Honest opinions on weight loss surgery

mommyhof3

I struggled with my weight for years. I finally joined a clinic and had gastric bypass. I was in the clinic for just over 2 years before my gastric bypass. I met with a dietitian, psychologist, doctor, nurse, and had numerous classes to complete. I hit my goal weight 7 months after surgery and had my tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction on December 10, 2020. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. I have to say that losing the weight is easy with gastric bypass but the mental and physical aspect of the surgery is NOT easy.

[Edited by MFP Staff]

AndreaTamira

mommyhof3 wrote: »

I struggled with my weight for years. I finally joined a clinic and had gastric bypass. I was in the clinic for just over 2 years before my gastric bypass. I met with a dietitian, psychologist, doctor, nurse, and had numerous classes to complete. I hit my goal weight 7 months after surgery and had my tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction on December 10, 2020. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. I have to say that losing the weight is easy with gastric bypass but the mental and physical aspect of the surgery is NOT easy.

[Edited by MFP Staff]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like quite a lit of work, but also like you got a good support system.

I wonder if it would be easier for people who don't want to get weight loss surgery to loose weight if they had the same amount of help people who opt for weight loss surgery get just so they are allowed to go through with the procedure.

Obviously the gastric bypass helps with weight loss, but for many people the struggle is, at least in part, a psychological one. And still, most of them try to muddle through on their own, with little true support.

Theo166

Mentally my mind has been set against it, feeling most can achieve results without this intervention.

But the data shows it delivers very positive outcomes in a number of areas. Whether it's just the surgery or the wraparound services, it seems to be generally effective (but not universally)

Quick fix or long-term cure? Pros and cons of bariatric surgery

How effective is bariatric surgery?

gigius72

Best way to lose weight. Effective vs diabetes type 2. Effective in hunger management because it suppresses some hormones that create hunger. You will regain some weight eventually, but not that much. There 4 or 5 different types a GI will talk to you about it. Most doctors won't throw you on operation table, they will try first more conventional approaches like diet and exercise.
One of my favorite doctors is Garth Davis, a GI, and on YouTube he speaks a lot about it. Would I go for it? If I was 400lbs, tried really everything else and I didn't get results, yes I would. Problem is that many people aren't ready to try every other possible option.

ccrdragon

gigius72 wrote: »

Best way to lose weight. Effective vs diabetes type 2. Effective in hunger management because it suppresses some hormones that create hunger. You will regain some weight eventually, but not that much. There 4 or 5 different types a GI will talk to you about it. Most doctors won't throw you on operation table, they will try first more conventional approaches like diet and exercise.
One of my favorite doctors is Garth Davis, a GI, and on YouTube he speaks a lot about it. Would I go for it? If I was 400lbs, tried really everything else and I didn't get results, yes I would. Problem is that many people aren't ready to try every other possible option.

I would disagree with this part of your statement. I have known 5 people who have had the surgery and 4 of the 5 were back close to their pre-surgery weight within 2 years of the surgery.

The surgery itself is not a miracle cure for obesity. Nobody will keep the weight off unless there is a strong focus by the weight management team on dealing with the issues that got the person to the weight problem in the first place.

gigius72

ccrdragon wrote: »

gigius72 wrote: »

Best way to lose weight. Effective vs diabetes type 2. Effective in hunger management because it suppresses some hormones that create hunger. You will regain some weight eventually, but not that much. There 4 or 5 different types a GI will talk to you about it. Most doctors won't throw you on operation table, they will try first more conventional approaches like diet and exercise.
One of my favorite doctors is Garth Davis, a GI, and on YouTube he speaks a lot about it. Would I go for it? If I was 400lbs, tried really everything else and I didn't get results, yes I would. Problem is that many people aren't ready to try every other possible option.

I would disagree with this part of your statement. I have known 5 people who have had the surgery and 4 of the 5 were back close to their pre-surgery weight within 2 years of the surgery.

The surgery itself is not a miracle cure for obesity. Nobody will keep the weight off unless there is a strong focus by the weight management team on dealing with the issues that got the person to the weight problem in the first place.

Not my statement, I'm not an expert. It's coming from a seminar of GI doctors. Go tell them they don't know what they are talking about.
I couldn't find that video, but this doctor tells about it. You can skip to minute 20
https://youtu.be/3hapAjMWmhw

ccrdragon

gigius72 wrote: »

ccrdragon wrote: »

gigius72 wrote: »

Best way to lose weight. Effective vs diabetes type 2. Effective in hunger management because it suppresses some hormones that create hunger. You will regain some weight eventually, but not that much. There 4 or 5 different types a GI will talk to you about it. Most doctors won't throw you on operation table, they will try first more conventional approaches like diet and exercise.
One of my favorite doctors is Garth Davis, a GI, and on YouTube he speaks a lot about it. Would I go for it? If I was 400lbs, tried really everything else and I didn't get results, yes I would. Problem is that many people aren't ready to try every other possible option.

