To tell or Not to tell???

To simply say that it was diet and exercise that got the weight off is a lie. Be it if is a lie of omission or a little white lie it's a lie just the same. We ALL got the band because we could do it on our own. We all have dieted and either didn’t lose weight or lost weight but couldn't keep it off. For those of us who the band has worked for we magically didn't gain this new amped up amount of will power we made a life change that started with getting the lap band. No my band doesn't go to the gym for me and no my band doesn't pick out healthy food for me to eat I do all that. However I know it is because if my lap band that I can eat ½ a chicken breast and some veggies and be full. It’s because of my lap band that I can’t eat a full serving of pasta like I could in the past. It’s because of my lap band that I can’t eat bread like before. My lap band is the key and I am willing to say at least 60% of the reason I am the weight I am today.   No I don’t think you have to tell everyone your business for whatever reason you choose not to. That is your right and I no I don’t feel everyone has to be a lap-band spokes person. However, I feel like who cares if someone who has not walked a mile in my shoes judges me and fell that I took the easy way out, because I know better. I know the hard work that I have put in to get to where I am at today. I could have had the band and ate chips and ice cream and not lost a pound we have all seen that happen. But to say that I got here without the help of my band would be a lie. 

Be very proud of the changes you have made in your life, diet and exercise plan.  Because we did do that.  I am amazed at the physical limits I have pushed my body to.  Heck last week I did a head stand becasue I saw the guy on biggest loser do it and I felt i could do it as well, however I know I got to this point with the help of my band.   Like I have stated before if my band wasn’t that big of a deal to my weight lose then why in the heck did I get it in the first place.

Amen Tonya!!!   You've said it all!

I dont think its anybody's business. Who would ask a person if they had wls? It costs nothing to mind your own business. If I want people to know they wouldnt have to ask. If they are comfortable with you they wouldnt lie about it either. Somethings you just dont ask people. If your so sure they lied then you clearly didnt need to ask the question. Just my two cents.

I didn't think the person I asked was lying and I thought my aunt should have felt comfortable enough to share with her niece how she was losing weight. She later told me that she felt embarrassed because she felt like she had take the easy way out to losing weight. However last time I checked there was not official rule book on how to lose weight. It’s clear that those who think that way have never done because we all know we still have to work to lose weight. I just think is sad for a person to lie about getting help for a problem they have. I have never heard of a person not admitting that they lost weight with Weigh****cher. I personally have never been asked "Did you have WLS?" LOL  But I have been asked "How did you loss weight?" several times but never by a stranger only by family and friends. And I have never gotten a bad response.

Ive gotten mixed reviews when people find out I had the bypass and now that Im revising to the band people really are voicing their opinion. I choose to be selective about who I tell.

I say I love people like you who keep working at a goal until it 's done no matter what it takes.  Good luck with on your new journey!!!

I never tell people unless they ask me.. Oh my gosh Lizette you lost so much weight.. blah blah how did you you do it.. then i say well I had lap band surgery and I watch my calories, and I exercise. So will ask me about the lap band and I explain it only helps me with the quanity of what I eat NOT what I eat so I explain I can still "cheat" so I work very hard not too (that often anyways LOL)

Anyways.. Star Jones bugged me too then she wrote the book and talked about she lost the weight because she found LOVE.. how stupid did she thing we were??? Anyways she was on Joy Behar show last night it was late I didnt end up watching it all but she admitted to food issues and eating when she was emotional.. she would go out to parties and have a great time then come home and eat a double whopper.. . it was interesting.

I agree with you so much. Starr Jones didn’t have to be as open and put everything on tv like Al Rocker did but to simply say that it was "diet and exercise" or "love" is just non-sense to me.  We see you and your dropping weight like it nothing we not all that stupid.  I tell everyone I still have to put in the work with the band because it’s not magical and I can still eat many of the things I could eat before. I just don’t’ down play the importance of my band, because I tried many times before and I have never been this successful on my own.

I agree ... I don't want to discredit the band .. it is what helped me the most.. so has the gym and the food choices I make.. but it's really the combo of the three I couldn't do it on good food choices and gym alone.. I had tried that in the past and it didn't work long term..

Last year I mostly maintained my weight loss... I have NEVER in my life been able to maintain a weight loss .. and esp not a weight loss of 100 pounds... but I wouldn't of been able to do that w/o my band..

WAY TO GO TONYA!!! I AGREE WITH YOU 100% IVE LOST 51 POUNDS SINCE MY SURGURY AND IM EXCITED ABOUT IT!!! I DONT CARE TO TELL THE WORLD THAT IM BANDED!! LIKE YOU SAID, ITS A TOOL!!! WE HAVE TO USE IT PROPERLY OR WE WONT LOSE WEIGHT!!! FOR THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT SAYS, "YOU WENT THE EASY WAY OUT" THEY ARE FULL OF IT!!! LOL.....KEEP ME POSTED AND ID LOVE ANY ADVICE YOU MAY HAVE TO OFFER!!! JOYCE