Has this happened to anyone else?

[KatieKateKate 0]

I've been having the strangest conversations with people about my band lately. It seems that not many people have any idea what the band is or how it works or the great things it can do. That's cool, I'm all about educating people and sharing the joyous news of this wonderful tool...especially because it took me 5 years of researching band vs bypass before I came to a decision to finally do this and it was a huge decision that affects every part of my life on a daily basis. Heck yes I'm more than happy to talk about it! That's not the strange part...

The strange part is when people ask me why I chose the band over the bypass; I give them my reasons and they go on to reveal that they have had the bypass...and then jump my case about how wrong/stupid I am and how the bypass is so much better. I'm confused by this response. Pretty sure they asked me for my reasons...and that's what they are...MY reasons...for what I chose to do with MY body, for MY health.

WLS is a very personal choice. I don't begrudge anyone the right to make their own decision about what's best for them. I'm happy for people who felt bypass surgery was the right choice for them, I just don't happen to be one of them. I'm having a really hard time understanding why I'm spending so much time defending my decision. People have gotten ANGRY with me about this topic, even aggressively so. :drool:

I understand people who've never had any weight issues not understanding that WLS was the right choice...but people who've had WLS...in any form...themselves? It just baffles me.

Is this just me or has anyone else experienced this too? If so, what do you find is a good way to diffuse the situation quickly?

[mary on a mission 0]

People are reallly strange. This sounds just like the whole debate about stay-at-home moms vs working moms or breast vs bottle feeding. It's been years since I had young children (my youngest is 14), but I remember the venom that people spouted when they made their opinions known.

My suggestion is you counter with something like "Well, it's a good thing this isn't a matter that will affect the world's survival - just ours, and our decision is already made!" And than smile and wish that person the best. They are looking for controversy and strife, and your best bet is to give them smiles and change the subject!

Have a great day!:drool:

[KatieKateKate 0]

Thanks Mary!

That's usually what I'd do. If it had just happened once or twice I'd figure it was just that person's problem and call it a day but this is repeatedly happening to me. 3 ladies I work with had bypass...2 of them I had no idea about until incidents such as this...one cornered me at a mutal co-worker's house and just wouldn't let the subject drop no matter what I said. My surgeon sent me to a neurologist for headaches I was having post-op and his nurse had bypass and went off on me about it when we were reviewing health history. 2 friends of a mutual friend (confusing much?) had bypass and similar conversations ensued...and on it goes...

Usually I'm not easily bated and can blow bad attitudes off as the other person's problem, but this is getting ridiculous already! :drool:

Maybe from now on I'll just know better than to say anything when someone asks my reasons cuz I'll know it's a trap! :tt2:

[healthy-me-in-Az 0]

Perhaps when someone asks why you chose band over bypass you can just say, "I just felt it was the better choice for me personally" and leave it at that. Honestly, your reasons are your own and they have no right to demand that from you.

Good luck!