I was about fit to be tied today! I work with two other ladies that are both large ( about 300) So when I stared my lap band journey I never went on and on about it because I didn't want to make them feel uncomfortable. After my surgery I just did my thing and never made it a topic of conversation. Now almost 6 months later I have been very blessed to have lost 75 lbs. Here lately when we have patients come into the office they have made many nice comments about how good I look and "Wow you have lost so much weight" I thank them, smile and go about my business. ( not only do I not want to hurt the feelings of co-workers but I still do not like attention and don't do well with complements ) Well today after a nice comment from a patient my co-worker turned to her and said " She had the lap band surgery, it's not like she "worked" at it"

OMG I was dumb founded!!! I was shocked!! I was hurt!! I didn't even know what to say. I have never kept the lap band a secret so that didn't bother me, but the fact that I have ALWAYS taken the feelings of others into consideration and I got that??

Dang it! I just wanted to poke her in the eye! It really makes me mad when people think WLS is the "easy way out" How rude! Well I know me and I know I won't say anything to her because really what would be the point? It just made me so flipping mad I wanna wear something clingy that shows cleavage tomorrow! ( laughing ) ok I know me and I won't do that either. I'm just venting....because who would understand better then the people on this board what a low blow that was. Sigh.......

Actually there are bypass patients who find the weight doesn't just fall off with no work even in the beginning. There are no magic bullets.

That said, I do think that WLS is easier than diet and exercise alone because WLS will change most people's "set point" so that their body doesn't fight as hard to keep the weight on or work to put the weight back on after the loss.

But again... so what? I live in CA and sometimes I go to NJ to visit relatives. I could walk to New Jersey, have it take months, if not years, maybe never even get there or I can take a plane and get there in 5 hours. I think I'd be pretty stupid to walk there knowing how much work it is and how little chance of success I'd have. I'm going to take the plane!

If that's "taking the easy way out" so be it!

That was perfectly stated :thumbup:, thanks MacMadame.

I have dieted successfully and lost my weight (eventually regained). When I am dieting without an aid, I am constantly hungry and feeling deprived as I take the steps to losing the weight. :thumbup:

I have been banded successfully and am again losing my weight. I am not hungry and not feeling constantly deprived as I take the steps to losing the weight.

The work is the same in either case, but thank goodness my band is helping me to maintain my sanity while I do it. Thank you, thank you, thank you my faithful band. :cool2:

Congrats on your 75 lbs! That is awesome!

As for your co-worker, congrats on taking the humble side and trying to let it go as well. I think that it is a hard task to do.

She is obviously uneducated about the band and what is involved. She is also most obviously very very jealous.

If I were you I would continue to accept compliments and smile and move on if she does it again.

WOW thanks to all of you! You all not only had positive things to say but gave me some good ideas for future references. ( That is why I love coming here) I LOVED the conversation opener idea and LMAO the airplane being the easy way out cracked me up! Both will be used! Thank -you all VERY much, ya'll have made my day(s) :tt2:

~Laurinda~

there is NOTHING easy about lapband. anyone can eat around it..

it still takes hard work and dedication