I am SICK AND TIRED of reading magazine articles, watching news shows, etc. and hearing all of these stories of these el-fabulouso people who have managed to lose 100's of pounds "without drugs or surgery"? Why don't you write the follow up stories next year when they gain 30-50% back and in three years when they are back to full weight plus 20 pounds??????

Yeah I know this is cynical, but just because I'm cynical doesn't mean I'm not 95% true! How many people on this board lost 50+ pounds only to gain it back?

Perhaps I shouldn't take it personal, but I do.:huytsao

Yeah, I'm with you. I just don't know why those of us who've have WLS are some how... less deserving. Like it's cheating and so it doesn't really count.

I too get tired of this... nobody knows that I had surgery but I heard somebody talking about WLS surgery last week and she mentioned that she would never "cheat" and have WLS.

I'm sorry but I want to be healty and happy. I've tried everything else... and I'm sorry if I'm "cheating" but for the first time in a long time I'm happy and have hope about my weight situation. And I don't think it makes me a bad person. Having WLS alone is not the quick fix... you still have to work at it every single day. The only difference now is that I'm seeing results.

I'm sick of it too, I know they make a lot of money off of desperate people. I'm also sick of people saying that the lap-band is taking the "easy" way out. Its not, its hard work. I am just happy that I am able to get out at all!

Ditto! They should have a "where are they now" article. No, I don't think we are being cynical. We are all professional dieters who know the end result for almost ALL of us is that we gain it back and then some!

I too get tired of this... nobody knows that I had surgery but I heard somebody talking about WLS surgery last week and she mentioned that she would never "cheat" and have WLS.

Fancy somebody thinking that WLS is cheating!!! This is harder than any 'diet' or 'miracle cure'. The band is jolly hard work. Ignorance isn't bliss, it is really annoying!

Well, you've gotta admire people with persistance. But there comes a point where persistance morphs into plain stupidity. Like my mother when I told her I was thinking about being banded "why dont you go back to Weight Watchers, it works soooo well for me". Yeah right Mum, that's why youve joined at least once a year for the last 25 years.

I just roll my eyes at that now. I'm smarter.

But I get extremely annoyed at the WLS is taking the easy way out attitude. There's been plenty of work on my part - the band doesnt go to the gym or run on the treadmill or get through the circuit class that was so hard it made me want to vomit last Wednesday does it? Nor does it choose most of what I eat, it just controls my appetite.

But I get extremely annoyed at the WLS is taking the easy way out attitude. There's been plenty of work on my part - the band doesnt go to the gym or run on the treadmill or get through the circuit class that was so hard it made me want to vomit last Wednesday does it? Nor does it choose most of what I eat, it just controls my appetite.

I sooooooo hear ya on that!! Initially, a few of my colleagues thought I was taking the easy way out. But after watching me for the past 10 months, they'd be the first to admit that you have to work for it and stay on track. They see me come into the office every morning dripping sweat from the gym (I shower at the office LOL), they've seen me turn down the pizza they occassionally order at lunch and opt for tuna instead and they were ALL impressed when I didn't eat junk in Vegas two weeks ago (the whole office went with us). hehe .. the lot of them ended up sick from lack of healthy foods there - I made it through just fine w/ the salads and fruits I lived on *g*

This used to really bug me a lot too, right after I had WLS. Now, 2 years out, I can see why people say and think the way they do. Most of them are just terrified and want to dog on anything they don't really understand. I've become much more compassionate since WLS, and now I just smile and say, "I understand" and then inside I know that *I* know the big secret and they'll figure it out for themselves if they are ever ready.

It's not about you. Once you become more confident in your choices and know that you made the correct decisions for you with the information you have, you learn that what everyone/anyone else thinks or does is only about them and not a reflection on you.

Megan

seems like MY banding made my family think and lose on their own.. I dunno..

My sister went from 220 or so to 165 in these months.

My cousin from 170 or so to 125

and even my littlest sister is littler too. (she got lipp)

they are like making me feel like crap.. even though thye arent meaning too.. and I am totally happy for them

these are people who have NEVER lost that much weight.. EVER and not been those sizes in over 10 years.

I hear you. I had one person say to me the other day, "I'll just lose mine the old fashion way." I just smile and say, "Good luck with that."

I agree, if anyone thinks it's taking the easy way out, then oh well. I know what I have to do to lose weight, especially without a fill.

Hey, I'm happy for anyone that can lose weight on their own and I don't really take it personally - we all have our issues and I don't see the shame in getting help for anything if you need it - counseling, support meetings, medication or weight loss surgery. It's just a tool - I'm still doing the work!!

I agree with Kimberly...it's just a tool and we still have to do the work. You can't take too seriously what people say out of total ignorance or you'll make yourself crazy.

Emily