Gastric bands?? A lazy way out or good choice? x

laurie1984uk

Thoughts people on gastric bands? ............ I would never have one but want to hear your views x

bellarox13

I think unless medically necessary, alot of people think they are an easy way out but from what I have heard, it isn't easy. I would much rather do it through healthy eating and exercise.

Sarah_uk

I think it's great if you've been struggling with your weight for a long time and have a problem controlling portions.

I don't think it's lazy, but it's only a way to aid weight loss if you really want to. You can also regain the lost weight. Google it, it does happen.

maremare312

I don't think it's a lazy way out because you still have to do the work and be diligent about eating correctly. It's a tool to be used in extreme cases, imo. I went to Mexico with my mom when she got one and I kinda think she regrets getting it because she lost some weight initially but eventually fell back into her old eating habits and gained quite a bit of it back. She's left with heartburn problems, can't eat many foods, and a sense of failure for not being able to keep the weight off but having spent a lot of money.

xxquzme

I think that it can be a tool for many that needs the help. I dont believe that everyone that gets it done actually needs it, but for some it is just the push that they need to get their life back on track. It is still a struggle for those with the procedure to stay focused or it will all be for nothing.

redfroggie

I don't think Gastric Bands help you to address why you may over eat. I don't think you get the discipline needed when you diet and exercise. You give up enough when you diet, I can't imagine giving up more with the band. I think that is why people fail on it, they get in a mind set that they don't have to do anything to lose weight. I wouldn't do it.

laddyboy

I've seen people get the surgery and gain the weight back. It's a shame but true. I think the best way is to form a new life style and eating habits.

SarahJaneDeschamp

I don't think its a lazy way out, i think it depends on peoples circumstances, i was recently offered one for health reasons, but am not going ahead with it because of the risks involved, its a tool to aid you with weight loss, and with you for the rest of your life, its not a quick fix

waster196

I don't think Gastric Bands help you to address why you may over eat. I don't think you get the discipline needed when you diet and exercise. You give up enough when you diet, I can't imagine giving up more with the band. I think that is why people fail on it, they get in a mind set that they don't have to do anything to lose weight. I wouldn't do it.

I agree! I think the trouble is that by having a gastric band or any other kind of surgery, people are missing out on learning the important lessons which will help to keep you healthy for the rest of your life. I also think the fact that they're readily available to anyone who can afford it (or not in the UK, with our NHS) gives people the wrong message about their weight in the first place; it says, "it doesn't matter if you over eat and become obese, we can fix it with an operation!".

100% last resort territory for me.

kennie2

i personally think if you really NEED it then its obviously a good choice. but if you dont you should just get your but out there and do some exercise.

bluefox9er

I think unless medically necessary, alot of people think they are an easy way out but from what I have heard, it isn't easy. I would much rather do it through healthy eating and exercise.

+1 and totally agree. Yes, there are people who need it for medical assistance but I also feel that people should treat healthy eating and basic exercise as a lifestyle choice and not something that will cause them denial of pleasure!

megruder

I work in a hospital and once one of the surgeons started doing gastric band and bypass procedures, MANY employees started getting them. I've personally seen a WIDE range of results. For some, it has been life changing and they really changed their lifestyles. One, in particular, was given 2 years to live due to weight-induced health problems (she was only 42), had the bypass, lost 300 lbs and is extremely healthy now and looks great. One person ate smaller portions of crap food and lost but looked horrible, this person eventually switch to a healthy diet and looks great. For some, they lose a bunch of weight but haven't really changed anything and gained it all back and sometimes more. However, these are not minor procedures and one individual had some major complications almost died, ended up in on life support in intensive care for three weeks and on our long-term care unit for several months. This individual is doing well now and has lost some weight, but not nearly what they had hoped.

All of these people were personal friends, so I have strong feelings regarding these procedures. If someone has given healthy eating and exercise a real, honest-to-goodness try and is still having trouble or if their life is in jeopardy and they are willing to make those changes then there is a place for these procedures. But if someone cannot maintain portion control or healthy eating habits then the money may be best spent on trying to determine why those habits cannot be maintained. It is important to remember this is a major medical procedure.

Edit: Most of those that gained, wished they hadn't done it. A couple that changed their lifestyles and maintain, would do it again but wished that had been able to do it without the procedure.

Scentlessapprentice

I don't think Gastric Bands help you to address why you may over eat. I don't think you get the discipline needed when you diet and exercise. You give up enough when you diet, I can't imagine giving up more with the band. I think that is why people fail on it, they get in a mind set that they don't have to do anything to lose weight. I wouldn't do it.

