I need to vent!

That's very disturbing! If any one of the folks that have been critical had to go through what we have they'd never make it! We are strong and I think you're doing great!!

Opinions are like ********everyone has one! Who cares! Do you and don't worry about others!!

that should say a - holes! lol

Interesting but irrelevant: I know someone born without an a$$hole. True story. Several surgeries later, he has one. Poor thing :(

Stop talking about your weight loss. When you talk about it, you give people permission to give you advice. Save all the surgery and weight loss talk for support groups or this forum.

People are uneducated about the whole process involved with weight loss surgery, and you are right - people are jealous, thoughtless, and plain old mean.  It's horrible, but just remember, they've never walked in your shoes and clearly they are not empathetic or courageous enough to even consider what it's like to be obese and loaded down with debilitating conditions related to being obese.  They have no idea how HARD it is to be approved for the surgery and all of the steps involved in preparing for the surgery and adjusting to a completely new way of doing something you've done since birth - eating.  They don't realize you are trying to overcome the baggage and hurt you've experienced while being judged, teased, laughed at, and criticized because of your weight.  Kill em with kindness.  Don't let ignorant and tactless people bring you down!  You've come so far and you know what you've been through and what a struggle it's been.  When my brother says mean things to me, I always think in my head, "It's ok.  He can't help it.  He's just mentally disabled," and then I chuckle inside.  As for jealous people, eat your hearts out!  :)  Keep doing what you're doing for yourself and reaping the benefits of a choice you made to improve your physical and emotional health.  You are getting your life back - it's not your fault these people clearly don't even have one to start with and have to pick on you to feel better about themselves.  ;)   

Thank you SO MUCH!!  I desperately needed to hear everything you said!  I appreciate the support and the encouragement!