• Home
  • About + Contact
  • Advocacy
    • Obesity
    • Lipedema and Lymphedema
    • Health Insurance
  • Big Girl Reviews
  • Living with Lipedema & Lymphedema
  • Weight Loss Surgery

Born2lbfat

My life with Lipedema & Lymphedema...destined to be fat.

Treat the Patient, Not the Obesity

November 18, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 3 Comments

scale

As part of ObesityWeek 2013 new guidelines for the treatment of obesity were released. The media has stated the guidelines are encouraging doctors to “get tough”, “be aggressive”, “take serious action” when treating obese patients. The actual guidelines do not use such harsh language, and it is bothersome that the media puts the “let’s get tough on the fatties” spin to the stories. As a patient who is obese, I believe the guidelines leave out two very important pieces to the treatment of obesity: identifying the cause of the patients’ excess weight and ensuring healthcare offices can adequately access and monitor obese patients. 

Focus on the patient, not their weight.

I have always been frustrated by doctors who blamed my medical issues on my weight, yet never offered real options for losing weight. So the suggestions that doctors get serious about a patients weight and go beyond the obvious “you need to lose weight” and actually offer and prescribe nutritional counseling and activity for how to lose weight will be helpful to many patients. However, I believe dietary changes and exercise should be recommendations to ALL patients with heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. While excess weight can increase risk for these conditions, they are not exclusive to individuals with a high BMI.

What causes obesity?

Diagnose before offering treatment. There are many conditions and medications that can cause excess weight, doctors need to thoroughly examine the patient and address the actual cause of the obesity.

Yes, this is where I get on my Lipedema and Lymphedema soapbox. Both conditions are noticeable to the trained eye, the problem is there are not enough physicians who are trained to make a proper diagnosis. Instead, many patients, such as myself, are told to lose weight and when we do not lose weight as expected we are deemed non-compliant. And that label affects the way we are treated for all health issues. All my health vitals are normal, and should indicate that I live a somewhat healthy lifestyle, however there is still a focus my weight. For years, my weight increased while the actual cause of my weight, Lipedema, was not diagnosed and progressed to a stage further complicated by the development of Lymphedema. While the my health vitals, were normal, the Lipedema and Lymphedema was very much affecting my overall health. I developed severe cellulitis, and often required hospitalization for IV antibiotics and eventually needed a medi-port. During the hospital stays I contracted MRSA in the medi-port, that goes directly to my HEART. This greatly affected my mental and emotional health, as did the limitations on my mobility the conditions caused and the frustration of not getting any other explanation for what was happening with my legs than “it’s your weight”.

Accuracy is VITAL

As much as I was told the issues with my legs were because of my weight, the fact was my weight was unknown. The doctor’s office did not have a scale that could weigh me, nor did she attempt to locate a scale that could. On my own, I went to a local junk yard to weigh myself. No patient should have to make the effort to get their own vital health statistic. While that was ten years ago, I find today’s doctors offices are not any better equipped to care for patients with high BMIs.

In order for doctors to take obesity more seriously, they will need to have an accurate weight for patients. Currently, none of my doctors have scales to weigh me, yet, they all document the known incorrect weight. One office’s scale has a 300lbs limit, but it does at least register 328ish when I step on it. So the nurse documents that as my weight, even though I tell her that is not correct, and verbally give her my weight from my home scale. Again, this isn’t an issue in just ONE office, I encounter this problem is probably every doctors office I visit, expect for the bariatric surgeons office.

After the game of guess my weight, comes the torture of having my BP checked. Yet, another VITAL health statistic that is often not correctly taken nor monitored in obese patients. If the BP isn’t taken correctly, it is not an accurate reading, and thus monitoring inaccurate data serves no purpose. The blood pressure cuff needs to properly fit the patient’s arm. Cuffs that are too tight will give inaccurately high readings. Doctors’ offices need to have large cuffs, even thigh cuffs available, and staff need to know the where the cuffs are kept so patients can have their BP taken correctly.

