Weight Loss Surgery vs Loosing Weight Naturally

reichardtjessica
reichardtjessica Posts: 89 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
What's your thoughts on WLS? A friend of mine had surgery a few weeks ago and already lost 70 pounds! Good for him right!! My doctor suggested I have it done since I have so much to lose (100+) but I really don't want to have surgery and after some of the possible lasting side effects. But on the other hand I'm kind of jealous I guess. I've been working hard this past month and have lost 17lbs (which I am super happy about.) I guess I'm starting to feel like the surgery might just be easier. Opinions!?
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Replies

  • reichardtjessica
    reichardtjessica Posts: 89 Member
    Thanks for your input. I know I shouldn't feel jealous but I just can't help it. Lol I'm lame
  • FernRunner
    FernRunner Posts: 79 Member
    I think it's natural to feel jealous, but my vote is also for the MFP way. Losing weight the old fashioned way, by watching intake and moving more, is such a fabulous learning experience.
    If you're looking for more support, I login and log my food every day. :)
  • Jirachii
    Jirachii Posts: 152 Member
    I feel you. I'm happy with my progress but I'm also impatient at times waiting for it. It may be harder to lose the weight without the surgery, but it'll be easier to enjoy your new body without it.
  • littlebabekitty
    littlebabekitty Posts: 398 Member
    Dont do it. I have a relative that had it done and she is still suffering from complications infections..etc.. she got so sick she almost died. she lost a lot of weight but it was hell for her. And she lost it only on the upper body because she didnt exercise so now she has a bunch of lose skin and her thigh and legs are bigger than her upper body. She doesnt fel healthy and she suffers everyday because she cant eat normally.

    I say do it naturally. You can do it.
    I did. I used to weigh 244 lbs since i was 13 then at 18 I decided to change my life after surrendering to God . I went to gym started eating healthy and using mfp. And lost weight. I.went down to 145lb in over a year. Yeah it wasnt instantly but the surgery isnt instantly either but i was good and with exercise my skin got tighter and toned as i lost weight instead of remaining flabby like when i did diets and quick fixes. After i got.married had my two kids and now im back.to.mfp and healthy eating and exercise to lose postbaby weight. I know.i can.do it because i did it before and you can do.it also.

    its healthier and better longterm with better results to do it naturally. Its better to be healthy and well then to risk irreversible damage and get inferior results .


    Seriously research and consider before taking your next step. I wish you the best on your journey.
  • lucypstacy
    lucypstacy Posts: 178 Member
    I honestly toyed with the idea of weight loss surgery. I even went to a doctor. Because of my BMI, I was a good candidate.

    What made me change my mind was seeing someone after they had the surgery. They lost weight very fast, but they were sick all the time. There were foods they could no longer eat, and I decided that it wasn't the route for me.

    It's going to take me a lot longer to lose weight, but I want to do it the safe and healthy way.

    I totally get the idea of being jealous. We all want to get to our goal weights as fast as we can, but I think I (and perhaps you) will be happier doing it this way.

    Good luck to you!
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    My SIL had surgery almost five years ago. She's had numerous health issues since. I'll stick with losing naturally.
  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
    It's not a magic fix, nothing to be jealous about. It's just another tool. It's like a fitness watch, it only mhelps. If. You use it correctly
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Weight loss surgery is essentially a forced Very Low Calorie Diet. It's not an easy road and just like losing weight without surgery it requires significant life long changes or regaining the weight will happen.
  • Evamutt
    Evamutt Posts: 2,724 Member
    I worked in ICU for 10years & there was almost always at least one person there from complications of the surgery.Everyone who worked there said they'd never get that kind of surgery, some died. You also have to retrain how to eat, which you can do without the surgery. On the other hand, friends of ours, a couple both had the surgery & have done well for 20+ years. One of our sons, was 350 lb at end of high school, he lost all his extra weight by changing his eating & exercising & has kept it off without surgery. He's 32 now. You can do this
  • littlebabekitty
    littlebabekitty Posts: 398 Member
    http://sawpan.com/gastric-bypass-the-untold-stories/

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3006403/Grandmother-starved-death-undergoing-gastric-bypass-surgery-meant-dropped-20-stone-one-year.html
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    ^^ ^^

    It would definitely help you to make a decision by reading the horror stories of people who have had the surgery, not just the good and happy ones.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    WLS is not to be taken lightly. Many people think of it as the "easy way", because of the rapid loss. Reality is though that it is actually harder on your body and harder mentality.

