What have you told family members that are againsg GBS? - ThinnerTimes

cprnow · 10-22-2005, 05:16 PM

It was bound to happen. My mom knows I'm looking into this, and my brother too. So now, I'm getting lectures from my brother, he's dead set against me doing this, and is afraid for me.

*sigh* Also, he doesn't understand. He thinks that I am doing this as a quick fix, and that maybe I haven't tried hard enough to lose all my weight, and blah blah blah, as I'm sure you guys have heard the speech too.

What do you say to your family members or others that are so against this procedure? Grrr...

eyesthatkissu · 10-22-2005, 05:21 PM

Education. That is the only choice when dealing with this. You need to either have him attend a seminar, go with you to an appointment with his surgeon, or give him reading materials. He is not going to listen to anything you "say" right now, as he has already decided you are crazy. LOL You'd be surprised at how far a little correct information can go in a situation like yours. Good Luck!

HAMPTON5555 · 10-22-2005, 05:59 PM

This is how I dealt with it. Those that had a hard time with my choice, were given my utmost respect and consideration. My best interest was their main concern. I always knew that.

What I asked in return was that same respect and consideration in my decision to have WLS. The knowledge that I also had my best interest as my main concern made them feel better even if it were to agree to disagree.

Respect, give it and receive it!!
R

Mavisavis · 10-22-2005, 06:59 PM

I really didn't have anyone "against" it. However, a few casual friends had concerned questions. I explained how excruciating parts of my life have been and assured them that if I could have succeeded I certainly would have (particularly dateless teen years...ugh). I also explained statistics of MO persons success with diet and exercise as compared to surgery. This is provided they are willing to listen. To those unwilling to listen at all, I wouldn't explain myself at all.

LizardQueen · 10-22-2005, 07:04 PM

They don't have to live in your body, you do. There are always gonna be people who think your looney toons for have wls. Unfortunately, that is just the way it is. Tell them that you appreciate the concern but you have to make the best decision you can make for you. Try to educate them on the procedure and know that they are your family and they love you regardless because well, they are family and don't have a choice in the matter. I know it sounds simple and I know it's not but the bottom line is-They'll get over it in time. Do what you need to do and try (I know, easier said the ndone) not to worry about what they think.

mydarling · 10-24-2005, 05:46 AM

I'm in the same boat. I told my husband, mother and sister and yesterday I got lectured from my mother and sister. "We just saw something on TV the other night and people are dying 1 or 2 years into this." "Just stop and think of the consequences if you go through with this....do you want to leave your 2 little kids without a mother."

Sorry....but when you lectured like that...it makes you step back and rethink. I don't know what to say to them. I did talk to 2 people over the weekend (husband & wife) who have lost all their weight by GBS, she says that I should do it. So far, other than the nice folks on this site....they are the only people that have supported this.

I know that they know nothing about the surgery and need to be educated. They also don't have to live in my body and feel what I feel everyday. The sadness and lack of self esteem. Good luck.....sorry I don't have a good answer for you...just wanted you to know that I'm right there with ya.

Alleusion · 10-24-2005, 07:06 AM

My father isn't pleased about my surgery. He thinks if I just try this "one more diet" that I'll lose what I need because it worked for him. I wouldn't be putting myself up for this unless I knew what I was getting into. Because he's my father, he supports my decision, but still isn't happy about it.

Lojak7 · 10-24-2005, 04:16 PM

remember, you are doing this surgery for YOU, no one else. Thank people for their input, then drop the subject. YOU make the decision. Good Luck and God Bless!

sUzYzPLaCe · 10-24-2005, 05:27 PM

My boss, and my brother were dead set against it. My brother and I had not talked for 15 yrs and all of a sudden one day he was concerned for me having the surgery. Asked me if he could send me a book which was "how to stop killing yourself with a knife and a fork" and it was written by this guy who had lost 100+ pounds through diet and exercise. I read the book, never heard from my brother again.

As for my boss it's "I told you that it would cause you more problems" as I've had a lot of them since having the surgery, and have missed work because of it. But he doesn't live in my body and I don't care.

My feelings are this.. Every ass has an opinion, and I don't care what others think, they don't have to live in my body and go through what I used to go through.

Suzy

Mavisavis · 10-25-2005, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sUzYzPLaCe

My boss, and my brother were dead set against it. My brother and I had not talked for 15 yrs and all of a sudden one day he was concerned for me having the surgery. Asked me if he could send me a book which was "how to stop killing yourself with a knife and a fork" and it was written by this guy who had lost 100+ pounds through diet and exercise. I read the book, never heard from my brother again.

Suzy

My Mom said my brother and his wife had horror stories and "concerns". This was the brother who is mad and doesn't speak to me! lol Isn't it funny how they care when they want to control something or have an opinion about your life?