Also, stop relying on BP machines, they are not accurate, especially on FAT arms. Every time my blood pressure is taken with a machine, it has to inflate twice then reads high. Again, I will let the nurse know the information is not correct, yet it gets documented in my medical record. My last employer’s wellness program was told I had high BP and I was put on a “plan” to reduce it”, which thankfully I did rather quickly by having my regular doctor submit my REAL blood pressure, which she gets by manually taking my BP using a thigh cuff. In addition, staff should be trained on how to take a blood pressure reading on the lower part of the arm, in case no cuff is available to fit the upper arm. Also, wrist blood pressure cuffs should be utilized.

Better scales and larger BP cuffs are not expensive items for doctor offices to purchase, and yet are very important tools to properly diagnosing, monitoring and treating patients.

Does your primary care doctor have a scale to weigh you? Share with me your experiences in the comments.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, lipedema, lymphedema, morbid obesity, obesity, obesity treatment, obesity week, super morbid obesity

My Story in Psychology Today

November 11, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 6 Comments

psychtoday

My story is profiled in the current issue of Psychology Today (December 2013), as part of the article Do I Make You Uncomfortable?

This is the article for which I had My Abnormal Photo Shoot. In late August, I replied to a Facebook notice shared by the Obesity Action Coalition. Being a member of the OAC has provided many opportunities to share my story, and thus spread awareness about lipedema and lymphedema.

Does my fat make you uncomfortable?

According to the article that is YOUR issue, not mine. I knew this already, but I admit I misunderstood the article concept as originally told to me: “story about the experiences of those with physical differences—and how, on both a societal and individual level, we can overcome negative or prejudiced responses.” I thought the article was going to focus on those of us on the receiving end of the negative and prejudiced responses. Through my own sessions with a psychologist, I learned I cannot change other people’s behaviors, I can only control my own reaction. To my pleasant surprise the article’s focus is on the response people have when they see a person with a physical difference. It is a refreshing change for the discussion to address why some people have such adverse reactions to ME, since it is usually just accepted that it’s normal for people to act in such ways towards people who are abnormal. And yet, it’s not normal. Not everyone who sees me has a negative or prejudiced response, if that was the case I would not have so many supportive friends. So what does prompt the negative response?

psychtodayjeff

Protective Prejudice

The theory discussed in the article is that people’s negative and prejudices reactions towards physical difference is rooted in an immune response and survival instinct protecting against disease. Interesting idea for sure! And does go along with the idea that people project their own insecurities towards me. The personal stories shared tell of instances for which we have experiences negative reactions based on our appears, mine included the now famous “check out them cankles” incident. It is inspiring that the other individual profiled in the story have the same positive attitude and outlook as I do and the hope that by sharing our stories we can help others.

Research suggesting that prejudice is a flexible trait abounds — and simply being aware that it’s not fixed can significantly reduce discriminatory behavior. Accepting that we all hold negative associates and becoming aware of the one we automatically make are also critical steps in the process of counteracting our biases. So, too, is encouraging people to talk about their negative perceptions.

My abnormal appearance is beneficial in life, it serves as a screening process. If people do not want to get to know me because of my looks, their loss. Now sure, it hurt when I experienced weight bias in the workplace but obviously that was not a company whose values align with mine.

Leave me a comment:

Have you read the full article? Share your thoughts.

Does my appearance make you uncomfortable?

Have you ever experienced a negative or prejudiced reaction to your appearance?

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Lipedema and Lymphedema, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, awareness, bbw, discrimination, fat, health, lipedema, lymphedema, morbid obesity, obesity, obesity action coalition, Psychology Today, self confidence, self esteem, super morbid obesity, weight bias in the workplace

Sarah for President!

November 5, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

day5

National Health Blog Post Month – Day 5: Election Day!

 

Votes are in-you won! If you got elected President, what are the 3 changes you would make to healthcare?

  1. I would create a single payer, government based system of healthcare. The best healthcare coverage I ever had was Medicaid. Seniors love their Medicare. Our health should not be profit based.
  2. I would increase funding for genetic and stem cell research to improve disease prevention and treatment. Lipedema is a congenital condition for which the gene has yet to be identified.
  3. I would mandate all adults to have a Living Will, at age 18 require the advisement of rights and assistance in creating a Living Will of end of life wishes. Can be reviewed and changed as needed, complete renewal at retirement age.

ovaloffice

 

I might not be able to enact those healthcare changes but I will continue to advocate for the passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act and the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, health, health insurance, lipedema, lymphedema, lymphedema treatment act, National Health Blog Post Month, top, Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, Wego Health

Big Wheels Keep On Turning

November 4, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

day4

National Health Blog Post Month Day 4 – Training Wheels

Write about a time your health condition forced you to grow up and take the training wheels off (so to speak).

