You Cheated! I lost weight the "Natural way"

To each his/her own. But you did have "help" through surgery. My great aunt-in law person had the same thing and likes to tell everyone about how much she lost. But I've lost 124 lbs the "natural way" too. I do think there is a difference, but the fact of the matter is, you're making a change now and eating right and are in the correct mind set.

And that difference would be????? How about the chances of YOU gaining all your weight back are much, much higher than some one who has had the help of their doctor. Don't judge people. What do really know about these surgeries, besides saying you know a friend of a friend who has a aunt etc.....For a lot of pople, they have yoyo'd all of their life and this was a last resort. There is NO difference as to HOW one loses the weight. You are no better than anyone because you did it "the natural way" Come see me in 5 years.....we'll see who has maintained thier weight loss.

I have a couple people I know in my life that have said and still say "I lose the natural way"

and I think...oh yeah? and how many times have you done the natural way? how many times.
you're barely eating and you think this is natural?. REAL world people, you need to eat, your crash diet is going to crash you eventually and you're going to gain your weight back if you don't do it right.

I had bypass surgery over 12 years ago and kept off over 200 pounds.
Ive gained 50 or so back IN 12 YEARS! let me see all the rude people DO THAT.

anyway. people like us are not doctors, and their natural ways make me laugh.
so, whatever.

Amen, sister!!!!!

So what I'm getting from this is you would have had to do the same sacrifices if you hadn't had the surgery done...
Why do it then?
Mind boggling.

Because MANY people can lose weight, but they can't keep it off. Sure I've lost a ton of weight many times in my life. Did it ever stay gone? NO. The surgery gives you the chance to lose it, for good and keep it off.

Surgery is only recommended for those with a BMI>40 or the morbid obese. It comes at too high a price, i mean physiologically. But i don't have any problem if people want it.

I'm mixed on the "natural way" vs. gastric bypass. I'm a PT and truly believe that making modifications in our lifestyle will yield changes before resorting to surgery. Obesity is mentally and physically debilitating, and I understand the desperation one must feel when opting for surgical intervention. I applaud the recognition for the need to get the weight off and to take control of your life.

That said, my experiences with people who opt for the surgery haven't been overly inspiring. I worked with a man who was a candidate for the lap band, yet compulsively over ate. He ate greasy, cheesy meat sandwiches, drank a lot, ate salads dripping in ranch dressing, and complained about his ever-increasing weight. He professed that the lap band was his "last resort." I furrowed my brow privately because he hadn't given much committment to any of the "resorts" that came ahead of surgery. This was before I was certified and had no legs to stand on in terms of advice.

In light of that experience, I've also watched people lose "the natural way" by eliminating food groups or practically eliminating whole groups of macronutrients. I've watched people use "natural" supplements to "boost" their metabolisms. I've seen people dehydrate themselves before weigh day so they can show some weight loss. I've also watched people on this site cheer themselves on for a starvation diet. None of these methods are healthy or "natural".

Of those two groups, I go with gastric bypass. I don't want this to sound awful, but the after-surgery maintenance legitimizes the effort for me. I can't fault anybody for not overcoming a lifetime of self-loathing, comfort eating, or lack of knowledge. Weight loss is really hard, and the power of our past is too overwhelming sometimes. Sometimes we can only do it when we're forced. I'm not an "any means necessary" kind of gal, but if surgical measures are what it takes to help you learn portion control, water consumption, and balanced nutrition, I'm in full support.

Great job. Keep doing what you're doing.

There is a well known statistic that the chances of someone losing say,a 100 lbs, and keeping it off, for LIFE, hovers right around 5%. Thats why I had the surgery. So I wouldn't gain it all back. I have yoyo'd my whole life. I'm not defensive about it. But you can bet ,we get really sick of hearing judgemental crap from people who don't know a thing about any of the bariatric surgeries. You would not believe the crap I have heard from people, over the last 7 years. To each his own. You worry about your journey and let me worry about mine.

Cheated?? At what? Sounds like jealously or sour grapes. Good luck in your journey!

Based on everyone elses' remarks I'm guessing my comments will go over like those of a fiscal conservative in Obama's oval office, but the OP asked why some folks don't respect surgical weight loss so I want to give my perspective on the issue.

Admittedly, I tend to not give surgery weight loss the same pat on the back that I'd give non-surgery weight loss. I think the reason for that is because the few I know who talk about it tend to be very defensive and go on and on about all the dietary changes they've made as a result of the surgery. I think it's great that they've lost weight and that they've made (hopefully) lifestyle changes in diet and exercise after the surgery, but I always wonder why they didn't just make those changes in the first place. Would it not have accomplished the same weight loss?

