As some of you know, I have been relatively secretive about getting this procedure. Not because I'm embarrassed about it, but because I just don't think that it's most people's business. Well this evening there were some family members over and we all met at my parents house. Everyone that was there knew about it. It was like immediate family. Brothers, parents, grandmother, a few cousins. You know, close. Well I was telling my brother about my first meeting with the surgeon and he made an offhand comment about me just being lazy. And it really hurt. He's about as big as me now, but when we were younger (he's actually my younger brother. I'm the oldest of 3) he was always the skinny one. He always had a girlfriend while I struggled there. I guess it was an even exchange as I was always the popular one (our personalities are polar opposites) and I always had more friends. He's married and has two kids now, so I guess him getting bigger is just fine because he doesn't have to worry about impressing anyone or anything of that sort. It was funny to hear him make this offhanded comment about me being lazy because the rest of my family (whom wholeheartedly approve of my decision) jumped down his throat and explained to him that the lap band is a tool, not a solution. It's going to help me loose weight, not loose it for me. His response was that he lost 5 pounds this week and he thought I could do it too. I tried to explain to him that him loosing 5 pounds this week doesn't mean he's going to keep that up and that I have a lot more than 5 pounds to loose. He said he works with someone who had GBP and they were lazy and lost all this weight without doing anything. I tried to explain to him about the differences between the Lap Band and GBP. He's very stubborn though, and still told me that he thought I didn't need it. It just really got under my skin that my own brother thought that my decision to better my life is just the result of me being lazy. I'm sorry for writing a book here, but I just had to get my feelings out there and I feel like everyone here is super nice and probably some of the most understanding people I've ever met, on the internet or in real life. Thanks for hearing me out :biggrin2:

Edited June 2, 200818 yr by drew05

Unfortunately your brother may just be jealous. As much as I'm sure he loves you, you're going to be changing and that may not be sitting too well with him.

People don't like it when we change. We're familiar and comfortable and if we change, we may change our opinions and perceptions of them.

I'm sure once your brother sees your hardwork in losing weight - eating right and exercising, he'll change his tune. Some people just need to be educated.

Hang in there. You're off to a good start!

I agree that your bro seems to be both a little jealous and maybe his reaction to you doing something about your weight problem, forces him to address the issues he has with his own weight.

It is not easy to decide who to share you feelings with. And to take a backlash from your brother, makes it even harder to handle. Remember why this is important to you, and try to let all of the negative stuff roll off your shoulders. You are very lucky to have a great family to support your decision and stick up for you when your brother started on your case.

Good luck!

Thanks to everyone for the support. It means so much to me.