Morning All!

I hope everyone is well. I just wanted some insight from you guys about how you dealt with telling friends/family members about your surgery. I have two younger brothers. One of them is in the military and was home on leave this weekend. I am scheduled for surgery on 9/14 but hadn't told him yet. I waited until I saw him in person over the weekend and told him about the surgery. His reaction was unexpected and I'm letting it get to me, which I probably shouldn't.

He told me that he feels like me getting surgery is a "cop out" and the "easy way out" and that if I set my mind to it, I could lose the weight on my own. He was heavier as a child, but lost 60 lbs before he enlisted, so he thinks since he did it, I can do it. (mind you, I have way more than 60lbs to lose). It was difficult to hear for me, because I have tried SO MANY TIMES to lose weight on my own and I always end up heavier than I was before. It's been a downward spiral for me and the simple act of making the decision to have surgery wasn't easy for me, never mind the surgery itself. And I know that it's not easy or the "easy way out", but I guess I just to offense to his reaction.

Did you guys ever run into someone's negative opinion about your surgery? And how did you let it roll off your shoulder?

Thank you for those inspirational words Ava! If I ever had any doubts or double checking my choice to have WLS, you just cleared them up. Ava, you are 100% right and I do feel grateful for this opportunity!

I had my mom tell me at a family gathering shortly after my VSG that sure it's easy to lose weight when you cheat and have your stomach shrunk. The thinner I became, I was down to 182 lbs, she would tell me how sick I looked. It's no wonder I put some back on. But no one, except those who know the struggle, will understand why we did this. There is no "easy way out". Every day is a struggle. The same as it was when we would try to lose weight before our surgery. We will never be able to let our guard down, or have a normal relationship with food. I bite my tongue almost clean off when I hear people refer to WLS as "cheating" or a "cop out". Keep your head up! You have made a great decision to improve your life. Be proud of that! We are all in this together here!

J

SW-321

CW-210

WL-111

Goal Weight--180

I had my mom tell me at a family gathering shortly after my VSG that sure it's easy to lose weight when you cheat and have your stomach shrunk. The thinner I became, I was down to 182 lbs, she would tell me how sick I looked. It's no wonder I put some back on. But no one, except those who know the struggle, will understand why we did this. There is no "easy way out". Every day is a struggle. The same as it was when we would try to lose weight before our surgery. We will never be able to let our guard down, or have a normal relationship with food. I bite my tongue almost clean off when I hear people refer to WLS as "cheating" or a "cop out". Keep your head up! You have made a great decision to improve your life. Be proud of that! We are all in this together here!

J

SW-321

CW-210

WL-111

Goal Weight--180

See I don't know if I could be that restrained. Luckily, I haven't really had to find out.

It's not an easy decision that we've made. Most of here have dropped loads of pounds, tried every weight loss pill and/or program/regimen & still gained it all came back with new friends (more pounds).

Stand strong in your decision regardless of what. There will always be nay sayers but ultimately it your life, your decision & you are better off because of it. We all are! Our body & Our health thanks us for it.

Be encouraged and congrats on changing your life for the best! Continue to write your own story

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