I've heard more times than I could count how surgery is the "easy way out." The main forums here-particularly the success stories" section-usually includes comments like "I did it the hard way. No pills, no surgery, blah, blah, blah." And hey if that's how you feel, cool for you. I've never personally been discriminated against by my peers or anyone I know. At least not to my face. Most people are happy for me and anyone who's not and talks behind my back, F them. I know when my wife had her surgery a few years before me, some of the other women at work would make snide comments about her "shaking her *kitten*" (which she doesn't, she has joint problems that make her sway a bit when she walks) or whatever. One of her "best friends" and coworkers at the time completely snubbed her. I think the problem is worse for women from my personal experience and observations.

As far as the surgery being the "easy way" I call complete bullsh!t on that. I busted my hump before surgery exercising and eating right. I've continued to bust my hump post-surgery by exercising and eating right. And last year when I didn't stick to my regimen, I put weight back on frighteningly fast. To be successful, I have to log every bite here and be accountable to myself. That's no "easier" than someone doing the same damn thing but not having a surgery. Maybe it's willpower. Maybe it's mental health issues. Maybe it's an emotional thing. Maybe it's a slow metabolism. Or maybe some people just have a hunger they can't satiate normally. If I look at a cheeseburger, my *kitten* will jiggle for a week. I work with a lady that you couldn't pinch a millimeter of fat on her anywhere and she downs a double quarter pounder meal with large fries, a large coke and an extra McDouble like it's nothing. She's had two kids and looks like she did before she even became pregnant! That's just the way it works for some people.

I have been. It was hurtful and embarrassing.

It is tough to hear but, while I don't think the surgical route has been easy, I have a tremendous amount of respect for people who have been able to lose and maintain without it. I AM jealous that I didn't have the wherewithal to do it "on my own".

On the other hand, there are plenty of people who "did it the hard way" who aren't as strong or fit as I am! Surgery might have helped me lose weight initially, but it is my own hard work and determination that makes me a marathon runner...and in a couple of weeks, I'll be an ultramarathoner.

Funny enough, I don't even think so much about my surgery anymore. Milestones/anniversaries come and go without a second thought. I've been maintaining my weight for a year now. Now I just think about what new challenge I can tackle.

There is plenty of hard stuff in life, there is no shame in asking for help when you need it!

I am and have been where @StevenGarrigus was. I kept my surgery to myself with the exception of a good number of people and to this day, some people don’t know.

It’s definitely not the easy way because like @StevenGarrigus I also have been struggling with some weight gain and working on knocking off 15-20 lbs. I know I will get there because I have the tools and I am self aware...I’m just needing to re-train my brain and play around with my food. I am planning to take a page out of @JamesAztec’s book and eat minimally processed or not processed foods and see if that helps.

People who think this is easy needs to walk a day in our shoes!

I originally only told 1 person I was having surgery, my now fiance. I did that because I constantly hear people being completely uninformed about surgery and I didnt feel like being discredited all the time and didnt feel I needed to be educating them. Then I started getting people accusing me of having the surgery. It was my business so I had no shame lying to them.

I recently told my old boss turned friend that I had the surgery but that was because I knew she would be completely supportive and non judgmental. So a year post op and only 2 people know.

It's a tool that got me started but it's *kitten* saying it's easy if we don't eat right and exercise the weight will come back so screw the haters I'm happy with my results