Hi there! I am hoping to have gastric bypass in February. I have a good support group, though most family and friends seem a bit skeptical with comments like, "You know a lot of people gain the weight back." You know people can have complications after the surgery." "If you can't lose weight (and keep it off) NOW, what makes you think you can with the surgery?" I hope to educate those closest to me. I won't worry about those who aren't. Wondering how some of you have dealt with comments like these?

So, so many people who are completely ignorant about the surgery and its effects seem to think that it's just a fancy way of shrinking your stomach. I guess it doesn't ever occur to them that there may be WAY more to it and that no sane person would voluntarily rearrange their guts it that were the only thing we get out of it. I usually tell people to look it up or if I have time and the patience, I explain to them myself about the hormone changes, and how EVERYTHING in our bodies is controlled by hormones. Also, the whole "most people gain the weight back" thing is untrue and it bugs me how people think this is a magic cure that fixes everything, and if your weight fluctuates like a normal body does, you've somehow failed. Of course the only WLS patients they notice are the ones who gain weight back... all the other ones keep it off and don't go parading their struggles and hard work up and down the street because it's no one's business.

What all these comments by people boils down to is simply ignorance about the surgery and misinformation. The best cure for ignorance is to educate people and give them some perspective. Good luck with everything! I had my RNY 7 weeks ago, and I'm down 38 pounds. If you ever want to chat or have any questions I may be able to answer, feel free to message me anytime.

I've had others watch the online seminar that my surgeon has on his website.

I also remind myself that this is MY journey no one else's.

There are always going to be doubters and if they don't want to try and support and educate themselves nothing you say or do is going to change that