I'm in need of a reply when a friend says to me: "It wasn't God's intention for us to remove 80% of our stomachs. It's too drastic. It's not natural. Diet & exercise - AND STICKING WITH IT - are what you need to do. I've always said that."

My reply was: "Breast implants weren't God's intent, but you got those."

Her reply: "But they can be removed. You're taking out 80% of your stomach & you can't put it back."

Any KINDLY WORDED suggestions will be greatly appreciated, as she is, after all, my BFF, so I am not looking to disregard her feelings.

** NOTE: After several responses, I have edited this post to also say: Everyone's opinion is valid; however, I personally believe in God & pray continually that I am making the right decision & that he is walking beside me, or carrying me, through this. I am requesting KINDLY WORDED responses. If you do not believe in God or that this is not a God issue, then I kindly request that you not reply to this post. Thank you.

_{Susan 2.0' date='[/sub']}

_{The best and most thought-provoking thing will be for her to hang in there and make the journey with you as a supportive friend. Seeing as she is your BFF, I can't imagine that she wouldn't come through when you needed her most. People often have a lot pf pre-concieved notions about things they have no personal experience with and form opinions based off of that. As she goes through this journey with you, maybe she will become a little better informed and her thoughts and opinions on the subject will change! You just never know! The important thing is that you have a good support system, and if you need the BFF to be a part of it then you will just have to come to an understanding on the subject.}

_{Thank you, Liz. You are absolutely right that she will come through for me when I need her. I truly feel that it IS pre-conceived notions that are forming her words right now, which, again, proves my reason for asking for help with this situation. I once had pre-conceived notions as well, when I was in my mid-teens & heard of an older family friend having her stomach stapled back in the 80s. She, unfortunately, only lived a few years longer, if that long.}

The moment I realized I needed WLS I was sitting in traffic, beating myself up over another failed diet (Medifast this time). It just hit me like a ton of bricks. It was never going to work. Has anyone read the studies about losing weight and keeping it off? The odds are not in our favor. You don't get here for lack of trying or being lazy. You get here because you have exhausted every option and you are an adult who wants to save their own life. My sister is

still against it even after I told her I was one point away from being considered pre-diabetic. You love your best friend and value her opinion but through much research and deliberation have concluded this is the best choice for YOU.

Ovaries, Uteris, gall bladder and apendix God gave as well and sometimes they make us sick and have to come out. By the way the breast sometimes have to be taken too. What God did not entend is for us to be sick.

This is the EXACT point I wanted to make. Good response.

If you had cancer, you'd get treatment, right? Being obese is like having a form of cancer. You have to get it treated if you want to live a longer life.

Good luck!

The moment I realized I needed WLS I was sitting in traffic' date=' beating myself up over another failed diet (Medifast this time). It just hit me like a ton of bricks. It was never going to work. Has anyone read the studies about losing weight and keeping it off? The odds are not in our favor. You don't get here for lack of trying or being lazy. You get here because you have exhausted every option and you are an adult who wants to save their own life. My sister is

still against it even after I told her I was one point away from being considered pre-diabetic. You love your best friend and value her opinion but through much research and deliberation have concluded this is the best choice for YOU.

[/quote']

Thank you, xmasbpig. Very well worded. I agree with this because I very well could have said it myself (but couldn't, hence this thread!).

This is the EXACT point I wanted to make. Good response.

If you had cancer' date=' you'd get treatment, right? Being obese is like having a form of cancer. You have to get it treated if you want to live a longer life.

Good luck![/quote']

Yes, you WOULD have cancer treated (or removed)!! Thank you, lsmargiassi!!

What on earth has god got to do with it? Find better friends I say.

Just quote her Matthew 5:20 and tell her God gave you his blessings. That should shut her up very quickly!

"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

Only because I prayed about this, and this was given to me as an answer. Be at peace with your decision. It's right there in black and white.

What on earth has god got to do with it? Find better friends I say.

Everyone's opinion is valid; however, I personally believe in God & pray continually that I am making the right decision & that he is walking beside me, or carrying me, through this. I requested KINDLY WORDED responses. If you do not believe in God or that this is not a God issue, then I kindly request that you not reply to this post. Thank you.

Thank you! You do the same for people every day on here:)

Just quote her Matthew 5:20 and tell her God gave you his blessings. That should shut her up very quickly!

"And if your right hand causes you to sin' date=' cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

[/quote']

THAT is perfect! It made me smile!!! Thanks, Piplula!

No offence meant I just don't get why it's relevant to your decision and a true friend wouldn't be putting excuses in your way.

No offence meant I just don't get why it's relevant to your decision and a true friend wouldn't be putting excuses in your way.

I feel it's because she's uninformed & scared for me.

THAT is perfect! It made me smile!!! Thanks' date=' Piplula![/quote']

You are very welcome. Be at peace with your decision. I added to my post after you replied to it. You always have to fight with the word with people who want to use the word to prove their point. I am sure she loves you and is concerned. But..she simply, or more than likely doesn't have any education on the process. My perspective on it is, if God didn't want us to learn about this procedure, He would not allow man to learn about it. Therefore, I think He allowed us to learn about it. Hence the Matthew reference. I hope that helps!

You are very welcome. Be at peace with your decision. I added to my post after your replied to it. You always have to fight with the word with people who want to use the word to prove their point. I am sure she loves you and is concerned. But..she simply' date=' or more than likely doesn't have any education on the process. My perspective on it is, if God didn't want us to learn about this procedure, He would not allow man to learn about it. Therefore, I think He allowed us to learn about it. Hence the Matthew reference. I hope that helps![/quote']

It most absolutely helps! Thank you! I agree with you whole heartedly. And just for the record, I am at peace with my decision. I would just like her to be at peace with it as well. I am just not quick-witted or "fast on my feet" so I have a hard time coming up with good retorts when needed. I definitely wouldn't have been the star on the debate team!!!

Great answer Pip!!!!! I had surgery last friday. They removed part of my stomach, and they removed my uterus because it was one degree from having cancer. If it was your uterus you were having removed because you had a very high chance if not already of having cancer, would she still stand on what she is saying? If not, then there is something else there. I am a Christian and a Christian sister I love actually said to me don't lose to much I don't want to be the chubby friend. I love her and I respect her honesty and I know to be sure to affirm her in how she looks. There are obviously some insecurities there or she would not have fake boobies (I am already planning my lift!! God did not intend for my boobs to look like tube socks.) I attribute my "no pain and amazing recovery" to God and all the prayers people have prayed for me.