    I won't lie. I did consider it at one point. However, I decided that it wasn't in my best interest. Sure I had over 100 lbs to lose, but I didn't have any health concerns that would make rapid loss beneficial to me. It would have been great to have the weight come off faster, but in the end the possible complications outweighed my desire for rapid loss. I went the slow route, even had to stop for 9 months and regain 40 lbs out of 90 I had lost. Time passed anyway and I'm at a healthy weight now. Just working on a bit of vanity pudge at this point.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I watched a program yesterday about a group of women in the states who became friends through a site for big women (and their admirers).... It followed their stories/lives as some went through different surgeries for weight loss. (it was called All of Me)

    What upsets me is the apparent lack of support and counselling both before and after surgery. Relationships with food don't seem to be dealt with, it seems like a quick fix to many, and they don't have the tools to deal with life post surgery to be successful long term. Surely providing more support before may help people lose weight on their own, or if they decide to go down the path of surgery, they'll be more likely to keep the weight off long term....
  • reichardtjessica
    reichardtjessica Posts: 89 Member
    Thanks for all the input. I always told myself I wouldn't have WLS and just seeing my friend 70 lbs lighter than me in less then 2 months got me in my feelings lol ill continue to do it the natural way!
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    edited April 2017
    reichardtjessica wrote: »
    Thanks for all the input. I always told myself I wouldn't have WLS and just seeing my friend 70 lbs lighter than me in less then 2 months got me in my feelings lol ill continue to do it the natural way!

    You may think 70 pounds in 2 months is great but in all reality it isn't. It is not just fat he is losing.

    ETA for clarity
  • PaintergirlJo
    PaintergirlJo Posts: 1 Member
    The WLS option is something that would strip the joy of eating from you. I have two ladies at work who have gone down this road and they are miserable. One has lost weight but can't eat properly ... the other one has only lost a minimal amount and is unhappy all of the time. The support after surgery is non existent and you'd be better off doing it naturally with heaps of support from in here. Plus the buzz you'd get from the sense of achievement would be amazing! Good luck
  • spiffychick85
    spiffychick85 Posts: 311 Member
    I have family members that have done it....nothing to envy. I think your success is wonderful and you're learning the strategies to maintain the loss. My family members were not so lucky...one is obese again...because they never learnt how to handle CICO.
  • Bearbo27
    Bearbo27 Posts: 339 Member
    edited April 2017
    In my opinion WLS should only be considered if you have serious medical issues that require the fast weight loss. My mom was a perfect candidate with the major issues she had. She has lost 150+ lbs with WLS, but not without issues. She also can no longer eat many foods she once ate. I'd personally rather lose and be able to eat the occasional piece of cake too ;) I am glad she had it done though, because it pretty much saved her life. I just don't feel that relatively healthy people should get it done.

    I was up to 258 lbs back this past July. I have since lost 83 lbs just using MFP and I feel great. I have 37 more lbs to go to reach a healthy weight. That was a total of 9 months to lose that and I am aiming to lose the rest by the end of this year hopefully.
  • Aarjono
    Aarjono Posts: 228 Member
    I, too, have considered WLS. But It requires life long commitment and discipline, IMO, more than with non-surgical weight loss. It isn't a quick fix-- statistically only 50% of the weight comes off after surgery for the majority. 4 women in my family and 4 friends have had WLS and seeing what they have been through and how they have to eat for the rest of their lives and still struggle to lose the weight and keep it off while not being able to eat normally, as well as dealing with the side effects associated with malabsorption and malnutrition, I know that I personally do not have the discipline or commitment to have the surgery right now.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    It seems to help some people, but I suspect it has more to do with giving people an incentive to eat at around 1,000 calories per day than it does with the surgery. You would be better off taking the money you would spend on surgery and use it to buy a nice bicycle or some exercise equipment. Maybe hire a personal trainer.
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    Ive had wls. It is just a tool

    I was 387lb and very very ill. I had tried numerous methods including a GP approved vlcd that left me with deficiencies and GP prescribed gym who bless them banned me as they were worried about how ill i was. My GP did bloods several times telling me they were normal

    I went thru a tier 3 programme (uk based, you have to prove you can comply, i did 18 months where the rest of my group did 6 months)

    It was during this time i was copied in to letters sent berating my GP for not treating me for hypothyroidism and several other autoimmune diseases. Yup my doctor lied when they told me my bloods were normal

    Post sugery i lost alot slower than others but in my seminar group others lost between 3 and 5 stone then regained. I lost 13 stone. I can eat anything going, i choose not to

    I exercised, the others didnt. I took up the gym, running, swimming etc

    I have had a bit of a regain, i had a horrendous pregnancy, lost one twin, developed hypoglycaemia, emergency stitch placed, hospitalised and gave birth at 25 weeks

    I still have to deal with nasty comments from people (usually overweight acquaintances) who like to loudly announce how i didnt lose the weight, that surgery did. I police what goes in my mouth, one such group were sat at a cafe with me. I was eating salad they had fish and chips with a side order of cheese toastie and dessert. But yep its a line of staples.

    I was also the one getting my *kitten* out of bed at 5am to exercise before starting the day but then im berated for being stupid, they dont get up till 8am i should be the same

    Just focus on you and what you want to do
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    reichardtjessica wrote: »
    Thanks for all the input. I always told myself I wouldn't have WLS and just seeing my friend 70 lbs lighter than me in less then 2 months got me in my feelings lol ill continue to do it the natural way!

    70lbs in 2 months is not a good thing!
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I would not take the step/risk of surgery and everything after since you are losing at a good rate without it.
    WLS or not you will have to work to lose weight and keep it off. It isn't easier to do WLS just a different drastic way of reducing calorie intake.
    Fast weight loss isn't better. Try not to compare to others.

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