My training wheel moment involves health insurance, of course! It was very much like learning to ride a bike, I even had someone there guiding me, holding the bike seat to make sure I didn’t tip over.

When I was initially diagnosed with lymphedema I was on Medicaid. While it took a couple months for my initial treatment and compression pump to be approved, I never encountered a coverage issue or claim denial. I received unlimited physical therapy sessions, and was in the process of being fitted for compression garments when I got my first REAL JOB with REAL INSURANCE. And then came my first coverage issue and the experience that started me on my journey to advocacy.

bigwheel

Due to the size and shape of my legs I needed custom fitted compression garments, as it is important that the compression is correctly distributed over the limb. Jobst, the manufacturer of the garments my doctor and therapist recommended requires vendors and fitters (those who would take the measurements) be trained and certified to be sure the garments are fitted and ordered correctly. The average price for a pair of garments is $300 so it is very important they are made correctly, and since I needed two pair (one to wear, as the other is washed/dry) it was important that insurance helped cover the expense. After all, by wearing compression garments I was saving the insurance company the expense of physical therapy and hospitalization due to cellulitis. I was unable to find a DME (durable medical equipment) provider in my insurance network who was certified to handle my garment order but thankfully the vendor I did find guided me through the process to request network gap coverage.

I wish I could remember the employee’s name at Luna Medical, as I owe her a huge THANK YOU! She very easily could have just told me I would have to pay out of network for my garments. I would have known no different, as do most patients. Instead, she explained that since there was no in-network provider within a 50 mile radius of my home my insurance company had to cover an out-of-network vendor at in-network coverage level. She coached me on what to ask for and what to say when I spoke to my insurance company. To prove there was no vendor in network, I called every DME provider within 50 miles and documented whether they sold compression garments, and if they did I would document who I spoke with and verify they were not a custom Jobst certified vendor. It took several phone calls, and finally the insurance company said they needed to speak with my physician. I happened to have an appointment with her the next day so I asked her if she would call them. Knowing there would probably be hold time with any insurance call, my doctor told her staff to take me into her office to call the insurance and once there was a representative on the phone to get her. To my surprise, after reviewing the information I had already provided the supervisor only asked ME a few questions and then approved my request. She said she didn’t need to speak to my physician at all, she already had her signed prescription stating medical necessity.

The training wheels were OFF…and I never looked back!

I followed the same process with the next 3 insurance companies I had and successfully obtained approval for my compression garments. I transferred those skills into reading coverage documents, researching vendors and providers and overall navigating health insurance. I often help friends and family with their coverage questions.  The experience managing my own health insurance coverage  led me to a new career. I earned my BS in Health Services Administration and I am currently pursing a Masters of Science in Health Law.

Although I have been successful in obtaining coverage for most of my lymphedema and lipedema treatment needs, there are still obstacles that block patients from getting the care they need and deserve. That is why I share my story to advocate for the passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

 

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Health Insurance Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, compression garments, DME, durable medical equipment, featured, headline, health, health insurance, jobst, lipedema, lymphedema, lymphedema treatment act, National Health Blog Post Month, network gap coverage, nhpbm, obesity, super morbid obesity, top, Wego Health

NHBPM Day 2: My Big Caboose – Little Engine Remix

November 2, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 2 Comments

healthblogpostday2

Day 2 of National Health Blog Post Month and today’s prompt is “The Little Engine” taken from the children’s story, The Little Engine that Could:

Write 3 lines that start with “I think I can…”

Then write 3 lines that start with “I know I can…”

I had to laugh when I thought of the train analogy and my medical condition because my caboose is a much more prominent and powerful train car in my journey. Do trains still have cabooses? For a few years during my childhood I lived near train tracks and I would always love waiting for the end of the train to come by so I could wave to “Mr. Caboose Man”. My caboose (butt) is big because of Lipedema. But that size and weight does not hold me back, instead it is the real source of my power and strength. Living with Lipedema has made me strong, resilient, resourceful, and compassionate.

sassy

With that said…here is my Big Caboose – Little Engine Remix

I think I can be a catalyst for change.

