I saw some extended family today who didn't know I had lapband surgery(well not until my mother felt the need to tell everyone) and the negative comments were plenty. I was even told that my cousin had gastric bypass because the doctors told her they don't like doing lapbands because of so many problems. Really? I just stayed to her that maybe her doc was inexperienced with them and that's the reason. I then heard other comments. I didn't argue and defend my decision. I just told them that they had their opinion and I had mine and let's just keep it at that. Why can't they just shut up if they don't know what they are talking about? I would never make comments to someone about the type of surgery they had.

Thanks for all the comments. I haven't really told anyone other than a few close friends (1 who had lapband surgery and a few others who are deciding on WLS). It's my mother who can't refrain from telling people. Not because she's proud of me but because she thinks I shouldn't have one it. This coming from someone who is overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetic. Sh lives with us and sometimes makes me feel like I am 5 years old and can't make my own decisions. Which I have been making since I was 17 years old. I agree that the more ignorant they are of the surgery the more negative the comments. I have wanted to post on Facebook about my surgery but know that I will get tons of negativity. This is not the easy way out that's for sure. It's surgery. That's never the easy way out. As for the people who say we could all just diet and exercise well I've done that as I know all of you have. I can lose it but then gain it all back and then some. I have been dieting my whole life and was finally just sick of it. Thanks to everyone here for the support! I don't know what I would do without y'all.

You're welcome, you've got us to lean on, and we've got you for the same...

I couldn't tell my dad because I knew he would disapprove and I would never hear the end of it. The whole time growing up he always complained about how much I ate and when I finally told him when I reached goal weight then he was always mad because now I'm too skinny and don't eat enough. You can never win with these people even when it's family and you think they will support you.

I very firmly believe ignorance screams while education whispers. It's always those that are most ignorant that seem to be quickest to point fingers and claim a clue they don't have, while those that are educated in the matter have nothing to prove thus quiet.

It's like the old quote- It's better to look a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. These people seriously need to quit removing the doubt.

I had substantial naysayers in the beginning too. They're all now eating big helpings of crow since I've lost 135 pounds in less than 8 months. I find my silent success is all the vindication I need.

As for those that think it's the "easy way out", I usually challenge them to count every calorie and monitor every nutrient they put in their body, measure everything they eat and never eat more than a cup of food, give up carbonation forever, and increase their physical activity and then tell me how easy it is.

Trust my experience on this one... In a year or two when you are 10 lbs from goal...it won't matter who says what.... Because they will be too busy looking at how wonderful you look to care. so in the meantime tell or not tell is a personal choice... But in a few months I am telling you.... It will not matter!

I had one in 2008 and still struggle everyday to get to my goal. Heartburn not to mention the vomiting has been Tough rode.i joined WW to help teach me the right way of eating and I try to think positive of having done this and taken this road. I do not judge others who have , I am just saying it has been a long hard road for me and still I struggle with my weight. I walk 10 miles a week track all my food eat no sweets never liked soda so no loss there. It may be the right way for some but for me it just didn't work like I was hoping, I lost 44 pounds, now going to WW I was able to drop another 10. I never did find my so called sweet spot had fills and unfills thru out the last 4 years. Not knocking it just didn't work for me, good luck to all of you.

It's strange that people mockingly call the lapband, "the easy way."

Frst of all, even with the band, the weight loss is HARD! We have all the same issues non-banded folks have when trying to loose weight....make right food choices, exercise, stick to it, etc.

Secondly, being banded is difficult in terms of the surgery, risks and the committment! There's nothing easy about that!!!!

Finally, Yeah, it is easier to lose weight with the band. What's wrong with that? Isn't everyone looking for an easier way to lose weight? Whether it's a diet plan, pill or program, we all want it to be easier than it is. What's so bad about "the easy way?" Personally, I think it's the smart way and research proves that with the stats that show WLS patiens KEEP it off 80% more often than traditional dieters. Who cares how you get there. It's not like using steriods to qualify for the olympics. It isn't a competition with rules we have to follow. Weightloss is weightloss, no matter how you get there - as long as it's healthy.

That's my 2 cents on the matter.

That stated, I didn't tell anyone, except for my husband, about my band. I'm not interested in their opinions and my weightloss isn't their business. I don't have time or space in my life for negative people and people who would be excited about my weight loss wouldn't care how I got there. The rest are just envious of the resolve to lose it.

...i agree wholeheartedly... and can i just add another comment here? i dont think that lapband is easy.... not in my experience anyway. It doesnt allow for you to have an off day... if you get distracted for any reason and eat the wrong way you suffer agonies.... you just cant be like others anymore, its that simple. But, having said that i know its one of the best things that i have done. But no one could ever tell me that its easy... to me its not.