RANT about perspective of coworkers

[futuresupernurse 11]

I have a lot of terrified family members that make unsupportive comments. I refuse to keep my lifestyle change a secret or pretend all of a sudden the natural way is working. So I explain I don't want to take medicine for 3 conditions for the rest of my life.. My whole family is overweight.. So it's an entirely new way of thinking

[The Candidate 3,215]

Work can be a minefield. I do my best to keep my personal life as separate as possible. I made the decision not to tell the majority of my coworkers and I haven't regretted that decision once. I'm a little over seven months out and over a 100 lbs down. And despite the many probing questions and flattering comments I've never once spilled the Beans. It's apparent that I'm living and eating healthier and exercising daily. They aren't entitled to anything more than that.

I make the decisions in my life based on my personal experience and criteria, which are uniquely mine. I researched WLS extensively beforehand and spent a year completing the insurance requirements. I'm an adult fully capable of making the decision to have this surgery. Nobody else but you will be signing your name on that informed consent form. Hence yours is the only voice that needs to be listened to. Don't listen to the naysayers. Good luck!

[7carol3 212]

I had a coworker tell me I was taking the easy way out. Now ALL of us know that every weight loss journey is a struggle. There is NEVER an easy way. I wish I wasn't such an open book and could be more like The Post Op, but I never have been. We just have to pat ourselves on the back for the wonderful things we accomplish and overcome the negativity. Yay us!! I so agree with Rogofulm, my sleeve is just the tool I use to maintain a healthy weight, naturally. It's still not easy but it is worth it!

[MrsKnebel 6]

I work for a Parks and Playground Recreation Commission. Everyone is healthy and active, with the exception of myself and one other employee. With that, I receive a free gym membership which I don't often use due to health constraints. The pressure is definitely there to workout daily, but I'm not physically able to do this.

I'm just beginning my journey and simply mentioned that my insurance will cover surgery, but will not cover seeing a nutritionist. My boss rolls her eyes and walks away saying, "Typical lazy American way out". Soooo, I won't be sharing any of this journey with her!

I'm so glad I've found this forum so that when the time comes, I will better know how to deal with questions/comments and be ok with knowing what I do is none of their business.

Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App

[Rogofulm 2,440]

This thread made me go back and find my Easy Way Out post from a few months back. It reminds me that anyone who would say that has no freakin' idea.

A message from someone who had gastric sleeve surgery, lost 120 pounds, and is now living below goal weight.....

Is this the "easy way out"? Well, yes and no.

Yes, it's easi–er because the smaller stomach helps me control my appetite and the amount of food I can take in. Initially (but not forever), calories are greatly restricted because of the lesser volume consumed, but good choices still have to be made every single time I put something in my mouth.

and...

No, it's not easy, because since making this decision I have:

• Taken nutritional counseling classes
• Attended bariatric support group meetings
• Been evaluated by a psychologist
• Been evaluated by a cardiologist
• Been evaluated by a pulmonologist
• Had an upper GI evaluation
• Had a complete physical by my primary care physician
• Gone through a two-week pre-operative liquid diet
• Gone through and recovered from a major surgery that removed 80% of my stomach
• Gone through a two-week post operative liquid diet
• Gone through a two-week soft food diet
• Eaten zero starches (bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, pizza, etc.)
• Eaten zero sugary Desserts (cake, pie, pudding, ice cream, candy, etc.)
• Eaten very few fruits
• Had zero fruit juices
• Had zero sodas
• Had zero alcoholic beverages
• Completely avoided the Snacks and treats people bring to work every day to share
• Eaten 80–100 grams of Protein every single day
• Not had anything to drink for 30-45 minutes before eating
• Not had anything to drink with meals
• Not had anything to drink for 30-45 minutes after eating
• But still managed to drink 64–120 ounces of fluids every single day
• Taken a handful of Vitamins and supplements every single day
• Planned what I will eat every single time I leave the house for more than an hour so as not to get caught without something appropriate to eat and drink
• Made sure that acceptable food and drink will be available every day at work
• Always eaten Protein first
• Always eaten non-starchy vegetables second (and there's never room for anything else)
• Exercised 5-6 times a week
• Logged everything I ate or drank for several months, and again whenever my weight loss slowed
• And through it all, I've watched my friends and family eat and drink whatever they want at restaurants, birthdays, dinner parties, sporting events, New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on....

Now, does that sound like "the easy way"? Not by a long shot! (Just compare the Yes and No sections above.) But weight loss surgery is a tool that makes the likelihood of long-term success much better than it would be without it. And now that I'm in maintenance, I have to eat, drink, exercise, and live in such a way as to not regain the weight I've lost – for the rest of my life! My "Honeymoon Period" is over now. I get hungrier than before, so I have to stay extra vigilant not to eat too much. And if a few pounds creep in, I have to muscle them back down before they find friends. The easy way? Yeah, right!

[7carol3 212]

Preach! Not to mention the mental ups and downs, at least for me. My journey was just as difficult mentally as it was physically. Four years later and I'm still not living the easy life. Ha! Ha! Thanks for posting that Rogofulm.