I think I can encourage others to be their own advocates.

I think I can change society’s perception of obesity by sharing my story.

I know I can be myself.

I know I can survive.

I know I can win most battles with health insurance companies.

What do you THINK and KNOW you CAN do? What is your source of power and strength?

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, health, health insurance, lipedema, lymphedema, morbid obesity, National Health Blog Post Month, NHBPM, obesity, self confidence, self esteem, super morbid obesity, top, Wego Health

November Is National Health Blog Post Month

November 1, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

healthblogpostday1

November is National Health Blog Post Month and Wego Health is providing daily prompts. Since I’ve been slacking recently at posting and even had my blog called “the inconsistent blog” I thought participating would be beneficial to me and my readers.

This year there will be Favorite Friday posts, and today is both the FIRST post of the month and a Favorite Friday!

Nov. 1 Favorite Fridays

Tell us what your favorite health apps are and how people can find them.

IMG_1426

GoodRx (FREE) – My number one FAVORITE health app is GoodRX. It is an app, and a website, that helps you locate the lowest price prescription medications in your area AND provides discount coupons for many of the medications. I first heard about this app on NPR. I have used the app a lot recently as I have been in transition between health insurance coverage and do not have prescription coverage right now. I just present the coupon information to the pharmacy and they enter it and I get the discounted price. The price has not always been accurate, but within a few dollars, and still MUCH lower than original retail price.

MyFitnessPal (FREE) – This app is great for tracking food intake as it has a very diverse directory of foods, and a bar code scanner for foods that are not already in the system. Having been tasked with documenting my food intake at various points in my life it’s great to no longer have to keep a little notebook with me, or try and remember every bite at the end of the day. The app also tracks activity, and weight, and provides you an estimate daily calorie goal based on your weight goal (loss or maintain). MFP also syncs with many other fitness apps and devices.

IMG_1427

Health Insurance Carrier App (FREE) – Apps vary by company but most major health insurance providers  now have mobile apps. I find the apps most helpful in locating a provider or facility. How often are you in your doctors office and are referred for a test or to see a specialist and you have no idea if they accept you insurance. With the app you can quickly check the directory right from your phone! I have personally used the Humana app, but I went ahead and found the links for other companies: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare.

This prompt made me realize I’ve NEVER even checked to see if any lymphedema or lipedema related apps exist. I found LymphTracker ($.99), which helps track measurements of your affected limbs. This can be very helpful, unfortunately when I went to purchase the app on my iPhone it said the app was no longer available. It would also be beneficial to have an app to locate lymphedema therapists, compression garment vendors, etc in your area.

Have you used any of these apps? Tell me if you found them helpful! Also if you have a favorite health related app share it with me in the comments!

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, health, health insurance, lipedema, lymphedema, mobile apps, National Health Blog Post Month, top, wegohealth

Kids do not need a letter to know they are fat on Halloween

October 31, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

fat letter

There is a woman in North Dakota who feels it’s her duty to save obese children from themselves this Halloween. She has decided to hand out “fat letters” to children to whom she deems are obese while giving candy to the other kids. I am left to wonder if she is doing any diabetes or dental checks on the normal sized kids. After all, the reality is that candy is not “good” for anyone.

But it’s Halloween, it’s the time of year kids to get to dress up as their favorite character and go walk about the neighborhood with their friends. That is unless you are the FAT kid. Then finding a costume, especially of a favorite character, is most likely not going to happen. Definitely, NOT going to fit into a store bought costume. So maybe you’re creative and have the means to create an awesome DIY costume, which I was THAT fat kid a few times. Yes, I wanted to be an alarm clock! What kid doesn’t want to be an alarm clock? No, I wouldn’t have rather been Rainbow Brite or Jem. (of course I would have) But my sister and I were GENIUS and cut out a round piece of cardboard, put some numbers on it, and tethered it around my neck.  I was an alarm clock! Let’s go get some candy!

