Weight Loss Surgery--I CANNOT Believe I Am Posting This!

Lyadeia

2. Why not give yourself the 6 months you need to attend the WLS classes before you can have surgery anyway and tell yourself you will follow a sensible healthy food intake and exercise for that 6 month period and see what happens. I bet you can get 50% of your weight loss in that time.

I was thinking this as well. During the time that you attend those classes, go on a sensible reduced calorie diet and exercise. When the classes are over, you will most likely have lost enough weight to not "need" the surgery, you will have gained the knowledge it takes to keep the weight off, and the exercise you will have performed will have strengthened your heart, lungs, and skeletal muscles (which is one thing that the surgery can NOT do for you!) You will have gained confidence in yourself to keep going. And then you will decide that it is not really that hard to lose the weight naturally, and you will be healthier for it without having invasive surgery that alters your organs for the rest of your days.

Swissmiss

I guess I still feel that the weight gain is not my fault......I blame it on the medications. So that is why I feel the surgery is for me. My story is a little different. I was taking very strong meds for a while to balance me out.

You will still have to take responsibility with or without medication. I do know one lady who got this done last year. She lost 40 pounds and then put it right back on. If is possible to stretch your stomach back out.

snookumss

I personally have had a hard time losing weight. I've had my thyroid tested, I've been tested for diabetes and found out I was perfectly fine. I spent the first two months and lost 10lbs, then hit a plateau and gave up for about two months. I didn't gain my weight back because I had learned to eat better already, but when I came back I spent 85 days trying to lose just five little pounds. I didn't give up... I came close to and cried MANY times. Believe me was it hard to stick to it. I found out I needed to eat within 50-100 of my calorie goal every day, not being short 200-300 as I was most often.

Since then I've lost a few pounds, and it was the biggest success I've had so far. Seriously I think that its very empowering and life-changing making it through all these obstacles without drastic surgeries. In the end, I will have done it safely, not taken any big risks and proved to myself that I could do it.

Make sure you don't make the decision too quickly Sweetie and either way good luck

stevwil41

Honestly, from your posts you really don't sound like you're in a good place to make this kind of decision. Your medications may have made it easier for you to gain weight but ultimately you're responsible for what you put in your body. If the "it's not my fault" attitude remains it won't matter if you have WLS or not, the weight will come back. You said you're on new meds now. If that's the case how quickly are you losing weight? Your ticker says you're 12 lbs down. Are you actively trying or is it just through a change in meds? If you're not really putting any effort into losing weight naturally then I don't think you should even consider surgery. Also, if you do have surgery and you lose 100 lbs rapidly are you prepared for what that's going to do your skin? It won't have time to recover and then you'll have that to deal with. You've mentioned the depression/meds thing so what will looking in the mirror and seeing a bunch of hanging skin do to you? Will you then be seeing if your insurance will cover excess skin removal? I don't mean to sound too harsh but the quick fix isn't always the best way to go and even if you have the surgery and lose a bunch of weight, the "old you" may not be what you end up with. Good luck with whatever decision you make:)

Steve

Mom2Asa

I wouldn't do it and here is why:

1. A family friend had one you are talking about and she is no longer with us. She did have complications with a laproscopic operation and didn't get the chance to loose weight, she lost her life instead. As with any surgery there is that risk but it was not the initial surgery that killed her nor was it right away. A small infection right after the surgery started it and when it was all said and done she was brain dead and on life support. So would I do it?? NO!!

2. An aunt had one of the surgries you speak of, she had her stomach cliped. While she did loose weight--a 2 month old eats more than she does and she also had complications. Unexpected vomiting if she ate one ounce to much. She could only eat 4 oz!! 4 oz--Do you know how much that is???? Not much. She could barely function she was so run down and tired because 4 oz is not enough to fuel your body-EVER!! While she has lost a lot of weight, she looks nasty!! She did not think she needed to workout but rather make it easy and just get the surgery so after the surgery she did not workout either and she has more hanging skin that Fat Bas**rd on Austin Powers--it's gross becuase she is not in shape--just skinny now. She looks fraile and like she is withering away. Her grandkids now eat tiny amounts for fear they will get "fat" and they are not getting the nourishment their bodies need to grow and a year later it is starting to show in the grandkids!! They are not growing like they were, they are always tired because they do not eat enough. Please think about others around you if you have this done, especially kids and the example you are setting for them.

