No one understands unless they go through this themselves. I am sick and tired of my family and their comments and afraid I will end up blowing up on them. Surgery was 10/29 I lost 25lbs in the first 3 weeks and stalled. Doctor says it's normal but on Thanksgiving a few family members asked my sister why I wasn't losing any weight yet. Then last night at a family gathering there were pork chops, rice, brownies a whole bunch of crap and I didn't have any, just ate my Protein pack and my aunts are telling me I shouldn't be eating cheese and had the nerve to say, 'You know you've been eating this stuff', I was boiling inside so badly but was saved by the doorbell. None of them have a clue about anything regarding this surgery and/or my body. How do I tell them all to shut the hell up and stop watching me in a respectful way because I'm ready to blow up on everyone. And the problem is my family has so many functions, I have to be around them so my daughters can participate also.

_{Honey you have to find some people that will support you and not bring you down....some people will never realize how difficult this struggle is......especially if they are people who dont take pride in the way they look or feel....if weight doesnt matter to them....or isnt an issue...they will never understand.......surround yourself with other people like us...who know and understand....you need positivity around you to keep on the right path!!!! Message me if you need help!}

I too haven't told anyone about my sleeve just because I didn't want the diet police monitoring my butt and my plate. What I've done instead is say that I had a hiatal hernia operation and have to eat very small amounts as a result. Once that gets old, I'll just say that I've continued with this way of eating as a life choice.

That being said, how you deal with your family really depends upon the dynamics at play. Since the cat is already out of the bag, are there any people you can talk to privately and get on your side? Make this a medical issue (it is!) that is being supervised by a doctor (it is!), rather than one of the many diets we've all been on. If you can, get some sympathetic relatives on your side and ask them to speak up for you. Give them whatever ammo they need. Have them protect your back and support you and recruit others.

You will, of course, be unable to do anything about the total jerks in your family. You know who they are: they're the ones who can't wait to see you fail on this new diet of yours. Ignore them. Before they become obnoxious, plan how you are going to deal with them: confronting them reasonably, having a meltdown, walking out, shunning them... it all depends upon you and your personality and relationships.

Families are difficult, especially during the holidays. Think of how many "comedies" Hollywood has cooked up about this. So, if it's just to stressful, come down with the "flu" and have someone take your kid to the parties while you catch up on Downton Abbey or something.

To be honest, I do absolutely everything I can to keep my stress level low. I want to keep my hair, I want to stay emotionally and physically healthy, and I'm delighted with my decision to exert final control over my body. And if that means blocking certain people, I say there's no question what side I'm coming down on.

And come here to vent. We've all been there...