Question:
Will they throw you out of Weight Watchers post-op? Can you be a lifetime member?

I seem to find some discrepencies on this issue in the library. Some people say they will not let you stay in Weight Watchers if you have had WLS, others say that you can join as long as you have weight to lose. It would be great to join WW, and finally be able to see some permanent progress. I realize it would be bad to join in the initial few months when weight loss is extreme, because I could not follow the plan, but what about after I can eat somewhat normally? I want to learn how to eat right. Do I have to tell the leaders there that I have had WLS? Would it be cheating if I got to be a lifetime member because of it? I would like to join again, but I don't want to feel like a freak like the other posters(no offense)who said they didn't want announcements or wouldn't take the stickers and patches for their losses. I want them I worked for years trying to lose weight, and I want to be rewarded if I actually succeed for once. So, do I have to tell them if I join? Is it illegal? Because I would really like to keep it to myself- I don't think it is really any of their business. It would just be such great encouragement to have the weight come off, and have everyone be excited and proud for you, instead of scoffing "Well, she had surgery, you know. The easy way out."    — Jennifer Y. (posted on February 21, 2002)

February 20, 2002
Imagine the bad affect n their business if you joined pre op and your group watched you during the fast weight loss? They would loose a bunch of there best customers. This may explain why they might not want you around.
   — bob-haller

February 20, 2002
Join! I am 7 months post op and about 130 pounds lighter. I plan to join something like that when I get down to the last 30 pounds and I won't tell a soul!
   — Courtney W.

February 20, 2002
I had asked this same question and agree with you - the "You go girls!" are really neat...someone suggested joining Overeaters Anonymous, which provides the same sort of support network, but everybody is doing there own thing to lose weight. I dunno...
   — rebeccamayhew

February 20, 2002
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will let you join but you will not be eligible for the awards etc. But, you will have the support of the members, weekly weigh-ins, and a food program. The one negative is, you cannot possibly follow any of the diet plans from any of the groups. They are all based on the food pyramid and not what and how you can eat. Does your surgeon/hospital have a support group for WLS? Do you go to a dietician or nutritionist? But, it all comes down to you doing what will help you the most. I'm sure Weight Watchers has a website and TOPS too. Good luck!
   — grammie5

February 20, 2002
For me, I have an aversion to groups like that. I did them for soooooo many years, with very little results. The thought of actually walking into the room makes me cringe. However, if I did join now, I would not tell anyone that I had WLS. I've only told my husband and mother, so why would I tell a room full of nosey strangers? It is no one's business but yours and no, it couldn't possible be illegal. I agree that you would be wise to wait until the rapid weight loss stops, as this will look highly suspicious. Once you are able to eat more, following the WW plan (with a few adjustments) is a great idea. It is a very balanced and healthy way of eating. Shelley
   — Shelley.

February 21, 2002
Sorry to wreck the party here, but I believe that not telling them would be deceitful. I wouldn't do it, but that is the way I was brought up. Lifetime membership is for those losing weight the WW way, not the WLS way. And how do you think the others would feel if you keep it a 'secret' and you are losing all this weight, and they are lagging way behind and working really hard at it? You have been there, you know how discouraging it can be. Why would you do that to others? If you do go to weight watchers, you need to tell them, or don't go. In this case it sounds as if you are only thinking of yourself with wanting to be rewarded. Losing the weight and getting healthy should be reward enough. Think of the others and their feelings in this. Do the right thing.
   — [Anonymous]

February 21, 2002
Even though I had WLS on 12/21/00 and lost the first 100 pounds in six months, the next six months were a disaster. I discovered I didn't dump and my old bad food habits had returned with a vengeance. My weight loss slowed to a crawl (3 pounds per month) then I started regaining. When I had regained 13 pounds, that's when I joined WW on 11/25/01. Before I joined, I posted on two different WW email groups and asked if I would be welcomed even though I had WLS. The response was huge and unanimous...YES!!! They didn't care if I had WLS...our problem was still the same...being overweight. They only suggested that if the leader expressed a concern over my weight loss, I should tell her I had WLS. They also told me to get a doctor's note okaying me for a higher goal weight (my doctor's goal is 180...WW's is 145). I've been on WW for three months and I've lost the 13 pounds I regained plus 7 more (Would've lost more, but Christmas showed up). The first two weeks were hard because I was trying to unbreak bad habits (I was seriously addicted to Macademia nuts) and start exercising. But I got back into the swing of things. What really helped me was the fact that I had to write down everything I ate (so I could see problem areas) and my weeekly meetings. I'm lucky my area has meetings every day so the first month I went 2-3 times per week to a meeting just to get a boost in the right direction. I do follow the WW Winning Points Plan, but make adjustments for my surgery. I really push protein and water then veggies and fruit. However I do allow myself a treat every night. My leader is really big on pushing WW as a lifestyle change and not a diet and that's what I'd like to do as well. I don't see anything wrong about not advertising about my WLS in the meetings. I work just as hard as everyone else to lose the weight. I have to eat right. I have to exercise. I have to drink my water. I have to control my portions. Every 5 pound star I earned honestly. I'm very glad I joined WW and only wished I had joined it much sooner.
   — Cynthia B.

February 21, 2002
I haven't heard of ww turning people down. I would be honest about the wls, at least to the leader. Someone did post a while ago they had always dreamed of being a w.w. leader and to that I said probably not, since how can you get up and tell people you lost weight with ww without telling them you had the extra boost of surgery. WW is a bit high on the carb side though, you might need to modify it a bit to allow extra protien, maybe substitute a bread for a protien or something. I don't know how the new point system works. Good luck
   — Becky K.

