doing the right thing?
If HerBal Life worked for MO people, or any other of the myriad products that people in the USA spend a billion (yes billion) dollars on every year, we would all be thin. None of this crap works. And when this years products lose their appeal, there will be next year's new "miracle" "breakthrough" "developed in Europe" weight loss, fatbuster, targeted exercise equipement products. New and equally useless crap for people to drink, shake onto their food, eat before meals, exercise with. New fad diets based on specific food groups, or your blood type, or foods that burn calories, or whatever. And there are enough gulllible, desparate people that someone will make lots of money off of our collective misfortune.
That stuff doesn't work. You already know this. People who have never struggled with morbid obesity may (or may not!) mean well but they don't know how hard you have already tried. So stop sharing your decision, stick to your guns, and do what you need to do to regain your health.
And don't let anyone make you feel bad about your decision. No one can make you feel bad about your decision unless you let them.
Larra
I've only told a few people so far. And when anybody tries to give me negative stories about this person and that person who had weight loss surgery, my comeback is: Did they have the duodenal switch? Or gastric bypass? Or lap bad?
Chances are, these people don't even know what the duodenal switch is (my new primary care physician didn't even know! He googled it during my first appointment with him!)
So when these people say they don't know what kind of surgery those other people had, I tell them, "Well I had the DS and all those negative stories you've heard do not necessarily apply to me. I've done tons of research and chose the best surgery out there." That usually shuts them up.
But ultimately, you need to do what's best for YOU. Those people don't live in your body; you do. So why should they have a say in what you do with it in order to get healthy?
*DS with Dr. Ara Keshishian on 08/06/13* SW: 231 CW: 131 GW: 119 * Check out My YouTube Channel: AmysDSJourney *
I am 10 1/2 years post op and STILL have not discussed my surgery with certain family members and friends! Making this huge, life-changing decision is hard enough. I did not need to be barraged with anything more than necessary. I waited to tell a few family members just a few weeks prior to surgery. For a long while, only one of my sisters and my parents knew (I have 4 siblings and lots of extended family) . It was the best choice for me.
As far as friends were concerned, I limited it to just a select few for the very same reasons.
For me, it was about picking just a few people who I trusted implicitly, but also knew that they were not going to let me convince myself this was the right thing to do for the wrong reasons. I am very glad I kept it to a few people. Those months pre-op were tough enough without having a lot of naysayers and negative Nellies added to the mix.
Remember, in the end, this is your decision. My suggestion is to be selective about who you chose to share such a life-changing event with. I also realize that there are people in various support groups who are happy to shout it from the mountaintops, so you will most likely get a variety of responses.
Remember to do what is best for you!
Hang in there.
I am very fortunate. I told a lot of people I was having the DS surgery, and EVERYONE was supportive and encouraging. I didn't get any horror stories about someone's sister-in-law's uncle's neighbor's co-worker's horrendous experience. And they have been encouraging ever since. I think the best thing we can do is to have the surgery, and show them that it works and it's safe, and we feel GREAT!
