky few!"

I tried to compose myself from going all ape shit on this poorly kept woman. I really did take a deep breath and I counted to 5 (I never make it to 10). I explained that I speak daily to several people who have had the surgery and none of them have issues regarding their health. Most people who do have issues are able to overcome them through diet and making sure they get the vitamins they need daily.

I let her know that I had gained my life back since I was now free to move around this Earth without the stigma of Extreme Morbid Obesity. My children had their mother back and my husband has a wife again.

I know that many average joes have no knowledge of this surgery. I expect that someone who has gone to medical school would at least have their facts straight, but that is where I've gone wrong. My own doctor had very few ideas about this surgery except for negative ones that he couldn't back up with data. He has now come around and uses Mr. Sign (mostly, because he hates me, but that's another story) and myself as his star patients.

I feel like I'm fighting fires all the time regarding my decision to have this surgery. In the end, it's all been worth it.