Well I am now a member of this 300 lb club thanks to some nasty steroids for allergies that never went away lol.
ATM I am being heavily pressured by my parents and one friend to undergo weight loss surgery because "no one can lose 150 pounds without surgery." I'm pretty sure that's not true...
Additionally my weight comes from medications and not bad eating...and I've never heard of a surgery to remove residual meds lol.
I eat very healthy, mostly no meat but some poultry less than once a day. I have extremely persistent acid reflux disease and remain ibs-d following gallbladder removal. So to be truthful between the two there's not much food making it into my reserves. There are days I only take in 900 or so calories although I am always trying for 1800. I am able to exercise and diet without problem, but keep feeling pressured.
I don't think surgery is ever going to be an option for me because I have never gained weight because I ate too much, there were always outside factors at play. What kinds of things can I use to respond to people who are just sure healthy slow weight loss is impossible? Besides of course the success stories here
I've found that there is no response that will reliably convince people they're mistaken.
I usually either say nothing, change the subject or I respond with a generic "that's interesting, I'll have to look into that," (just saying that to shut them up, not because I think they're right).
I still have family telling me that I need weight loss surgery. I've discussed it with my doctors, and they agree that I'm a poor candidate for wls (for several reasons, including autoimmune disease and other issues), but even when I mention my doctor's recommendations - I still get people saying (even one doctor who is no longer my doctor) that I could find a surgeon willing to do the surgery despite my higher risk profile (I don't want to find a surgeon willing to do the surgery - because I'm the one having to take the risks, not him/her).
The doctor (a rheumatologist I was referred to, after waiting for almost a year to see him. There are long waiting lists to see a rheumy in this town) who told me I could find a surgeon willing to operate despite the greater risk,
told me that it would be impossible for me to lose a significant amount of weight without wls. That was two years and 60 lbs ago.
The weight is NOT coming off fast, but it is coming off.
I was in the same situation as you, with regards to being pressured into the surgery. I finally said, "No, it's my body and I am going to make it healthy on my own". You can do it. There is a lot of inspiration on these boards, and lots of people who have lost 150 pounds (or more) without surgery. Maybe show your parents/friend the success stories on this site. Tell them that support is what you need, not badgering.
On a side note the surgery does not always work, because it also takes effort. My ex has regained what he lost and more as a result of not changing his eating habits within 4 years of having the surgery.
While I don't know whether 150 is possible for you, there are many people who successfully lose weight -- and keep it off -- without surgery. Just head over to the maintainers' forum to see! As a person who gained weight due to steroids, you might well be one of those people. I would certainly say it's worth a shot, rather than setting yourself up needlessly for the complications following surgery.
We also have a number of people here who have undergone surgery, and for them it was the right option. But I think many of them would agree that it's not an option to jump to simply because it's there, in large part due to complications.
It's your decision, not anyone else's. I'm not sure you need to convince them of anything other than that!
Don't let them pressure you, it is definitely possible and think of your life after a surgery like that, it really is not all its cracked up to be. MY SIL had a lapband surgery 8 yrs ago and is still dealing with the dynamics that come from it. You can do this through diet and exercise, steroids are awful on the body and thankfully you can reverse it.
I noticed you said you have ibs and acid-reflux problems, do you eat alot of grains(oats,bread,rice,flour,etc)? I don't eat grains anymore and have eliminated all my prior gastro issues, just a thought!
Maybe you need to shock them into the after effects of WLS, show them the negatives of it and then tell them you will exhaust all your own options before choosing WLs which will affect you the rest of your life...or just ignore them until they respect your decision. Good Luck!
Don't let people pressure you at all or try to convince you that WLS is the end-all answer. Sure, there have been many successful WLS stories, but letmetellya as a WLS patient, it's hard work. There's nothing easy about it and I had an uneventful surgery with no complications and had no overt risks going into it. Many doctors don't understand the malabsorption part of by-pass and the vitamins (type and amt) that have to be taken for life, so the patient must be his or her own advocate and monitor lab results. It's major surgery and all the risks involved need to be considered as well. For me and many others, it was the last resort. Just like any other method of weight loss, it's a tool and *can be circumvented*!!
Even something as seemingly as innocent as the "removable" lapband has major issues. I just had a friend get hers removed in a 6 hr surgery. It was broken in 2 and caused awful scarring.
There are many people who have been successful losing 150 lbs without WLS. The key is taking baby steps.
Hang in there!!!
Hugs,
Ratkity
PS I eat no wheat now and have no IBS at all!!!!! It's not hard these days to do.
150 possible?
