Question:
Are WLS post-op's welcome?

I am thinking about joining weight watchers after my surgery. This would be a good place to weigh once a week and I enjoy the fellowship. But what is thier feelings about surgical methods as a means of permenent weight loss?    — Tawnda C. (posted on October 19, 2002)

October 19, 2002
I don't know how WW feel about WLS. If it were me, I just wouldn't say anything. They probably wouldn't care though. Have you thought about going to a local support group meeting for WLS people? You'd at least be getting the support from people who are going through the same thing as you. Support group meetings are FREE too, whereas you'd be paying weekly at WW. Also, as far as weigh-ins, you could probably stop in at your docs office just to get weighed-in. I know my doctor told me I could come and weigh myself at his office anytime I wanted.
   — Kim B.

October 19, 2002
I agree with the previous post on one thing. I think you should go to a WLS support group rather than Weight Watchers. If you live in a small town that doesn't have one you could think about making your own. That's what I am planning on doing. I think that although support groups SHOULD be FREE, that is not always the case. I went to a couple in the city and they charge $10 a visit. I think that is TOTALLY WRONG but that's beside the point. Anyway, good luck! :)
   — Laurel C.

October 19, 2002
I talked to many Weight Watchers people pre-op when I was considering surgery and let me tell you that everyone I spoke to was VERY anti-WLS. They were telling me I would die and that I would gain the weight back and on and on. If you go to WW, I wouldn't do it within the first 6 months after surgery because you'll be losing too rapidly then and will definitely raise eyebrows. But after that, you may want to go and just not tell people you've had surgery. I have thought about doing this myself a year or so down the road. I have given them enough money and I want SOMEDAY to get lifetime at WW!! ;) I do agree that a WLS support group is best, but there isn't one around me either.
   — ediecat

October 20, 2002
I agree with those telling you that WLS support groups would be best. Not only will a Weight Watchers group possibly be anti-surgery, even if they do accept you, they will not be able to relate to surgery related issues that may come up. We are a unique (and special) group. There is no group in my town either, but I drive either 20 minutes to a small local group or the 1 hour to my surgeon's group. In my humble opinion, it would be better to go to chat and the message board here on AMOS on a regular basis than try to "fit in" with Weight Watchers. Best wishes - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -76lbs.
   — Anna L.

October 20, 2002
Quite awhile ago there was a discussion about this. Some folks who were WW members were scheduled for surgery and WW asked them to leave..... <P> Now this may not be nice but understandable. Have a bunch of PAYING customers see a surgery success and that could hurt their business..<P> I would definetely attend WLS support grop meetings and ask if WW management wants you. Personally I dont go where I am not welcome.
   — bob-haller

October 20, 2002
Hi, I would agree with the other posters that if you are going to go to WW, mentioning WLS may not be the best thing. I have learned that first hand. I go to Curves, and the owner is aware that I have had WLS and thinks it's great, but I mentioned it a few times to the other members and got no so hot responses, i.e. the easy way out etc etc... SO now I keep it to myself. Now that my weight loss has slowed way down, noone suspects I'm a WLS patient, I'm just like everybody else in their eyes. Good luck to you!
   — Carey N.

October 20, 2002
I think you have gotten a lot of good information on this subject, but I had to just give one other opinion. Pre-op I spent thousands of dollars in the diet industry and I told myself that post-op I would never give them another dollar. They were helping me kill myself slowly. Making me believe that my obesity was just about will power. I was a member of WW at least 3-4 times in my life. I think I gave them enough of my money. Just a personal opinion. Cheryl lap rny 20 weeks -87lbs.
   — Cheryl S.

October 21, 2002
I responded earlier and just HAD to let you and everyone else know something about Weight Watchers. When I started my WLS journey, I was trying to document every diet I had ever been on. I started WW back in 1983, lost all my weight and became a lifetime member. However, I didn't keep all my weekly weigh-in booklets. I called the WW main office and asked them if they could look me up in their computer and send me a print out of all the meetings I attended throughout the years. All they were able to give me was a date on which I became a lifetime member. They DO NOT keep any records on ANYONE. They don't keep records on successes or failures with their programs. Even when you go to local meetings, the only records that are kept is your weekly attendance card. And after less than 6 months, if you no longer go to the meetings, they throw it away. You would think with the technology today, that WW, being the big company that they are, would atleast keep some kind of records on their members on the computer. To me, this says something about WW. THEY ARE THERE FOR THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR ONLY. You won't catch me stepping in their door ever again.
   — Kim B.