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

Stupid things people say when they find out you've had surgery....



Recommended Posts

At five days post op my aunt told me "oh I already see the skin on your hands starting to sag" wtf ! She even touched my hand and lifted my skin. I was like what are you talking about - I just hAd surgery !

At work my boss told me "if you would have just eaten 4 oz of food at each meal you would not have needed the surgery, right ? " i said its not that simple- perhaps you may want to do some research on bariatric surgery before you make comments like that. She responded - Im sure it is complicated but I figured that is what it seems like you are doing now. I responded by saying again you need to do your research about bariatric surgery to understand how it works - there are endocrine benefits to surgery that go way beyond just eating smaller portions.

On another occassion she asked me when i was going to tell my co-workers becAuse they were noticing I am losing weight fast. I responded - how is that any of their business? My personal life decisions are just that - personal. I really dont care what the have to say or are thinking. As my supervisor I would expect you to respect my privacy. She has not commented since - I am 6 months post op now. Down 60 pounds and I do not plan to share this incormation with co-workers.

At a family gathering someone asked so how much weight have you lost.., oh well once you get pregnant you will gain all the weight back.. I responded well thanks for the positive spirit -???? But that is not my plan.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At five days post op my aunt told me "oh I already see the skin on your hands starting to sag" wtf ! She even touched my hand and lifted my skin. I was like what are you talking about - I just hAd surgery !

At work my boss told me "if you would have just eaten 4 oz of food at each meal you would not have needed the surgery, right ? " i said its not that simple- perhaps you may want to do some research on bariatric surgery before you make comments like that. She responded - Im sure it is complicated but I figured that is what it seems like you are doing now. I responded by saying again you need to do your research about bariatric surgery to understand how it works - there are endocrine benefits to surgery that go way beyond just eating smaller portions.

On another occassion she asked me when i was going to tell my co-workers becAuse they were noticing I am losing weight fast. I responded - how is that any of their business? My personal life decisions are just that - personal. I really dont care what the have to say or are thinking. As my supervisor I would expect you to respect my privacy. She has not commented since - I am 6 months post op now. Down 60 pounds and I do not plan to share this incormation with co-workers.

At a family gathering someone asked so how much weight have you lost.., oh well once you get pregnant you will gain all the weight back.. I responded well thanks for the positive spirit -???? But that is not my plan.

Omg your aunts comment about your skin on your hand is the best!!! People are the worst lol. Glad we can all laugh about it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Those are some funny, some stupid and some sad comments.

So happy I haven't heard any of these. I didn't share my WLS with anyone but hubby and two friends who live far away.

@@VSGAnn2014

For these same reasons only my hubby knows and I have sworn him to secrecy. We live several states away from family and only see them a couple of times per year so that has helped. Persons I encounter now have never known me as a larger person so it's a non-issue even four years out.

Sent from my XT1096 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At five days post op my aunt told me "oh I already see the skin on your hands starting to sag" wtf ! She even touched my hand and lifted my skin. I was like what are you talking about - I just hAd surgery !

At work my boss told me "if you would have just eaten 4 oz of food at each meal you would not have needed the surgery, right ? " i said its not that simple- perhaps you may want to do some research on bariatric surgery before you make comments like that. She responded - Im sure it is complicated but I figured that is what it seems like you are doing now. I responded by saying again you need to do your research about bariatric surgery to understand how it works - there are endocrine benefits to surgery that go way beyond just eating smaller portions.

On another occassion she asked me when i was going to tell my co-workers becAuse they were noticing I am losing weight fast. I responded - how is that any of their business? My personal life decisions are just that - personal. I really dont care what the have to say or are thinking. As my supervisor I would expect you to respect my privacy. She has not commented since - I am 6 months post op now. Down 60 pounds and I do not plan to share this incormation with co-workers.

At a family gathering someone asked so how much weight have you lost.., oh well once you get pregnant you will gain all the weight back.. I responded well thanks for the positive spirit -???? But that is not my plan.

Omg your aunts comment about your skin on your hand is the best!!! People are the worst lol. Glad we can all laugh about it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

Yes my aunt is special! ????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just last week I told a co-worker and she said, "I just heard on the news that a woman died having a tummy tuck". Huh...??? How is that related? I have also had my hairdresser tell me that her co-worker died from stomach cancer after she had wls. And that the wls caused it. Uh...wls doesn't cause stomach cancer, but couldn't tell her that. So, my now, go to response to those people, is that now they know a person who knows lots of other people who did GREAT and have NO regrets, and they can share that the next time they hear of someone having wls.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My husband (who has a BMI of 32), said once I'm skinny, people will look at me then him and call me a chubby chaser.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited by Leather'nLace

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told virtually no one, but I really stuck to the preopt and post opt diet and exercise program and lost 100 pounds in about 6 months which led to similar stupid comments:

1. Walking up to me while I'm eating dinner in a restaurant and saying "I want to see what you're eating". Or exclaiming (as I reach for normal food at a party) "you're going to eat that!"

2. Greeting me for months with the same statement "I don't even recognize you anymore". Gets old after the 10th time the same person says it.

3. "I bet you had to buy a whole new wardrobe"...

Edited by Cape Crooner

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This weekend someone told me "oh you dont want to hang out with us anymore now that you are skinny" after I removed myself from the dinner table once they started bringing out multiple cakes and Cookies. Then there was an awkward silence. I just replied back " no i just cant eat junkfood and dont want to get tempted". It really hurt my feelings but I felt proud of myself for not giving in to my junk food cravings and saying no to family trying to push unhealthy food on me.

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!
      · 1 reply
      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. 💗

    • 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

    ×