I agree! I think the trouble is that by having a gastric band or any other kind of surgery, people are missing out on learning the important lessons which will help to keep you healthy for the rest of your life. I also think the fact that they're readily available to anyone who can afford it (or not in the UK, with our NHS) gives people the wrong message about their weight in the first place; it says, "it doesn't matter if you over eat and become obese, we can fix it with an operation!".

100% last resort territory for me.

Absolutely this^^^^

laurie1984uk

great views people xxxx

fcrisswell

It is nice to see so much support on this site. As someone who had gastric bypass 4 1/2 years ago I sometimes feel like others think I "cheated".

Any weightloss surgery is a very personal and risky choice. I was nearly 400 pounds. Had been overweight my entire life. I had reached the point of feeling like I was slowly dieing. I chose to risk my life in order to live my life.

You have to change your lifestyle in order to succeed. It is in no way a quick fix and you can fail if you do not change your habits. Surgery was a tool for me to make that leap of change.

megruder

It is nice to see so much support on this site. As someone who had gastric bypass 4 1/2 years ago I sometimes feel like others think I "cheated".

Any weightloss surgery is a very personal and risky choice. I was nearly 400 pounds. Had been overweight my entire life. I had reached the point of feeling like I was slowly dieing. I chose to risk my life in order to live my life.

You have to change your lifestyle in order to succeed. It is in no way a quick fix and you can fail if you do not change your habits. Surgery was a tool for me to make that leap of change.

I'm so glad that gastric bypass worked for you! Congratulations on weight loss.

tammykoon

I have thought about by-pass and the lap band many times, dreamed about would be more accurate. It's not an easy solution. The social aspect is overwhelming. If you think it's hard to go to a public function when you are dieting imagine what it would be like if you only consume food a spoon at a time. It is life altering. I have had friends that have divorced because they couldn't handle the change this brought into their lives. Being skinny doesn't make you happy and any void you were trying to fill with food will still be there when the weight is gone. I support any one who has made the choice to have this done. I am trying one more time to lose this weight before I have to make that call myself.

natskedat

I've learned a lot by reading the experiences of others on this site. I had some pretty strong opinions about gastric bypass and the lap band.

Here's what I've come to understand. For a lot of people, excess weight and self-abuse are manifestations of very old events in the past. Sometimes weight-related issues (compulsive overeating, obesity, anorexia, bulemia, etc.) have little or nothing to do with simply "eating right" and exercising.

For those who carry the burden of a painful past with them, and continue to abuse themselves by eating too much, I fully support medical intervention. Sometimes, force is the only way. No, it doesn't address the issues surrounding the abuse, but it does address the life-threatening symptom. Seeking professional help to address the psychological issues is as important as the surgery.

MFP has definitely changed me and helped me understand the many reasons people struggle with weight.

steve4580

I have a relative that is doing this next week. I guess I don't understand the concept. After the surgery you eat a reduced calorie diet, but you can somehow still cheat (as evidenced by the people that regain their weight). How is this any different from losing weight without the surgery? It doesn't seem like it is worth the huge risk when you consider that it is not a sure thing. I am sure those that have done it and have succeeded would probably argue that it was worth the risk for them. But it still begs the question: the successful folks still had to discipline themselves to eat a reduced calorie diet, so why not do this without the surgery?

JennLifts

One of my best friends had it, and she's lost, and its been way harder than her trying to eat healthy ever was. She didn't have an eating problem, she is one of those that got dealt a bad hand. Arthritis, no thyroid, family history, and so on. It's been great for her, and she looks fantastic, and is changing her lifestyle, and loving it, but it wasn't easy at all. She was in and out of the hospital for months before things have finally started to calm down.
I do think, however, from personal experience, I know how hard it is to adjust your mind to how you look now and so on, and when the weight comes off as fast as it does for them, it is so much harder because they look different weekly, while we, only loosing a pound or two a week have a slower change and a better opportunity to adapt to it.

fcrisswell

I have a relative that is doing this next week. I guess I don't understand the concept. After the surgery you eat a reduced calorie diet, but you can somehow still cheat (as evidenced by the people that regain their weight). How is this any different from losing weight without the surgery? It doesn't seem like it is worth the huge risk when you consider that it is not a sure thing. I am sure those that have done it and have succeeded would probably argue that it was worth the risk for them. But it still begs the question: the successful folks still had to discipline themselves to eat a reduced calorie diet, so why not do this without the surgery?

