Why do people consider weight loss surgery cheating?

Its only cheating when... as many others have said, people act like the ton of weight they've lost in a matter of months is from their hardwork, diet and exercise. Never acknowledging any procedure was done. Then make the rest of us.. who- by the way- are trying to lose the same amount of weight... look and feel as if we're doing something wrong or don't have the right method/motivation/or discipline to lose the weight.

As you can probably tell, I've had a personal experience with a hs friend who did this, and it bothers me to no end.

In no way did she ever outright credit the surgery (just to a couple people) but yet she constantly bragged about how her hard work at the gym and eating right paid off and made it completely sound like her 100+ loss in less than 6 months was all from her hard work and motivation.

What bothered me even more... I didn't see her really start eating right or exercising like crazy until after the procedure. Why wasn't this attempted in the first place so that you could find out if you could really lose the weight without the procedure? Y

I see so many people here on MFP who take it slow and steady and it would take them twice as long or even more to lose the same amount of weight... but is it fair to them, in the mean time, to not make it known that you did have a weight loss surgery which is contributing to your loss? Absolutely NOT!

Many of these people work so hard and get demotivated when they can't lose weight fast enough to keep up with some of these people who get these procedures then completely credit themselves for all the work.

Ok... I'm done with my rant.

I find it disappointing that people are not more accepting to those that choose to have WLS, especially on this board. Struggling with obesity is no laughing matter, nor should any attempt to break those chains be looked at with scorn. To the OP that said it was cheating because they were working their azz off. I’m in the gym 5 days a week and the other two days I work out on my own. I run every day even with a serve case of Plantar fasciitis. I eat clean; I measure, track and log my food just like many of you do. I meet with a nutritionist monthly and have taken college level nutrition classes (as part of my chef’s training) to better understand food and how it impacts that body. I can probably tell you more about how and what you eat than most so called experts on this board.

I’ve been heavy my entire life with the exception of just a few times. It didn’t happen overnight, I didn’t wake up last Tuesday as a fat *kitten*. In my 40’s I lost 70lbs and kept it off for a number of years. I was a runner, did 10ks, halfs etc. I was diagnosed with Type II AFTER I lost the weight and was prescribed a boat load of meds by and over zealot Endocrinologist. Over time the weight creeped back as it always seemed to. It didn’t help that I went into the food business and owned my own café. Over time I gained 100lbs. I knew how to lose the weight, I had done so many times, but I also knew that at age 54, time was no longer on my side. I needed help to get back into the game. After a lot of research, last November, I had VSG surgery. To me, it leveled the playing field and gave me the opportunity to get my hands around getting my health in a better place. I fully understood and understand that this was a life style change. I was and am committed to living a healthy life style. The surgery is just another aid to help keep that discipline in check.

The surgery and the education that I have gotten, both pre-and post op, has been the key to my success. I have eliminated white processed foods; I have stopped drinking booze and beer and opt for a fine red wine, when I do drink. I eat a balanced diet, of chicken, fish and a minimal amount of red meat and pork. I eat healthy amounts of vegetables and fruits. I've identified the triggers in my life that cause me to overeat and I address them when they pop up. Yes, absolutely I could have done each and every one of these things without the surgery, but for me, the surgery was the catalyst that got me refocused. Will the weight come back? Who knows, but how can any of us guarantee that we won’t gain the weight that we have lost back? Please, if you can make me that guarantee, let me know. I have some ocean front property in Arizona for sale.

For those that admonish people that have WLS as cheaters, I say; is having a boob job cheating? Face lift or tummy tuck cheating? What about a V-job? Too lazy to slip on the rubber are you? Do you see where I am coming from? Yes, there are many that have WLS that game the system and there are an equal number that go into the process without the proper education or mindset to make the changes needed to be successful. But again, that is no reason to be resentful, or admonish their efforts. In fact, if you do know these people as many of you say, why not support them and help them learn the things that they need to know?

Weight loss and living a healthy life style, isn’t easy regardless of the path you chose. It shouldn’t be viewed as this secret society that only the ones that do it on their own should be allowed to be a part of. I don’t see WLS being the easy way. In fact in a lot of ways it is harder than doing it the old fashioned way. I am really sorry for the long post, but the negative comments in this thread and negative comments regularly seen on this board about folks that have had WLS, to me, seem hypocritical and ignorant. We should all celebrate the fact that we taking charge of our lives and making the changes necessary to live a longer and healthier life.

The same reason they think using a spinning pole is cheating. . . They are uninformed.

because we have to do it with diet and exercise

People enjoy feeling superior to others and nitpick at things that are none of their business in order to feel that superiority.

I definitely don't consider it cheating. As you said, it is a tool. As a matter of fact, if you don't follow the strict diet and exercise regime laid out for you, you can eat your way right out of it. I know several people who have had it done and ate their way right out of it. They are bigger now than they ever were. The key is changing your lifestyle.

I think it's great that you have already been following a diet and exercising. I have heard of some getting gastric bypass without making any lifestyle changes. They don't lose the weight the right way and a lot of people gain the weight back afterwards.

I think the people who succeed after surgery are not cheating. I know a couple of success stories where the person really have made a lifestyle change and worked on their emotional problems.

But I think sometimes people think it's going to be easy. I have a woman in my close family who had weight loss surgery. She is now gaining it all back. And she blaimes her kids because they didn't want to eat healthy food. Like she doesn't have a say in what kind of food is bought and prepaired.

Sometimes I feel they should use the money the surgery costs to get professional help and try weight loss the regular way. I'm guessing you could get a lot of hours of PT, dietitian and counseling for the price of surgery.

I don't think it' cheating. I have a friend who had lap band, but I can tell she has gained a lot of weight back. I didn't realize that could happen. I chose not to do surgery for the reason that I don't want to go through the difficulty of surgery and then have the same possibility of gaining back just as I would without surgery. I am trying without, but good luck to you.