VSG surgery, taking the easy way out? I think it is, and darn grateful for it!

So many of us experience people telling us that surgery is the easy way out.  Many of us get offended by that.  But you know what?  I agree.  People will post all of the time that you still have to work your sleeve and that it is only a tool, and I completely agree with that also.  But there is a difference between the easier working the tool approach and the nearly impossible traditional approach.  I know I tried, and tried, and tried, and failed, and failed, and failed.  Does this mean the wls is an easy path to goal?  Absolutely not.  But is sure is heck a whole lot easier than trying to do it the "regular" way.  Work your sleeve, but take the time to appreciate how much is helps us all to become healthier.  What do you think, easy or hard?

I always had to smile when someone on one hand posts it's a tool, then goes on to be offended by someone saying it's the easier way.. What is a tool? Something that makes a certain task easier/ more efficient/do-able.

I took the easier, smarter and better way. Never had the hang up about it, to me it's common sense.

Lol! Great point, and ita!

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I totally agree. I have a friend who was a bit shocked when I told him I was getting surgery. He said something quite weird then...he said that I always did look for the hard way of doing things. To him having surgery was the hard road. I felt quite good then. Kind of validating! But after surgery and the easy recovery and so far the steady (slow but steady) weight loss, eating totally clean but yummy...yes I feel it is or has been quite easy. Never have I lost 40+ lbs in 3.5 months before with this level of effort. It seems like moderate effort. Maybe 6-800 cals a day is actually a huge effort but not feeling hunger makes it seem easy and restriction helps hugely. I really can't imagine eating more than I do. I feel like I eat a lot when I actually eat tiny quantities. Long winded way of saying I totally agree with you. I hope it stays easy. Easy to lose, to maintain and to be in control of my food choices.

So agree with this! It has been both way easier and mentally way harder for me than I ever thought it would be. There are times when I'm in a "zone" and just rocking this sleeve (like lately) but there were times when I was off plan. The sleeve has allowed me to jump right back in this weight loss fight so much easier than on any traditional diet. I can make a bad choice without sabataging my long term goal. I'm not perfect and do have screw ups but I still was losing thru the bad choices. I was physically limited on how much garbage I could consume. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all the time. But I am skinnier now than I have been since I was 21 yrs old. I'm 5 months out, 81lbs down and only 30lbs from my DREAM weight. I'm going to get there!!!!

Easiest way I have ever lost weight and glad I did it. Clearly traditional methods were not working for me, so taking the easy way out or not...I will still have to put in the work for the rest of my life but at least the sleeve gives me the helping hand that I needed to be able to help put myself in the right direction.

I agree.  And I experience both--ruffled feathers and the knowledge that if this weren't easier, it wouldn't be working for me. Earlier efforts proved that!

In some ways I agree. Definitely would never be where I am now without the surgery. I have been obese since puberty and hormone**** me and haven't been this weight in probably 15-20 years and I am only part way there.

I haven't had anyone tell me this was the easy way out. I think that is such a blatantly provocative comment that I would be pissed. But, I have had someone recently tell me, "must be nice" and then go on to tell me how hard she has been working the last couple weeks to lose 6 lbs. I sympathize I really do. But, this isn't nice or easy.

It is absolutely WAY easier than doing this without the sleeve. But in no way does the effort I have put out to move forward with this surgery and the effort I continue to put out in managing my tools , working my sleeves, and dealing with the mental side feel easy. Easy would be a naturally high metabolism. Easy would be one of those people that 'struggles' with those stubborn 3 lbs they have gained over the last couple years.

My body and my relationship with food have never been easy and they aren't easy now. Easy way out? I guess that is all based on your basis of comparison. It sure beats the alternative I had which was a slow death broken by periods of self loathing and failure. But easy doesn't begin to describe this journey.

Just my 2 cents : )

That's also very true.

It's the ONLY way out!! 

Why on earth would anyone want to do something the hard way when there is an alternative that makes it easier and more importantly, possible.