I know a guy who readily admits that he had the surgery because he didn't have the will power to stop eating. I respect his honesty and applaud his weight loss (nearly 100 pounds to date). Most people aren't that honest about it though. Most people try to place the blame of their obesity elsewhere and act like they had absolutely no choice but to have the surgery, when the reality is they just didn't want to put the fork down. I make it a point to always try not to judge people, but when someone starts getting defensive about this issue right off the bat it makes me question their honesty with themselves and with others...and that's when I start giving less credit than is possibly due.

Just my perspective. No offense meant to anyone here.

I think that is a very fair and rational "other side" to the argument. I just wanted to tell you that.

Having said that, I wanted to address this part - "I always wonder why they didn't just make those changes in the first place. Would it not have accomplished the same weight loss?" I have not had the surgery, and nor will I, and that's just my personal choice. I do however support anyone who makes that choice as their own. The value add for ME should I chose to do it would be the consequences. I think so many make those changes AFTER surgery b/c they HAVE to. The consequences are dire if they don't - too much sugar causes severe cramping, illness, etc. My doctor actually prescribed Xenical for me once (now OTC known as Alli). Honestly, i was sooooooo afraid of the consequences (Um, hello ANAL LEAKAGE?!?!?) that I was DILIGENT as could be about what I ate. So I could see the surgery being sort of a "forced willpower" kind of thing. I'm not saying that's why everyone does it, but I could see that being one reason. That's why people take diet pills, go to a nutritionist, see a personal trainer, have surgery...we all have to decide what works for us on this journey.

So what I'm getting from this is you would have had to do the same sacrifices if you hadn't had the surgery done...
Why do it then?
Mind boggling.

Because MANY people can lose weight, but they can't keep it off. Sure I've lost a ton of weight many times in my life. Did it ever stay gone? NO. The surgery gives you the chance to lose it, for good and keep it off.

I have seen so many people who have had weight loss surgery and regained significant amounts of weight. It all goes back to learning better ways to eat and getting exercise. Surgery jump starts that process by forcing you to change habits. What I like about MFP is that it allows you to gradually change your eating habits and lose in a more moderate manner.

Surgery is a personal choice. I am glad that most of the doctors are doing extensive psychological testing pre-op because it is really important in helping folks choose and follow the lifestyle changes they need to make.

Actually there is a lot of long term stats out there. Have you researched any of the surgeries? I have. Most people that have bariatric surgery of any type, maintain their loss. The doctors say even if you have a bit of "bounce back" weight, you are still a sucess if you maintain 60% of your loss.The Roux-n-y has been around for over 20 years. The duodenal switch is just about the same. They now have the gastric sleeve and of course the lap band. Out of all the surgeries the lap band has the lousiest stats. I'm assuming because there is no intestine bypassed.
I wasn't taking a "jab" at any one. Why is it ok for folks to start picking on weight loss surgery people? I was stating a statistic. Why do you think so many people gain their weight back? It's called "grehlin". It's what makes you hungry. It runs from your tummy to your brain, it controls your hunger. If you would do a little research you would find that in a RNY surgery, the doctor will cut that nerve that the grehlin runs thru. The result? You never feel that awful, growling, mad hunger again. At least for me. Trust me I asked my surgeon why I wasn't hungry the same afterwards, and thats what he said. He cut the nerve that carries the grehlin to my brain. So yes, it's a "tool" in my weight loss tool box and I'm glad it's there. I had the Roux-N-Y 7 years ago and it was the best decision of my life. So if you think I was "damaging" someone, I wasn't. Go tell this to all the idiots who make stupid ignorant remarks to weight loss surgery people.

Yes. I have, because I considered having surgery. I decided that the risk of death or severe side effects and the normal lifestyle of a post-surgery patient was not how I wanted to live my life.

I don't really see how someone losing 250 lbs from surgery and gaining back 100 of that (40%) is considered a 'success'. They've still got an enormous amount of weight to get rid of.

I did not say it was ok to pick on anyone, for any type of weight loss. In fact, I said that we were ALL trying our best and doing what we felt we needed to in order to be successful. But when your response to people who make ignorant remarks about people who have chosen bariatric surgery is to start listing statistics about how they're going to get fat again because they didn't have it, you're no better than they are. It's just as hurtful and de-motivating. Someone might read that and say 'why am I trying if I've got a 95% chance at failing at this weight loss thing?'