[MsJacquiiC]

Well - this is an interesting exchange on Facebook. One of our Facebook Friends posted on the WLS Journey Facebook page. The comment posted was a bit negative towards WLS in general; in fact I interpretted the comment as pompous. And as I respond to all posts on our Facebook page, I found it imperative to defend WLS and the concept behind the development of WLS Journey Community Forums.

My reaction was probably a bit stronger than it should have been - but I found the exchange a bit interesting none-the-less. It's a bit melodramatic - but makes for a good read and truly shows the motivation behind the creation of this online WLS support community.

Jacquii.
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Originally Posted by Nick Makrides on Facebook LOOK AT EVERY OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO LOSING WEIGHT, BEFORE YOU GO WITH WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY!!! NOTHING BEATS DIET AND EXERCISE... FOR SOME OF YOU THIS OPTION IS TOO HARD AND WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IS THE EASY WAY OUT!!! IF THATS THE CASE, THEN SHAME ON YOU... I REALLY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THIS TOPIC... I went for an appt to see a surgeon, then changed my mind (thank God) and have successfully lost 49kg (108 lbs) just through diet and exercise... and am much happier having done it this way than going through with dangerous unnecessary surgery... IF THERES NO OTHER WAY GO WITH IT, OTHERWISE PUT SOME EFFORT INTO LOSING WEIGHT! PROPER EFFORT!!!

Originally Posted by MsJacquiiC on Facebook Well - first of all - please learn to stop YELLING IN YOUR POSTS PLEASE. 2nd of all - weightloss surgery isn't for everyone - If you were able to successfully loose weight through exercise and diet, etcetera then good for you - but do not assume to tell me what is right for me! At 438 pounds I was well on my way to 500 pounds of utter misery. If I was able to loose the weight then I wouldn't have been 438 pounds now would I? So I sought out an option that COULD work for me because years of yoyo dieting was getting me nowhere except for depressed. Please do not presume to tell me that I could have lost the weight if I was only "motivated" or "worked harder" = that's HORSESHIT. So anyway - surgery is an option for those like me who could not do what you claim to have done. And while I'm proud of you for your accomplishment - do not sit there as if you are holier than though and yell at everyone to have "PROPER EFFORT" = because that is not only rude and obnoxious - but it's demeaning to we who are trying to make a success of our surgery tool. Thank you very much. Jacquii.

Originally Posted by Nick Makrides on Facebook I do apologize about the yelling... that is rude... especially to someone who hasn't done anything to really deserve it... but I still believe that surgery is for those who's health is at high risk, and who cant do it any other way... and yes you're right my way is not for everyone, just like yours isn't... But its people you like praising these methods and letting every possible person know (aprox 1,220 members at the moment) that this is just such an awesome way to lose weight! I will admit that I haven't really looked at your page enough to know exactly what your message to overweight people actually is (and yes i know I'm an ignorant f*#k for commenting without really knowing) but just like you feel really strongly about what this surgery has done for you, I feel like there are too many people thinking this is just a quick fix... It just angers me that people think its the easy way out, and I don't know exactly what your situation or motivation was for getting the surgery, but I still believe that changing your eating habits and actually exercising is still a better option... no matter what anybody tells me, about how much surgery changed their life... So goodluck with whatever it is you're trying to achieve... be careful with the message you're trying to put out there (not a threat btw) I will always believe in healthy eating and exercise... but for those who do actualy need it, then surgery might be the way... thats what I was trying to say...

Originally Posted by MsJacquiiC on Facebook Go with the old adage "I can't please everyone all of the time." -- But WLSJourney.org and The Journey Community Forums is all about helping each other succeed! If surgery isn't for you = good. But I assume that at least 1100 of WLS Journey Facebook friends can appreciate the concept of supporting each other to lead healthier lives, whether we've been surgically altered or not. And for you to come on and post the BS you've just posted: Originally Posted by Nick Makrides on Facebook It just angers me that people think its the easy way out, and I don't know exactly what your situation or motivation was for getting the surgery, but I still believe that changing your eating habits and actually exercising is still a better option... You OBVIOUSLY do not know anything about weight loss surgery. Because if you think that WLS is an "easy way out" then you are lost - I will advise that you either 1. shut up because you don't know what you're talking about or 2. educate yourself so that when you talk negative about WLS that it at minimum seems as if you know what you are talking about. And there's no hidden agenda here - I'm seeking to help others make a success of their surgery tool through education, support and smiles - and in the process = make a success of my surgery tool as well. I'm offering an online WLS support community were we can discuss all WLS issues. Nothing more - nothing less. So - though I value your opinion ((even though I have no idea who the hell you are, nor do I care)) there's absolutely no reason for you to insinuate that my motivation for WLSJourney.org and our Facebook page is anything less than noble. So take that anger elsewhere Also feel free to click the "Remove from Friends" link if you feel so strongly against WLS. Jacquii.

Originally Posted by LaurynBeth on Facebook its no ones business to tell other people what to do with their own bodies! Thats all I have to say about that. I agree with Jacquii 100%! There is NOTHING easy about this path we have chosen. WLS is MORE difficult than diet and exercise for some people. Dont tell me what to do with my own body mister. what if you CANT exercise because you were hit by a van YEARS ago while crossing the street and cannot walk or run without excruciating pain??? What if thats why you gained 100 lbs.? What then smart guy? Get off your high horse and come back to reality.

Originally Posted by Lynn P on Facebook Ironically, I would never think to tell a stranger (although my kids or my friends kids are different...) that they shouldn't have a tatoo or a piercing. That would be a violation of your personal rights, wouldn't it? What would you feel, Nick, if I had criticized you? What if I blasted you for being a smoker? Or for that matter, your sexual habits or orientation? These are the same rights we are allowed to have -- take our health into our own hands. Would anyone who had made the decision to have WLS even begin to judge another person on their journey? I doubt it. Not after all of the baggae --besides the weight--we have dragged around for many years. You see, losing weight in this manner is like the last greatest hope. Many of us had suffered not just weight problems, but emotional and physical situations as well. Many have been sabotaged by their families feelings, opinions and belittlements throughout the years. It is not an easy way out. We still have to work at the weight loss, it is not automatic. Surgery is just a tool that helps us stay on track. A wise man told me a long time ago that I take counsel and advice from those who have walked the paths I want to walk before me. Afterall, you don't ask your Grandma how to play football. Please be respectful.

Overweight It is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9. Body weight comes from fat, muscle, bone, and body water. It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as over their ideal body weight even though they do not have excess body fat. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!

Weight Cycling Yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling, is a repeated loss and gain of body weight due to excessive dieting. The term "yo-yo dieting" was coined by Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D., at Yale University, in reference to the cyclical up-down motion of a yo-yo. In this process, the dieter is initially successful in the pursuit of weight loss but is unsuccessful in maintaining the loss long-term and begins to gain the weight back. The dieter then seeks to lose the regained weight, and the cycle begins again.