Simply eating a reduced calorie diet is not that simple. When you are morbidly obese there is more to factor in than just over-eating. For me, food was an addiction, like alcohol is to an alcoholic. Difference was...you cannot just stop eating. You need to eat to live. I needed to physically be forced to eat less in order to get healthier. Others that have posted here are correct in that the underliying issue that cause someone to over eat still have to be dealt with in order to be successful. Without on-line support, monthly support meetings and regular dr visits I could very easily resort to my old ways. Like the alcolic needs AA I need those support avenues to be successful.

johnthefatman

Only for the really extremely obese 400+ and even then doing it the natural way is much better. Remember there's a large medical industry pushing these procedures to sell the equipment etc (true in the UK too) and because the procedures are evolving there is very little data on the long term effects what there is for the older operations is not good with evidence of long term side effects from malnutrition. As one critic said 'it's just surgically induced slow starvation'.
IMHO (In my humble opinion) aplies.

j

Leopardliz

I actually feel slightly offended eventhough i know its not persobal when ppl say its lazy or a quick fix or even that ppl with bands dont get to "learn" the right way to eat. I got the band a yr ago and its been the hardest thing i've ever done. You HAVE to learn how to eat because certain things u eat hurt like a mother. I cant just go out and eat a hot dog or a burger and on my good days i can have a whole bite of chicken. Its a great way to change ur life and forces u to learn the right way to live ur life. Sometimes i get frustrated and just wanna binge but i know thats not even an option. So plz do more research before judging or assuming what ppl that have gone through the surgery go through. Anyway if u have questions i might be able to help, just let me know. Like i said i know it wasnt personal or anything but it hits home

milaxx

I think for some people it may be a good thing. It certainly isn't a lazy way out, because they still have to put int the work with a proper diet and exercise or they will gain all the work back. I would rather not go that route, but if a doctor told me do this or die I would do it in a heart beat.

craft338

i just spent the day with my cousin's girlfriend who had gastric bypass, and she lost 140lbs in 8 months....we were going to spend all day together and i though "oh awesome, i'm gonna hang out with someone else who's dieting!"

NOPE!!!!! she ate a big homemade waffle (with all the toppings) for breakfast, a NYC hot dog and roasted nuts as a SNACK, then ice cream, about 7 diet cokes throughout the day, chicken fingers and fries for lunch, pizza, bread, potatoes for dinner, then MORE ice cream......and that's just what i remember. she did look at the sugar in her ice cream because she said that if she eats too much sugar now, she feels sick, but then she bought m&m's and like 2 other bags of candy for the train ride home.

we were in NYC, so i was excited about all the walking we were going to be doing and she wanted to take the subway or a cab whenever we could! i was SHOCKED! how is this girl keeping the weight off???

i don't know about how the surgery works, but....i thought you were still supposed to make changed to your life. i'm not saying anything bad about this girl at all, she was very cool....but i just didn't get how she's able to eat how she eats and everything and lose 140lbs in 8 months.

she is the only person that i've spent a lot of time with who's had the surgery, so she's probably not the greatest example....but i'm just wondering if that's normal....

spaz2phreek

@craft338 - Yeah....she's going to gain it all back. Sad.

I have 2 experiences in my personal life with it....


My sister in law just had....one of the 2 procedures, can't remember which one. Before she did, she spent a year working with a nutritionist & getting counseling. Her doctor required it of her. She probably could have found another doctor who would have made it easier but she didn't (and I'm super proud of her for taking the extra steps). As a result, she's started cooking healthier food a lot time ago which means my brother and nephews are eating better, too.

Also, my boyfriend's sister had one of the 2 procedures done in Mexico a couple of years ago. First, it created an issue for her with insurance here in the states. That sucks. But other than that, her eating habits are much better and she's sticking with them. She's happy with the way she looks, proud of being able to make lasting changes to maintain her new body and, as a result, has been able to stop taking anti-depressants.

The reasons motivating the choice, I think, are what make it a "good" choice or a "lazy" choice.

