This is a tool not a solution!

[Scubagecko]

I've decided to call Bullshit, please forgive the harsh language, on anyone that says the sleeve is the easy way out.

The truth is that the success rate for someone who is obese to lose weight through diet and exercise, and keep it off, is 5%. Now remember that success rate is losing 50% of the excess weight and the amount of time is 3-5 years.

Now I’m not saying that someone can’t get to a healthy weight and keep it off through diet and exercise. But, I know that I would not be able to do it without my sleeve. This tool allows me to focus on changing my diet and exercise without dealing with debilitating hunger and cravings.

I’ve tried on my own to control my diet and exercise many times without success and for the first time in my life I feel in control of my weight and for the first time I know I will reach a healthy weight and maintain it throughout my life.

Anyone in my life that can’t respect this has lost mine and I no longer would like to associate with those people. Not all the dead weight in my life that I lose will be body fat!

[Karenricha]

Awe David - what happened?...do you have a lot of people who do not support your decision to use Gastric Sleeve as a tool. Ya know - I was watching a video of one of the girls on here..she is so funny. She said that she has been careful on who to tell and who not to tell...but those who she has told and who have given her bad feedback on it..she would say to them..."Do you ride your bike to work? - or do you walk?" - Well obviously they use their car..so she said..well then obviously your taking the easy way out as well. I laughed when I heard that. Some people can eat mounds and mounds of food - and not gain an ounce...others may not eat much but gain tons. I have always said myself - I need to exercise non stop and eat hardly no food at all in order to loose. Try having some of those people who eat tons - eat the amount of food you eat now...they could not do it. - no way. All of our metabolisms are different. I think you are being Pro Active - for sure! - You realized you have a weigh issue - and you did something about it that you know is long term. Meanwhile you become more healthy. So good for you!!! That is how I have to look at it. I am careful on who I will tell..and if after the surgery I look great - I can simply say - Strict diet and exercise...because if you look at it..that is exactly what it is. A very strict diet along with exercise! - its no more then that! Happy New Year!

[DANA H]

That is so true. Not all dead weight is body fat. I am finding that you can only associate yourself with positive people and people that share the same goals and likes in life that you do. If they are not in your circle, get rid of them!

[Scubagecko]

I haven't had any in my life but I have read so many posts about people getting negative feedback and it irks me. I have been so lucky that everyone I've told has been exceedingly supportive. At work I've only told my boss and he called me brave for doing it and thought losing the weight will earn me more respect with him and my colleagues.

But, when I read people who, may or may not have weight issues themselves, talk about negativity without listening to the person who is asking for help getting their life and health back. I just thought some facts needed to be made available to anyone dealing with that negativity.

I like the bike or walk comment I will be sure to use that one.

[LisaI]

the thing this surgery gave me was CONTROL. for the first time in my adult life, i feel in control of what i eat!

[Scooter]

272
Hell, I have had people tell me it is the easy way out and I agree. Over the Christmas and Thanksgiving and New Year's break, I have only lost a couple of pounds. But, I have eaten anything and everything I have wanted! It is like being an active teenager again. I've taken road trips, gone to parties, plenty of restaurants, social events, family get togethers, solo pig out sessions, eaten left over candy, brownies, bacon, chocolates and for the first time in 20 years, at the end of the week - no gain! This is like a dream world - now I know what it is like for skinny people who eat whatever they want - they are truly fortunate.If I had worked hard and eaten healthy, I would have probably lost another 15 pounds, but so what? The only regret is I haven't eaten enough healthy food but I consider this a phase, and plan to eat right...soon.
Why does it bother anyone to be told it was the easy way out? I couldn't do it on my own, I acknowledge that. If they don't overeat, smoke, cheat on the spouse, drink in excess, or deny themselves any other vice in life, then they are just born lucky anyway. I'm smart and successful, have a wonderful family, and I like to eat alot. I couldn't control it on my own, and this was an easy way out. Now I bound through life like a kid again, and I'm just grateful. I honestly feel sorry for fat people now, not for physical appearance, but because of the hardships it presents in life. It is hard work to lose way without this surgery, and life is short. Why spend your whole life fighting weight gain when you can live it up, eat enough to be satisfied, and not wobble, hobble, and ashamedly drool over the buffet?

[Its_Me]

Like Lisa said, its the first time in my life where I've had control over food, not the other way around. Thankfully the very few people I told have been very supportive.

