Why surgery?

Oishii

Firstly, this is meant with complete respect. I'm not intending to hurt or upset anyone. I just like to understand people better.

Reading about surgery, I suddenly thought, why do people have operations on their stomachs when it's not the stomach that made them over eat? Why deal with a problem whose cause is psychological by surgery? Surely therapy (including hypnotherapy) would make more sense?

My sister in law had surgery, but doesn't like to talk about it, so I hope to understand better via mfp.

portexploit

I didn't believe in weight loss surger but sometimes people are in a serious situation, on the verge of dying. So they get bypass surgery to get rid of the symptoms that is bringing them closer to death.

TavistockToad

its a LOT easier to go down the surgery route than to deal with all the issues... and i dont mean that disrespectfully to anyone, we all know that it takes a lot of work and willpower to lose weight.

sagetracey

congratulations on reaching your goal. I had Lapland surgery this year and it has been an effective tool in helping me lose 30kg so far. The band works by providing restriction and making me feel satisfied on much smaller amounts of food. Why couldn't I just eat less and exercise more before the band? I could but it was always a challenge and I always fell off the wagon. With the band I cannot overeat without consequences. Gastric Lapland surgery is just one form of weight loss surgery. It is not the answer for everyone but it is giving me a new opportunity to live a longer, productive life.

sagetracey

Actually, it's not easier. It is simply a different way to achieve the same goal.

sagetracey

Actually, it's not easier. It is simply a different way to achieve the same goal.

Cdcaldwe

I have considered it and know people that have had it done. The thing is a couple of them have put back on the weight with gastric bypass. They went back to eating all the same old stuff they had before. I know I had to make a lifestyle change and that i was addicted to food, still am. Guess it is better than other vices. I have just had to route my food cravings towards healthy offerings.

trailrider1963

One of the biggest reasons I decided to make a total change in eating was that my sister-in-law died after having the bypass. She was one of the sweetest, kindest, most giving people I've ever known and the world is a worse place for her loss. She developed a blood clot 2 weeks after the surgery, apparently that is one of the risks and complications. As my weight went up and up, I became more and more frightened of being desperate enough to resort to surgery one day to control it.

Oishii

That is so sad. I am so sorry you lost someone so dear to you.

I think that's part of what I don't understand: surely there are less invasive options that can alter your mind, rather than your body...

sweetsapphire85

I've never had it done and so i'm just speaking from my opinion, It physically changes their body so they CANNOT eat as much but it psychologically changes them to, there is a definite date that they are going to make that change and define and achieve new goals. (Just like a wedding is a HUGE event for the most part, the build up the anticipation etc. and once you say "I do" a lot of people will say their life has changed forever)

Some people need different markers to motivate (surgery is nothing to roll your eyes about, there is recovery time and is a big deal). Just with this surgery they are getting assistance to make those changes, yes their stomach didn't make them overweight, but now it's stretched to a point they don't feel satiated as easily. It's more of a physical issue than a psychological issue with some people. For them the risks are worth it if their condition is life threatening at this point. I wouldn't think people wouldn't try to diet or use other resources before considering a massive surgery like this, it's that they've tried it and haven't found success.

Different strokes for different folks...

h0taru

I believe surgery is used for people who have a psychological problem with food.

We need to learn to not associating food with emotion. But some people are just not ready for this hard learning, and in this case it is probably better to just save their life by surgery.

In my country I see that most people who have surgery are non-educated. I think it's sad, because if you are rich you can have psychologists to help you, and good ( healthy and with a lot of taste) food, but if you are poor you just have to mutilate your stomach to perhaps live longer.

TinaDay1114

I think it's different for everyone. I do agree, though, that changing your head is so important. A lot of us, no matter what our weight or issues, comfort ourselves with food -- food and emotions go together, and we use it for all kinds of things like love / comfort / fear / loneliness / anger.

I think for some people surgery may be their "wake up call" to change, and to change their heads, too.
But I also know 3 people personally who have had bypass surgery who have NOT dealt with their emotions and have not lost much weight (and even gained a lot back). All 3 of these women have had serious traumas, and at least 2 of them have told me that they feared that losing weight would force them to deal with them. I couldn't have lived through what they did, and I feel for all of them.

I know that for me, being "healthy" -- emotionally AND physically -- only really clicked for me after spending the last 10 years in therapy slowly working through issues I've had since (a tough) childhood. Once you can peel back the layers of those things, making healthy choices for yourself (in food, in relationships, in life) is so much more "natural," and more likely to stick.