Trick or Treating was by far the most intense workout I got as a kid. I walked to school every day, but that roundtrip was nothing compared to the Trick or Treat challenge, cover the neighborhood in 1.5 hours. Yes, where I grew up Trick or Treat was scheduled. My friend’s mom led a small group of us around and kept us on task. We only went to houses where people were outside on their porches (wasted no time knocking on doors), we zigzagged across the street, then circled around to the next block. I really should stop and calculate the number of blocks we covered. The entire time it was “go, go, go”, we walked up steps, and up hills. And trust me, every huff n puff moment as trudged along as a clock I knew I was FAT. I didn’t need any well meaning neighbor giving me letter of notification!

But like most other things in my life, I wasn’t going to let my weight stop me from participating. I was not going to let being FAT keep me from enjoying the night out with my friends, trying to accomplish our mission of getting to every house on our route in the allotted time. Honestly, Halloween was NEVER about the candy. There was candy at home, the GOOD candy that my mom bought to pass out for Trick or Treat. If all I wanted was to stuff my face with candy, I could have sat at home and just ate what I wanted. No, Halloween like other holidays is about the experience.

Honey Boo Boo

The experience is same the reason I am excited about participating in Halloween as an adult. As a fat adult the costumes can still be a challenge, but my creativity and DIY abilities have served me well. Yes, I wanted to be Honey Boo Boo…I actually WON a costume contest as Honey Boo Boo! As for Trick or Treat, this year will be the first time in many years I will actually be at home, and live in a neighborhood where there will be Trick or Treaters. I do not have kids and I do not know many of my neighbors. I could easily turn off my porch light and stay inside.  Instead I am excited that I can participate in Halloween, and I ordered toys to pass out.  No candy. I admit I fear being seen as the “fat lady” handing out candy. I also know taste vary so much I could never possibly please all the kids with my choices. Then there are kids with food allergies.  Choking hazards, we used to buy safety suckers to give the toddlers. Also, I just LOVE toys, and I picked out some really awesome toys. I also asked my parent friends on Facebook if they would be upset if their child was given a noise maker? As you can already read I’m putting way too much thought and effort into this….just buy some candy already.

IMG_1421

Perhaps I’m too considerate of other people; perhaps the woman in ND should take a lesson from me. If her concern is really for the well-being of children then there are many better options she could do instead of fat shaming kids. How does a letter telling a parent their kid is fat help reduce childhood obesity? Yet she is STILL handing out candy to other kids, does their health not matter? Also health is not just physical, it is emotional too. Fat shaming kids on a day that is supposed to be FUN, is just mean and will hurt kids not help them. She could donate money to help local parks and recreation center, volunteer for local Halloween carnivals, or organize a Halloween themed fun run/walk for her community.

 

Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles, Blog Post, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, bullying, childhood obesity, discrimination, fat, fat letter, fat shaming, featured, halloween, headline, morbid obesity, self esteem, super morbid obesity, top, trick or treat, weight bias

My Abnormal Photo Shoot

October 9, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 6 Comments

selfie-abnormalphotoshoot

For me, not smiling for a picture is definitely not normal. But the real abnormality of the photo shoot was ME. I replied to a post looking for individuals with abnormal appearances for a magazine article. Due to lipedema my arms and legs are abnormally disproportional to the rest of my body. While most people try to hide or cover up the parts of their body that do not meet a certain societal level of acceptance, that is not an option for me so I choose to just be comfortable in my own skin, all 400lbs of it.

Trust me being comfortable in my own skin is much easier said than done. There is no physical comfort living with lipedema. Every inch of my arms and legs are sensitive, and the slightest touch results in bruising. In addition, the excess weight makes simple movements much more tiring.  Imagine having to do your normal daily tasks with 5lb sacks of flour attached to each arm, and a toddler clutched to each leg? Then when you need to stop and rest, people think you’re just “being lazy.” Standing for any period of time is exhausting, sitting is a bit better but gravity still affects the pooling of lymph fluid in my legs causing painful swelling, so laying down must provide the only real relief, right? Not exactly, it’s hard to be comfortable laying down because the abnormal size and shape of my hips and legs makes finding a restful position difficult.

