Breaking the stereotype that a weightloss surgery is the "easy way out"
By sweetieny19
@sweetieny19 (20)
United States
September 25, 2012 3:17pm CST
I had the Lapband places around my stomach in March of 2010. I can not count the number of times I have heard people say "oh you took the easy way out" or I did it the hard way. I tried the "hard ways" as they see it. My next option was to have major surgery where they put me under and attach a medical device around my stomach. This process has not been easy in the least. I still have to exercise and eat properly. I still work hard at losing weight everyday. When i hear someone say I took the easy way it is like a slap in the face. People are grossly misinformed about how a surgery of this type works. I did not get this surgery and magically with no work or effort the weight came off, every pound has been work.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@GemmaR (8517)
•
25 Sep 12
I know that it is not easy to have surgery like that, but it is a lot easier to be able to lose weight if you don't feel hungry than it would be if you spent the majority if your evening just wishing that you could have some more food. I have a friend who has just had a band fitted and she hates it because she can no longer eat the foods that she likes, not even in moderation. I have lost 115lbs in the past two years, and have done that because I have been strict with myself naturally rather than having to have any kind of band fitted.
1 person likes this
@sweetieny19 (20)
• United States
25 Sep 12
It is a huge misconception that with this surgery you do not feel hungry. With a band you still feel hunger. The banding causes the food to hit your esphoogus sooner so that you are full faster and unable to eat more. No everyone can be strict with themselves to lose weight and not everyones body is build the same. I tried for many years to lose weight on my own and everytime I failed. I would not of chose to get a band if it was not a last resort.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72021)
• United States
25 Sep 12
My cousin had gastric bypass surgery and lost so much weight but sincw then gas pretty much gained it all back its sad. She had the lapband thing done before as well but it didnt help. I think its great you took the iniative to have this done. I hope it has helped improve your life and your health. Sometimes people dont try to lose weight through exercise. I think that needs to be done before any medical procediure. But sounds like even after the surgery its still a battle you have to continue.
@sweetieny19 (20)
• United States
25 Sep 12
Yes exercise and proper diet is required to maintain weightloss long term. The band limits your intake but often you can still eat some kinds of unhealthy foods. Exercise should be an important part of anyones lofe but it is essential for losing and keeping weight off. The band has just became a tool to help me lose weight it is not the reason I lose it.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
25 Sep 12
I have a relative through my husband that had weight loss surgery. The trouble is that she also had a tumor on her brain that took away her ability to make judgement calls, so she had to be watched to see that she did not eat too much and not only that she had diabetes. I would rather go through changing what I eat rather then going for surgery. I would think it would be harder and especially if you are someone who tried the diet and exercise , I woud think that you would consider it a failure as you could not lose via the other methods.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
So you had Bariatric Surgery....I understand that it is not at all the easy way out coz I have known somebody who had undergone the same procedure but was not able to maintain the weight.
Weight loss surgery limits the amount of food you can take in. Some operations also restrict the amount of food you can digest. Many people who have the surgery lose weight quickly. If you follow diet and exercise recommendations, you can keep most of the weight off. The surgery has risks and complications, however, including infections, hernias and blood clots.
