embarrassed by wls?

This post is not intended to anyone particular, just I see this "idea" quite often and felt it's time to speak out.

I could never understand people, feeling "somewhat a failure" for doing wls. " I should have try harder with Diet and exercise-blah-blah-crap".

THAT"S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE with wls!


98% of all nonsurgical weight loss processes FAIL. I wonder why? 30% of Canadian population are overweight or obese... 30% are the weaklings with no will power..

This stupid mantra that we should lose on our own is good for skinny b.t.ch.s., losing most of calories due to natural body processes, like breathing and pumping blood, while our bodies use less energy for these things and store the excess... (Base Metabolic Rate for heaven's sake).

Come on, it's not rocket science that other things don't work. We've got guts to go under knife, have will power to keep going with wls diet and most of us exercise, how is it a failure compared to those who never had to move a finger for their naturally thin bodies?

I was overweight at 3. I was obese at 10, even though my skinny family fed me equally with my skinny sister.  I was on a diet for all my life, I was hungry all my life, I run 3-5 km almost every day since I was 15. I ended up weighing 350 pounds. Yes, during pregnancy and after having a baby I ate way too much, but before that I was always-dieting-running-250pounder. How is that a failure that I went to friggin Michigan, just a month after another patient died and went under the knife? And got normal and healthy?

If you don't respect your way, no one will. You'll feel shameful and embarrassed for saving your life and for doing a very brave thing. It all starts in your own head.

Rant is over.

Thank you Nata for posting this!!!!
We  all have taken a huge step and I know it was the right choice for me!!
I guess I felt guilty for a while because the weight was just falling off..... But now that it is slowing down, it does take work.....

Thanks again for the reminder!!!!

Keep going, it's not easy but doable!
Good luck!

I read so many posts about people who have had negative responses to their "admission" that they have had WLS.

I have had ZERO negative responses. I am not exaggerating, nor am i bragging about my exceptional group of family, friends and acquaintances.

I have often wondered if my lack of negative responses is because i give off ZERO negative vibes about my choice to have this life altering surgery.

I am entirely comfortable with my decision. When people ask me how i lost weight, i tell them i had WLS, and now i'm relying on portion control and exercise to get me to my goal weight.

I am not embarrassed, I'm the exact opposite.

I did a brave thing. I love myself because of it.

Amen, Sista!!

I've taken your approach and am very forthcoming to everyone. I am not ashamed one bit. I never thought that perhaps the reactions I was getting were related to how I presented myself and my decision. Thanks for the insight, Monica.

P.S. I love myself, too!

well, who wouldnt love you!! you're gorgeous, insightful, and wise, and motivating!!!! (still marvelling at the 70k a week.... )

yes! yes! yes!

Ditto to every word!. Not a single negative remark in four years and I'm VERY open about my surgery.
It all come from us. we project our feelings, doubts, shame or pride, and people around only reflect it all.

you get what you give, sister. Love ya!!!

I am with you on this one Monica.  I think that it actually takes a very strong person to make the decision to go under the knife, with all its inherent risks, for the purpose of bettering our lives for ourselves and our children (for those who have them).    I think we are all very brave and I know that I also love myself for making this decision. 

I have a hard time not telling people especially those who I think would also benefit from such a life saving surgery.  The journey continues...

Steph

thank you for your post Nata!! I find out tomorrow when my surgery date will be and I have never felt that WLS is "taking the easy way out" or that "I am a failure" for going this route!! When its surgery day, I will go into that O.R. ready for this and will "rock my tool". Every friend and beloved family member is behind me on this 100% and I am very thankful for that. I am doing what's best for me and they are in turn wanting that too!

Christie