Hi All,

I've told very few people I know that I've had this procedure as I thought I'd just keep it to myself HOWEVER I have told some people that I trust but wish I hadn't I've told maybe 10 people & of this 10 people at least 4 have said "oh you cheated" and the others just simply disregard the subject of weight loss because I can tell they are thinking the same "cheated" rude thoughts. I tend to get defensive when they say it to me and reply with something like "oh yeh I've cheated hey, let's see I spent 8k to have 3/4 of my stomach removed and I now have to watch everything I eat more than ever before"! Uh huh yep that's cheating!.......has anyone else experienced this stupidity?

That is exactly why I have not told anyone. My husband and I are the only ones that know of course except my online support friends:)

That is exactly why I have not told anyone. My husband and I are the only ones that know of course except my online support friends:)

I also will not be discussing with many people - but I have a question. How do you explain your fantastic weight loss?

Hi RR, I'm new to the forum, and am pre-op, but I've been thinking about this topic a lot. I've done a search on the boards looking for a discussion of "to tell or not to tell" but am having no luck.

My thinking is this: why can't we just say we're "doing a liquid diet" when we're on that phase and that we're "eating mainly protein and limiting carbs, controlling portion size, and increasing exercise" when we get to that point? I mean, it's not technically lying, although it is an omission. . . .

I just think that WLS is extremely personal in both choice and mechanics. Obviously people will see that there is drastic weight loss. But they will also see a difference in our habits. No doubt there will be those that wonder if there was WLS....let 'em wonder! If they are rude enough to ask....well I haven't thought of how to handle that yet.

Anyway, I just want to limit the number of people I tell, for various reasons, including what you're talking about. People just really really don't understand if they say WLS is cheating!

We live in a world of amazing medicine & technology. What isn't cheating now days.

They're just jealous that your going to be sexier than they are...Hehe

Just laugh at them

Screw other people and what they think. If they don't like what you've done or think it's cheating then too bad for them.

Yep one of my best friends fought with me for a good hour saying I am going to take the " easy way out". It got me mad but I know this isn't easy so I take what she says with a grain of salt and look towards my healthier and happier future.

I also will not be discussing with many people - but I have a question. How do you explain your fantastic weight loss?

I just tell everyone I make healthier choices, regulate my potion sizes & excercise.

Yep one of my best friends fought with me for a good hour saying I am going to take the " easy way out". It got me mad but I know this isn't easy so I take what she says with a grain of salt and look towards my healthier and happier future.

There's no way in hell it's easy. You have to make sure your getting the right nutrients out of a much smaller portion and on top of that you still have to get at least 1 litre of Fluid in a day. I'm 7 months out and still get full from a few mouth fulls of Water. The thing I love about this procedure is that I CAN NOT over eat, if I eat to much or eat to fast I'm physically sick, I know that sounds horrible but hey it works well for me....I love this procedure!

I have gotten some negative results from sharing, and especially with family. So I bought an extra case of protein shakes gave a couple if family members my liquid diet schedule and told them to try it, all of them failed! It really should not matter what others may think, deciding to go through a life threatening surgery to ultimately save your life is one of the hardest and bravest things anyone can ever do. Deciding and accepting that one needs help is tough and committing to this life change is even harder. On the flip side I feel that with fellow obese friends and even acquaintances that see the change I must share my experience because it may change their idea about surgery or even prompt them to look into it, they know I know how tough it is to be obese so will not take offense.

It's not good to feel sick but I guess it is something to make sure you don't over eat. If you don't want to get sick don't over eat. Weird but good tool to make sure people don't. And your right. I've started my pre op liquid diet, that isn't easy, neither was the 2 years of trying to get approved. And I'm sure it's not easy afterwards either.

Ive told everyone... and had NO bad responses... im lucky to have a very supportive group of aquaintences :-) but if i ever got a uve cheated... i would tell them to think what they want n they could kiss my skinny cheatin ass while theyre at it :-)

I tell anyone ,whoever says its the easy way or cheating I invite to the gym with me ... So far no takers. Remember what we did is radical, and we represent change and commitment that few people will make hence the jerkey reactions. Let your haters be your motivators!!!

I told everyone about the surgery and about my diabetes and high blood pressure and obesity going away. I hope I can help others decide to take control of their life and use this tool to get healthier too.

I told everyone about the surgery and about my diabetes and high blood pressure and obesity going away. I hope I can help others decide to take control of their life and use this tool to get healthier too.

And the hips don't lie!!!

The same people who judge me for how I've lost my weight, are the same exact people who judged me for being fat!!! It's a lose lose situation and I've learned not to care what others think. I usually get a sad face from people who found out that I lost my weight with wls but that's fine. Would it make sense to say a person cheated if they used financial aid for college, NO! So why is it cheating when I want to better myself?