Myths about Weight Loss Surgery

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about weight loss surgery. There are 2 that really bother me and I want nothing more than to make people see that they're not true.


It's an easy way out. There is nothing further from the truth. Just because I've had this surgery does not mean the work is done. It's not a cure, I'm not going to become skinny just because I've had this surgery. I still have to watch what I eat, I still have to exercise, and I still have to make good choices. This band is just a tool to help me along the way. Not only that, but you also have to recover from the surgery and you risk complications like with any medical procedure. It's a physically and mentally exhausting task. Nothing easy about that.

People that have weight loss surgery are quitters. If anything, someone who has weight loss surgery is refusing to quit. They've accepted that they need that extra push to really get their health in gear and they made the effort to help themselves succeed. Anyone who does that is NOT a quitter.

My process has been a daunting one. I flew 3,000 miles for my surgery, had 5 incisions made into my stomach (albeit small incisions), dealt with horrible gas pain, painful burps, general soreness, and was on a liquid diet for 21 days. IT WAS NOT EASY. There were days I thought I wanted to kill someone just for the food in their stomach. But it was worth it. I still struggle every day to make the right choices, to put good food in my body, to make sure I get enough nutrition, enough physical activity, and enough rest. It has been hard, but losing these first 30lbs was worth it. It is worth it to realize your pants don't fit anymore because they're too big. It's worth it to look at yourself in the mirror and like what you see. It's worth it to look at the man you love and know that because of your decision you're adding years onto your life with him. I realize I will make mistakes. I realize that some days I will make a bad food choices. But that is why I have this band to be my support system and to help me in my journey. I've decided to name my band (as most people do). I chose to name him Chuck Norris, because it's the Enforcer.

If you know anyone who has had or thinking of having weight loss surgery, just be supportive. Don't judge them. You have no idea what they've gone through in their life to make this decision.