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Weight Watchers and the band



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OMG I cannot believe how horrible the WW boards are to Lap banders!!!!

I recently started using WW along with the band and have been seeing amazing results! WW has always been my favorite lifestyle plan so I wanted to combine the two together. I talked it over with my doctor and we adjusted my points to fit my band.

I posted a message on the boards saying that I have the band it is the only thing that has helped me to this extent and the combination of the two is amazing.

The responses I got where hurtful and uninformed. First they kept comparing me to a Gastric Bypass patient, which I would never want to be due to the complications. That's why I picked the lap band. Second, the called it the Lazy man's diet, also stating that I shouldn't be promoting WLS on their boards. Some of the other things that they where saying: They couldn't believe that i've only lost 35lbs in 4 months compaired to their 45lbs wl in the same amount of time, how could I spend that much money just to be cut up and still have to be doing the same thing as them, Did I mention they called me lazy, said I had underlying mental issues. and so forth.

And I all I said was that they combination of the two for me is a great one!

I just can't believe it!

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I mean look at this one post I recvd!

"honestly don't care you have taken that route, I call it the lazy route, all I'm saying is please don't be coming to WW and touting surgery as an alternative to diet and exercise.

So, take your story elsewhere. Last thing I want ppl to do is read ur rant and give up on a healthier way to lose weight and opt for the lazy option like you did! your 10lb gain is not "magic" on cruises, its called you can't stop eating."

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wow that is horrible... maybe they are so hateful bc they know they will gain it back and they know you won't! i can't imagin someone attacking u for your choice of weight loss methods. when ppl start attacking it is usually the insecurity of the attacker. i just want u to know that i am glad u have found a combination that works for you. as we both know lapband IS NOT the easy way out. We have to work just as hard to lose weight as someone who doesn't have it. the band just gives us more control of our portions, not what we choose to put in our mouths. if i were u I wouldn't go to that site anymore... u need support in your journey not cruelty.

good luck on ur journey!

amy

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I'm so sorry thishappened to you! People are hurtful, hurtful creatures and don't realize how their words can impact others. More proof as to why I feel good about choosing not to announce my surgery to the world - because there are people like this that will NEVER understand and always judge.

Keep your head up!!

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We sometimes do the same thing here. I have seen people mention the gastric sleeve, and then someone responds about how they don't want their plumbing changed, how they want something less invasive, and on and on.....it is all relative and just ignorance. But we are all ignorant until we learn differently.

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Results matter, not perceptions or other opinions. Ignore them and focus of hitting your goals. You will be much happier.

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I got that too from my sister of all people. She considers herself the weight watchers queen, and when I first told my family I was going for the surgery it pissed her off. She went on a 15min Tyraid on How Lazy I am, I need to learn self control and to get off my ass and excercise.

My defense was and still is and it's medically proven, because I have such severe arthritis in my hip, I am limited to what I can do physically. The band to me, is a Jumpstart to getting my mobility back. I'm 27 years old and I walk like a 60year old M.O woman. I limp and I waddle at the same time. The limp, I've come to accept, The waddle was the final straw for me. Before my surgery I was basically a few weeks away from walking with a cane. I never succeeded on Weight watchers. 5-10lbs here and there but nothing significant. F'em. because chances are in a year or so at least 15 of those people will be sitting in a surgeons office discussing their options b/c WW didn't work for them.

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My response to those people would be "Yeah you've lost 45lbs while I've only lost 35 but at least in a year those 35lbs will be gone plus more, unlike you who will probably gain it all back plus more" Horrible? Definitely but it's true. At least with the band if you gain weight you can get a fill and continue to loose, so what about them? The people that do weight watchers it usually isn't their first time and definitely won't be their last. At least with this your being proactive and taking measures to loose the weight and keep it off. Even if I was thin and never needed the band I would be happy for people that needed wls, their taking steps in there life to be happier and healthier people so who are we to judge what they want and what they think is right in their life?

It sucks that you had to go through that, they should make a specific board for people that have weight loss surgery and decide to stay with weight watchers.

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people make me sick! We are all working towards the same goal. We all want to get healthier and loose weight. I just don't understand how they can think like that.

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People should really not talk about things they don't understand. If they think that lap-band is "lazy" and that it's an "alternative to diet and exercise" and that it means "giving up on the healthier way to lose weight" then they're completely ignorant about not only surgery but obesity and weight loss in general. Obviously if you're still following a weight loss plan like WW then you still need to follow a healthy diet and exercise polan just like them. The only difference is that you will have an extra tool at your disposal to make it a little bit easier and you have a much greater chance of successfully losing and keeping off the weight. A year from now when you're at goal and he's 10 lbs heavier then when he started we'll see who chose the healthier option.

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I joined WW for a few moths last year. I live in a small town. So, people believe all business is their business. I got sick and tired of the pettiness of some of the WW members that had been their the longest and had met their goal. Those of us that came in to lose weight were treated like lepers for being 'fat.' If I had met my goal via WW, I'd try to inspire people rather than putting them down. Needless to say, I quit going. I lost 20 lbs while on WW and every time I tried to get the 5lb star for my bookmark, I was told wait till next meeting. I went to a meeting in another town and people there were more supportive. But, I don't have the time or the gas to drive an hour (one-way) to get to WW meeting.

Just keep in mind you made the best decision for you. No one should make you feel down for doing what you deem best for your well-being

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WOW, That is really sad that you met with such hostilities. I myself have been involved with WW since 1963. I am a $2.00 life time member. I lost and regained my weight 5 times with ww and more times trying other methods and programs. I worked in managment for ww in 3 different states. It's a great eating plan and I applaud everyone who has kept off their weight. I knew that if I did the same thing I'd always done, I'd always get the same results. Therefore, I chose to get the band and nip this in the bud before I went back up to my old weight, yet again! I was banded May 21st with a bmi of 31. Hopefully, this time when I get back to where I want to be, I'll stay there. My skin has streched back and forth so many times I feel like gumby! I'll never be tight and sexy but I'll sure be healthier, happier and look better.

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That's terrible that you were treated that way. I also joined Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago and it is much easier to stay on with the band. I'm glad I decided not to tell them about my band and now I'm extra glad since I read your post. Again, I'm sorry you had to go through that.:bored:

Regards,

Alfie

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Ive seen people on the WW boards being super snarky for no reason. Truthfully, Ive seen way more snarkiness on those boards than getting any help from them so I stopped going. I did WW for 1.5 years before my band.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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