Why do people consider weight loss surgery cheating?

If it's working for you, don't let others discourage you. Just keep doing the things you need to do to be successful.

I have a lap band. If I go out for dinner and only order a salad with chicken on it and someone says "Is that enough?" I say "yes, I have a lap band" I am 100% straight up with mine. I needed it - I could lose weight no prob with out it. But couldn't keep it off. It is just another tool to use during our weight loss journey.

I am scheduled to have a gastric bypass on May 24th. I have family and friends making snide comments about my decision. And I keep reading online posts about how weight loss surgery is so horrible because it is cheating.

I have followed a doctor supervised diet and exercise regiment for over a year. My PCOS is making it impossible for me to lose weight. I've seen and endocrinologist and several other specialists and all are agreeing that it is a good idea if I have weight loss surgery because it will change my hormone composition.

I see weight loss surgery as a tool...you still have to follow a strict diet and exercise program if you are going to be healthy. You have to be extremely diligent in taking your supplements and protein intake. You can never eat sugary or fatty foods again. It's not as easy as people think.

Sorry about the rant....I guess I'm just in need of some support or validation of my new journey.

I myself have pcos and struggle with dropping weight so i been thinking about this myself but i am scared of the loose skin you get from dropping so much weight so fast. But if you truely want it and work out and make the right food choices i am all for it. And wish you good luck! I do despise the ppl the get it done and then learn to cheat it and do nothing for a healthier life

I think people think it is cheating because willpower is not involved. My cousin got a gastric band put in about 16 months ago. She has lost 56lbs because she still eats crap, refuses to exercise and is just lazy. Also half of that weight was the pre op diet she was put on before. My sister (in the same year) joined MFP and lost 50lbs through diet and exercise. It took my sister longer to loose the weight but it has stayed off.

Basically, if you are getting this surgery, many people need to go on the pre op diet which they will loose weight on. The problem is, is that these people know its only a short time before they can eat crap again after their op so they stick to it for the month or so before hand. If you can loose weight for a weight loss surgery then you can loose weight without the surgery

I don't view it as cheating, but I don't think it's a good idea. A lot (not all) of people who have it claim that they just can't lose weight with eating sensibly and exercising, but I don't think many of them have actually tried. When I was considering WLS, I honestly thought there was no other option, that I had "tried everything". But I couldn't afford it so I never went through with it. Shortly thereafter, my life circumstances changed and I was forced to give up fast food and eat sensibly and lo and behold I lost weight.

Everyone I know who has had gastric bypass has gained the weight back, and then some, or died of complications several years later.

I just don't think it's worth it. But that is only my opinion. My first rule of weight loss is to do what works for you, that you can sustain. You're the expert in your own life, not me, so if that means surgery for you, so be it. I'm just so thankful that I never went through with it.

But I do think there is something to be said for learning how to make necessary lifestyle changes. Surgery doesn't change your habits. I know MANY people who have had one form of bariatric surgery or another, and I can only say that ONE of them has kept the weight off. Some of the others tried for a while, but eventually they all thought of their smaller stomachs as a safety net, and I firmly believe it is because they never learned how to eat properly or maintain an active lifestyle before they went under the knife. They had surgery, the weight fell off with little effort on their part, and they weren't equipped to maintain that loss.

I think this is the main issue. In most cases, people who get surgery never learn to actually change their lifestyle. Changing your lifestyle takes HARD WORK and dedication, so surgery is often seen as the "easy" way out - and the people who have it are often unsuccessful!!

That being said, I completely understand your situation OP. PCOS is a special circumstance, and if you've been working hard for a year with no results than surgery may be the right choice for you. I wish you all the best and if people try to give you crap for your decision, just tell them it's none of their business - because it isn't!

I don't view it as cheating, but I don't think it's a good idea. A lot (not all) of people who have it claim that they just can't lose weight with eating sensibly and exercising, but I don't think many of them have actually tried. When I was considering WLS, I honestly thought there was no other option, that I had "tried everything". But I couldn't afford it so I never went through with it. Shortly thereafter, my life circumstances changed and I was forced to give up fast food and eat sensibly and lo and behold I lost weight.

Everyone I know who has had gastric bypass has gained the weight back, and then some, or died of complications several years later.

I just don't think it's worth it. But that is only my opinion. My first rule of weight loss is to do what works for you, that you can sustain. You're the expert in your own life, not me, so if that means surgery for you, so be it. I'm just so thankful that I never went through with it.

Agree!!! You are living proof that you can lose over a hundred pounds without the surgery. Great job (I'm right behind ya!).

What does the surgery teach you? Does it teach you to watch portion control (like really, not by making you eat less, but does it actually teach you what a portion size is), does it make you get out and get active, does it make you choose healthy options for food? I think the issue is that it's like the cheaters way (unless really medically necessary). There is a good chance that you could put the weight back on. If you have the surgery and eat the same processed junk and fast food, then it has taught you nothing! if you have come out of it ready to change your lifestyle forever, you eat healthy, make good food choices, then that is awesome. But like others said, you have to own it. When people ask how you lost your weight, don't tell them by eating good and exercising, you tell them, I had gastric bypass.

There are lots of skeptics out there and here is why.... If I can lose weight, anyone can. it takes patients, will power and dedication! I did it, I even have some MFP friends who have lost over 100 lbs just by eating better and working out. I lost my 45 lbs the 'old fashioned way' and I now know what I need to do to keep it off and be healthy forever. I fear that the surgery doesn't help anyone figure these things out.

Personally, I would not ever do it unless it was medically necessary. But you are not me. this is your choice and your body, just make sure you take the necessary steps in making sure you are healthy after this procedure.

I don't consider it cheating, I think its more like a short cut, if you are unable to lose weight the traditional way and this is your last option, I agree with the others...own it, but know its not going to work if you don't put in the work. There have been way too many people that had this surgery, thinking their "fat" problems were solved forever, only to gain the weight back (Star Jones, Carnie Wilson and my Aunt) come to mind. Use it as a short cut to a more healthier, life-long lifestyle. Good luck with your surgery.

As someone who suffers from PCOS . . . . your PCOS is not making it "IMPOSSIBLE" for you to lose weight- it is making it harder and a longer process, but not impossible