Weight loss surgery, yes or no?
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chrissjourney
Posts: 121 Member
What was your experience like? Positive....negative??
2
Replies
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My mom's going through a program for WLS, it's definitely not an easy fix nor does everyone qualify for it. It's a tool though, not a miracle, you'll still have to learn how to properly eat so that you don't just regain all your weight. You can learn to eat around the effects of WLS and the people who gain all their weight back did so because they didn't take the time during the year or two after WLS to learn proper eating habits.6
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If you have a proper programme in your local area you first need to show proof that you are able to lose weight and maintain it, hence eat properly. If you're able to do that, then why have surgery in the first place? If you can't then surgery won't really help.11
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it was both positive and negative. You got to change your habits around food. The stuff you need like protein in the form of meat is hard to get down. Stuff like cookies, crackers, popcorn and the like go down easy. Be careful of grazing. That was my problem. You will still have issues around food. Sometimes you just wish you could eat a small hamburger without being sick or wish you could eat and drink at the same time without being sick. I haven't touched steak since the surgery. I haven't had a full cheeseburger since the surgery. Any bad habits you go in with will still be there when you get out. Your thoughts around food will still be there also. I attended all the preop support groups, had therapy, researched, even attended post op support groups but found the support in those severely lacking. Most of it in the post op support groups had to be positive to not discourage the preops. (ours consisted of preops and postops) It was kind of an unwritten message that you got. I felt i did everything right and still managed to regain it all back over the years with reinforcements to my highest ever weight of 317 pounds. I never was a big loser with the surgery. I started at 292 pounds. I only lost 70 pounds. I lost back down to 220 with the help of a nutritionist after regaining the surgery weight and reinforcements. Over the years I have floundered between 260 and 275 pounds. I restarted this journey in January weighing 275 pounds. One of the biggest benefits of having the surgery for me was being able to get my knees replaced. I was in so much pain. I haven't been in pain since and the replacements are going on 15 and 17 years.
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I got a whole new lease on life and I got my mobility back. This is a big decision so it has to be all yours.
As far as the surgery risk goes, it’s about the same as gall bladder surgery.8 -
Thanks all. I have some friends that have gone through it and it's been mixed on the good and bad. I have never really considered it much. On a visit with a new doctor (about something else) she mentioned to me that she had a really good referral to a weight loss surgeon and I should consider it. While I do consider myself to be in the big girl category, I must say I was a bit offended at first because no doctor has ever mentioned such to me. Of course overeating has gotten me here but along with that I have pcos and I can basically look at food and gain weight. Now that I'm getting older (did I say that out loud haha?) my arthritic knees are killing me and I'm wondering if the positives of surgery would outweigh the negative. I do want to live my best life but I also don't want to be sick every time I eat something. Thanks for the feedback!0
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chrissjourney wrote: »Thanks all. I have some friends that have gone through it and it's been mixed on the good and bad. I have never really considered it much. On a visit with a new doctor (about something else) she mentioned to me that she had a really good referral to a weight loss surgeon and I should consider it. While I do consider myself to be in the big girl category, I must say I was a bit offended at first because no doctor has ever mentioned such to me. Of course overeating has gotten me here but along with that I have pcos and I can basically look at food and gain weight. Now that I'm getting older (did I say that out loud haha?) my arthritic knees are killing me and I'm wondering if the positives of surgery would outweigh the negative. I do want to live my best life but I also don't want to be sick every time I eat something. Thanks for the feedback!
This might be an overreaction, but for a brand new doctor -- with no real knowledge of your history -- to tell you out of the blue that she had a "really good referral to a weight loss surgeon" would raise a red flag for me.11 -
I understand for some people this is their last hope. I could never do it. I am too much of a chicken. I think it takes a brave person to do weight loss surgery. I don't see it as the easy way at all. I think losing it naturally by counting calories and restricting your food intake is the easier though slower way6
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chrissjourney wrote: »Thanks all. I have some friends that have gone through it and it's been mixed on the good and bad. I have never really considered it much. On a visit with a new doctor (about something else) she mentioned to me that she had a really good referral to a weight loss surgeon and I should consider it. While I do consider myself to be in the big girl category, I must say I was a bit offended at first because no doctor has ever mentioned such to me. Of course overeating has gotten me here but along with that I have pcos and I can basically look at food and gain weight. Now that I'm getting older (did I say that out loud haha?) my arthritic knees are killing me and I'm wondering if the positives of surgery would outweigh the negative. I do want to live my best life but I also don't want to be sick every time I eat something. Thanks for the feedback!