[jazziejasmine]

272
Hell, I have had people tell me it is the easy way out and I agree. Over the Christmas and Thanksgiving and New Year's break, I have only lost a couple of pounds. But, I have eaten anything and everything I have wanted! It is like being an active teenager again. I've taken road trips, gone to parties, plenty of restaurants, social events, family get togethers, solo pig out sessions, eaten left over candy, brownies, bacon, chocolates and for the first time in 20 years, at the end of the week - no gain! This is like a dream world - now I know what it is like for skinny people who eat whatever they want - they are truly fortunate.If I had worked hard and eaten healthy, I would have probably lost another 15 pounds, but so what? The only regret is I haven't eaten enough healthy food but I consider this a phase, and plan to eat right...soon.
Why does it bother anyone to be told it was the easy way out? I couldn't do it on my own, I acknowledge that. If they don't overeat, smoke, cheat on the spouse, drink in excess, or deny themselves any other vice in life, then they are just born lucky anyway. I'm smart and successful, have a wonderful family, and I like to eat alot. I couldn't control it on my own, and this was an easy way out. Now I bound through life like a kid again, and I'm just grateful. I honestly feel sorry for fat people now, not for physical appearance, but because of the hardships it presents in life. It is hard work to lose way without this surgery, and life is short. Why spend your whole life fighting weight gain when you can live it up, eat enough to be satisfied, and not wobble, hobble, and ashamedly drool over the buffet?

Let me be the first to like your post because you think like I do! Yeah, I've told people that I took the easy way out and had surgery - so what? It was the easy way out of an out-of-control situation that I knew no other way to fix without having to kill myself in the gym or by restricting myself from the foods I love! Besides, to work out and restrict myself always worked in the past but was never permanent because I didn't learn how to make it a lifetime change. This tool has helped me immensely! I indulged over the holidays and I'll be the first to admit that I gained about 5 pounds from making bad choices. Did I kick myself for it? Heck yes! But can I easily get back on my horse today? You know it! By no means do I want to take this "tool" for granted by overindulging regularly but I also don't want to blow it off that it isn't the easy way out. Surgery and recovery for ME was a breeze and I look forward to my future as a healthy adult by taking the easy road which works for me. Kudos for those who have the determination to do it the hard way and keep it off!

[cowgirljane]

Amen!

[Cindola]

David you hit the nail on the head! It is hard for those of us who have jumped through all the hoops to get our sleeves, changed our lives to accommodate our "new normal" -- eating protein first (and lots of it), limiting our carbs to those which are healthy, and eating six times a day to hear that we took the "easy way." Yes, the people who say this haven't lived our lives, or walked a mile in our shoes for the most part - so they are passing judgement on what they think is an easy solution. However, on the flip side I have found support since my surgery from those in my family who were against my taking this step to acquire a tool to help me take control over my health -- what joy!!! They now see my choice as a positive rather than a negative -- and are proud of me for taking the bull by the horns. The culture in the US currently allows for judgement and discrimination based on weight -- it is visible and in the media all day/every day we can't escape it. Many "thin" folks don't have a clue, it is easier to think that overweight people are all lazy or make poor food choices, eat too much, don't care about themselves, etc. -- But, we know this isn't true!

[5DogMa]

Yes, that is bullshit for them to think this is easy because you still have to fight your addiction and diet and exercise just like before to lose weight. The sleeve doesn't fix your head or your emotional addiction to food. It's always been a food addiction and it always will be. It's just harder to practice the addiction when you can only eat small amounts, BUT... you can eat small amounts of the wrong foods all day long if you and your addiction choose to and you will gain weight. Yes, I knew this going into it, but was hoping in the end this tool would help me win against my food addiction. One day at a time and most days aren't so easy and definately not the easy way out.

[carolynodien]

Awe David - what happened?...do you have a lot of people who do not support your decision to use Gastric Sleeve as a tool. Ya know - I was watching a video of one of the girls on here..she is so funny. She said that she has been careful on who to tell and who not to tell...but those who she has told and who have given her bad feedback on it..she would say to them..."Do you ride your bike to work? - or do you walk?" - Well obviously they use their car..so she said..well then obviously your taking the easy way out as well. I laughed when I heard that.

Karen, you made my day...!!! (I think you were quoting me?!?!)

[Karenricha]

Yes Carolyn I was quoting you...haha..I told you I watched your video..I loved it! Your strip tease was so funny! Layer after Layer...too funny...but yes..great videos...!!