Just my opinion and experience...

mamashatzie

I thought about surgery. I really did. I wanted something that would make my weight problem just go away.

But I'm a very introspective person and, in thinking about surgery, realized it wouldn't help me even a little bit. Because my weight problem is caused by emotional issues. I don't put food in my mouth because my stomach is making me, I put food in my mouth because I want to feel better. Because with a mountain of food and a book, I can forget all my problems and not have to think about anything. It's like getting drunk, just with food.

And when I thought about that, I knew that weight loss surgery would never help me. It wouldn't solve my problem, because the problem is not my stomach. The problem is my head.

I 100% understand the desire to undergo surgery. A few weeks of physical pain and discomfort seems so much easier than overhauling one's entire way of thinking. I'm not saying WLS is easy at all, nor that people who choose it are taking the easy way out. They're not; I understand what a massive commitment it is. I'm just saying that people like me have weight issues because of emotional problems, and no weight loss method will EVER work until you solve the emotional issue and re-create a healthy relationship with food.

thistleandfi

3 people I'm very close to have had weight-loss surgery with 3 very different results. My aunt had the bypass a couple years ago but also had to have her gallbladder removed at the same time and while she's dropped all the weight and is happier in her life, she is now battling being chronically underweight - she cannot seem to gain at all and is battling to not lose anymore, which has created new health concerns. My childhood best friend had the lap-band 6 years ago but she never truly addressed her emotional issues or changed her eating habits (way too much sugar and refined carbs) and instead continued to gain weight - nevermind that she was miserable having to get the band adjusted, a "choking" sensation that would happen sometimes when she would eat, etc. Now its all these years later and she's going about her weight loss like myself and many others - through diet and exercise. Another close friend had the bypass early this summer after almost a year of therapy, seeing a nutritionist, and careful monitoring by her doctor. Unfortunately she has some other health problems that have greatly interfered with her ability to lose the weight she needs in order to be healthy. She didn't take the decision lightly and knew she was risking her life but for her it was the right decision. Thankfully she had established a great healthy way of eating prior to surgery and has maintained it since while also attending support group meetings.

I was worried sick each time someone I loved went through this, I don't know what I would have done if anyone had died, but its not for me to judge. I love them and understanding the reasoning behind their decisions (and their successes and failures post-surgery) has been my focus even though this is not something I would consider for myself.

What concerns me now is how much of a fad weight loss surgery has become. In the last few years the lap-band has been advertised and pushed heavily through tv, radio, and billboards (so many billboards, ugh!) out here in SoCal. I'm afraid for those who don't research (or don't have a doctor to say no) will think this is the easy route rather than putting in the work and effort it takes to lose weight without surgical intervention. It shouldn't be portrayed as an "easy fix" you know?

walkdmc

I haven't had or considered the surgery even though at my highest, would've qualified.

The surgery has the added benefit of reducing food cravings and altering neurohormone/chemical levels, all intended to reduce food intake. There's more to being fat than just eating and not working those calories off. I understand obesity usually STARTS that way, but over time, carrying that extra weight creates a different environment c/w a thin person. The hormones that aid in creating cravings, feelings of satiety and hunger are altered, as are basal insulin levels (in some, not all). All of those changes (plus those I don't know about) can make it difficult for a very obese person to lose weight. Add to that the behavioral issues that develop as one gains a lot of weight and becomes less mobile and it often takes something extreme, like surgery, to kick start a good weight loss path.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I've had a friend who had great success with it, she tried unsuccessfully to lose the weight. She was an emotional eater who was the fat friend, the fat sister, the . . . you get it. It's nice she's had success because when she first came out of it she had started reverting back to how she got there in the first place. Now she’s an exercise fanatic as well, where as you wouldn’t have caught her dead in the gym before.

One of the contestants on biggest loser this past year had one of the procedures done. The doctor said that of everyone she would have the most difficult time losing weight because one of the things that happens with surgery patients is they lose so much muscle in the process.

Oishii

Thank you for all the replies. The comment about how it has taken one poster 10 years of therapy to resolve her eating issues really helped put things into perspective.

Thank you again :flowerforyou:

trailrider1963

One of the biggest reasons I decided to make a total change in eating was that my sister-in-law died after having the bypass. She was one of the sweetest, kindest, most giving people I've ever known and the world is a worse place for her loss. She developed a blood clot 2 weeks after the surgery, apparently that is one of the risks and complications.

