Anyone else get angry out there when these issues come out??? I'm not angry about the folks who've lost the weight. I just get really offended by the subtitle - NO GIMMICKS, NO TRICKS, NO SURGERY. Since when is surgery a gimmick or a trick? To be lumped in like that, I find very offensive. I feel like they are perpetuating a stereotype that folks who have had surgery have not worked to lose the weight.

Funny you say that because in the past I have purchased that issue and this year I say that no gimmicks etc and was really offended, so I passed. We should write a letter to the editor and have them do an issue about WLS successes. Also, woud love for them to do a follow up on the people they have profiled in the past number of years....how many have gained the weight back??

I was just going to say that Susan.

I don't care if people think it is a gimmick and think it is better to do it the "old fashioned" way. At least in 5 years I will still be thin while 98% have gained back all their weight.

You aren't the only one. It irritates me too. Having the band definitely is not a trick or a gimmick. It is hard work and for anyone to say otherwise is nutty!

I had these exact thoughts! I hate the "No gimmicks, no tricks" tag line & also thought to write them & encourage a WLS article from them. Not that I begrudge those women anything at all -- more power to them -- but that's just one approach, and one that many Americans cannot accomplish, and to denigrate other options is foolish, IMHO.

Great minds!

I felt the exact same way.

My mother came into town this weekend to watch my kids so my husband and I could go to the lapband seminar. Everyone in her family was mad that she was not going to be with their mom on mothers day, so she really wanted to tell them why she had to come out. I really want to keep this a secret from them, when I saw that People magazine I pointed it out to her and said "See, this is why. Everyone looks at WLS surgery as a gimick, as an easy way out. When I finally lose this weight I don't want to have the 'but she got surgery' whispers behind my back".

They'll probably never understand, and that's ok. It's not about them. And I don't mind using this 'gimick' if it means I don't yo yo diet for the rest of my life.

It was typical media doing that. I actually enjoyed the articles of the woman who lost weight. I found it particularly interesting that most of them are protein deprived. I was shocked that some of them carb load their diets to extreme yet still maintain a healthy weight. I also like the fact that one in particular didn't kill herself to maintain but rather just walked 30 minutes a day. Interesting read.

allison....i agree with you.....i was pissed too about the article

I didn't like the fact they had "Gimmick" and "Surgery" as the same. And I do wish these people well, but I too would like to see a follow-up of them in a few years.

Maybe the reason we never see updates 5 years down the road because these people are embarassed to be seen again after they gain all the weight back. Granted, I know there are so really "WILLPOWER" strong people out there and some of them probably have kept off the weight..but the majority I bet hasnt. Deanna

What's the problem with the band being "the easy way out"? i don't really care how i did it, i just care that i'm finally out . And the people that says "he got surgery" are just envious

Because the band is not an "easy way out", there isn't anything easy about it in my opinion.

.....but of course only us bandsters know that.

.....but of course only us bandsters know that.

I agree becca. Choosing to have the surgery, the preparation, the pre-diet, the procedure, the post-op, the life style change..... Nothing easy about any of it. It's great though to have all of this wonderful support from other folks who get it.

Interesting! I reacted the same way and did NOT buy the issue! (even though I wanted to) How did their stomachs look like that???