I wanted to ask all of you a good

question. Alot of people say to me that I took the easy way out. I know that I did not go the easy way. I tell them all the daily living I do and that it is a tool in my weight loss but like any other tool, I must learn how to use it. What is your response to these people when they say the same thing to you?

I haven't had anyone actually say to me that I took the easy way out. However, I know someone who lost 100 pounds over the past two years and she gives me a "look"...I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's close to disgust. Of course, she's never asked me about the surgery or how I live and eat now. Most of the people who know that I had the surgery also know that I've had complications with it. Last Friday I had my third endoscopy with dilation because of a stricture. I don't know how I would respond to someone who would say I took the easy way out. I do know that when someone says something stupid to me, my usual response is "That's one opinion." As for the person who gives me the "look", I just ignore her. Dianne

Ask them if a heart patient has life saving heart surgery, is that the easy way out?? (with a note of sarcasm) Surely if that patient smoked, didn't exercise & eat right, most of them could have done without heart surgery had they not had those bad habits. Sorry, but I can come across as a real B if someone says that to me. Another option is to simply say to those who care about you, this is a tool that will save your life ....which would have been shortened by obesity...and that you & those people are very grateful you did. If you aren't in the mood to be nice, tell them you are sorry that they aren't grateful you did also. Christie

Don't even get me started with this topic ! People who don't have the knowledge about what this surgery involves shouldn't be making assumptions about it. PERIOD! You and all of us here in this postion know how much DAILY work we have to do to make this work. It is not easy, as a matter of fact it is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am a recovering addict and have been clean for over ten years and that is nothing compared to this. Don't get me wrong it is the best thing that I have ever done for myself and I wouldn't go back to 300 + lbs for anything! Everyone here on this board is an inspiration and are doing so well! I am proud to be part of this group. OK I can get off my soap box now Thanks for listening and keep up the great work everyone! Love and Peace Anne B

Well unless I am in "a mood," I typically tell them that they are entitled to their own opinion. However, I also tell them that having WLS is hardly the easy way out and I invite them to sit down for an education. If they are willing to listen I will tell them about all the risks, benefits, permant changes, lifestyle changes, etc. If they are not interested I just let them go on thinking like an ignorent a**hole. My own family and some of my friends felt this way at first. Once they saw how much effort had to be put into it before and after surgery they quickly realized that this was far from the easy way out! Even one of my best friends who has been loosing weight with Atkins for the last 2 years has commented that she feels I took the hardest road since I made permenant changes. Something that she is not brave enough to do herself. In short, I just take each instance as it comes and guage wether the person who made the comment is willing to become enlightened or not. Why waste the time and energy on someone who has obviously made their opinion and will not budge from it, KWIM? I would rather spend that energy in the gym! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/168/146 BMI- 44.1/28.8/25 Height- 5'4" Total Weight Loss: -89 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

I always tell people that along with the weight I have lost my sense to shut up. So if people say oh well u were not big enough to have the WLS or thing in that nature. I tell them well it was big enough for me and I am the only one that matters. No mind to stupid people

The only problem I've had was with a guy at work. At the time, he was using gum to quit smoking and I asked him if it was easy for him using the gum. Of course it wasn't so then I explained that like his precious gum, this surgery is also a tool and it's up to me to change my behavior after surgery. Having major surgery is definitly not the easy way out. If only they had a gum to help us lose weight. Now that would have been the easy way out. He's since come around to my way of thinking. Men, will they never learn that we're always right? Pat