It was E Coli....

[Clown 1]

So, whenever I see people I haven't seen in a while, they always ask how I lost my weight... I usually do the E Coli joke. Sometimes it's "Cancer does wonders with weight loss!" Sometimes it's Montezuma's Revenge.

Anyone else mess with people? I'm tired of using the same jokes.

[Melissannde 41]

As a cancer survivor, I try not to make jokes about cancer.

I don't make excuses, I either tell the truth (that I had WLS) or I tell the truth (that I'm watching what I eat and exercising).

I don't mean to sound "witchy".. The cancer excuse just struck me the wrong way. I understand you're trying to be humorous.

[Cindy C 150]

I ran into someone last week that I hadn't seen in years and they asked what I did. I simply said "I regained control of my life!" And left it at that.

[CheckYes 46]

I have to agree. The cancer joke hit me in the wrong spot too. In fact, the words cancer and joke should not be spoken in the same breath. I'd find a new response if I were you.

[RedheadGirl 2]

Just wanted to say that I'm pretty sensitive to the cancer thing as well and I don't think it's funny to make any jokes about cancer even if it's just saying it aided in weight loss. That's just something to not make fun of.... However, I have wondered the same thing and I like the other response on here that she said she just regained control in her life. I think that is a PERFECT answer.

[Clown 1]

Uh, why's everyone so uptight? I've lost plenty of people due to cancer, but a joke is a joke.

And I tell them that I had surgery, but you lose your chance at a punch line if you tell them about the band first.

Is this where I should start with the gay jokes instead?

JUST KIDDING!

[Nechama L 4]

I just tell people that I had surgery. I know some people are sensitive for various reasons about not sharing that they got the band, but I feel like I would rather educate people about obesity as a disease than hide from it. For example, if, G-d forbid, I did have cancer and lost my hair from chemo, I wouldn't hide behind jokes like trying to look like Senead O'Conner because I always feel that people can learn from other people's experiences and that would be a way for me to teach about cancer.

[Debora Anne 3]

I understand you are trying to be funny however my hisband is a lung cancer survivor so that to me is not a joke sorry if I am being rude but we Celebrate hissurvival as well as our freinds as well as anyone who has survived cancer -

So, whenever I see people I haven't seen in a while, they always ask how I lost my weight... I usually do the E Coli joke. Sometimes it's "Cancer does wonders with weight loss!" Sometimes it's Montezuma's Revenge.

Anyone else mess with people? I'm tired of using the same jokes.

[RedheadGirl 2]

I don't think anyone is being uptight. I think there are things you joke about and other things you don't joke about. Cancer kills people and lots of us have either known someone who has died or survived it or have survived it ourself. So when someone throws out a joke about a serious matter, it isn't so funny.

Uh, why's everyone so uptight? I've lost plenty of people due to cancer, but a joke is a joke.

And I tell them that I had surgery, but you lose your chance at a punch line if you tell them about the band first.

Is this where I should start with the gay jokes instead?

JUST KIDDING!

[lea3277 6]

I have watched my mom fight cancer for the greater part of my life - 16 years and she is still fighting. They gave mom 6 months to live in '95 and she beat the odds...woohoo. I have had experiences with people who joke about cancer and it's just hard to deal with when it hits so close to home. There is a difference in an innocent child giggling and asking me why my mother is bald out of curiosity, but for an adult to openly joke about is a little much.

Seeing the raw effects of cancer are sickening and no joking matter. Don't get me wrong, I can joke with the best of the best, but this is not a good lapband coverup joke excuse!

Sorry I got a little lengthy, but I couldn't refrain. I'm just going to be open about my surgery in hopes that someone else can experience the life changing effects of lapband!

[Kate rules 43]

I'm telling people I'm going on a cruise in December and want to look and feel my best.

[B-52 7,113]

So, whenever I see people I haven't seen in a while, they always ask how I lost my weight... I usually do the E Coli joke. Sometimes it's "Cancer does wonders with weight loss!" Sometimes it's Montezuma's Revenge.

Anyone else mess with people? I'm tired of using the same jokes.

Sorry, not my style of humor. I believe if people ask me a straight forward intelligent question, they deserve a straight forward intelligent answer.

[Beachbunny 5]

Not funny and immature to say the least. How about putting on your bigboy or girl undies and tell the truth...Its not that hard to Celebrate weight loss. As losing a parent and two Grandparents to Cancer its hard not to be upset.

[Jachut 487]

Ah, having struggled for months to regain extreme weight loss due to cancer and chemotherapy, I'm not laughing much either. See that teeny pic of me? I was over 25lb heavier than I am now in that pic.

[Jachut 487]

I just tell people that I had surgery. I know some people are sensitive for various reasons about not sharing that they got the band, but I feel like I would rather educate people about obesity as a disease than hide from it. For example, if, G-d forbid, I did have cancer and lost my hair from chemo, I wouldn't hide behind jokes like trying to look like Senead O'Conner because I always feel that people can learn from other people's experiences and that would be a way for me to teach about cancer.

And I agree with this entirely, well said! I always tell people that I've got a lapband becuase I'd hate anyone to think that I'm some superwoman with amazing willpower whilst they're miserable failures. There IS an answer to obesity and I dont want to hide it or keep it secret, I want to share my experience and my journey to help others.

If you want to keep it private, that's your choice, but why make stupid jokes about it? How can you know when you say that to someone whether cancer has touched their lives?