"People" Article On Two "Halfies"

  Cross-post from the Main Forum People magazine has an article this week featuring two gals on the cover that have "lost over 1/2 their body weight" ...   

  Atlhough I'm happy for the two ladies (they do look great now, btw, and hopefully they will be able to maintain it for life) the header page of the article prominently notes, next to their before/after pics, "and they did it without surgery (or personal trainers)" .. 

 Did People really need to emphasize the fact that no WLS was involved?  Whenever I see something like that, it, IMHO, just reinforces the misconception out there to so many people that having WLS is "taking the easy way out"   ..   GRRRRRRR ..

On the other hand, there are many people who may have tried diets years ago but bought into the false mantra that fat is beautiful.  Anyone who gave up on losing weight in the past and is now thinking about losing weight may be encouraged to try something new.  These articles generally appeal to women under 40. Remember that most ins companies will want you to try all other means to lose weight before they'll even consider you for surgery.  Most of us have tried to lose weight unsuccessfully for years and the WLS is usually our last hope. I think the reporters may be emphasizing that some people can lose the weight without WLS.  Yeah, it often sounds like people want to believe that all we need to do is exercise and go on a diet.  They just don't understand how futile that has been for us. I agree that WLS is not easy.  First there are the dangers of the surgery.  There's also the possible toll it may have on our families both emotionally and, in some cases, financially.  Then, post-op we have to change the way we live.  Most WLS patients now learn how to be making some of those changes pre-op.  We could follow a diet for a short term prior to surgery so the 6 month requirement is usually really not that hard.  Waiting 6 months to get the surgery is much harder.  And, many of us can't do much exercise before the surgery so our post-op lives will be different with the inclusion of exercise. Don't let the headlines get you down.  I really don't think they are aimed against anyone having WLS.

Great post Bob. You're a scholor and a gentleman. Have a great day.

I didn't read the article but I did see something like this at the store the other day and I took it as plastic surgery.  I think it is all in how you interpet it.  Either way it's not worth losing sleep over.

Last line. Ditto.

it's the shows on tv. big medicine and the thousand pound man etc. since all the coverage of wls it's all about perception. think of it this way. if you were an alcholic and quit without a 12 step program you would be news to some people. why? because the perception is that a 12 step program works 100%. now that the public thinks wls will keep you thin for life there's a cure for fat. yeah, a tough cure but look at all these celebrity results. it must work! add to that the after shots on all those tv shows. they never the one's who didn't lose all the weight or gained back. they show them getting ps instead and wearing tight jeans.

so now if you lose the old fashion way you're some kind of superman or hero. it's an affermation skinny people were right all along. stop stuffing your face and exercise. so it's kind of a backhanded slap in the face too. it's always amazing when someone loses 100 pounds no matter how it's done. in the old days it would still be news. now the slant is that the person losing without wls is some kind of hero. there's an easy way and a hard way. guess which way we took? you're right, grrr. people still think you went under the knife for an hour or so and that's all. no more diets or exercise and you can't gain it back. a simple procedure that only kept you from work for a few days. then back to your new life with no work involved......carbonblob