This might be an overreaction, but for a brand new doctor -- with no real knowledge of your history -- to tell you out of the blue that she had a "really good referral to a weight loss surgeon" would raise a red flag for me.
I did find it odd as well, considering I was seeing the new doctor for a breast lump and no real connection to that conversation. I do, however, still have her sticky note with the docs info hanging on my fridge and I think hmm should I consult lol. I probably won't though.3 -
chrissjourney wrote: »chrissjourney wrote: »Thanks all. I have some friends that have gone through it and it's been mixed on the good and bad. I have never really considered it much. On a visit with a new doctor (about something else) she mentioned to me that she had a really good referral to a weight loss surgeon and I should consider it. While I do consider myself to be in the big girl category, I must say I was a bit offended at first because no doctor has ever mentioned such to me. Of course overeating has gotten me here but along with that I have pcos and I can basically look at food and gain weight. Now that I'm getting older (did I say that out loud haha?) my arthritic knees are killing me and I'm wondering if the positives of surgery would outweigh the negative. I do want to live my best life but I also don't want to be sick every time I eat something. Thanks for the feedback!
This might be an overreaction, but for a brand new doctor -- with no real knowledge of your history -- to tell you out of the blue that she had a "really good referral to a weight loss surgeon" would raise a red flag for me.
I did find it odd as well, considering I was seeing the new doctor for a breast lump and no real connection to that conversation. I do, however, still have her sticky note with the docs info hanging on my fridge and I think hmm should I consult lol. I probably won't though.
Based on your photo - there is no way you should consider WLS and shame on that doctor. Read the cautionary tale above and I think that will make it clear. I have a cousin with the same experience- she’s heavier than before surgery and her health has deteriorated.
Set up your MFP profile to lose 1 lb a week and go! I started at 267 and am closing in on 100 lbs lost. I’m stronger and healthier than ever and I’m almost 60! You’ve got this! And find another doctor!14 -
chrissjourney wrote: »chrissjourney wrote: »Thanks all. I have some friends that have gone through it and it's been mixed on the good and bad. I have never really considered it much. On a visit with a new doctor (about something else) she mentioned to me that she had a really good referral to a weight loss surgeon and I should consider it. While I do consider myself to be in the big girl category, I must say I was a bit offended at first because no doctor has ever mentioned such to me. Of course overeating has gotten me here but along with that I have pcos and I can basically look at food and gain weight. Now that I'm getting older (did I say that out loud haha?) my arthritic knees are killing me and I'm wondering if the positives of surgery would outweigh the negative. I do want to live my best life but I also don't want to be sick every time I eat something. Thanks for the feedback!
This might be an overreaction, but for a brand new doctor -- with no real knowledge of your history -- to tell you out of the blue that she had a "really good referral to a weight loss surgeon" would raise a red flag for me.
I did find it odd as well, considering I was seeing the new doctor for a breast lump and no real connection to that conversation. I do, however, still have her sticky note with the docs info hanging on my fridge and I think hmm should I consult lol. I probably won't though.
Based on your photo - there is no way you should consider WLS and shame on that doctor. Read the cautionary tale above and I think that will make it clear. I have a cousin with the same experience- she’s heavier than before surgery and her health has deteriorated.
Set up your MFP profile to lose 1 lb a week and go! I started at 267 and am closing in on 100 lbs lost. I’m stronger and healthier than ever and I’m almost 60! You’ve got this! And find another doctor!
Thank you! And congrats on that 100lb loss! Awesome job!2 -
a friend had it done, now she has digestion issues and is right back at her pre-op weight. If you don't change your eating habits, then no surgery will help.5
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It is not true. There are many more risks associated with gastric bypass than gallbladder surgery. I know. I had both. My brother ended up with a ruptured pouch ended up 3 months in the hospital. I ended up 10 days in with collapsed lungs. My teeth have been fixed due to all the vomiting. I developed a hiatal hernia and a esophageal hernia where I was having what felt like heart problems. I also developed chronic ulcers and barretts esophagus. Just some of the complications caused by the surgery. I have a friend who managed to keep the weight off but developed bleeding ulcers many times over. She also has been hospitalized a few times for dehydration and malnutrition. I am not discouraging you from getting it but I want you to know the truth. It is not a cakewalk. It is not the easy way out. You still are going to have food issues. You might end up with problems you never had before like I did. I don't know. I have mixed feelings about having it.9
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Two of my sisters had it done; one died a year later from complications and the other has gained back about 1/2 the weight she lost but she would do it again she said. Research your physicians and plan to make dietary changes for life. Both could not like they had before. Good luck!6
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Two of my sisters had it done; one died a year later from complications and the other has gained back about 1/2 the weight she lost but she would do it again she said. Research your physicians and plan to make dietary changes for life. Both could not like they had before. Good luck!