Finneyfaery

Just venting.... I look at it as a quick fix. Not the easy way out, but definitely the LAZY way out. I was 270 at my heaviest. Surgery NEVER crossed my mind. I stepped up and took responsibility for what I had done to myself. There is no excuse. I can see if the person is like 400+ pounds and can't move....but change your eating habits first, then once you're able to drop some weight, try exercise. If you can walk...you can lose weight. It really ticks me off when people opt for the surgery before SERIOUSLY trying to lose the weight the RIGHT way... I know several people that have had or are going to have the surgery... Makes me so mad! They know I've worked my *kitten* off..LITERALLY, and see how dedicated I've become to getting fit and taking care of myself...then they go and do that to themselves. I've lost nearly 100 on my own... And I preach health. I was never fit before. Never ate right..but i have educated myself on nutrition and fitness and i do my best to pay it forward. But its been in one ear and out the other with people. They ask me how I did it, but I guess they're hoping I have some magic pill or machine that sucks fat out instantly..it's ridiculous. No one likes the truth. I WORKED and am WORKING HARD to get to my goal... It's like this.. Say you have been saving up for a house of your own. You work hard, you stress, you save and save and save all you can, you're getting closer to getting that house but still have a ways to go. You have a friend that doesn't have a job, has no desire to get a job, sits around all day doing nothing, then suddenly their rich uncle calls them up and says they're giving them a house..... Wouldn't that upset you a little? You want to be happy for them, but it hurts you because you know what it's like to actually work hard for your goals, not just to have them handed to you. That's just how I see it. Sorry if is offends anyone, but I am tired of this becoming the thing to do... Oh let's just all go get a bypass...we can start a club!! Lol.. I mean really.. There are no quick fixes. Change your MIND, change your body!!!

smokesone

I agree bellarox13 - If its medically needed then no problem, other than that log and jog the way to go!!!

Febgirl

i just spent the day with my cousin's girlfriend who had gastric bypass, and she lost 140lbs in 8 months....we were going to spend all day together and i though "oh awesome, i'm gonna hang out with someone else who's dieting!"

NOPE!!!!! she ate a big homemade waffle (with all the toppings) for breakfast, a NYC hot dog and roasted nuts as a SNACK, then ice cream, about 7 diet cokes throughout the day, chicken fingers and fries for lunch, pizza, bread, potatoes for dinner, then MORE ice cream......and that's just what i remember. she did look at the sugar in her ice cream because she said that if she eats too much sugar now, she feels sick, but then she bought m&m's and like 2 other bags of candy for the train ride home.

we were in NYC, so i was excited about all the walking we were going to be doing and she wanted to take the subway or a cab whenever we could! i was SHOCKED! how is this girl keeping the weight off???

i don't know about how the surgery works, but....i thought you were still supposed to make changed to your life. i'm not saying anything bad about this girl at all, she was very cool....but i just didn't get how she's able to eat how she eats and everything and lose 140lbs in 8 months.

she is the only person that i've spent a lot of time with who's had the surgery, so she's probably not the greatest example....but i'm just wondering if that's normal....

I wouldn't automatically assume that she eats like this every day - maybe she was treating herself (admittedly rather extremely) as it was a special day out shopping?

Gary1977

I see this is a very hot topic and people are responding passionately on both sides. I wanted the surgery for a long time, but could not afford it. The jobs I had/have would not provide insurance and I couldn't pay for it with my salary. I was betting my future on this procedure and felt like it was my only way out. After years of not being able to afford the surgery, I finally found the motivation(long story I won't get into in this post) to do it the "old fashioned" way. I must say this is the best decision I've ever made! I'm not going to put down people who feel they need this, but I'm sure most could do it without if they REALLY tried. You have to look deep inside yourself and find the strength that we all have. Find a defining moment or motivation that will keep you going. Surround yourself with people who will be supportive in your efforts.

In case any of you are wondering, my case is probably about as extreme as anyone on MFP. My starting weight was 665lbs:sad: :blushing: . I couldn't walk from my car to my house or job(desk job, btw) without breathing really hard & coughing.
I even found it nearly impossible to stand long enough to take a decent shower or even clean myself after going to the bathroom. These things aren't easy for me to say, but if it helps someone it was well worth it.

Now after 6 months of losing weight the natural way, I've lost nearly 160lbs. I'm feeling better than I have in years. I went from barely able to walk to the house from the car, to doing over 1 1/2 miles a day on the treadmill, I know that as I continue, I will keep on improving.

I just said all of that to say this. People, you can do it without the surgery if you really commit to it. Reach deep down and find the strenght to get started. Trust me the results that follow will then keep you motivated. I'll be here to support you no matter which route you choose. :flowerforyou:

camillekemp

i had a gastric by pass 2 years ago and have lost 10 stone it is the best thing i ever did i always thought it was the easy way out believe me its not easy the first year after is hell but the results are worth it i still have to watch what i eat and iam now working hard to lose the last stone for years i have tried every diet and pills going i even lost 5 stone with weight watchers but put it all back on at the age of 40 i got sick of fighting it i weighed 22 stone and knowing how hard this has been i dont think i could of done this on my own and i applaude people that do i now do alot of exercise and my health is so much better the only easy thing about this is that the weight tends to stay off and of course i made 2 best friends who had the opp the same day some people can not believe i was ever big