Lap Band Surgery

fit2bhealthe

After watching Dr.OZ (I know he's a quack), I felt compelled to add my $.2 in on the topic of lap band surgery that was just on. This may sound harsh and I don't mean to offend anyone but in my honest opinion having lap band surgery is a lazy way to lose weight and is definitely not healthy. It doesn't teach you the right way to eat, only to eat less. Which if you are working out (which should accompany anyone trying to lose weight/fat) then you should consume a surplus of calories to level off the ones you lost. It is hard work to make the healthy lifestyle change and bugs me that people try to cheat their way and end up hurting themselves since they are not educated enough to continue the healthy way of life.

Am I alone?

ThePhoenixIsRising

My .02 is if you think there is an easy way out you need to do more research. There is no way to cheat weight loss just different things people will willing do to make it happen.

leggup

Surgery is often the last ditch attempt to get someone down to a low enough weight that their weight can be managed with counseling, nutritional assistance, and physical activity. It is extremely painful, recovery is no fun, and, generally speaking, is not something that people take lightly. Candidates are not lazy people trying to get a quick fix. Candidates are often trying to drop their weight enough that they can exercise.

Lap band/gastric bypass, gastric sleeve.. these can be lifesaving surgeries for people who are in the hundreds of pounds risking death every day from increased pressure on their organs.

Check out this thread. It is MFP users who had weight loss surgery and their takes on it. It's no walk in the park: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1302216/gastric-bypass-advice-info

KDar1988

I don't think it's the lazy way to lose weight. I have the band and it's not easy in any way. I still have to diet, exercise like everyone else does and be mindful of what I'm eating. My life changed drastically and I have had to make lifestyle changes.

There are foods that are difficult for a band patient to eat, especially foods that are fibrous (pineapple, sweet potatoes as example) I can't eat sandwiches and bagels and that doesn't bother me in the least. I can have a salad, I just don't eat a huge one like everyone else does. I can have a chicken breast and veggies for dinner, I just can't eat a 6 ounce breast, I can eat 1/2 of it.

I guess I'm wondering why it's considered not healthy? I'm healthier now than I have been in my life. My bloodwork is perfect, no diabetes, no high cholesterol, no high blood pressure, no heart issues.

I did what was best for me, as others will do what's best for them, surgically or not. But I don't like to hear surgery being called out as the lazy way. It's definitely not.

1shauna1

I agree, it's definitely not "lazy" and if you think so, you're misinformed. You can still not lose/gain weight, you still need to eat healthy and exercise. The band just helps with portion control and there can be complications which make things more difficult.

fit2bhealthe

Again apologize if this is offensive and maybe "lazy" was not the right word. I was just making a statement based on my experience in my own life - short, obese child, anorexic, yo yo dieting, unhealthy "diet" - until I did some research and experimenting. I guess I have this thinking if I can do it, anyone can (unless it's a medical condition of course).

harmar21

I think it is a tool. Like any tool it can really help you through something (such as using a power driver instead of using a regular screw driver). You still need to do the work, just makes it go a lot quicker.

ShannonMpls

fit2bhealthe wrote: »

I guess I have this thinking if I can do it, anyone can (unless it's a medical condition of course).

I've lost 130 pounds. I did it by tracking calories and focusing on fitness and activity. I have been maintaining for 2 years. And this is what helped me to do it:

- A healthy body with no physical limitations or illness, no metabolic concerns.
- Money to join a gym and buy some sessions with a trainer.
- I don't even CONSIDER the price of food when I shop. There's enough in the food budget to: make healthy, filling meals; snack on almonds, Greek yogurt, and other more expensive food; eat 130g of protein a day; eschew processed, but cheap options; buy pastured meat and organic produce.
- A job flexible enough to work out over lunch instead of having to sacrifice family time.
- A supportive, loving, and all-around awesome spouse, who loved me when I weighed 300 pounds and loves me now, and never belittled my efforts or complained about me weighing and logging and carefully planning our meals, who watches our son and rarely complain about my workouts, who loves to be active with me.
- An expensive jogging stroller so when I bring my son with, I can still hit my training goals.
- A safe neighborhood to run and walk in, living in a city that values parks and trails.
- Mental stability and self-esteem; that's not to say that I don't have issues, but I've had the resources to cope with and heal from those problems so that I can move beyond them.
- A lifestyle with easy access to smartphones and the internet, funds to use to buy tools that motivate and assist.
- The finances to register for races and buy the shoes, socks, etc to support the hobby.