February 21, 2002
Hi Jennifer, I first would like to say I am a weight watchers member, however I have not had surgery. I have been researching for a friend, and have decided that if by next fall I have not lost any weight following WW and exercising (an expectable amount of weight) I am considering surgery. If I were you, this is what I would do. I would wait till my weight loss had slowed down once after surgery, and then I would go. I feel that if you want to tell them fine, if you do not that is fine too. I don't know what they would say, but I believe you can keep it to yourself and not worry about it. Weight watchers is to teach people how to count their food, not to discriminate. If you really want, I can ask my leader the next time I go next weekend. I am a lifetime member, I lost 40 lbs when I was in junior high. If I would have stuck to WW I might not be where I am now. I really don't know. Now I am 373. I have lost 13 lbs so far. I am just scared to death I am gonna gain it back. Well, sorry for rambling....in my opinion you do what you need to do for the support. By the way, there is an online support group chat for weight watchers that is free if you just want to talk to people. Personally, sometimes I find the meetings themselves are very very cheesy. Well good luck.
   — Michelle H.

February 21, 2002
I just can't believe aonymous's answer! Obviously you have not yet had WLS to incinuate that it is the easy way out! I understand that the weight watchers plan is not exactly what most surgeons would say is the exact nutritional requirements for WLS patients, but if you think for one minute that surgery is the easy way out then you are sorely mistaken!!!! I am 9 months post op and almost at goal, and let me tell you, I have never worked harder at losing my weight. I have committed to completely changing my lifestyle, eating very healthy and watching everything that goes in my mouth as well as following a daily exercise routine. HMMM... sounds kind of like the Weight Watchers plan.One little diference, my tummy is smaller and I have less intestine. One big similarity, making good food choices is totally up to me! If anon is considering surgery, then they had better think twice if they think they are going to just magically lose weight, and if that party wrecker has had surgery already, then congrats for being the only person for whom the weight has magically flown off without changing their eating and exercise habits. I think if Jennifer wants to go to Weight Watchers to have the comraderie of others who are dedicated to changing their lives and becoming healthy people, then more power to her. If she chooses to tell them that she has a smaller tummy and may not absorb food as well as the other members do, then that is her business. I wonder if all the other members tell the group about their gall bladders being removed, or their appendix being out, or that they may have had a hysterectomy, etc. Maybe they are on thyroid medicine or anti-depressents, all of which would affect the weight loss for each of those individuals as well. I am so sick of people who assume that WLS is the magic bullet, and unless you have some secret about that which the rest of us have missed out on, then don't blast someone for wanting to better their lives in any way they can. I don't usually post these types of negative responses, but anon's answer really inflamed me, and unfortunately I read this post before my first morning coffee! Jennifer, continued good luck on your journey, and you go do anything you need to, as long as you pay those WW folks your weekly dues, I am sure you will be accepted like everyone else!
   — Vicki K.

February 22, 2002
Original poster here. Ok, to Anonymous- too bad you didn't have the cajones to leave your own name. Too afraid to own up to your comment? Also, I don't feel that joining WW after my weight loss slows is fooling anyone. If you say that I would not be doing the right thing, because it is not setting a good example, I feel you think of this surgery as a cure instead of a tool. Just because I am having this sugery doesn't mean I won't need to learn better eating habits, and that I don't need the encouragement. Many of the women who gain lifetime memberships did so because they lost 10 freaking pounds. Whoop-de-doo. If I can lose 100lbs. from WLS, then join WW and lose maybe the last 40 working hard on eating right and exercising, I feel that I deserve lifetime membership just as much as any other woman who only needs to lose 10-20lbs. to start with. As far as how other women feel because I am losing and they are not even though they are "working really hard at it", that is their problem. I sat in my fair share of WW meetings watching other women get their stickers and praise while I was the one feeling guilty because it wasn't working for me, even though I was working really hard. Can they feel any worse than I did then? I don't think so. Plus, are you insinuating that after WLS I won't be "working really hard at it"? My battle with my weight has been long and painful, and if I want to succeed, I need a good plan to keep me on track, and a good system of encouragement and support. As far as doing "the right thing", how can you tell me what that is? I suggest maybe before you answer someone's question in such a negative manner that maybe you think about it a little more next time. Oh, yeah- and put your name on it.
   — Jennifer Y.

February 22, 2002
I didnt realize WW was a compitition. I also didnt realize that it was confessional. I was surprised to hear you need to share very PERSONAL decissions with the group, sounds like Anomass is confusing WW with catholic mass or a marriage. I just love how the loudest mouths with the most insults have to post undercover! Please feel free to come back and have a chat with us all USING your name.
   — Sassy M.

February 23, 2002
I am 2 1/2 years post-op and have worked really hard the past 7 months to get off my last 12 lbs. Down from 286 to 144. (1 lb. left till goal). The surgery is only a tool, it is not magic. The first year it seem that it is, but that will change. I do Richard Simmons. I wrote him a letter 2 weeks ago and told him about my surgery and weight battles. He called me and wants to use me as a Cinderella Story. He understands that it is all about portions and excerise to maintain goal long term - with or without the surgery. I think joining W.W. after the 1st year is a great idea. It is nobody's business what tools you choose to use to maintain a healthy weight. I personally tell everyone about my surgery,but I know others who keep it to themselves. Do what is right for you and don't worry what anyone else thinks.
   — Cheryl H.

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