What do you say?

[twinmomma1103 4]

I'm currently in the process of weight loss surgery. It's something I've thought about doing for some time. The thought of a major surgery scares me, so lets just say this is not a decision that took overnight to decide. Working on a med/surg floor, I see many different recoveries and know that anything can happen. I'm the typical candidate for surgery. High BMI, pre-existing medical conditions, many attempts at weight loss my whole life only to gain all of it back plus some, poor family genes of obesity on top of diabetes and many heart conditions. I have many family members who have had some type of weight loss surgery (9 to be exact) so I see the benefits and success that comes of it. The question I have for everyone, is how do you respond to someone who has the view that weight loss surgery is just the "easy way out"? I've seen some comments made by people on social media (not aimed towards me or my family, but in general) that people who lost weight from a surgery didn't work hard, or that it was a easy way out, don't lie about your weight loss success cause it's not real, etc. Now I'm one of those people that tend to get a little worked up and extremely defensive when someone makes comments like that especially when it's a topic I'm very sensitive about. Cause the way I look at it, is obesity is a struggle. It's a medical condition. People who don't go through it, view it as being lazy, or just diet and exercise and you won't be overweight?? Ummm..hello?? Do you think a person who struggles with it all their life doesn't exercise and diet? Or that a person may not have a problem losing weight but just can't keep it off like myself?? And besides, when did any major surgery be considered "easy"? How do respond without getting yourself all worked up but definitely get your point across. Educating people on it

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[Read2016 658]

There is an activity thread about this on here, can't recall the title at the moment.

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[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery because of my medical conditions. I had Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, severe acid reflux (GERD) and a few others. These all went away and stayed in remission after surgery. I am now 3 years post-op.

I never really minded the weight. It was only that when I began to age, all these medical conditions started to arise. So I took care of these medical conditions and the weight was an added bonus.

It is only logical that one would want to treat their medical conditions before they get out of hand.

[Renkoss 420]

To those who say WLS is the "easy way out" needs to live an obese person's life with all the medical complications that go along with it for a few days. The would think differently. Also, it is by far not "easy" to go through 6-9 months pre-op preparation, the liquid diets, the surgery itself, and then the whole lifestyle/behavior changes that you face post-op. Do I feel better? You betcha. Would I do this again? Absolutely! My medical conditions that I were horrible prior to surgery are all correcting as I lose weight. Again, these people think it's easy to eat a couple tablespoons of food and stop? They need to try it. There is no "easy" about this.

[lessismore4me 47]

I'm currently in the process of weight loss surgery. It's something I've thought about doing for some time. The thought of a major surgery scares me, so lets just say this is not a decision that took overnight to decide. Working on a med/surg floor, I see many different recoveries and know that anything can happen. I'm the typical candidate for surgery. High BMI, pre-existing medical conditions, many attempts at weight loss my whole life only to gain all of it back plus some, poor family genes of obesity on top of diabetes and many heart conditions. I have many family members who have had some type of weight loss surgery (9 to be exact) so I see the benefits and success that comes of it. The question I have for everyone, is how do you respond to someone who has the view that weight loss surgery is just the "easy way out"? I've seen some comments made by people on social media (not aimed towards me or my family, but in general) that people who lost weight from a surgery didn't work hard, or that it was a easy way out, don't lie about your weight loss success cause it's not real, etc. Now I'm one of those people that tend to get a little worked up and extremely defensive when someone makes comments like that especially when it's a topic I'm very sensitive about. Cause the way I look at it, is obesity is a struggle. It's a medical condition. People who don't go through it, view it as being lazy, or just diet and exercise and you won't be overweight?? Ummm..hello?? Do you think a person who struggles with it all their life doesn't exercise and diet? Or that a person may not have a problem losing weight but just can't keep it off like myself?? And besides, when did any major surgery be considered "easy"? How do respond without getting yourself all worked up but definitely get your point across. Educating people on it

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Just consider that folks that say that are really ignorant of the true facts. Let it go. It's like trying to teach a pig to sing. It frustrates you and annoys the pig.

To those who say WLS is the "easy way out" needs to live an obese person's life with all the medical complications that go along with it for a few days. The would think differently. Also, it is by far not "easy" to go through 6-9 months pre-op preparation, the liquid diets, the surgery itself, and then the whole lifestyle/behavior changes that you face post-op. Do I feel better? You betcha. Would I do this again? Absolutely! My medical conditions that I were horrible prior to surgery are all correcting as I lose weight. Again, these people think it's easy to eat a couple tablespoons of food and stop? They need to try it. There is no "easy" about this.

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[psvzum 81]

How insensitive!!! If anyone insinuated this to me I'd sit them down and ask where did they hear it was easy? And explain what I put myself through by getting the surgery, the lifelong commitment to monitor protein/vitamin intake and food restrictions. You don't have weight loss surgery because it's easy. You have it because, for whatever reason, you haven't been able to "keep it off" any other way.

Actually, I don't think I'd bother to share why I had surgery. I'd likely say for medical reasons. It does make me angry to hear this and my first reaction is to shame the ignoramus. But...if the person truly doesn't understand it's worth explaining.

[Read2016 658]

@@psvzum if you have to explain WLS to everyone who has negative comments about it, it's going to become a full-time job for you and it's not worth the hassle... People will think what they want, you only need to account to yourself and know you have made the best decision for you.

The struggle is real and if you haven't had the struggle it's hard to understand... Be well and keep your focus on your journey.

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[psvzum 81]

@ I guess I'm lucky. I only told people I for about my WLS. Everyone has been supportive.

As the pounds came off and people I'm not particularly close to (colleague's) asked "how did you do it!" or, [this is the best], are you allright!? I said high Protein, no sugar and Portion Control. If I were to share it with someone, it would be another obese individual considering it for themselves.

I am very much like @twinmomm1103 "I'm one of those people that tend to get a little worked up and extremely defensive when someone makes comments like that". I really do think I'd want to take a minute and explain. Much healthier than wanting to drop kick them!