Yeah, I had to "want it" and make hard choices, but what a condescending jerk I'd be to say "if I can do it, so can anyone" without acknowledging the privileges that helped me get here.

This is why I wouldn't judge those who choose weight loss surgery. I know my struggles; I do not know theirs.

melwa

Some people think weight loss surgery is an "easy" way to lose weight.
It's not.
The ones who don't succeed also think that - as though the surgery will do the work for them.
I lost 30kg on a gastric balloon (temporary implant). Why resort to a medical solution? Faster results. And that kept me motivated to do the work. The thing is if you don't work at doing what you need to be doing anyway without the intervention - exercise, eat healthily, make better food and drink choices - then the tool won't work for you.
I know people who've had surgery who are still overweight 'cos they do stupid things like melt a tub of icecream so they can have it. I also know people who take full advantage of the surgery to optimally lose weight and learn how to modify their behaviour to keep that weight off.
There's nothing lazy about regurgitation or wind or never being able to eat certain foods again because of the consequences.
It's a tool. It enables faster weight loss. It also provides supportive re-education and knowledge to ensure success. For most, it's a last resort or essential surgery to ensure longevity.

Robbnva

Its definitely not lazy, but I totally understand why people think it is. Knowing 2 people who has had surgery and myself considering it multiple times and getting scared off cause of the work that I would have to do, its not lazy. Plus some people are so big, they literally can't exercise.

Kalikel

You aren't alone. Lot of people think that.

"Lazy" is awfully judgemental, especially when you don't know other people's situations.

I do think the surgeons should do a better job explaining the risks of the surgery and the likelihood of the person staying thin if they're lying about being able to eat 800 calories a day before the surgery. I think there's be many people who wouldn't bother having it if they really understood what was going to happen.

LeslieTSUK

retracted

Migreatlaker

I am glad you're still young. When you hit 60's and more than one condition adversely effecting you, you will not be thinking the same.....you'll just want to get as much off and get your life back.

SconnieCat

ShannonMpls wrote: »

fit2bhealthe wrote: »

I guess I have this thinking if I can do it, anyone can (unless it's a medical condition of course).

I've lost 130 pounds. I did it by tracking calories and focusing on fitness and activity. I have been maintaining for 2 years. And this is what helped me to do it:

- A healthy body with no physical limitations or illness, no metabolic concerns.
- Money to join a gym and buy some sessions with a trainer.
- I don't even CONSIDER the price of food when I shop. There's enough in the food budget to: make healthy, filling meals; snack on almonds, Greek yogurt, and other more expensive food; eat 130g of protein a day; eschew processed, but cheap options; buy pastured meat and organic produce.
- A job flexible enough to work out over lunch instead of having to sacrifice family time.
- A supportive, loving, and all-around awesome spouse, who loved me when I weighed 300 pounds and loves me now, and never belittled my efforts or complained about me weighing and logging and carefully planning our meals, who watches our son and rarely complain about my workouts, who loves to be active with me.
- An expensive jogging stroller so when I bring my son with, I can still hit my training goals.
- A safe neighborhood to run and walk in, living in a city that values parks and trails.
- Mental stability and self-esteem; that's not to say that I don't have issues, but I've had the resources to cope with and heal from those problems so that I can move beyond them.
- A lifestyle with easy access to smartphones and the internet, funds to use to buy tools that motivate and assist.
- The finances to register for races and buy the shoes, socks, etc to support the hobby.

