Is big loss without weight loss surgery possible?

dianefarwells

After trying EVERY diet known to mankind, I had weight loss surgery 5 and half years ago and lost 103 pounds. I was 65 at that time. I was determined, successful, and reached my goal weight in 18 months.
The doctor ALWAYS reminded his patients that the surgery is a TOOL AND NOT A CURE! You still have to stick to a diet and exercise. Many of his patients failed because, as many folks have mentioned here, the surgery is not fixing the root of the reason you are overweight in the first place. In the years since my surgery, and mostly due to the pandemic, I have gained back 30 pounds that I'm now struggling to lose...because the reasons I overeat were never resolved.
Bottom line: skip the surgery...it comes with too many risks...and sagging skin.

cmriverside

Calilassie wrote: »

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories of your weight loss/fitness journey! There are some very inspirational stories here which shows determination.
I have postponed surgery until February, I will reassess then. I am setting my goals, trying to be realistic and will reach out on the MFP forums for advice and support along the way.

Thank you all! I look forward to being part of the MFP community and sharing our journeys together!

I'm really glad you've postponed.

One thing that helped me quite a bit is journalling about my food. Every morning I go to myfitnesspal and pull the previous day's numbers to put in my Excel worksheet I've been keeping for years. Then if the day was noteworthy regarding food or exercise I make notes on the Excel sheet next to the day. I also have a journal that I write in for all kinds of things that may be bothering me or need resolution. That's where I worked out a lot of the psychological and physical issues related to food and weight. There's a lot to unpack. I still struggle at times so there's always something new to learn about myself, my coping tools, my nutrition needs, exercise, etc.

It's a big project. I'm glad I didn't use any outside "help" in the way of drugs or surgery, because here I am 15 years post weight loss (lost 80ish pounds) and it's just me, my food scale, my grocery list, and my walking shoes. I'm still at my goal weight, and I've realized it's always all right inside me. No one can stop my hand putting stuff in my mouth except me:)

antonsavvin

I lost almost 150 lbs in 2015-16 without surgery. Then, though, I had to go through skin removal. Later I regained some of the lost weight, but now I’m in the process of losing it again. Since February, I’ve lost about 40 lbs and counting. MFP is a great assistance when it comes to controlling my ED (which had started long before I learned about it). Yet exercising shouldn’t be neglected too. So yes, it’s quite possible.

age_is_just_a_number

Let us know what you decided.
I support that everyone is different and needs to do what will work for you.
My mother was 100+lbs overweight and did stomach stapling. Honestly, it ruined her life. She had post surgery infection.
For years and years she could only eat food that was completely pulverized — I mean like baby food consistency. The worst part: she gained half the weight back.
Started at 250lb, a year after surgery she was 180lb. A few years later she was 210lbs.
Then she decided, enough is enough and stopped eating junk. She got down to a healthy 150lb. She stayed there until her was diagnosed with cancer.
Weight loss surgery is not a quick fix, magic solution or guarantee of success. No matter what, you still have to do the work.
My experience (from watching my mother) — do not do the surgery.

Wishing you all the best.
Take care,

kshama2001

antonsavvin wrote: »

I lost almost 150 lbs in 2015-16 without surgery. Then, though, I had to go through skin removal. Later I regained some of the lost weight, but now I’m in the process of losing it again. Since February, I’ve lost about 40 lbs and counting. MFP is a great assistance when it comes to controlling my ED (which had started long before I learned about it). Yet exercising shouldn’t be neglected too. So yes, it’s quite possible.

@antonsavvin wow, great to hear - way to go!

I'd like to hear more about how MFP helps you control your ED.

Calilassie

age_is_just_a_number wrote: »

Let us know what you decided.
I support that everyone is different and needs to do what will work for you.

Thank you, I decided to postpone until early 2024.
I am so sorry to hear about your mum, the complication rates are reportedly low, but there’s still seems to be so many who have complications like this.