before you had your surgery...

Yes I did, or things close to that. Not many, but a few. For those I don't know as well, I just say, "thank you for your concern. I have done a lot of research on this and think it is the best option for me at this time." For those who know me well, I remind them that over the time they have known me I have lost and regained 100 lbs 3 times the "old fashioned way" and while I appreciated people who kept the weight off like that, it hasn't been my experience. Most people just shut up after that and get where I am coming from. But those were really small in numbers compared to the ones who told me it was great, fabulous or that they had 1, 2, 5 friends who did it and were really successful. I have one friend who seems way more interested in and excited by planning MY surgery than HER wedding.

Yup, I got all the above. I just said "thank you," and continued with my plans. I had NO complications to date, have exceeded what my surgeon predicted, am off all meds from pre-op comorbidities, and people who gave me the scare stories pre-op are now claiming that they knew all along that this would be a fabulous thing for me, and that they're astonished by how much time and trouble it takes to measure/track and deal with all the necessary supplements.

Make your own decision based on what you know.

 I think people think we're taking the easy way out and getting an unfair advantage.  Little do they realize that weight loss surgery isn't a magic bullet.  It's hard work.  First of all, you're not going to feel so well.  You're going to have to figure out what you can eat (sometimes, this separation from your former "friend", food, can be traumatic).  There are complications that can arise from surgery too.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat.  Is it easy?  Hell, NO!

Linda

I did hear many of the same things. I loved the one about the risks from "that " surgery. I'd ask them what exact surgery they were talking about and what exactly did that person you knew die from. It's funny how much out dated/ bad info is out there. I'd do the whole thing again in a heart beat. My quality of life is so much better. And my chose was for me.. no one was going to face my health problems for me...best thing I ever did.

I am finding most people know nothing about WLS - they just think now you can't eat as much.

As far as being a "LAZY" way out I am sure those people have no idea you are committing yourself to a life of:

Low/No sugar
Low/No carbs
Possibility of dumping at any given time
No nsaids
Protein requirements whether you like it or not (that means no salad if you don't have room)
Chew Chew Chew cause your stomach is not going to do it
Eating without drinking
Then waiting an additional half hour to wa**** down
Limited or No Caffeine
No more carbonation

Vitamins & Minerals ALL day long - calcium in divided doses oh yeah and not within 2 hours of your iron - oh you have to have C to absorb your iron - oh make sure your calcium is citrate - don't forget the D to absorb the calcium - yeah and most places don't serve the the products we need - have to search and then order most online - I don't know about everyone else but I have totally outgrown my 4 sections a day pill box - and I keep finding out there are more I need to add (newest biotin)

And let me asked this - if they think it is so easy then why do some people gain all their weight back (not following "LAZY" the rules)

I haven't been told that, but I have only told 4 people about my surgery. I don't think people realize that this is a "last chance" option for almost everyone who does it. I don't know anyone who has had surgery (although I suppose there could be some) who didn't try conventional dieting for DECADES before finally resorting to WLS. It's a tough decision, and it's too bad people can't realize that we've beat ourselves up for years and years about not being able to do it ourselves. We don't need those ******** to pile on.

Yes! My younger brother and older sister both tried to talk me out of it, they tried to tell me that I wasn't trying hard enough and that I wouldn't be able to handle post op. My little brother tried really hard to talk me out of having surgery. He was convinced that I could just eat like I had the surgery and that I hadn't tried everything else possible to lose the weight. My mother even called me after the fact and tried to tell me it was a bad idea.  It's the hardest choice I've ever made and they both knew that I was going to go through with it and now my little brother is kicking himself for thinking I wasn't going to be able to handle it. It's your decision and no one can make you feel bad about it! You know what you've done and only you live in your body.
I just asked that they support my choice and love me regardless.

I didn't get the "You're Lazy" garbage, but I did get lots of; "you're not that fat" and since I was going for a revision a few "it didn't work the first time, so why do you think this will work" and I also got quite a few "it's too risky" jabs.

But once my family realized I was going to do it no matter what they said or did, they came aboard and were great support. They've since admitted that I was right and getting the revision to DS was a very good thing for me and for them because they want me to stick around for awhile.

Kerry

I heard it was the easy way out from my sister who has never weighted over 150 and I heard people have died from it from my roommate who is bigger than me. So now that I have had the surgery, lost 50lbs. my roommate calls me the soon to be skinny Shante. I really think it has to be jealosy.

I have a electic treadmill in my living room and used it everyday. I lost eight tiny pounds and still could barely walk without crying. I was mostly concerned about my daughters feelings and no one elses. She was mad at first because she did not want me smaller than she is. LOL Now she like sharing her clothes with me. My family was worried about me as they say..looking like a like skin eteopian. I was never calle lazy thank god. I did hear from so many that I don't need it. After losing 80 pounds people saw just how much I really did need it.

Try not to let anyone bother you with these things. Your life will be better.