I was 5'9, size 6 and 135lbs- 7years ago before an accident, an accident that left me with serious nerve damange and constant pain and I could not workout. I took one medication that put 30lbs on in less than 3 months!! 30lbs I am still carrying. Before I knew it medications added over 80lbs so I know how that feels. I am in my 30's and just had my first child so let's add more. I felt terrible, my thyroid doesn't work and I don't loose weight.

In 2 months I have lost 26lbs, I am now running, YES RUNNING, 4 miles a day. 3 weeks ago I could barely run .5 of a mile. and prior to 2 months ago I coudn't run at all due to pain. I have less pain and feel great. I am watching what I eat now, I am using MFP to hold me accountable and I do get help from an All-in-one supplement I found 2 months ago. I am not trying to sell it in the post so that is all anyone needs to know about it but it was enough to make me feel better with less pain so I am taking advantage of it and working out. So without it I would not be working out due to pain but at the same time it does not make me work out--- I DO, it does not make me watch what I eat--I DO, it does not hold me accountable-- I DO!!! It just helps me feel better, have less pain and want to get healthy for my now 7 mo old becuase I want to be here!! 2 months ago I weighed 216 and I am now down to 190!!

Harkins86

I think this needs serious consideration on your part. It's not the easy way out. The only real issue on the table for me is the fact that it is major surgery that has a mortality rate. You could die during the surgery or due to complications later on. Is it worth the risk for a quick fix? Think about it.

Good luck with whatever you choose

Best wishes

stubbysticks

my opinion only. I don't judge people their choices.....
I have watched a friend go thru the whole process over the last 2 yrs. She got a lap band and based on observation and talking with her I would not do it myself and here is why...

1. I could lose 30 lbs if i was on only a liquid diet for 10 weeks. (over a month of that is BEFORE the surgery) she was miserable.

2. She has had many side effects....horrible constipation, vomiting with no warning when trying to swallow a bite of food, hair is thinner, she does not look healthy

3. She has gained weight back...not all of it but some. It does not fix the problem of eating unhealthy things.

I will say also that she does not regret her decision to do it. I am happy she is happy with the outcome but I believe she could have achieved the same results without the surgery.

^^^^All of this, but replace "a friend" with "my husband."

I would never consider surgery for myself unless I KNEW I had tried as hard as I could to do it on my own. Realistically I knew I'd never committed to it long enough to lose any real weight. I made a deal with myself that I'd try again & give it at least 6 months before reconsidering surgery. In that 6 months I'd lost 50 lbs so my decision had pretty much been made.

You are right, losing 100+ lbs is overwhelming. Ultimately I'm trying to lose more than that too. No one can do that, right? It sounds impossible. That's why you start with 5 lbs. Ignore the other 95+ for the time being & focus on losing 5. Surely you can handle that. However long it takes, do what you gotta do to lose that 5.

Repeat.

Hearts_2015

...so in the end I will not lose a whole lot of money if I gain it all back.

I feel if a person is already thinking to themselves, "if I gain it all back, I won't be out a whole lot of money" then that person most definitely is NOT ready for such a huge decision.

No, I would not do it personally.. I'm doing very well here on MFP eating healthy and working out and I never regret not having gone the surgery route.

catcrazy

Yes the classes are for maintaining weight loss, and also an evaluation, psych evaluation, etc etc etc. All these things to make sure you are qualified.

I understand that I need to change my eating habits and fitness habits......but like I said, losing 100 pounds is overwhelming. It is like I need a jump start of some sorts to get me moving in the right direction. The reason I am considering it is because like I said my insurance covers it...and I just pay a very small percentage of it...so in the end I will not lose a whole lot of money if I gain it all back.

I feel weak...you guys who are doing it the natural way are strong and brave. I know this is the easy way out.