What made it even harder was that she didn't tell any of us she was having the surgery. My family is scattered all over the U.S. so we don't always know what's going on with each other - the day we got the news we were all in total shock. Our brother told us later she wanted to lose all the weight and surprise everyone at the next holiday get-together.

Oishii

Again, I'm so sorry for your tragic loss and hope this thread has not caused you any additional pain.

fridayjustleft04

A girl I used to work with had surgery. We're about the same height and weighed about the same. Also, we're the same age. She had the surgery right around the same time I started losing weight. To date, she's only lost 5 pounds more than I have. Hardly seems worth it in that case, doesn't it? She still struggles with craving bad foods and has told me that the only reason she doesn't eat them is because of the physical consequences of having them. To me, that doesn't really help her change her mind frame about food. I think when WLS first started gaining popularity, you were required to go through therapy to help you understand your issues with food and continue to speak with a therapist/nutritionist after so you could learn about the right things to eat and how to maintain a healthy weight. She didn't have to do that, which, in my opinion, is why she leans so much on the physical reasons she shouldn't eat the food. A hospital here is airing WLS commercials and the "before" weights of all the people featured are lower than my starting weight. I'm sorry, but unless there's some real medical issue, there's just no reason you can't get up and start working out at 240 pounds. I did it at 260. For some people who are on the brink of death, surgery is a good option..provided they get help understanding why they overeat and learn to make healthier choices. Otherwise, what's the point? There's always the potential to gain it all back if you don't change your habits.

beach_bum_gurl

OK. So now that all of the people who have NOT had surgery have replied, I think I will tell you a little about why I had surgery.

About 8 years ago, one of my close friends had surgery. At the time, I told her, "you are so brave, I could never do this". Why did I say this? Well, as an ER nurse where do you think the minority of the patients that DO have complications come for treatment??? Why, the ER of course. So, all I ever saw were the complications, not the successes, which by far are the larger number of patients.

About 5 years ago, however, I had seen how my friend had had such a success with her surgery, and I had continued to struggle with my weight (which I have been doing since childhood- when I was 8, I weighed 167 pounds, a memory crystallized in my head, getting on the scale at the doctor's office). I have been on almost every diet out there and could loose weight, but even after losing some weight I would still technically be considered overweight, but then I would gain it back and tack on 20+ more pounds. I also was having a harder time just doing activities of daily living without expending a great amount of energy, becoming short of breath with simple activities such as taking a flight of stairs, and noticing little things like ankle swelling, which at 35 WAS NOT NORMAL. I knew that I had to make a change, and nothing in the past had worked long term for me. So, I went to a information session offered by my friend's surgical group.

I learned a lot about the surgery, the statistics, the complication rate, which by the way, is not higher than other abd. surgeries for most people. I also learned that for those people who are classified as morbidly obese, having a Body Mass Index of between 30% and 49%, the success rate for long term success has been shown to be as high at 93%. I liked my odds with that one. I also was fairly healthy despite my weight at the time, but I knew that if I continued that there were many co-morbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc). that could be coming my way with age.

The process prior to surgery and then therapy after surgery was as important to my success as the surgery was, IMO. As someone mentioned, there are a lot of "head" issues that need to be dealt with as well. The surgery was just a tool to get me started and now that I am 5 years out have to "buckle down" and do the hard work to maintain. One of the wonderful things that I have noticed after surgery is that I know when to stop. Physically now, I feel full. I had lost this ability to feel satiety prior to my surgery. Also, since surgery, probably due to the decrease in my grehlin, I do not feel physical hunger. Yep, that's 5 years without physical hunger. Now head hunger is another issue. It is the devil, and I really have to watch out for this still. However, as I said before, therapy post-op is so important to success, IMO. I have learned in therapy strategies to help with the head hunger. Most all of my meals are planned now. I eat every 3-4 hours. I am maintaining 5 years out , actually I am losing...I want to lose a few more just because

My life is so much better since the surgery. There are so many simple things in life that I now enjoy that I could not before...crossing my legs, sitting comfortably in a booth, not needing a seatbelt extender on a plane, running, wearing a 2 piece bathing suit...the list goes on...

Surgery was the best decision I have ever made. However, that being said, I tell people that it is a very personal decision, and it may not be right for them. I encourage anyone who may be interested to do your research...and then decide!

Oishii

Thank you for telling your story in such detail. I am very interested in how hunger works, and your explanation helped a lot.