I would disagree with this part of your statement. I have known 5 people who have had the surgery and 4 of the 5 were back close to their pre-surgery weight within 2 years of the surgery.

The surgery itself is not a miracle cure for obesity. Nobody will keep the weight off unless there is a strong focus by the weight management team on dealing with the issues that got the person to the weight problem in the first place.

Not my statement, I'm not an expert. It's coming from a seminar of GI doctors. Go tell them they don't know what they are talking about.
I couldn't find that video, but this doctor tells about it. You can skip to minute 20
https://youtu.be/3hapAjMWmhw

I understand that it's not your statement... it is from the doctors... I also understand that they are selling a product and will present that product in it's most appealing aspects.

Here is an interesting article from Pubmed that talks about the aspects of the most common surgeries used (and yes it does show figures where some of the surgeries are very successful):

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3470459/

what I found really interesting is the conclusion paragraph:

'Conclusion
At present, weight loss surgery is the most effective and sustainable treatment option for severe obesity as long as the individual is motivated to make the lifestyle changes required. Despite the invasive nature of bariatric surgery, the initial costs involved, the potential need for re-operation and the long-term consequences requiring lifelong monitoring and medical care, given its success and overall safety record and the burden of obesity and its comorbidities, the number of morbidly obese patients seeking and undergoing bariatric surgery will undoubtedly continue to grow. Time will demonstrate the benefits and safety of bariatric surgery to less obese individuals and adolescents while emerging data will help clinicians define the best operation for each individual patient, taking into account the pros and cons of the available operations and patients' personal preferences. Ultimately, bariatric surgery is not a cure for obesity. Nor is it the solution to the epidemic of obesity, given the increasing prevalence of obesity and an insufficient supply of surgeons. Prevention via education and public awareness will be critical over the next several decades to reverse an epidemic that has been decades in the making.'

Note that this points out that it depends on the individual's desire to make the changes to sustain the weight loss and that weight loss surgery is NOT the solution to the obesity problems.

gigius72

Yes it is basically what he said. According to your paper % of failure goes from 50% to 5%. Forgive me I don't remember which one he said in the video they use mostly and which one has the highest failure percentage.
I don't remember if it was in this video (I didn't watch it again sorry) or in the seminar one, but it was said more than once that the patient would no longer go back and eat like before. I know this doctor (Garth Davis) tries diets and exercise before the surgery... And yes he's vegan, but he's been criticized also by vegan community (very stupid in my opinion) because he said he uses conventional diets... All he can do for the patient to accept.
It's obvious that the level of success is always on the patient. And yes, if there is actually an eating disorder the doctor should refuse the surgery, because it's clear that the patient will fall back in bad habits. I think they also mentioned malabsorption after the surgery.
I'm pretty sure we all agree a diet is the best choice. But an insurance won't pay for a procedure on a 200 lbs guy (at least I hope). We are talking about 350 and up. People who is risking their life.
Diabetes type 2 is a dietary disease. It is curable with an appropriate diet. So yes this procedure cures it, but we go back to the question "can't you eat the right way now, instead of after the surgery?"
I can't vouch for neither option. I'm not in that situation and I don't know what I would do...

gigius72

celticria46 wrote: »

Everyone has the power to do it naturally.. seek psychiatric help... problems in your mind not your body.. surgery should be a last option is too many risk involved and it's a medical procedure that makes you not able to consume very many calories that's why you lose weight and what surprises me is that people that go to have the surgery have no problem with a two or three weeks before eating the low calories the doctor prescribes before surgery. And are successful losing the weight..
Why is that?
Because it's in their mindset. (if I don't do this I can't have the surgery and they really want the surgery.) ... bingo... it can be done it's just changing their mindset.

Losing weight is hard... it takes knowledge determination motivation and discovery on the real reason why you're overweight and overweight... you're not just a hundred or 200 or 300 lbs overweight because you just wanted something to eat.. find the root reason..
Weight loss surgery is the easy way out and it doesn't change your mind.. why is it easy because it doesn't require the discipline to obtain it.. which is why the percentage it's high of those that gained weight back... why do you lose weight after surgery because you had a medical procedure that prevents you from overeating otherwise you get very sick... it's not because you suddenly had an epiphany and you decided to only eat 1000 calories a day.... it also prevents you from eating certain types of food again...
But we live in a world where people want instant gratification and we don't want to work for anything so it is what it is...

