Isn't it funny that people are so discriminating against weight loss surgery? And yet they have no problem with injecting their faces with toxins or augmenting their boobs. How do those things help their "health"? Weight loss surgery has a direct benefit on the health of the patient. Sure we can lose some weight dieting but it more than likely comes back after the diet. This is not a "cosmetic procedure" but a "life saving procedure" and should be respected as such.

I agree. When I first started the process to have surgery, I didn't tell many people. Once I was scheduled, I told a few more people and now that I'm 7 weeks out, most everyone knows. I was worried that people would judge me, but now I don't care - I want people to be aware. This is an option, a very difficult process, but life saving. This was my choice and I am determined to set anyone straight who says this is the "easy way".

People judge, and it's really surprising to me how many overweight people judge. I have a theory that they are either jealous or in denial (as in - they are my size and they don't think that's big enough to have surgery). I have so many people that I know who don't even comment on my weight loss. They know I had the surgery and I've lost 40 pounds (it's noticeable), but NOTHING. I wonder if they didn't know I had surgery if they would say anything. Usually you get comments like Wow, you look great! or something. It's like there is a stigma with the way I'm losing. Oh well, I'm losing and doing wonderful!

I totally agree. I have a cousin dead set against it. She has a friend that had complications from RNY and she is just naturally tiny. She had breast augmentation and a nose job. I don't plan on sharing my surgery with my family. If it ever does come out and I get confronted about it I will be sure to use this argument.

I had a dad at my daughters school approach me because he overheard me talking about it to a friend. He wanted to let me know that it's wrong to do that to our bodies and he'd gladly work with me on nutrition and offer me the Vitamins he sells. Coming from the guy that has no room to talk about weight and he has the nerve to say that. Then I had another friend that every time the surgery came up she had to mention her treadmill or show me pictures of her friend that lost weight exercising and dieting. It was becoming quite uncomfortable. I still see her and she says how good I look and doesn't say much anymore but I have a hard time forgetting sometimes. But, overall, I found most of the people around me to be quite supportive.

But yes, it's hard to believe that people can do so many things to their bodies to make themselves feel beautiful but they criticize weight loss surgery. It's a backwards world.

Unfortunately there are always going to be those people who are going to judge, no matter what, and I don't know if it is simply trying to judge someone else before they get judged, or what.

It is sad to say the least!!

I find it interesting that the only people who've said stupid things like "and you're sure that you can't reach your goal with diet and exercise" are people who are over weight, so my response is always "and how's that working for you?" never fails to end the conversation!

I find it interesting that the only people who've said stupid things like "and you're sure that you can't reach your goal with diet and exercise" are people who are over weight, so my response is always "and how's that working for you?" never fails to end the conversation!

Oh, that's exactly the right way to put someone in their place! I'll definitely need to think about using this one if it ever comes up again.

I agree that the most discriminating people have been overweight friends/family instead of those that are at healthier weights. I've had to let some friendships go over it - some people just cannot accept that you've changed and they take the fact that you lost weight as a personal criticism when in reality, it's not about them at all. I still get the occasional reminder that so-and-so lost weight "the hard way" or "the right way" but I let it roll off my back. Whatever, I really don't care. Show me that same person in three years and I'll offer my congrats if they're maintaining as well as I am. I lost weight prior to the sleeve, too...I just never kept it off!

~Cheri

I think what is particularly irritating is the underlying assumption that I haven't tried diet and exercise- That I hadn't put any thought or research into this surgery- That I didn't look at every option and weigh it out. I think that most people who have had or are planning wls are experts at dieting. For me personally I want the surgery to support me with keeping it off. I just wish people would stop thinking its a miracle cure or easy way out.

I think what is particularly irritating is the underlying assumption that I haven't tried diet and exercise- That I hadn't put any thought or research into this surgery- That I didn't look at every option and weigh it out. I think that most people who have had or are planning wls are experts at dieting. For me personally I want the surgery to support me with keeping it off. I just wish people would stop thinking its a miracle cure or easy way out.

Well said! When people ask me how I did it and I tell them I had surgery I almost feel the need to say it wasn't an easy way out. I guess I feel like they will think that which is probably more my problem than theirs.

I find it interesting that the only people who've said stupid things like "and you're sure that you can't reach your goal with diet and exercise" are people who are over weight, so my response is always "and how's that working for you?" never fails to end the conversation!

All of my healthy, skinny friends love that I did this to better myself. It's the ones that aren't that are judgmental the most. Jealous maybe? It's not like it's an easy way out.

Its true the overweight people are the most judgemental.