Everyone is a WLS expert

Anyone else experience this? From co-workers to people I just meet, so many are full of advice. Who knew there were so many experts out there!

Why, a co-worker is a WLS expert just because he trains for marathons. He is happy to tell me all the time that I should use a certain kind of protein and that I should try a colon cleanse.

And just today my rheumatologist said he didn't understand how we can regain weight when our stomach is so small. He said my upcoming belt lipectomy (lower body lift) will be just 'cutting off fat.' Uh huh. I suppose he should stick to bones and joints.

Another co-worker tells me protein doesn't matter, it's fat I need to be watching. Yet another tells me sugar free coffee creamer is horrible for me. Perhaps, but he hasn't seem my reaction to sugar.

I just never knew there were so many experts out there. Do you guys have experts all around you, too?

Hi, I'm sorry about your "experts". I gotta say this has not happened to me and I am so thankful! I think two of the main reasons are  #1 I do not enter into discussions about my surgery, diet, etc with anyone, unless I am sharing here on the boards or at one of my DS surgery follow up appointments, or my family doctor as it relates to my general health. That dramatically cuts down opportunities for "experts" to give advice and leave only close family and friends that feel they can comment just because they know me and I have been blessed with gracious family and friends (with one exception :) that would not dream of voicing their opinion about my surgery, weight, diet, etc.

Good luck!

It's even worse when it comes from someone *****ally should have a clue---like medical professionals, or someone who's actually HAD WLS in the past. I feel very fortunate that my PCP is the sort of woman she is. She admits she knows nothing about the DS, and is very willing to listen to what I tell her. On the other hand, I know a woman who had the RNY several years ago, and, despite the fact that she's regained more than she lost, she's constantly trying to tell ME how to eat. At first I tried to explain how my DS was very different from her RNY, but I could tell she wasn't hearing a word I said. Now I just smile and nod, and have another bite of steak. (*grin*)

MS BATT--is that steak wrapped in BACON, per chance ???

Oh crap..now I made myself hungry....

Is there any other way to prepare steak?

I have to say, being a meat lover, I'm so glad I don't have to give it up!! EVERYTHING is better with bacon!

That's what I told the guy at Subway!

You surgery is going to help you a lot with this.  You will look so much better that people will no longer feel like you need their advise and most of it will just stop.  None of the people I work with now and many of the people I see socially never knew me when I was heavy.  They would never offer diet advise unless I asked for help.  When I was fat, I would have perfect strangers look at me and tell me that I should not be eating or drinking something.   That never happens now. 

I never said it, but used to think, I can lose this fat, but you can never lost that dumb.

Actually I'm over 4 years post op. I'll be at my desk eating my cottage cheese and someone will just walk by and say "You know, what you SHOULD be eating is....." I just can't believe how bold people are. A co-worker saw my sugar free coffee creamer and went on about sugar free foods.

It just gets old. I wouldn't imagine telling someone with a heart condition or with liver disease what they should or should not do because I have no idea. I'm not their doctor.

Guess people just have their opinions.

Yes.

I just say... "Thanks for the input, it's nice to have people who are so concerned about my health and wellbeing but a huge team of medical professionals think all is well with what I'm (eating, doing, not doing, etc.) so I'm all good in that area. How you doing?"

Rarely do they say anything again about it.

Some people are just curious and I'm happy to share about my life post-op. "Can you really eat that?" Stuff like that. LOL my tolerance level is dependent upon time of month ;)

Good Luck with the goobers.