So we are covering gastroenterology now, and while we don't specifically talk about bariatric surgery, it's a risk factor for gallstones, so it's come up on occasion. Today we had a small group session and the gastroenterologist wanted to take the time to talk about the different surgeries in a bit more detail. He mostly talked about the bypass and the band, but then added "And then you hear all these people going to Mexico to get something called the gastric sleeve" and explained a bit more about it. I fought hard to resist the urge to share my experience with the surgery and I'm glad I did! My lovely classmates were quick to comment with things like "What a waste of money!" "Can't these people just buckle down and lose some weight!?" (at 181 lbs, I'm the fattest one in the group, everyone else was skinny, of course) and, my favorite: "Oh, and then MY tax dollars are paying for their complications!" (most of these people have never worked outside of a summer research job, and most definitely have never paid taxes).

Future doctors for you!

SCREW THAT

Well, all people are ignorant in some way.

Just gotta ignore it

I had loads of naysayers, they have all shut the hell up now that I have lost nearly 100lbs. Results speak louder than any defense you can make, and you needn't make any apologies for your choices, you are an adult and I'm sure like the rest of us "kooks" who went to Mexico you did your homework and found the surgeons you were comfortable with.

Go you!

Anna

The interesting thing is that all these people who were so quick to tell me I was taking the easy way out with surgery (of course I am; just like NOT driving into a brick wall is the easy way out!) are now congratulating me on my weight loss.

I would just try to pay it no heed, if you can. Society is absolutely insane about weight. We don't understand it medically, and yet we all want to judge others who don't look like we think they should.

It's never going to change, so I say -- screw em. Live your life to make YOURSELF happy, because you'll never please the chattering masses.

Makes me so angry I wanna go eat some donuts. *wink*

Just kidding...honest!

We have no lack of ignorance in this world.

I am sure you had to bite great big holes in your tongue to keep from sharing a piece of your mind with the imbecile. I know I would have.

yep.. the uneducated and insensitive ones. I agree with all of the posters.

Wow what a bunch of epic C words ... their tax dollars paying for WLS Complications... are they tapped ? Your insurance pays for any complications it's not a state funded pot that pays for medical insurance. You pay for your insurance and it's none of their damn business what you do with it... Arghhh sorry that made me mad.

Here in the UK I could see people having those opinions with a little more clarity - but it is a state funded pot from people's taxes. However, people with obesity have a multitude of health issues which cost them far more in the long run than the surgery and most people understand that. There is still alot of ignorance but when they are dying from cancer from their smoking or needing liver transplants from the excessive drinking I'll be standing there saying couldn't you just buckle down and stop hitting the sauce/smokes...

To heck with them.

They don't realize that WLS surgery is approved by insurance companies because they feel in the long run it will save them money on your care. But explaining that to a bunch of thick headed ignorant fools is a waste of your breath.

Scares me that these are people who will be guiding patients in the future.

Thats odd. I got my sleeve here in the mid west. St. Louis. No Mexico trip for me. Do they think thats the only place to get it done just because its newer?