Yeah, I had to "want it" and make hard choices, but what a condescending jerk I'd be to say "if I can do it, so can anyone" without acknowledging the privileges that helped me get here.

This is why I wouldn't judge those who choose weight loss surgery. I know my struggles; I do not know theirs.

Congratulations on your success - and I couldn't agree more with your last sentence. Thank you for this.

jgnatca

I was in my fifties when I decided to go through with gastric bypass surgery. It is definitely not the lazy gal's way out. I also had to completely change my habits as I went along. I lost thirty pounds the old fashioned way before I was approved for surgery.

Funny thing is, I did not feel "qualified" to talk about my nutritional knowledge until I had experienced significant weight loss. Yet I am no more intelligent or disciplined as I was ninety pounds ago. I now have the experience of success, which is transforming.

Please don't assume that someone who has decided to go ahead with surgery is doing it for the "wrong" reasons.

Oh, and by the way. All of my chronic health conditions, which were getting increasingly difficult to control, are in remission. I am no longer taking any medications. I'd say that my venture was a complete success.

iamaveronica

fit2bhealthe wrote: »

After watching Dr.OZ (I know he's a quack), I felt compelled to add my $.2 in on the topic of lap band surgery that was just on. This may sound harsh and I don't mean to offend anyone but in my honest opinion having lap band surgery is a lazy way to lose weight and is definitely not healthy. It doesn't teach you the right way to eat, only to eat less. Which if you are working out (which should accompany anyone trying to lose weight/fat) then you should consume a surplus of calories to level off the ones you lost. It is hard work to make the healthy lifestyle change and bugs me that people try to cheat their way and end up hurting themselves since they are not educated enough to continue the healthy way of life.

Am I alone?

Yeah, dude, you are alone in this. Not in the fact that you have an opinion on it, but the fact that your opinion has been formulated based on something you saw on a television segment. If you wanted to, you could have spent a few minutes online educating yourself and researching the Lap-Band and other bariatric surgeries before posting this comment in a weight loss forum.

I am a post bariatric Lap-Band patient and the struggle is real. Before my surgery, I was on Jenny Craig for a year. I went to weekly appointments at their office. They documented everything from what I ate to my weekly weigh in. I walked to work twice a week, which took me about 20-30 minutes each way. I was a plus sized girl. I only lost 20 pounds that year. My father, a vascular surgeon, knew that was not enough and called a colleague of his who became my bariatric surgeon.

I still haven't reached my goal, though my chronic health issues have disappeared. I am exersizing at a gym that I walk to. The struggle is real and if you think it's too easy, picture someone who involuntarily vomits because the texture of the tiniest bite of food doesn't allow it to pass through the band. It can get extremely painful and even bloody. No, it is nothing like bulimia, because we have no control over it.

Do you still feel that we are lazy, uneducated cheaters?

janejellyroll

ShannonMpls wrote: »

fit2bhealthe wrote: »

I guess I have this thinking if I can do it, anyone can (unless it's a medical condition of course).

I've lost 130 pounds. I did it by tracking calories and focusing on fitness and activity. I have been maintaining for 2 years. And this is what helped me to do it:

- A healthy body with no physical limitations or illness, no metabolic concerns.
- Money to join a gym and buy some sessions with a trainer.
- I don't even CONSIDER the price of food when I shop. There's enough in the food budget to: make healthy, filling meals; snack on almonds, Greek yogurt, and other more expensive food; eat 130g of protein a day; eschew processed, but cheap options; buy pastured meat and organic produce.
- A job flexible enough to work out over lunch instead of having to sacrifice family time.
- A supportive, loving, and all-around awesome spouse, who loved me when I weighed 300 pounds and loves me now, and never belittled my efforts or complained about me weighing and logging and carefully planning our meals, who watches our son and rarely complain about my workouts, who loves to be active with me.
- An expensive jogging stroller so when I bring my son with, I can still hit my training goals.
- A safe neighborhood to run and walk in, living in a city that values parks and trails.
- Mental stability and self-esteem; that's not to say that I don't have issues, but I've had the resources to cope with and heal from those problems so that I can move beyond them.
- A lifestyle with easy access to smartphones and the internet, funds to use to buy tools that motivate and assist.
- The finances to register for races and buy the shoes, socks, etc to support the hobby.

