Florence Ballengee <fballengee@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:

          Dena: I felt just like you do. As you know, I told everyone who would listen and some who wouldn't.

It's a highly personal decision. I would support anyone who made a decision not to tell also. Everyone's circumstances differ.

When I first started telling people, there were raised eyebrows. I didn't care. Did it hurt my feelings? Yes. Did I waiver? No. For once in my life I was going to make my own choices and not worry about what anyone else felt or thought. If they had a problem with me having surgery...then they had a problem and the problem was theirs not mine.

I felt that I was VERY damn clever to have finally found a solution to a lifelong problem! Very clever indeed. And now almost seven years later, I know in my heart that it was even more clever than I thought it was back then and I'm very proud that I made the choice to take control of my biggest albatross and restore my health.

For me, this whole thing has been a life altering decision and change. It's been unlike anything I have ever done. Maybe because I'm 64 I don't care what anyone else thinks. It's me that had to struggle to get out of a chair..or fit in one..or be stared at..or worry that I didn't take too much food at a buffet..and had to order everything from Lane Bryant, etc....you know the drill. Clever? You betcha! I found Dr. Rutledge and that lead my daughter and lots of friends to Dr. Rutledge. And if I hadn't shared, some of my friends and family would still be suffering in a morbidly obese body.

I am woman. Hear me roar. LOL

Flo Ballengee

www.clos.net

flo@clos.net

863-899-3463

Fax: 1-800-489-1793

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