"You know, she did it the hard way"........

The other day, at work.... I got into a conversation with a coworker about weight loss. Now let me tell you all that I have never been shy about telling people how I lost weight. All of my coworkers have been so supportive. Well, this one person...  who is a "total health nut" was talking about a lady in his class (he teaches a class at the local gym) that  has lost a lot of weight. He made the comment that she did it the  the hard way which in his mind was more commendable than someone who had surgery. ????? I told him that the main objection was to loose weight and get healthy... not how you go about to do it. What do you say to these people??? There are a lot of people *****ally dont have a clue..... This guy has been very complementry to me about my health and progress, and has always been supportive. I dont really think that he knew that he had offended me. I did not want to show my frustration, so I did not comment too much about it. Better to let it go, then to create a fuss... Right?? Thought I would just throw this out there to you all..... have a great monday evening! cath

Well maybe you need to educate him that short term we lose weight quickly but long term we malabsorb for the rest of out lives and if we don't take care of ourselves we can have catestrophic results. And how for the rest of our lives we can't take NAISDS for pain relief etc...... there is a lot to be said for doing it the "hard" way........ Jackie '

Cathy , you tell her to come walk a mile in your shoes and she will see what the HARD way is . Most people like this have no clue what WLS entails . I think it is high time we stopped being so shy about it .. most people that have had it do not talk about it .. and I think it is because they do not understand the mechanics of just what they did to their bodies .  I say givem hell .. tell them just how it is .. from the time you get up till you go to bed . Your suppliments .. EVERYTHING .. then ask her how she feels now about her little salad with chicken and light dressing .. hmmm to never eat sugar again .. to never have sweet tea ? OH.. I am shutting up as this one really gets me ..  BE LOUD AND BE PROUD ..  Love ya ,  TInk

When I was able to work after my surgery I received some of the same feedback. Everything I ate was criticized, was ridiculed for the big jug of protein under my desk. I did it the so called "hard way" only to regain it all back plus more. I am grateful for what I've learned and accomplished no matter what others say. They werent there in my shoes so they really have no right to say. Just their opinion, just like we have ours. Everyone journey is a little different due to cir****tance and we take some different routes to get to where we need to be. As long as we keep truckin along is what matters. You have done great and I am proud of you. This is not the easy way out and if others want to be ignorant thats on them. I always say though, watch what u ridicule others for, it may just knock on your door one day in your future. Circle of life...........................

Hugs,

Shannon

A lot of time people just don't understand about what we go through.  It takes a lot of dedication & work & that is for life.  It isn't just a quick fix & as easy as they think.  He probably didn't intend to offend you.  The best idea is to just ignore it because he doesn't understand, however having a voice & standing up for ourselves is important too.  Maybe you could help educate him to exactly how "easy" it is.  :)

When this happens to me, I want to really get into it with someone, but then I remember this old saying: "Never argue with a fool. They will only drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." If someone is interested in knowing about what you are going through, that's great. Otherwise life is too short to waste it on idiots. Just my opinion.

What about saying to your co worker. Your friend has good reason to be proud! I was thinking about something you said, "the hard way" and was thinking to myself that every way to loose weight is the hard way including the way I did it. I have had to also change my way of thinking, eat differently and responsibly and make sure I always get in my vitamins minerals and proteins so I won't become malnourished. Must importantly, I have had to commit to regular exercise and agree to have regular visits with by my Dr., who checks my Labs regularly, to be sure I am getting the proper amount of nurishment.  It sounds like you are a bit bothered by what he said, because he seems to care about you. He just doesn't know better, most of the population is ignorant in regard to Gastric Bypass.There is nothing wrong with gently reeducating him. If we all gently reeducated those that are ignorant, eventually we would hear less often," the hard way!!" Be proud and stick up for yourself!  We know it takes quite a lot of adjustment mentally and physically to use this great tool we were given! There is nothing easy about it. But we can have a positive attitude and that makes enerything we do a bit easier! McLean