Nothing to add just that I am so sorry for your loss.0 -
It is not true. There are many more risks associated with gastric bypass than gallbladder surgery. I know. I had both. My brother ended up with a ruptured pouch ended up 3 months in the hospital. I ended up 10 days in with collapsed lungs. My teeth have been fixed due to all the vomiting. I developed a hiatal hernia and a esophageal hernia where I was having what felt like heart problems. I also developed chronic ulcers and barretts esophagus. Just some of the complications caused by the surgery. I have a friend who managed to keep the weight off but developed bleeding ulcers many times over. She also has been hospitalized a few times for dehydration and malnutrition. I am not discouraging you from getting it but I want you to know the truth. It is not a cakewalk. It is not the easy way out. You still are going to have food issues. You might end up with problems you never had before like I did. I don't know. I have mixed feelings about having it.
My gosh! Seriously more problems than I would ever bargain for! Thanks for sharing.0 -
Two of my sisters had it done; one died a year later from complications and the other has gained back about 1/2 the weight she lost but she would do it again she said. Research your physicians and plan to make dietary changes for life. Both could not like they had before. Good luck!
I'm so sorry for your loss. I have a younger child and don't see it's worth the risk. Thanks.1 -
chrissjourney wrote: »What was your experience like? Positive....negative??
I am looking into surgery. I would like to get the sleeve. I am in the preop process now. I have lost some weight on my own but still have a long way to go and hope the surgery will help with that. It seems like 90 percent of people are glad they had it done.1 -
chrissjourney wrote: »chrissjourney wrote: »Thanks all. I have some friends that have gone through it and it's been mixed on the good and bad. I have never really considered it much. On a visit with a new doctor (about something else) she mentioned to me that she had a really good referral to a weight loss surgeon and I should consider it. While I do consider myself to be in the big girl category, I must say I was a bit offended at first because no doctor has ever mentioned such to me. Of course overeating has gotten me here but along with that I have pcos and I can basically look at food and gain weight. Now that I'm getting older (did I say that out loud haha?) my arthritic knees are killing me and I'm wondering if the positives of surgery would outweigh the negative. I do want to live my best life but I also don't want to be sick every time I eat something. Thanks for the feedback!
This might be an overreaction, but for a brand new doctor -- with no real knowledge of your history -- to tell you out of the blue that she had a "really good referral to a weight loss surgeon" would raise a red flag for me.
I did find it odd as well, considering I was seeing the new doctor for a breast lump and no real connection to that conversation. I do, however, still have her sticky note with the docs info hanging on my fridge and I think hmm should I consult lol. I probably won't though.
Just for context and not a recommendation: I have spoken to some WL surgeons at our hospital. They sincerely believe in the effectiveness of their intervention, and they have lots of research that makes it sound pretty good (of course, like most surgical outcome research, the evaluation period is very short so it greatly overstates the benefits IMO).
My point is that it would not be surprising that a family doc would be confortable with their language and approach and might find these presentations convincing - enough to be more proactive about recommending the procedure.
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I have one relative who had the bariatric surgery. From her mfp photo, it appears to have failed. That is, she seems to have regained any weight she might have lost due to the surgery.
It's an attractive spend if you have the money. Spend the money to be slim. Ahhh. But, no. You have to eat properly to be slim. You have to move deliberately to be fit. You don't have enough insurance, wealth, gold, or influence to buy that.2 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »I have one relative who had the bariatric surgery. From her mfp photo, it appears to have failed. That is, she seems to have regained any weight she might have lost due to the surgery.
It's an attractive spend if you have the money. Spend the money to be slim. Ahhh. But, no. You have to eat properly to be slim. You have to move deliberately to be fit. You don't have enough insurance, wealth, gold, or influence to buy that.
The surgery works, but only to a point. Most people fail when they don't learn how to pick up the slack when the surgery's effectiveness is over.2
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