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?

Darlin'....opinions are like a-holes. Everybody's got one and they all stink. That's a direct quote from my grandmother. And a wiser woman I have never met.

I told everyone. I'm proud of my choice. I'm proud of every success and even any missteps. I made the best choice and I do NOT let others opinions take up real estate in my mind.

I have told around... 25-30 people. My own family thinks I cheated. That I took the easy way out. I read a blog somewhere that said if weight loss surgery is considered easy, then using a washing machine instead of beating your clothes with a rock by the river, driving a car instead of walking or horse and wagon, and cooking stove top instead of lighting a fire and cooking off the ground sure is the easy way out too. It's a TOOL. But of course, people will Always judge regardless

We all know there is nothing easy about this surgery! People are so ignorant and feel their negative opinions matter. It's usually people who have never had weight issues or are extremely jealous! I was too excited to keep it to myself but I wish I had. Especially since I went to MX to get it done. Everyone's got an opinion!

It's really interesting the experiences different people have. I started out planning not to tell very many people. Just close friends and family. But I found out as I told people that many people knew someone who had WLS. In fact, that was how I chose my SURGEON - word of mouth.

I still haven't told everyone but more people than I planned on, particularly at work. Maybe since my insurance covers it, there are a number of people who have had it. Fortunately, I have had supportive responses from most people. The only person I can think of who has been a bit standoffish about it is ironically one of my closest friends. Most others just seem very excited for me.

I have told everyone that asks and quite a few before that I had the surgery. People that think this is the 'easy way out' or cheating are the same idiots that think the mentally ill can make themselves well by just changing the way they think.

The most common comment that I get is that I didn't look like I needed 'that kind of surgery'. I tell them I was 100 pounds over my recommended weight and now at 43 pounds down they are shocked.

I guess my don't give a darn attitude is a bonus of reaching almost 60! Wait till you get there, it is VERY freeing!

Whatever, just don't give a f**k about what people say.

I've told a few of my closest friends, my wife told her mother. I don't think that I will get the "cheated" vibe. But anybody that would say that, has no clue what some of us have gone through before we got to this point. I've done every diet, shot and pill. I did the ephedra cocktail, knowing it might kill me. I managed to get within 8 pounds of my goal weight doing it the hard way, and broke my foot while running and gained 40 back just basically sitting on my butt with my foot up. So until they have walked in our shoes, they have no right to judge. If you get that vibe...F'em :tongue2:

Hang tough man!

Guess I'm lucky because I work with several people who had gastric bypass (a few successful and a few not so successful) so the thought of not telling anyone at my job was not an issue. In fact, me and a co-worker had surgery by the same surgeon one day apart. We are the first "sleevers" at my job and already have had others tell us that the may follow suit. My family and close friends and even my neighbor are all supportive. I'm 5'2. SW 204 SW 196 CW 171. surgery date 10/31/12

I knew some people I knew would think I cheated. So, I went to Facebook. Yep, I was super sleever! I posted my intentions, that I didn't want to hear terrifying stories about someone's cousin's best friend's little sister's piano teacher died a horrid death because of it. I asked for their support. I explained how it felt to wake up fat everyday. How it felt to fail every diet known to man. Then I posted every dr. Appt, every test and even my diet during pre-op.

I figured if they are gonna judge, they can judge me on everything. And maybe, just maybe, someone would learn something new along the way.

So far, I've only had positive responses, no one has unfriended me and a few other distant friends came out of the cupboard to say they had WLS as well.

I tell the truth to anyone interested enough in my weight loss to ask: that I achieved it and maintain it through diet and exercise. My health problems and medical treatments are none of their business and I am not interested in their opinions.

I guess I just don't give a shiz. I was open about it, didn't hear any rudeness to my face, I got a couple snide side comments (the lady who told me I DIDN'T Have anything done to lose MY weight) I just said F-off. If I wanted your opinion I would give it to you. But that's just me. Sometimes it's hard not care, but I try hard not to.

I have told around... 25-30 people. My own family thinks I cheated. That I took the easy way out. I read a blog somewhere that said if weight loss surgery is considered easy' date=' then using a washing machine instead of beating your clothes with a rock by the river, driving a car instead of walking or horse and wagon, and cooking stove top instead of lighting a fire and cooking off the ground sure is the easy way out too. It's a TOOL. But of course, people will Always judge regardless[/quote']

AWESOME response! Love it.....

I must be very intimidating (at all of 4'12") because no one has said anything of that nature to my face, and given I had a lengthy complication issue pretty much everyone in town and in the other state we live in knows LOL (small town...small state). Maybe they wouldn't say it because most know I nearly died, so if that isn't an "i told you so" what would be? heh heh

Anyhoo, I tell people and really, they don't say anything. Perhaps your approach is less upfront? Or not brusque enough? I just say I had surgery and move it along without room for comment....

perhaps I talk too much and they can't get a word in edgewise?

If cheating is eating small, balanced portions, restricting carbs, fats, soda and alcohol , staying hydrated, & exercising FOR LIFE, then I guess I am a cheater. If my friends think they could lose 100# honestly eating carrots and celery sticks, they are saints. If losing weight were easy requiring NO SACRIFICES then the whole world would never struggle with their weight. Honestly, I hope the few friends I DO tell will feel a level of compassion for me that I had to go to such extreme measures to be normal

I've told a handful of people and received only one negative comment from a person who later admitted they've considered WLS but are afraid.

I won't be telling some family members though. At Thanksgiving my cousins wife was talking about some she knew having the surgery when all she needed to do was "Get off her lazy fat ass & exercise."