Question:
Personal trainer quit because of surgery

I had a personal trainer for 4 months prior to surgery. After my surgery she told me she can no longer train me because she did not "Agree" with WLS. Has anyone had this problem?    — Bennett F. (posted on January 17, 2003)

January 17, 2003
Sounds like it was time for you to find someone is to be your P/t, it is there problem, not yours, find a trainer that will help you be positive about your decision.
   — cindy

January 17, 2003
are you paying her for her services???? if you are then i would report her to a supervisor, and if she doesnt have one tell her to shut=up it was your decision, not her's. and then i would find a new trainer..
   — paulsgirl

January 17, 2003
It sounds to me as if this personal trainer is not very professional. It's ok to have different opinions about how someone lives their life but she should be more concerned with your decision to get/remain healthy and fit then whether you had the surgery without her permission. Don't give up on the exercise...find someone who will support your decision to become a healthier you! Good Luck!
   — Leah H.

January 17, 2003
It should be easy to find another trainer. The guy I was working with before surgery was very excited for me and wanted to know all about the procedure. I even stopped by after I had lost most of my weight to show him how well it had worked for me. Chances are that person has never been MO and will never understand the motivation behind your decision. I would find someone who is willing to work with you on YOUR terms. It's your money and the customer is always right!
   — ctyst

January 17, 2003
I had a similar experience with a therapist. She specialized in eating issues. Her philosophy was that we should be comfortable in the skin we're in. She looked to be about 145 #. Easy for her to say, huh. I could have used her help dealing with the food issues post-op, I'm sure but I will find someone as just as you will. I also remember at my gym the trainer pointed to a lady and said "she just had liposuction on her hips and thighs" I said really...(thinking like I care). He went on to say "what a waste! She didn't do anything that she couldn't have done just by working out and watching her diet...Ah those infinate words of wisdom.lol.
   — M O.

January 17, 2003
who cares what she thinks. Personal trainers are a dime a dozen. You did not need her "approval" to have this surgery. Get a new one!
   — Vicki L.

January 17, 2003
I'm not sure what "not agreeing with WLS" has to do with personal training? Did she elaborate? Was she concerned over training someone who was going to experience rapid weight loss, or wasn't eating enough? I, too, would think a personal trainer would be thrilled to have a client trimming down and willing and able to work harder to achieve fitness. My husband does personal training on the side and he has trained women/men of all shapes and sizes and while he does advise eating right, losing weight and consistent exercise, he would never abandon a client that was choosing WLS. I'm sure you will find a supportive personal trainer willing to work with you. Good luck.
   — Cindy R.

January 17, 2003
It sounds like the idiot nutritionist I met with prior to the surgery who told me that this was the biggest mistake I could ever make - 150 pounds ago! Keep looking and you'll find someone more professional. - Mike
   — Michael N.

January 17, 2003
WLS is very controversial, and there's going to be some people who strongly agree and others who strongly disagree. It's your trainer's right to stop working with you if he/she disagrees with your choice to go the WLS route. My advice - find another trainer who is pro-WLS and move on. You can't change other people's minds very easily, and it's really not worth the effort!
   — Terissa R.

January 17, 2003
OK, first of all, she worked FOR YOU, so consider yourself lucky that she was honest enough to tell you how she felt. THEN, find yourself a trainer who has an open mind and wants to do her job - meaning - train the client, not judge the client!! Considering the cost of a personal tainer ($30-50.00/hr) you deserve to have someone training you that respects what you are doing to improve your health and fitness!! Best of luck to you and congratulations on making one of the most important decisions of your life!! Diane N www.WeightlossSurgery.ws
   — DianeN

January 17, 2003
Knuckleheads! I really get irate at the knuckleheads who never had a weight problem and dismiss the whole issue as easily solved by just working out and puting that fork down. Sure it's easy for them because they don't have the appetite that obese people have (I've already posted a few times on Ghrelin - newly discovered growth hormone responsible for appetite). Just like the nonsmokers who dismiss the smoking addiction as just a matter of willpower. The addiction to food is much worse because you can't just give up eating. Imagine how hard it would be to quit smoking if you had to have one 3-4 times a day to live. <p>Anyway, your trainer is a Knucklehead. You'd be better off with out her. It's obvious that she is very narrow minded and have room in her mind nor her hear for you. It's one thing to disagree with your choice it's another thing to discard you because of your choice. <p>Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
   — John T.

January 17, 2003
When I joined a fitmness center 3 months prior to surgery I was looking for a personal trainer and the first one recommended to me was horrified by the surgery idea. ( i had made up my mind so no influenceon me) She just didn't get it and asked me why would insurance pay for it wasn't it just "cosmetic" That comment alone told me she was ignorant and not the right trainer. You would think a physical fitness so called "expert" with a degree in exercise physiology would have the common sense to know that morbid obesity is a MEDICAL CONDITION THAT IS LIFE THREATENING! So i kept looking and found a young guy trainer who is a body builder who when I mentioned that I was considering surgery had a very positive attitude, had worked with clients who had WLS, and said his mom was overweight and he wishes he could help her. (that was music to this mom who has a son his age that he was thinking of his mom, OK so I am a sentimental fool) It was a great working relationship and he helped me meet MY goals to prep for surgery.
   — **willow**

January 18, 2003
Put together some informative literature and statistics and give them to her. If she's still rude, tell her that since she's obviously uninformed, you'd rather not be trained by someone as unprofessional as her anyway. And tell her supervisor or manager that they need to warn the ever-growing local population of life-saving WLS patients that they aren't going to be welcome at that facility.
   — cddgo

January 20, 2003
Don't let the door hit her on her way out.
   — denaa

January 22, 2003
Personal trainer quit, huh? Oh well, I guess you are really heartbroken about that...LOL. You can ALWAYS get another, more qualified and unbiased trainer, don't you think?
   — yourdivaness

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