Healthy Vs. Weight Loss.... Why Dont People Understand

[utcaneuser 32]

Why is it people only see the Band as a way to lose weight and not a way of getting healthy? Yes the 2 go hand in hand, but most only see the weight. I'm rather frustrated with my family right now. I know they want me healthy, but they only see it as weight loss. They also have a issue with the portions. You're not eating enough.... How much have you lost? Over and over... I'm not even a full 30 days out. I've explained the first 6 weeks are healing and the portions are smaller the goal is getting healthy through proper eating habits etc. They only want weight numbers. They don't care if cholesterol or anything else goes down or a goal of mine is to get rid of a number of pills currently have to take. It's only the weight, weight, weight. Yes the loss helps in getting rid of pills and getting blood tests with good numbers, but the goal is healthy. Any thoughts or suggestions?

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[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

their issues are on them

not you. do not let it transfer to you and cause you needless stress.

if they want numbers- you can say i dont know for sure but

feel a whole lot better (my mom in law asks me this all the time and what i wrote is my actual response).

as for portions.-yes this is enough, thank you and yes i am eating enough, thank you.

no need to (explain anything to anyone). that is how i see it. you get yourself well. let the inches start showing (as that is more important than any number on a scale)..

you got this.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

The decision to get banded ...just like diets is very personal. As much as your family is trying in their own way to be supportive they arent doing so from reading into what you wrote. But to their credit they arent the ones learning to live with the band.

If it were me... I would tell them you are following your Dr's orders and eating what you are supposed to. Thank them for their concerns but tell them you really need to follow his advice and the results will come. I wouldnt give them anymore info then I felt comfortable with. In their mind they are looking at this as another diet that will fail. Sad but true. SO... give them info on a need to know basis... and stay true to yourself in the process.

[zinhaa 363]

I agree with carolina and floridays.

When someone asks me how much I have lost I tell them I do not measure success like that.

There are two people who know how much i weigh me and the dr.

Some ask what size clothes I am and Either i tell them or I say I'm in between.

Wendy

[Sojourner 2,446]

For me, WLS with the band was never motivated by weight loss or vanity, but by racing against the Diabetes Type II time clock...and my family and PCP knew this. My surgery had to be delayed for over a year due to unexpected medical issues...and my PCP shared his concerns that I would become diabetic during the delays I faced.

I still had one son in a medical field tell me not to do the surgery...but this is not his life. we each have our own reasons for wanting the band surgery. honor them, and move forward.

I looked at this surgery as an opportunity to regain at least a portion of the health that my weight was stealing from me. Yes, I've experienced complications since my surgery, but the band was not responsible, my weight loss was.

One of the best decisions I have ever made- for myself-and I take the negative comments from others with a "grain of salt".

[kandikay76 21]

Why is it people only see the Band as a way to lose weight and not a way of getting healthy? Yes the 2 go hand in hand, but most only see the weight. I'm rather frustrated with my family right now. I know they want me healthy, but they only see it as weight loss. They also have a issue with the portions. You're not eating enough.... How much have you lost? Over and over... I'm not even a full 30 days out. I've explained the first 6 weeks are healing and the portions are smaller the goal is getting healthy through proper eating habits etc. They only want weight numbers. They don't care if cholesterol or anything else goes down or a goal of mine is to get rid of a number of pills currently have to take. It's only the weight, weight, weight. Yes the loss helps in getting rid of pills and getting blood tests with good numbers, but the goal is healthy. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

This is precisely why I haven't told anyone about getting banded. I don't want to deal with any of my family or friends issues about me having a band. I am doing this for me, and my future. Most people seem to think that you are after some super model body or something, and that this is a magic band that just makes weight fall off. I just want to have my health improved, and feel better! I hope your efforts to educate your family about your band work and they become more supportive for you. Best wishes on your journey.