However, rarely do I complain, because the abnormality of  lipedema has become my new normal. I have no control over the physical aspect of my disease. So I choose to make the most of what I can control, and that is the mental aspect. Which is the focus of the magazine article. Psychology Today is featuring a “story about the experiences of those with physical differences—and how, on both a societal and individual level, we can overcome negative or prejudiced responses.”

So back to the photo shoot. I realized that I had not had professional portraits taken since my high school senior pictures. I asked if there were any guidelines for what type of clothes to wear and was told nothing specific. So I did what probably few other females would do, I picked a nearly three year old dress out of my closet to wear. The dress looks nice on me and shows my arms and legs. The morning of the shoot I woke up, fixed my own hair and did my own make-up. I kept thinking how most people with bodies the size of mine hide from the camera, and when they are in a few pictures they delete any shot they think is unflattering. Here I was volunteering to have my pictures in a  national magazine and I’m wearing an old dress and doing my own hair and make-up.

The photographer arrived, moved some living room furniture around and set up his equipment. I was ready for the my close up! Then came the shocker and most difficult part of the photo shoot…I was told not to smile. WHAT? Me. Not. Smile. That’s just soooo abnormal??? And it’s even harder not to smile when you’re trying to NOT SMILE. And of course the photographer and I struck up a conversation and well since I’m so amusing, I smile and laugh a lot during conversations. I will not know which poses were selected for  until the article comes out in the November edition, but I know the real Sarah shines through as always. Although my normal persona is fun, happy Sarah, anyone who knows the real me knows my strong and confident side…and smile or no smile…I’m still Sarah.

*Update* See the final picture in My Story in Psychology Today

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: abnormal appearances, breaking, headline, lipedema, lymphedema, morbid obesity, obesity, physical differences, Psychology Today, self confidence, self esteem, super morbid obesity, top

Tips for Effective Fat Shaming

September 30, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 6 Comments

shame

Before we begin today’s lesson, I feel compelled to point out that a recent study indicates that fat shaming is actually NOT effective in motivating people to lose weight.  That, in fact, shaming has the opposite effect. However, some people are set in their ways and cannot resist the urge to prophesize their knowledge to others who are “worse off”. So before you embark on such divine matters of “health”, please consider the following tips:

1. Extinguish your cigarette – Nothing is more annoying than having someone fat shame you while blowing smoke in your face. So please do not approach me about my weight, and how you can help me “get healthier” while smoking. Yes, it’s happened to me. My boyfriend and I were at the beach, enjoying a cool evening watching the waves and the people roll by on bikes and skates, when I was approached by a woman smoking.  At first I thought she was going to ask for money, so I clutched my purse closer to me. Instead she tells me how she has just finished her personal training courses and wanted to know if I would like to work out with her, she could “help” me lose weight. She “understood” how threatening the gym might be to large women, she’d make me comfortable with exercise.

Without missing a beat I reply “I’m not sure how much I’d trust health advice from someone who smokes.”

“Oh, I know, I’m trying to quit” she says as she quickly tries to extinguish her cigarette.

It’s not that her knowledge is invalid because she smokes, it’s the fact that she approached a stranger about their weight, assumed I did not already exercise, which I did and did so letting her own poor habits show.

2. Step away from the bar – Ok, in his defense he was stepping away from the bar, well stumbling away. A co-worker and I were having dinner at a steakhouse when this drunk man stumbled up to our table and muttered “You’re probably going to tell me to f*** off, but I just HAVE to tell you…PLEASE STOP EATING, you are killing yourselves. I work at a hospital and I see people like you die every day”.

He did in fact work at a hospital, or at least he was wearing a polo shirt with his name and the name of a local hospital.

My co-worker was stunned and horrified. I was ME, and replied “YES, I am going to tell you to F***OFF, you do not know us or the fact I’ve lost over 100lbs already.”

Fellow restaurant patrons were also horrified by his behavior and quickly approached him and escorted him outside. Then the manager came to the table and apologized for the man (who was a regular bar patron) and comp’d our meals. Ironic.

