Have you been Critisized for wanting (or getting) the band?

PLEASE TAKE THE POLL.

Enjoy!

Edited June 1, 200917 yr by phattat

My sister was very critical at first but she's starting to see how it's working for me and it's getting more and more supportive. I just wish she would take those 1st steps and get the band done herself.

I was my own worst critic and went through all the "why can't I just lose on my own" etc. Once I resolved all that and started the process, no one has questioned me. HOWEVER one reason may be how large I was at the start: at 405 people probably thought "well at least she's doing SOMETHING" :party: At any rate everyone I've told has been nice, kind, and curious about how it works. It's been a great experience.

Nearly everyone has been supportive to me (at least to my face...lol). Those who haven't have approached their criticism as concern. I do believe those people have been sincere in their concern. One said, "That's just so drastic." I told him that I am at the point that something drastic is what I must do. I reminded him that losing a foot or something due to diabetes that I may later develop would be drastic, and I am taking a proactive approach.

Either way, I know this is something I have to do for myself, and ultimately by myself. I don't mean that I don't have a great support team. I do; my family are all on board. I just know that I am the one who will have to decide daily whether to exercise or sit on the sofa, whether to make wise food choices or eat whatever I want. In that sense, the band and my support team can only do so much. This is something that I will have to follow through with for myself!

About 8 months ago. A friend told me that she had decided to get the band. Tricare had finally decided to pay for it. She was quite a bit larger than I was and when I made the comment about wanting it to she stated that I wasn't fat enough. So I left it alone. March of this year I decided to go ahead and start the process. Well I called her to tell her I was going ahead with the lapband and I was super excited. She told me good luck. That was the last time I heard from her. I heard from mutual friends that she was mad cause she didn't think I needed it. By the way, she never got the band. She went to one seminar and that was it. I text her now and then but never get a response. I guess I don't really need people in my life like that. Maybe after I get the surgery and have great success(pray) then she will get inspired.

Altho I voted that everyone has been 100% supportive I would like to clarify that ~TO MY FACE~ they've supported me. I am under no illusions that there have been a few comments made behind my back, and to be honsest, I don't give a rats ass!!

3 years ago I got the band for myself, no one else, and today I feel exactly the same way. I don't have time for the nay-sayers, nor do I have time to listen to those who want to be critical or question my decision. My family and I are thrilled with the choice I made.

Patricia

It amazes me that other people can get MAD about a choice we make for our selves that is perfectly legal, moral, can improve or even save our lives.

...I heard from mutual friends that she was mad cause she didn't think I needed it..

I haven't gotten mine yet. The only people I've talked about it with are:

1) My parents

2) My immediate co-workers (2-3 people)

3) My niece (she's 12)

4) My parent's neighbors... one being a nurse who recommended the surgeon I'm probably going to go with.

Before reading the posts here, I never even thought about how people may be critical of it. I don't think it's anyone else's place to judge. Do they think we just woke up and said, "Wow, I'm fat, I think I'll get weight loss surgery even though I've never attempted to control my eating or exercise!" Please.

My boss, I noticed, is kind of unsure about the whole thing. I guess because it's a surgery and she probably can't fathom the idea of having an "unnecessary" surgery. She, herself, said she hates surgery.

Well, ok, then don't have it done. I think it's important enough that I will risk having surgery in order to be successful at living a healthy and happy life.

your poll is missing a few other choices --

ie - NO, didn't share my surgery with others therefore happily grateful for unwarranted comments. that would be my selection.

About 8 months ago. A friend told me that she had decided to get the band. Tricare had finally decided to pay for it. She was quite a bit larger than I was and when I made the comment about wanting it to she stated that I wasn't fat enough. So I left it alone. March of this year I decided to go ahead and start the process. Well I called her to tell her I was going ahead with the lapband and I was super excited. She told me good luck. That was the last time I heard from her. I heard from mutual friends that she was mad cause she didn't think I needed it. By the way, she never got the band. She went to one seminar and that was it. I text her now and then but never get a response. I guess I don't really need people in my life like that. Maybe after I get the surgery and have great success(pray) then she will get inspired.

Good luck! And, thank you for your soldiers service.

your poll is missing a few other choices --

ie - NO, didn't share my surgery with others therefore happily grateful for unwarranted comments. that would be my selection.

That is just your NY liberalism kicking in. You need to stop being such a wuss and tell everyone.:welldone2::frown:

As for me, everyone I've told (and I've told everyone that will listen) has been supportive. Especially since they all know about all the hard work I've done to accomplish this success (and I tell them all about the hard work and hours in the gym as well:biggrin:).

One of my officers had the band a couple years before me. Almost immediately after my surgery I've had others at work ask if I think he is jealous because he has not had the same success as I've had. I just tell them I don't have time to worry about him. I know he does not work out and am told (he works overnights) that his diet is crap. I just worry about myself and my successes and failures.

Everyone has been supportive to my face, and I guess that's all that really matters. I have one friend who told me she could "fix" me by running me behind her car, because that is how she got her dog to loose weight. I imagine she realized how rediculous her comment was, because now she is very supportive, even though she doesn't agree with it.

Only my parents know and they are supportive. It was my mom's idea so of course she is all for it.

I don't think I'll be telling anyone unless they ask me.

That is just your NY liberalism kicking in. You need to stop being such a wuss and tell everyone.:welldone2::frown:.

only cause i :thumbup: ya will i let you get away w/this....LOL

actually i did tell my parents & brothers several months out - all very encouraging / supportive, which i knew they would be....but it was nice to do w/out watchful eyes.

My GP said I didn't need it. I just needed to exercise and eat right. (She probably weights 105 and has always been that way)

It amazes me that other people can get MAD about a choice we make for our selves that is perfectly legal, moral, can improve or even save our lives.

:wub:

me too. I mean, where the f..k to people get off, honestly? How could anyone have a big enough ego to think their opinion mattered in the slightest?

This is something we have all done primarily for ourselves, and to be here for our families. What some other loser thinks isnt even a blip on the radar.

As for me, everyone I've told (and I've told everyone that will listen) has been supportive.

I, too, am VERY open about it. I feel (and have noticed) that people need to be educated. Most everyone I talk to I have to explain the difference between LB and RNY. When I explain that I still have to do all the work that it just helps me not eat too much then they seem to understand.

Yesterday I talked to a 72 yr old woman who is now looking into having it done at my surgeons (wish I got free fills or sumthin for that. lol).

I do, however, tend to tell large people more that thin people, so I guess I choose who I want to educate. AND I have not told anyone in my family cuz I do know how judgmental they are and feel may sister may be more willing to look into it if she sees my success first.