My next vlog will be about weight loss surgery stigmas. Someone actually had the nerve to message me on YouTube and inform me that I'm taking the easy way out. lol She ain't gonna know what hit her

I can't wait to hear more! LOL Can I help?

at least it was a stranger and not your own family!

i have heard that so many times if anyone knew my story they wouldnt say it or even think it. not everyone can come thru surgery, eat the way we do and deal with the mental side of things. it all goes back to the saying "if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all". my usual response when someone says i took the easy way out is "you ARE dumber than you look"

People are nuts to really think that this is the easy way out. This is a tool that I needed and it is helping me tremendously. I know how to diet, I do have willpower, but I just needed something that would reduce my hunger and my capacity to eat.

I dare anyone that says it is the easy way out to do the preop diet and then progress through the post op stages. And take all the vitamins, follow the rules on not drinking while they eat, and only eating out portion size. It's not the easy way out and why I took 3 years to finally have WLS.

A lot of people think that way, we are the minority in the weight loss community.

My family is not supportive at all. They tell me that I am just enabling my disgusting-ness and that if I really wanted it I would do it myself. I know all about stigma's. Grrr.

My family is not supportive at all. They tell me that I am just enabling my disgusting-ness and that if I really wanted it I would do it myself. I know all about stigma's. Grrr.

Wow, I'm so sorry that your family isn't being supportive. Family always seems to be able to hurt us more than anyone else. They know all our weaknesses and insecurities. Stay focused on your journey and know that you'll prove them wrong. You're taking the tough road; it's easy to sit back and continue to get heavier. It takes real strength to make this change. You can do it!

ETA - I think you should change your screen name, too. It sounds like it's something that's been said to you in the past and I don't know if it reflects who you really are now. (Of course, it could just be an inside joke that makes you smile, so if that's the case, carry on!)

The stigma is there. Not much we can do about it, as all the explaining in the world just sounds like more excuses to those whose minds are already made up.

Try not to get worked up over what others say and think. Don't worry about what you can't change - instead, spend that energy on changing you.

Easy??? It's the hardest thing I've EVER done related to weight loss and I've only just begun the WLS journey, but have been dieting for 50 years. WLS is not for sissies! The person who made that comment on Youtube is probably the same moron who gives "that look" when a fat person walks into a restaurant. I say %$@*^ them!

There may be a stigma attached to weight loss surgery, but I believe there is a worse stigma attached to morbid obesity. Neither stigma is fair or right.

As for "the easy way out".... aside from the fact that weight loss surgery isn't especially "easy", I never understand why it is somehow a bad thing to take the easy way out. When I made hot chocolate, I used the microwave instead of boiling the Water on the stove. That was the easy way out. I use air conditioning to keep myself cool and comfortable in the summer rather than using handheld fans and blocks of ice. Again, easy way out.

There are so many examples of how technology (including modern medicine) allow us to live easier and more efficent lives. How is this wrong? If someone is critical of you for choosing weight loss surgery because it is "the easy way out" -- ask them if they use a computer to send e-mails, or if they still hand deliver their letters and written correspondence. Do they drive a car? Do they take advil when they have a headache?

The sleeve surgery is one of the best (if not THE best) that modern medicine has to offer in terms of fighting morbid obesity. Yes, you could diet and exercise (and no doubt, you have!) but 95% of morbidly obese people will regain weight lost this way. VSG is actually effective at weight loss AND maintenance, the statistics and science are on your side... it's the "smart way out"!

OK... end rant. LOL!

omg i was talking to one of my co workers about excess skin since he is also a personal trainer, n he was telling me just run, n drink water.. then he said the only people that get excess skin are those who have weight loss surgery, those cheaters taking the easy way out" i gulped so hard because i got weight loss surgery n i don't consider myself a cheater nor taking the easy way out, its really hard, what the hell is he talking about, so ignorant, u don't know what we go thru, how we feel.. u cant say things like that if u haven't experience it ur self. so i told him, what ur crazy i applaud those people for having balls to drastically change their body permanently for their well being. n i just left because i was so mad at him... but people are so ignorant. go ahead girl educate that person!

I AM DONE MOOING: We are also your chosen family now and we support you 100%.

Enerfina, I like your post..u tell him.

Thanks guys. I'm gonna use a lot of what y'all said as additional ammo if that's cool