Weekly Question: Is Weight Loss Surgery just an 'easy out' of obesity?

I am 15 months post op, I have lost over 230 pounds. People who knew me when I was fat always ask what I did and how I did it. More times than not when I say I had the Gastric Bypass (RnY) they make comments of, "Oh the easy way out, huh?". But when I say I made a lifestyle change, they seem more impressed the amount of discipline and dedication it takes. Isn't the RnY, or any WLS for that matter, a lifestyle change? It takes just as much, if not MORE dedication and discipline to stay on track after surgery. Why is it then when I say the magic words of "Weight Loss Surgery" do I get a different reaction than if I just keep to saying, "Lifestyle Change"?

Is Weight Loss Surgery just an 'easy out' of obesity?

Weight Loss Surgery should definitely make it easier for us to lose and maintain a healthy weight.  In that sense, it is an "easier way out".   That's why we are having the surgery.  But I don't think that's what "outsiders" usually mean when they say we're taking the "easy way out".

I think there are some "outsiders" who may think that the surgery will give us immediate weight loss while we kick back, sip our martini's, eat our donuts and shop for new clothes.  

There are also folks who have lost a ton of weight and kept it off without WLS, and some people feel we are "cheating" with the surgery.  I applaud those who succeed without the surgery, but statistics prove that most of us aren't able to do it on our own. 

WE KNOW that we still have to diet and exercise with WLS.  We also need to learn how to take care of our new and tender plumbing system.  We still have to deal with our mental and social issues around food.  We haven't been very successful without the surgery, and have had serious weight gain and complications threatening the quality and longevity of our lives.  WLS isn't "cheating".  It's taking care of ourselves.  We made the decision to have WLS to increase our chances to permanently better our lives.  For us, it's easier than without the surgery, but still a challenging path, with lots of rewards awaiting us along the way.  Who that cares for us would deny us this opportunity?

Janice
 

Thank you Janice.
I could not do it with out the surgery.
I think I've done a phenomenal job at this weight loss. I just want to be recognized as such, cuz this was NOT the easy way out.

This is a wonderful question, thanks for asking it to us.  I believe that what we go through isn't "easy" as it is a major lifestyle change, whether we like all the aspects of this change or not.  In the beginning, it makes it "easier" for us to get the weight off, but now that I'm almost 8 years out and dealing with those stubborn remaining pregnancy pounds, there's nothing "easy" about keeping the weight off of relosing any we may have regained. 

I find it interesting that people are more willing to buy a "lifestyle change" over the full disclosure of surgery helping you get the weight off.  Similar to the another prejudism: fat person = lazy person.  Not true, but that belief is still out there unfortunately.   

I think you might be on to something in your last question in that WLS is probably an "easier way out" of obesity physically, but that Fat Brain is still inside us.  People who meet us after the weight is gone don't see us as obese and perhaps treat us in a more positive light, but I think there's always an obese part of us in our body or mind somewhere.  Perhaps that's a whole other can of worms!  Not sure if I'm even making sense so I better sign off...

Kimberlee

Thanks Kimberlee,
8 years, wow. I didn't realize you were that far out. It's still hard for you, huh?

I guess it comes down to word games. I have to be a politician when i tell people what's up with me. LOL

I still have a fat brain. I still have food issues. I still think I am fat. But going to the support group helps.

I tell people that I'm eating more protein and less carbs, exercising like a maniac and, oh yeah, I had WLS so that I don't feel ravenously hungry all the time and therefore have a prayer of keeping this weight off instead of gaining it all back like I usually do.

This usually precludes them from saying I took the easy way out and it educates them a bit too. Because the first thing they want to know is how can WLS make you not hungry...

I think some think it's the easy way out because they don't see us every day so they just see the weight appearing to "fall off" us and they don't see the work and sacrifices that we put into it.

Right now I'm working harder than I ever worked on any diet and getting the surgery was harder than joining Jenny Craig or WW too. So the "easy way out" comment particularly annoys me. I don't think it's easier ... I think it's just more effective.