Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

So what if it's the easy way?



Recommended Posts

I hear a lot of talk about wls being the "easy way out". And for some reason that confounds me people keep getting their panties in a bunch over that particular phrase. I'm one of them, I'll admit it. But I've been thinking alot about how I'm letting other people determine my feelings with that particular phrase, and I'm changing the way I think about it. I mean, yeah, I guess, compared to the alternative of being 110lbs overweight and struggling with health issues that I couldn't do anything about wls was "the easy way out". Why the he'll should we continue to do things the hard way, especially if it doesn't work? In what other area of your life do you look at your options and choose the longest road or the most difficult path or the hard way? So I'm changing my attitude about "the easy way" and I'm here to say, Your damn right!" And I'm proud of it. Just because wls is "easier" (HA) than anything else I've tried doesn't make it easy, but it sure is effective. Just a thought.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They can call it what they want, but it's OUR way out!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great post. I have surgery in four days...as tough as it's going to be to wrap my mind around an entirely new relationship with food, as tough as it's going to be to stay hydrated and follow my surgeon's instructions to the letter, I still believe that getting sleeved is "easier" than my old approach to weight loss--constantly dieting, only to gain all of the weight back plus more. And also, getting sleeved is surely "easier" than the damage yoyo dieting causes to your body, not to mention all of the comorbidities that come from being obese.

My take on this issue is, when I get sleeved, I am only going to go through the rigors of losing weight once. It will be the last time I'll ever have to deal with the problem again and as long as I'm compliant with my doctor's orders it won't come back. I'm prepared to do this one last time. The alternative is to keep losing and gaining and never getting off the endless hamster wheel of yoyo dieting.

I didn't have this lifesaving tool before, but I will in four days. I never had any tools before. If this is considered "easier" in some way, so be it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The phrase, "easy way out" as used implies shame in getting an operation for something which could be accomplished some other more "natural" way.

It implies cowardice, sloth, and weakness of fortitude. It basically runs down the person it's addressed to and relegates them to the island of broken toys.

Especially egregious is this statement directed to those who have already had the operation. The operation has moved into the realm of things that cannot be changed. Any degradation now makes a malicious bigot out of those launching the nonsense.

Humans have intelligence regardless of the behavior of those that spew this crappola. Innate in that intelligence is the tendency to look for that which is both efficient and easier. If it weren't so most of the inventions we enjoy would not exist. Humans weigh out alternatives. We balance risks and possible benefits.

Most of us tried many times to lose the fat the " hard way". Some of us spent much of our lives in mortal combat with it. Obesity was killing me, I could not kill it. I considered it easier to get an operation than die. Diets didn't work, this did. I'm human and did a human thing.

If pompous asses consider that worthy of downcast gazes I will happily jump into the ship to the island of shame in their minds. I do not care to work for their acceptance, it can remain as perceived. I surround myself with those who value me and understand things, I need not make room for mental midgets.

My advice for those who have no choice, ( family, coworkers ), wait it out. Light comes slowly sometimes, give their eyes time to adjust. You take care of you. Show them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hear a lot of talk about wls being the "easy way out". And for some reason that confounds me people keep getting their panties in a bunch over that particular phrase. I'm one of them, I'll admit it. But I've been thinking alot about how I'm letting other people determine my feelings with that particular phrase, and I'm changing the way I think about it. I mean, yeah, I guess, compared to the alternative of being 110lbs overweight and struggling with health issues that I couldn't do anything about wls was "the easy way out". Why the he'll should we continue to do things the hard way, especially if it doesn't work? In what other area of your life do you look at your options and choose the longest road or the most difficult path or the hard way? So I'm changing my attitude about "the easy way" and I'm here to say, Your damn right!" And I'm proud of it. Just because wls is "easier" (HA) than anything else I've tried doesn't make it easy, but it sure is effective. Just a thought.

I've been known to tell people that for ME it was, "Working smarter, not harder" for my weight loss, LOL.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes! Exactly! My whole point is that it's meant to be degrading and so many of us take it that way. I did for a while even if it wasn't directed at me, even just reading about it. I made a decision to take it differently than it was intended and it makes a huge difference, ie; instead of the hard way? Screw intentions, I'm all about interpretation.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×