I am 22. I have PCOS and insulin resistance. I am in pre-op. I am also a Christian.

My dad is struggling with the idea of my having weight loss surgery. My dad thinks that I should fast and pray the fat away. I honestly believe that God heals. But I feel like his method is more the stepping stones to faith justified anorexia than a healthy faith based solution. He says that he's "not for the surgery" but that he will support me. This is a big step for him and I appreciate it. But it is still a looming thing between us. I believe that God led me to surgery to help beat my pcos once and for all. But he would rather avoid the topic than talk about it.

Has anyone else had someone use faith and religion as an argument against surgery? What did you say to them?

Since this is the truth, I tell them, "I have fasted and prayed and this was the solution that the Lord sent to me. He gifted my medical doctor with the knowledge to send me to a surgeon with the skills to help me." I don't believe that having this surgery does anything to lessen my faith.

I don't know if that will satisfy your father, but it has helped me with other people. Have faith, once he sees you are feeling better and healthier, your father will come around.

"thank you for your concern, it means a lot to me." smile and dont say another word about the surgery or your medical decisions.

i am a diligent and strong Catholic Christian. I truly believe that if this surgery wasn't supposed to be an option for me, no surgeon would have ever been given the gift of being able to do it.

i admire your dad for his concerns, and you should too. he is only thinking of your best interest. Just reassure him that you have prayed very hard about this and you believe this is the GIFT you are being given to regain your health.

maybe it would help if you talked with your pastor together with your dad? sometimes a non-biased opinion can help. just know that you are doing the right thing. I too have PCOS, terrible insulin resistance. prior to surgery i also had hypertension, sleep apnea and tachycardia (fast heart rates), all of which have resolved already, 14 days out. i was taking 10 pills a day in total, i am down to 1/2 of 1 pill in total!!!!!!!!! i feel FABULOUS. my surgery was nothing to do with vanity, only to regain my health.