" Easy Way Out"

There are many environmental, genetic, pyschological, biological, socioeconomic and cultural reasons for our obesity. Having our tummys banded or cut up is not an "easy way out". It is a last resort! Some people have genes that leave them predisposed to obesity. This is true especiall in the U.S. and Canada where pioneers and native peoples had to survive harse winters and difficult farming conditions. It was the survival of the "fattest" for much of our history. Since 1950, food has become more and more processed. Food is now abundant. Fatty foods are sold on every corner fast food place. You can drive through for a burger but not a bannana. Pizza is served to our kids in the school cafeteria instead of a P,B&J sandwich. It is cheaper to buy fast food for two than cook a healthy meal for two. It is cheaper to go to the market and buy Mac and Cheese than Fish and Brocholi. It is no longer safe for children to walk to school 2.5 miles each way as they did in the past. The dry cleaners, coffee places, drug stores and so forth all provide dry thurs... Instead of walking to the bank and waiting in line, we do banking from our computer. We Christmas shop online instead of walking around mainstreet... Early obesity left us with more fat cells than adults who were thin as kids. Yo-yo dieting screwed up our metabolisms. Because of these conveniences in our world, we are expected to work longer hours and multi-task every second and there is no such thing as a lunch break. We eat a hamburger at our desk while still typing. Obesity is a 21st Century crisis. The next generation will not live longer than there parent's generation. This has not occurred in the last 500 years in US history. Tell Non-WLS peeps with nasty comments to take these comments and shove them in their super sized french fry container and quit judging others!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jen, Thank you for this post! I really needed to hear this... I am really struggling right now about telling people. Right now only my immediate family knows on my side but my fiance keeps "slipping" and telling his family. I really dont think he does it on purpose but he has accidently told two people on his side of the family. I threw a FIT when he told me... I felt like my life was ruined. I have since calmed down but I really dont want people to know for the exact reason you made this post. I do not want the negative comments or the "easy way out" line. I am so sensitive when it comes to my weight therefore I want to keep my surgery private and I think I have a right to. By the way I am having Lap Band on Tuesday 4/24. Thanks again for this post. Kelly

Kelly- Tell your husband that if he ever goes on viagra or gets a vasectomy or gets dentures when he is older that, you might need to accidently let this news slip out. Whoops! -Jenn C. in Chandler