Negative WLS peers

[Puppylovemommy 8]

For many years I read about and researched RNY and then came the lapband. I wasn't sold on either one because first I thought the RNY was too dang invasive and entrusive to me . As for the lapband, well having something foreign in my body didn't go over well with me especially after having norplant in my arms for 5 years and bleeding for 5 years because of it! So when I got to this weight and realized that if I didn't have something done I would die, I started researching again and found the sleeve and sleeve plication. I decided on the sleeve because its less invasive than re-routing your intestines and the fact that they take out that hormones that cause your body to want to eat! Thats my major problem. I eat all the time as a form of comfort. If I were you, I would not talk with that person until after having your surgery done or avoid her if at all possible. Show her that weight loss surgery can be successful if you follow the rules!

[LissyinTX 1]

I say ignore them. i have a friend at work who I talk to on a daily basis. She had the bypass almost 3 years ago and has lost 100lbs and has kept it off. She gives me support as well as suggestions for my eating patterns adn for getting my hubby to accept that I am having the surgery. There is also someone who had the band at the school I work in. She had the surgery right before school started. In all honesty, you can't tell that she had it at all. I have lost more weight than she has and all I did was watch my food intake.

My suggestion is to ignore the negative. if you feel that you want this surgery, that it will work for you... go for it. This is your body, your choice. Be honest with your doctor and yourself. Go into it saying I will heal amazing, I will do amazing and I will look and feel amazing!

[Browneyedsouljah 5]

Hi Everyone,

Ok so i approached my friend and just suggested that we help each other and be each others support system since we both will have simular experiences. I also advised her that I have done my research and my decision is solid. That if for some reason my insurance denied me, I will just pay out of pocket. That is how set on this I am. I shared with her my food diary and actually even disclosed my weight. My partner doesnt even know how much I weigh! I showed her how she can tweek things to work for her and how she could just track this on her phone even. I also showed her my book from my nutritionist who specializes in working with WLS patients. It had a section devoted to RNY. I don't think she had any education before she had her procedure so i thought it would be helpful. Well I think she soaked in all the information I share, but she still came at me negatively. She said people at the bariatric place she had her surgery told her all kind of horror stories about the sleeve. That I should not do this and just give myself a year. So i pulled up my surgeons information and showed her how he has the highesr designation available in this field. i also told her that he has never had a patient have a leak with the sleeve. I explained how I am in fairly good health despite my weight and how I didnt have any co-mobidities and didnt even need any additional testing or anything. I also explained my father and his death at a pre-mature age and how I didnt want that to happen to me. So i feel like I layed my case out but she was just negative. I finally snapped and explained.. look I am having a different procedure and I am not taking any shortcuts. I also am doing my part unlike you. I told her that WLS is not a cure its a tool and she has to do her part. I told her maybe she wouldnt get sick all the time if she catually did not drink while she was eating and just followed the diet somewhat. That she needed to hold herself accountable and stop thinking that the surgery is magic. So I basically told her she needed to step up and stop hating on me because of her experience. She was very upset at first but then she owned some things about her situation. She confessed how her family continues to eat the same stuff and she feels more like an outcast now tha before. I suggested that she let her family know that she needed thier support and that includes cnging the way meals are done. She has a daughter that is big and she can help her avoid getting to the point that she needs the help of WLS. So all in all it was like an up and down roller coaster and I thought we were gonna end up ending our friendship a couple times. However, I think she understands what I was saying and that my offer to be WLS buddies comes from a genuine place. Hopefully things will get better for her, but i wanted to thank everyone for the support and comments. It is appreciated.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

That is a really great outcome. I commend you for holding it together, you really have a lot to be proud of. I do believe she only meant the best for you and cares about you. Lots of relationships will change for you in your journey, some for the better some for the worse. My hope is that this one will be for the better. Both of you have a lot to lose, and a lot to gain in return by remaining friends.

Blessings!