Yeah, I had to "want it" and make hard choices, but what a condescending jerk I'd be to say "if I can do it, so can anyone" without acknowledging the privileges that helped me get here.

This is why I wouldn't judge those who choose weight loss surgery. I know my struggles; I do not know theirs.

Amazing post. It's so easy to be blind to our own advantages and privileges.

sarahlifts

Weightloss is not easy for anyone. PERIOD.

goingforahundred

I was going to say something, but it was said perfectly above. I am very thankful that I did not have to get any kind of weight loss surgery because I think in some ways it makes it harder. I can eat whatever I want right now, just as long as I don't go over my goal. That would not be the case with the surgery. It's a mental game and the surgery doesn't take care of that. It's not the easy way out and it is very discouraging when people judge others, even if they aren't meaning to sound 'harsh' or offensive.
I am glad that the op doesn't know how truly hard it is. I wouldn't wish that journey on anyone.

4legsRbetterthan2

I have mixed feelings about weight loss surgery.

I think there are the people who think it is a magical fix and do it, and they end up not losing the weight they are supposed to or gaining it all back. I am not sure if this is the fault of the patient (who I am assuming is not well educated in nutrition and exercise) or the fault of their doctors for not teaching them, helping them, and ensuring that they can actually be successful prior to allowing them to undergo the surgery. My uncle for example: had WLS, as far as I understand there was no requirement to prove he could lose weight prior to the surgery, he obviously did not learn to control his appetite and mindset about food, and he gained it all back. He just had a second WLS since the first one "didn't work" and I am kind of amazed his doctor would allow him to do that. Seems like malpractice to me?

The people who actually lost all the weight and kept it all off, well they worked just as hard as you or I. They did have and extra tool that I don't have, but they still had to retrain their mind and body just like I did. They also have all sorts of side effects from WLS that I don't have to think about or deal with, so maybe its a trade off in the grand scheme of things?

sofaking6

fit2bhealthe wrote: »

After watching Dr.OZ (I know he's a quack), I felt compelled to add my $.2 in on the topic of lap band surgery that was just on. This may sound harsh and I don't mean to offend anyone but in my honest opinion having lap band surgery is a lazy way to lose weight and is definitely not healthy. It doesn't teach you the right way to eat, only to eat less. Which if you are working out (which should accompany anyone trying to lose weight/fat) then you should consume a surplus of calories to level off the ones you lost. It is hard work to make the healthy lifestyle change and bugs me that people try to cheat their way and end up hurting themselves since they are not educated enough to continue the healthy way of life.

Am I alone?

In being mean and offensive? Nope.

fit2bhealthe wrote: »

Again apologize if this is offensive and maybe "lazy" was not the right word. I was just making a statement based on my experience in my own life - short, obese child, anorexic, yo yo dieting, unhealthy "diet" - until I did some research and experimenting. I guess I have this thinking if I can do it, anyone can (unless it's a medical condition of course).

So you also believe that anorexia is nothing more than a lack of information...I see....

LBuehrle8

There's always two sides of the story. Everyone is going to have their own opinions regardless of all the sicentific and medical proof you bring to the table, with this thread and the other about gastric bypass surgery I don't understand why it's such a big deal? People who have WLS have to work just as hard to keep off weight as people who don't have WLS. On the flip side there are definitely the people out there who have the surgery and revert back to old eating habits- just as there are people who lose weight without WLS and end up gaining it all back. Everyone needs to do what's best for them and deserve support not matter what path we choose as we all are aware of how hard it is to lose weight!