Everytime someone new finds out about my lap band surgery, they are always saying things like...."Umm...You knooooow thats not an easy surgery...are you sure you want to go through with it?" Yes you dumb shit...I am 4 days away from surgery. Dont you think I've done my research???? They always act like because I'm fat I must be stupid. One person told me I was taking the "easy" way out. I told her, So what do you care?? I'm not hurting anyone, so piss off!!! Sorry about the language, I'm just venting. You guys are the only normal people in this world.:purplebananna:

I went through the same thing of people telling me I was taking the easy way out and that ridiculous question of "Did you try diets?" Now on the flip side, people tell me I look good and coworkers who didn't know I had the surgery are asking what I am doing to lose weight. I proudly tell people I have had lapband surgery. You are making a GREAT choice and you won't regret it!!!!!!:ohmy:

I guess I took an "in-between" approach to telling people. Other than family and close friends, I didn't tell anyone BEFORE the surgery. I was nervous enough as it was - and frankly, I was afraid it would fail just like every other diet. However, I didn't want to be dishonest - so I promised myself that if anyone asked - I would tell the truth. A few weeks after surgery - it started to show. Now, at 50 lbs gone - people are noticing left and right. So, of course they say, "Wow, what are you doing?", and I say, "Well, I had lap band surgery in February, and it is helping me to eat less and be full longer. I'm really happy with it so far - thanks for noticing my hard work!"

I have NEVER had anyone make a negative comment after that - and I've probably told 100 people at this point. Who will say something unkind when it is obvious that it has WORKED!! Yay!

I do think it is the obligation of lap band patients to educate others. Remember - most naysayers either 1) Don't know what they are talking about and need our help to learn, or 2) Are confusing lap band with gastric bypass, or 3) Are fat themselves and are jealous that we are "leaving the club".

So hold your head up high - bask in the support of those who really love you, and patiently educate those who need your help.

When I visted my mother in Feb. she said that I need to do something about my weight (admitted yo-yo dieter). So when I called her and said I am taking the first step for a better life I get the lecture about are you sure you want to go this route. Why don't you try to diet (remember yo-yo), sigh.

Great story, I wonder if that phys. asst. had a weight problem????? I would have turned and stuck my tongue out at her and did a nener nener LOL. But behind the doctors back heh heh She was just jealous I bet.

Becca, love your you tube blog you look great......keep it up. Your an inspiration to this 60 year old. Looking forward to seeing "less" of you. but more of you on the blog.

I haven't been banded yet, but when I saw my folks a few weeks ago, I started dropping hints about changes I plan to make. Like cutting down on portions, eating protein/veggies first, exercising, etc. That way, when the time comes, I'm doing the work (but I'll have the help of the lapband) :thumbup:

I wanted to say that I have been one of the blessed ones that has gotten nothing but support from those that I have told about my decision. I guess I should say that 2 people asked me if I was going to do this for my boyfriend. I told them nope! It was for me!!! The ladies in my office are being more than kind to me in helping me stick to my dietary restrictions. It has been a very positive time for me. I am truly blesesd to have all of this happening for me.

I hope for you the same.

Nancy:rolleyes2:

I am sorry about people saying such things. I was talking with my Dr. today about support and who I have told. Only two people I have told and thats going to be it. My BFF and my hubby. She said that was wise to do. People can be very judgemental and hurtfull without even trying to be. It is a personal medical situation and sometimes people just don't need to know. A lot of people get that jealousy thing going on too. I am realizing more and more this is the place to be for support. These men and women who have been there will help support you. Keep your chin up!!!

Edited April 9, 200818 yr by Rebecca1203

I too am selective of who I tell about the lap band procedure. I am scheduled for May 20th and I am becoming more excited each day. I just told my boss on Monday and he was so supportive. He assured me that he would do whatever he could to help me and whatever I needed he was there for me. (My boss is over weight and he has diabetes and high blood pressure also). He then told me that after my surgery and and recovery, he would look into the lapband himself. He even asked me about the steps I had taken to become approved. He is totally on board with the surgery and I am thankful for his support. Whew!!!

I'm sorry that you'r having this trouble. Tell Mom and Hubby they aren't helping. I have chosen to only have my husband and 2 close friends/co-workers know. As far as when I have my surgery.. I'm just planning on saying I'm having some outpatient procedure done and be very vague. I just don't want to go thru what you have having to go thru. It's bad enough being fat and having to go thru all that stuff.

Gl to you. I hope to read your journey in the POST op stuff now.

Molly

OH THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE!!! I had pretty much decided to tell VERY few people. A couple of freinds and family only. My first friend I told on Sunday was fabulously supportive. My husband has been WONDERFULLY supportive (especially as I told him our insurance would not cover it!) My confidence was up! So yesterday I got my surgery date (5/15) and called my sister. She started in on how dangerous it was and that she really could not be happy about it that she had a friend whose sister had gotten very sick ( I think she did gastric bypass!) I was so suprised at her reaction and did not handle it very well - a few tears! But I told her I would send her some articles about it and ask her to please do some research or at least some reading before she passed judgement on my decision.

It really took the wind out of my sails and just reinforced my decision not to tell many people. The trouble is I was really hoping she would help support me when I told my mother. Oh well!

Learned my lesson, huh?

Wow... y'all are so much nicer than me.

I've envisioned the following conversation:

Them: "Hey, you look great - are you losing weight?"

Me (in a down-trodden tone): "Yeah, about 20 pounds so far."

Them: "That's great! How are you doing it?"

Me: "I have an incurable condition, called a brain cloud. I'd rather not talk about it."

Then after collecting a few fawning apologies - the kind you never get when you tell people that fat jokes and nicknames like "big guy" aren't appreciated - you can let them off the hook. Or not.

Please keep in mind that I'd never actually do this. Probably. But wouldn't it be fun? Especially to someone who treated you poorly in the past?

(For the record, since I'm new here - this was intended as humor. My sense of humor can charitably be called "dark". I don't think that's going to change as the weight comes off.)

-Dito

I'm sorry that you'r having this trouble. Tell Mom and Hubby they aren't helping. I have chosen to only have my husband and 2 close friends/co-workers know. As far as when I have my surgery.. I'm just planning on saying I'm having some outpatient procedure done and be very vague. I just don't want to go thru what you have having to go thru. It's bad enough being fat and having to go thru all that stuff.

Gl to you. I hope to read your journey in the POST op stuff now.

Molly

Thanks Molly...and Good luck to you as well!!! You are definitely doing the right thing by keeping it between you and trustworthy non blabbers. See you on the other side GF!!

Hey Dito!

I like the humor. It reminds me of my friend that had a bypass. He went in to his boss's office to talk about the needed time off for his surgery and my friend told his boss that he was having a sex change operation!!! He told me that the look on his boss's face was priceless!!!

Life is too short not to have some giggles every now and then.

Like I have said before, I am one of the blessed ones in that all that I have told and I have told lots of people, I have gotten about 99% positive feedback!!

I have have kidded with a few of my friends and told them that I was having a face lift!! That always gets a chuckle!!

Keep smiling!!

Nancy

when someone asks me how I lost all tat weight I tell them one day or one meal at a time..that's enough of an answer for most people...if they want more I tell them don't eat and drink at the same time, and I gave up bread/past/rice. If that helps them great--they don't need to know my life history--nor do they need to judge me for having taken the EASY way out when they have NO idea!! I still have a food problem--I want to eat chocolate...thank G-d there is seldom room for it!! Best of luck to everyone here who support one another....let th rest of the world fend for themselves!!