Easy way out?

Hello all, I just wanted to sound off about a statement that I keep hearing from a lot of family and friends. I continually get steamed when I hear that we have taken the "easy way out", which is in reference to how we have lost our weight. If this was the easy way out then there would no longer be overweight people in this world. I believe this surgery to have been the hardest challenge that I've faced yet and continue to face. My husband has his own come back "this surgery just leveled the weight loss playing field". He feels that the people who make unneccessary comments, such as the previous, are the ones who are vain, that those type of people are intimidated by our successses. I pray extra hard for those ignorant people, that's how I deal with this type of treatment most of the time but it doe**** a nerve. Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, how do you handle the situation? Take care, blessings Syndi

Excuse the Expression Syndi, But that just ****** me off! I was told that by a couple of people when I first had surgery and I guarantee you this has been the most difficult yet fulfilling thing I have done since giving birth to my son. There is nothing easy about this surgery especially when the mortality rate is 1:200. Some people just do not think or research things for themselves. Tiffany

Tiffany you look wonderful Take care Syndi

My latest response is: What is easy about surgery that rearranges your intestines, forces you to take vitamin supplements for the rest of your life, and makes you vomit if you eat one mouthful too much? What is easy about deciding to change your entire life and risk your neck to boot?!! What is easy about taking fizzy sal****er that makes you poop for 24 hours. What is easy about stitches, staples, and bruises the size of a watermelon? And what is easy about listening to well-meaning but ignorant people who think they know a subject that I have researched for over two years before making my decision? BTW, my plastic surgery friends tell me this is very common for them, too. Maybe even more. Since I may soon need a tuck of the old tummy to rid myself of some nasty, hanging flesh, I can sympathize. Anyone else having a problem keeping clean under the sagging skin? I use deodorant "down there" but it barely helps.

Lou Ann, Try Gold Bond Medicated Powder. I started using it in my presurgery days because my panni was so large (even then) and would get horrible, yeasty skin infections. I use it everyday and now almost 7 months postop (and the panni is hanging even further) I've not had any skin infection problems. It will probably burn & tingle the first few times you apply it, but once the skin starts to heal that sensation will go away. Good luck! Mary Ellen

Very well put LouAnn. Yes I am having a difficult time with the sagging skin along with the lack of boobs for the first time in my life... I will be returning to work next week and don't have much to wear and don't really want to buy much for this semester as I know that we will continue to change sizes. How's the hubby feeling lately? Give him my best. Take care blessings Syndi

I would have to agree with your comments on this. I think way to many people think this is the easy way out. This has not been easy this has been a journey. Ask any of my immediate family members and they stand beside me in saying this was not the easy way out. But other family members that we dont see very often tend to think it was the easy way out. (mostly on my DH's side, and they are all older) I just say it was not an easy way out and it helped me prolong my life. Just stick your guns on the issue!!!

Hi Suzanne, You know, I forgot to mention, in our defense, how many illnesses were reduced and lives were saved because of this surgery. Thank you for the ammunition. God bless Syndi

Syndi, I had my sugery 1/24/05 and have not went one week without someone stating that i took the easy way out, or that i was selfish to risk my life "to be pretty and thin" I have just finally learned that these people with these negitive comments are not healthy for me and these are the same people who where major contributors to my weight gain to begin with, by using mental and emotional abuse throughout my life they poisined me aginst myself. They say that post op you have to change your way of life, I did, I left all the negitive folks behind. Sarah 1/24/05-324 8/27/05-188

Hi Sarah, Very well put! I agree that these type of people are poison to us and have always been at the root of some of our issues... Thank you Syndi