Daily Post--3/11/08

Ok - my first thought when I read the question was "What the H*** kind of question is that???"... but having read the responses thus far, I've put more thought into it... As far as people saying this is the "easy way out", I believe that if you've gone through it and are living it, then you have every right to say that it is easy - if that's your experience. If you've never had WLS, have never felt the initial pain or the lifelong struggle, then you have no right whatsoever to judge those who have. I agree that for many of us, this is the easiest way to make ourselves healthy again. Much like someone who's broken a leg and needs a cast to make it heal right, we need something to put us on the right track to a healthy lifestyle. There are many reasons for obesity - it's not a matter of just eating too much. Many of us have medical and emotional causes for weight gain, and don't have the ability to change our lives without medical intervention. On the other hand, there is nothing "easy" about many parts of this procedure, from the first decision to have it done, jumping through the pre-op hoops, getting insurance to approve, actually having the surgery, recovery, re-learning how to eat, being educated about nutrition, being taught how to exercise, having to buy 12 new wardrobes, dealing with both well-wishers and nay-sayers, and spending the rest of our lives fighting to maintain the loss that we've earned. "Easy" just isn't applicable to losing weight, no matter what path one chooses to get there.

I hate that. I didn't have anyone say it to me, but my friend did. Her aunt told her she was just lazy. I wanted to go off on her aunt. If someone were to say that to me, I'd give them some smart remark, and a look that will teach them to ever **** me off again! LOL This is not the easy way out. Not doing anything is the easy way out. Every other diet I've tried was easier. I didn't need to schedule my whole day before, so I can be sure not to drink half an hour before I eat, or a half an hour after. So that I get all of my water and protein in. I'd say counting points is a hell of a lot easier.

I have had people say that work who say this, and some of the people at work who have had RNY tell them , yes she took the easy way out, but they had it too and are just saying thats its hard work and dieting. I am not stupid and when they ask me about the protein I drink, ( bullets), and the small portions and no breads.. I have already seen them doing the same thing after they took off for a month... That ****** me off!!! They do not want anyone to know they too took the "easy " way out.. Others that do not know anything about this, it does not bother me, but those who lie and had it done themselfs... THAT MAKES ME MAD !!!

I have not experianced this. Is it ever easy to have life threatening surgery?

I guess my thoughts are this, if someone is so narrow minded and misinformed to really believe this is the "easy way out", then I just chalk up them making such a comment to the fact that they aren't intelligent enough to get the correct information. This is far from the "easy way out". We have to work harder every day to make this tool work then any other type of weight loss. The other thing is we have to work at keeping ourselves healthy and properly nurished with the proper vitimans, water and eating the right food. We have made a conscious decision to change our lifestyle and not consume an excessive amount (or any) of alcohol and to be careful about what kinds of medications we will use for the rest of our lives. This is not something that is ever going to "go away" or if we wake up one morning and decide we don't want to do this anymore, that we have that option. Does any of this sound easy? It sure doesn't to me. Of course, this is my opinion of the choices I made when I requested to make this life change. Sally

I have ony told a select few family members! The ones I have told have seen what I have been through with the slimming, PB'ING and just feeling miserable from time after time. So no they would not say I took the easy way out.

Interesting topic...I wrote about this on my page on March 1,2008 and here is a portion of that post: "A lot of people think that this is the easy way out...but let me be the first to tell you it is NOT! The surgery is just a tool that helps you control the amount of food you can eat at one time....it does not fix the emotional or mental issues we have with food. Nor does it control the number of times you eat small meals a day..... If you were a binge eater before WLS...you will still have those tendancies after WLS. If you were a complusive eater before WLS...you will still have those tendancies after WLS. It is not a cure all believe me!! I struggle daily with my relationship with food. I had the surgery to become healthier and I am still learning to how lead a healthier lifestyle by exercising and making good food choices. Food is still a big problem for me and I actuall mourn the abiltity to over eat and binge like I used to. (Sounds crazy huh? But I actually go to the grocery store and walk up and down the aisle looking at food I choose not to eat anymore and want them so bad!!) Peopole who have weight loss surgery can regain all the weight if we choose to eat or graze on foods all day long (which the size of your stomach does not control if you eat small amounts of high calorie and fat foods all day long). I realize that this is a life long journey and not a destination. Just because I make it to my goal weight (Still have 22 more pounds to go) does not mean the work is over. I will have to work hard every day for the rest of my life to maintain the loss and have a healthier life and body. I did this for me and I know that I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!! So even when I have a bady day, I know I just have to get up and dust my self off, send a shout out to Jesus for some help, and get back on track! " Sorry suh a long post....but I don't think it is easy at all!

FOR ME, at age 54, this WAS the easy way to lose the weight! I had an uneventful surgery, not even the slightest complication, no problem w/ complying w/ my protocol, no significant plateaus, no problems losing the weight steadily!! It was the 35 yrs. of MO preceeding the surgery that was hard. And the maintenance . . . at 3 1/2 yrs. out . . . now THAT'S hard. I didn't/don't care what anyone else says to "put down" wls. They don't know what they're talking about, they don't know how it feels to be helpless/hopeless, and the fact that they make statements they aren't qualified to make says way more about them than about us.

Disagree 100%!! Eating, exercising and dumping...none of them are EASY. I got the "easy way out" from my youngest sister who, like my mother and other sister, always struggled with her weight but was able to work hard and stay relatively fit all her life. She felt I just didn't want to work at it anymore and was being lazy. I was very hurt but understood and simply gave her a very personal run-down of what I go through on a daily basis in order to eat and what I go through mentally. I don't know if it made any difference in her thinking but she doesn't make comments anymore other than "you are too thin". I know how hard I work and that's what's important. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Easy? This is far from easy...this is probably the hardest thing that I have ever done. It takes dedication, commitment and the right mindset to succeed. I tell them they they dont know what they are talking about! LB