the easy way out

There are people out there that think WLS is "the easy way out."  And those of us that have had WLS know it's not easy.  When we hear someone say we took the easy way it, we often get offended or defensive or something because we know it's not easy.

I have two thoughts about "the easy way out."

First of all, though WLS is not easy, it has been easier for me than losing all the weight with diet and exercise.  I mean, I tried that, more than once, and it did not work for me.  WLS did work.  It has not been easy, but it has been easier for me.  I mean, why would I have had major surgery if it would have been easier to just go on a diet?

Second, why do so many people seem to think that losing weight "the hard way" is better?  In other areas of life, we usually do things in the easiest way possible and that's usually considered a good thing.  I mean, most of us wash our clothes in a washing machine, right?  We don't go down to the creek and scrub them on a wash board.  We do it the easy way and use a washing machine. 

How many of us get an epidural when we give birth?  I know some people do the natural childbirth thing (I did myself), but most people choose to give birth "the easier way" (even with an epidural, it's still not easy) and get the epidural.

So what's wrong with losing weight in whatever way is easiest for us?  What's wrong with seeking medical assistance to lose weight if we need it?  Why is it considered a really good thing to lose weight "the hard way" but considered OK to wash our clothes the easy way?

I completely agree with you. I've had people tell me I was taking the easy way out of losing weight. I think unless they've really been in our shoes, they won't understand. I tried so many different diets to lose weight, I always failed.

I don't have any problem with calling WLS "the easy way out" it was for me, like you, easier than failing repeatedly with diet and exercise.  I find it easier just to make a joke of it being "the easy way out" if I don't get defensive about it, then no arguments or hard feelings will ensue.  Also along those lines, people who haven't had WLS will NEVER understand how we feel, so what they think about it is really irrelevant - IMHO.  in the end, I am happy with who I am, where I am in life and how I got here, and the only person I need to please is ME...mission accomplished. 

If easy means more permanent.....I have no problem with that.  You are so right that most us us have done the "hard way"....only to see our efforts slowly slip away.

I am not sure this is the easy way though for many of us.....especially as we get farther away from our initial surgery.   The weight may fall off in the beginning....but there are tradeoffs that do not go away. 

For example.....my eating is weird....not everyone has my expereince but I tolerate very little variety...when may family is eating hamburgers, meatloaf or chicken dumpling soup (or one of the many things I no longer tolerate)....I am eating a spinach and chicken salad.   I can never have anything with sugar because I dump.  I take a bucket of expensive supplements everyday.  AND I cannot take the one thing that makes my arthritis pain really better.  

Even so....I am happy.  But is this easy??????   I don't think so.....not for me      

I didn't say it was easy.  I said it was EASIER.  If going on a diet was easier, you would have done that, right?  You would not have had surgery if there was an easier way to lose weight, would you?

I agree Kelly....hope I did not ruffle feathers  :)

I cannot say anything about the surgery because I haven't had mine yet. But if it's the easy way out, then let it be.
But I don't see how it is, with all the studying I am doing, all the tests, and appointments and learning I am required (and needing) to do and learning the "right" kind of lifestyle change for me, is the "easy" way...
I've tried WW, I've tried exercise, I've tried low fat, low cal.... nothing has worked. I'm ready to take the "easy way" out... LOL!

I didn't say it was easy.  It's not.  I said it is EASIER than the other ways I tried to lose weight.

Do you think there is another way, besides surgery, that is easier than surgery?  And if so, why are you planning to have surgery?

No no no! Maybe my wording was wrong... I apologize if it is... I meant no disrespect or harm at all...

I guess what I was trying to get across is that if others want to call it easy, then so be it... but I don't see how it is easier because of all the studying we have to do and learning new ways to manage our lives.
Other ways are easier, in my opinion, because it doesn't involve re-arranging what God gave us.
I have tried other ways, and nothing is working for me. This is what I need to be healthy and happy FOR me.

In no way did I mean to offend. I apologize again. :)

Oh, you didn't offend me!  I'm sorry if I came across that way.

See, I don't think the other ways are easier because they don't work.  I know they work for some people but they sure don't work for everyone.

Having RNY has not been easy for me, but it was a lot easier to lose 150 pounds after surgery than it would have been without having surgery.  I feel sure I could not have done it without surgery.