If you watched the video I posted, the doctor explained why they can lower the calorie intake.
Depending on the type of surgery, your stomach might lose the capability to stretch. It stops producing the hormones that tells the brain "I'm hungry". There are different reasons.
Fat shaming people is an awful behavior. Morbid obesity is now declared a real disease and health insurances cover for the surgeries.

richardgavel

celticria46 wrote: »

I don't believe I was shaming.. But your are entitled to your opinion... As the title states... "opinions"... Lol.. As soon as someone has a, strong opinion that's not presented all fluffy cuddling *soothe your ego* manner, people get their dander up.. Maybe we should label *emotions * as diseases.. People taking things too personal, not controlling there emotionals and overreacting..all to console their own insecurities... Oh wait.. We already have meds for that.. Lol
Of course it's declared a real disease just like everything else is labelled as a "disease".. Anything for the government to make money.. Or sell medication for.. Lol that's another debate... Lol

I reread your post and I didn't see anything shaming in it. Maybe some harsh realities that might exist depending on the severity of the weight, but not insulting.

ninerbuff

Surgery may address the PHYSICAL act of eating, but not the mental one. And it's NOT UNCOMMON to turn the uncontrollable urge from eating (since they can't anymore) to something else like alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. Also since it's a permanent surgery, there may be complications if the person that gets it DOESN'T adhere to recommended plans of nutrition. And I'm betting over 50% don't due to years of habitual eating behaviors.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

anawake13

Sadly my five friends who had surgery all gained back the weight even though they had counseling. No matter what method one uses it is hard especially when you have a lot to get off. Our habits and mind set sure trip is up. I know how I got this extra 45 lbs but just stayed out of control. My doc said diet just means what you eat, weight is in control eating for our needs vs out of control eating for our wants.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

Honestly, I thought about it. But I already have a lot of food intolerances and IBS, and I don't dare restrict what I can eat any more than it already is. I found a supplement that lets me eat fruit, which is something I never thought would happen again, and I'd love to find a way to eat cruciferous vegetables without a tantrum from my gut, but that may never be. And I CAN lose weight this way; I lost 50 pounds last year without exercise, just with diet, despite the pandemic, and I call that good. So I'm doing this, and I'll keep it up.

ahoy_m8

No opinions but a couple data points: 2 friends had it, one regained it all within 2 years and one kept it off.

My heart breaks for the regainers. It seems like a terribly limiting way to have to eat for the rest of your life, and to have all the downside without the upside must be crushing.

Remigtonhill

I have dieted hard and lost 100+ pounds and gained it all back multiple times - more times than I can easily remember. My first serious diet was my freshman or sophomore year in high school. I had become a pro at dieting. In fact dieting and losing weight was the easy part - keeping it off was seemingly impossible.

I had lost weight so many times, but ultimately failed. Was I going to keep trying the method of natural weight-loss that has failed me all my life (for whatever reason) or was I going to try something new? Now that I am in my 40s being morbidly obese/super-morbidly obese was having definite and significant negative effects on my health, and something needed to change or I would definitely be in trouble health-wise.

In January 2018 I stepped on the scale at 305 lbs. (~5'9") and at that point I decided enough is enough. I had BPD-DS in August 2018. I lost more than 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for 2 1/2 years now. As I type this I tip the scale at 143 lbs.

At least in America, there is *a lot* of rigamarole and hoops to jump through to get approved for surgery. I had to successfully complete a pre-operation medically-supervised weight loss (I lost 50 pounds pre-surgery) and work with a nutritionist for six months receiving nutrition education.

I have to have my labs done at least once a year to monitor my vitamin and mineral levels and take supplements for the rest of my life. In my case that's about 4 or 5 pills per day.

In my case WLS wasn't the easy way out, it was seemingly the only option left for me to have an opportunity to live a healthy and longer life. I suspect that's the case for the majority of people who receive WLS, though certainly not all.

MySweetLavinia

Friend of mine had weight loss surgery a couple of years ago and she's still dealing with complications from it. She is indeed thinner now, but that's because she has chronic diarrhea and constantly struggles to eat without feeling sick. Needless to say, she regrets it.

I'm glad it works for some people though! I say good for them and God bless them. People should do whatever works imo. Like with everything, wls is good for some and bad for others, there is no "one size fits all" answer.

I considered a gastric sleeve years ago, but ended up doing it the diet-only way. I figured either way, I'm going to have to make significant lifestyle changes- so I might as well pick the cheaper method! Honestly, my biggest problems with overeating and bingeing were/are in my mind, so that's where I decided to concentrate my efforts.

jennabeauchesne1

As someone who got the gastric sleeve a little over a year ago, I can say it was the best decision I ever made. Wish I didn't wait until I was 23- wish I had it done at like 14! And it was not easy. I've been dieting since I was around 8 years old. Been through multiple eating disorders. The surgery truly saved me.