I think it's helpful to remember where they are coming from, and their hate is more about them then you. That being said, you can also, nicely, call them on their behavior, say that it hurts and is untrue. If they still continue to choose to be hateful, you can choose to limit your interactions with them. I know that I've been very jealous of people who lost weight. I don't think I've been hateful, but I can understand.

I've had to remind several people that I have had to work for every pound, and will have to work to keep it off every day, for the rest of my life. WLS is only a tool, and won't work unless you eat what you should, take your supplements, and move your butt.

inkdm0m wrote: »

anyone experienced any jealousy issues from friends after wls? I'm going through some of that right now, it makes me sad!

Yes, sometimes it had made me re-evaluate my definition of what a friend is. If someone is successful at something I would be happy for them not jealous. If that's the case I believe they were not a friend to begin with. If they can be jealous about my success in weight loss they will be jealous in my success in other areas of my life. I decided WLS was a good time to cut unhealthy eating habits, "friendships" and much more to start a rewarding life. I haven't regretted any of it.

How true a statement that is . I figure they just don't understand what we are willing to go though to get healthy .

cmchandler74 wrote: »

Trayjay33 wrote: »

inkdm0m wrote: »

anyone experienced any jealousy issues from friends after wls? I'm going through some of that right now, it makes me sad!

Yes, sometimes it had made me re-evaluate my definition of what a friend is. If someone is successful at something I would be happy for them not jealous. If that's the case I believe they were not a friend to begin with.

This pretty much sums it up. I guess I'm lucky in that I've had such a supportive response to everything that's happening with me. I've had one or two disapproving "well, surgery's not right FOR ME," but hey, it was for me and if they want to continue to bang their head against a wall for a few more years, that's not really my business and I'll sit over here and sip tea like Kermit. Most everyone has been super, super happy for me because they see how hard I'm working and they see the results I'm getting.

That's awesome that you have a lot of supportive people around you. One of the questions I was asked pre-op was "Who will be supportive". At that time my family was all I could pinpoint. I have met some wonderful people post-op but surgery definitely let me see who wanted me to fail. Someone who I recently started to work with doesn't know I had WLS and is trying to eat exactly like me. She claims she is trying to lose weight and doesn't want to look like the greedy person. She has a very competitive personality and competes in everything. I would never tell her I had WLS or anything else personal about my life. I cannot understand why some people cannot just truly wish others well.

I was totally shocked by the one person I have had that seems to have distanced herself from me. She is a very old friend that had sleeve surgery a couple years ago and was the one that encouraged me to check into it. She was very supportive in the beginning, until I became smaller than her. She has not kept with the program and has gained some of her weight back. Now whenever I reach out to her to get together or just talk she doesn't have time or just doesn't respond. I have to say that it is hurtful especially since she leaned on me during her divorce last year and I was always there for her. But, I can't change how she is feeling so I can only keep attempting to make contact.

I haven't had to deal with haters, but one of my best friends is gaining and I'm now smaller than her for the first time in decades. Along with the weight gain she's out of control diabetic, so her doctor told her he wanted her to have bariatric surgery, so we discussed the kinds and what my food and exercise is like, etc. But her husband is against it, so she's not doing it. The last few times we've seen each other it feels like she tries to sabotage me by offering sugary/high calorie/high fat food at her house. She knows I don't eat that way now. So I try to avoid her house and we meet for breakfast or lunch out. She like to pick the restaurants and goes for places like IHop that have very little if anything good for my food plan. She likes their crepes/waffles/pancakes/etc. So now I suggest we meet for coffee and if she wants a meal I pick the restaurant. I really do believe this is not intentional behavior on her part. I really think she's unaware of what she's trying to do. But I do limit my time with her because of this.

cmchandler74 wrote: »

pawoodhull wrote: »

But her husband is against it, so she's not doing it.

That just makes me sad. I'm so glad I have a husband who has been so supportive throughout all this. He, too, struggles with his weight and has health issues (diabetes and high blood pressure), so he knows the importance of getting weight under control and the health benefits that come from it.

And I agree, @pawoodhull, that your friend likely isn't trying to sabotage you on purpose. It sounds like she is sabotaging her own efforts and trying to drag you along for the ride.

That's a really good way of looking at it! Thanks for that perspective. Yeah, I'm sad for her too. She was so excited at the thought of WLS. He just doesn't want her to do it because he thinks she won't feed him the same way she does now and he doesn't want to make any changes in his lifestyle. Unfortunately she allows this. Like you, I am blessed to have a husband who totally supports this.

No haters in my life so far. I hit 54# lost this morning and people who didn't know I had surgery are starting to notice. All of the comments have been very positive. My husband and my parents/brother have been my biggest supporters. I have no time for haters. I would tell them to feck off, too.