3. Do not interrupt my workout – Of course someone working out at the gym must be in need of unsolicited advice about how to lose weight. Right? But some people are just overly persistent or working for referral money. Either way it is annoying. As Susan Powers would say “Stop the INSANITY!” There I am, at the gym, ear buds in listening to Destiny Child’s “I’m a Survivor”, when I notice this woman waving at me. I did not recognize her as someone I know, but I take off my ear buds and say “hello”.

She steps closer, “Hi, are you considering weight loss surgery, or have you recently had it?”

SERIOUSLY?  I reply, “I’ve already had weight loss surgery.”

“When?”

“2003, I used to weigh more than 500lbs, I have Lymphedema”…trying to think what else can I say to get her to let me get back to Beyonce, Kelly and umm (oh hell anyone remember the 3rd chick from Destiny’s Child?) Michelle! Thanks Google.

She replies, “Oh I work for a doctor, have you considered revision as an option?”

I tell her that I am very involved in the WLS Community and I am well aware of the options available.  I’m too nice, I should have told her how inappropriate her approach and conversation were, despite intentions do not approach strangers about their weight.

She of course was a WLS herself, something about having WLS or losing a massive amount of weight through whatever programs makes you a SAVIOR. I must not have said enough Hail Mary’s because I never got my wing and halo. Well I got my batwings, but not my angelic wings and official orders to go out and SAVE people.

I understand the urge, really I do, I have the same feeling when I see someone I believe is suffering with Lymphedema in their legs, and having gone undiagnosed for so many years I have good instinct to think they too might be undiagnosed.

However, I’m quite sure no one is unaware they are fat? If they are unaware, that is a conversation for a family member, close friend, or doctor to have with them regarding their health. It’s not for a stranger to initiate.

If you are concerned about the health of a friend or family member here is an article about how to approach that conversation.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post Tagged With: bbw, breaking, discrimination, fat shaming, featured, gastric bypass, headline, health, morbid obesity, obesity, rny gastric bypass, top, weight bias, weight loss surgery

Hometown Advocacy: Coffee with Congressman Wenstrup

September 23, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 2 Comments

Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Fresh off my return from #YWM2013 in Phoenix, AZ and my second year of advocacy training, I had the opportunity to put my skills to work at a local event held by my US Representative, Brad Wenstrup. On August 27th, Rep Wenstrup hosted a “Coffee with Your Congressman” event here in Portsmouth. I have previously communicated with Wenstrup’s staff members about HR 2415 – Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and The Lymphedema Treatment Act, but I know it’s a very special honor to be able to speak directly with my congressman. Rep. Wenstrup is a Podiatrist and was very aware and knowledgeable of lymphedema, and of course obesity is a major health issue for our area.

Again, I want to thank Rep, Wenstrup and his staff for the outreach into our community!

You can be an advocate without leaving home! Check out the links below learn more about the bills and to contact your representatives and ask them to support these two very important pieces of legislation.

Join me and visit the OAC’s Legislative Action Center to urge Congress to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013.

Join me and visit the Lymphedema Treatment Act Legislative Action Center to urge Congress to support the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Health Insurance, Lipedema and Lymphedema, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, health insurance, HR 2415, lipedema, lymphedema, lymphedema treatment act, morbid obesity, obesity action coalition, top, Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, weight loss surgery, YWM2013

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Search

Posts By Date

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Jul    

Recent Comments

  • Emmie W on Lululemon cannot cover my @ss, and the sky is blue.
  • Lili Jacobson on Too Fat for Fat Acceptance?
  • Jennifer on Five ways to request a seatbelt extender
  • GG on Weight Loss Surgery Journey
  • Rachel Fife on Just Keep Splashing – My FitBloggin’ Ignite Video

Recent Posts

  • Infographic: How do compression garments work?
  • Too Fat for Fat Acceptance?
  • My TEDx Talk: Breaking Bias
  • Kelly Osbourne Fashion Police Double Standard
  • Sharing My Lipedema Story on The Doctors

Archives

PROUD! Obesity Action Coalition Member

Copyright © 2025 | Crave Theme by The Pixelista | Built on the Genesis Framework