"The natural way" - yes losing 100lbs is daunting (had 100lbs to lose myself)...so forget the big number. My first goal was to lose weight, ANY weight, break it up into mini goals. Set your ticker for smaller amounts so youre not overwhelmed.

You still have exactly the same work to do whether it is by bariatric surgery or "the natural way" Its only easier because you physically can't consume the quantity of food. An occasional pig out is part of life...never being able to eat a full meal again is a bad trade off in my opinion.

If you really cannot see yourself ever being able to control portion sizes yourself then yes, look into it but if you can get in the right mindset I'd strongly advise that you forget the big number, join a challenge or 2 and crash your way thru some mini goals.

Katbuck77

Hey, I think you need to really discuss this with your doctor and get a second opinion. I know people who have had this operation and have gained the weight all back and then some. If you are having a hard time loosing due to a physical ailment, rather than difficulty in disciplining yourself, it may be beneficial as long as it's not something causing you to gain because you will continue to gain even after the surgery. My friends said that your stomach can stretch back out which is what happened to them. If you are having a hard time disciplining yourself that is altogether different. Don't get the surgery as a way to discipline yourself. You will be sure to gain it back. God can be a great help in this area. Not to sound cheesy but it really helps. Read Acts 2:38. If you want to know more let me know.

kraz4fun

I also considered this surgery as my insurance would have paid for it as well. Ultimately after sitting through all of the informative classes and speaking with the surgeon I realized it was not a quick fix. It would be a long, painful and emotionally trying journey, just as "healthy" weight loss is. I decided that if I wanted to lose the weight bad enough to put myself through a major surgery, which risks are involved, WHY can't I be just as disciplined and do it the healthy way and influence my husband and kids to be healthy as well?? I didn't want to be the mom that couldn't eat at her kids functions or eat the breakfasts that they cook for me or popping pills all the time. I guess my decision was based mostly on how it would affect my family and my children. I wanted to teach them that hard work is rewarding. Please don't get me wrong, I completely agree that some people do NEED the surgery and I know it has saved a lot of lives, but it's definitely just as hard, if not harder than regular diet and exercise so please do not make this decision lightly. Best of luck in whatever you decide!!

catwrangler

I feel weak...you guys who are doing it the natural way are strong and brave. I know this is the easy way out.

I've read lots of WL surgery experiences on here and it sounds like it is NOT the easy way out, just the opposite. It sounds painful and debilitating and no way would I suffer like that.

On the other hand, it works for many.

Whatever you choose, I wish you peace and happiness :flowerforyou:

TOgal

beautiful post!!! Congrats on the weight loss, absolutely love your attitude and strength!

It sounds to me like you've already made up your mind.

You know it's taken me a while to lose close to 120lbs, but I wouldn't trade the journey or the process for anything. During this time I've discovered how strong and capable I am, I've developed self confidence and have taken control of my life. I've leant alot about myself during this process and I love my healthy, fit, sexy life! I'm not going to credit any stupid surgery - I did this, ME! I am my greatest accomplishment!

Sure, you can have a medical procedure and completely alter the way you live your life for the rest of your days, or you can change your life yourself and gain so much pride and respect for yourself that way. So the pills made you put on weight, so what, you have the power to change your own life for the better.

Don't choose the knife. Do it slowly, live a health filled enjoyable life. I've done it, so can you.

TOgal

...so in the end I will not lose a whole lot of money if I gain it all back.

I feel if a person is already thinking to themselves, "if I gain it all back, I won't be out a whole lot of money" then that person most definitely is NOT ready for such a huge decision.

EXACTLY

JoJo_fat2fab

I haven't read all the replies but....

I know three people in my family (my mom and two cousins) who has done the surgery.
One of my cousins gained ALL her weight back (within 3 years), my other cousin stayed the same after losing but she is pregnant now and has gained 30 pounds and she is only 5 months pregnant and my mom has had 4 follow up surgeries because of infections, she almost died during the last surgery

I will never ever do that surgery, I don't care if it takes me 2 years to get this 100 pounds off me, but I will do it without all those complications, AND YOU CAN DO IT TOO.

Txnurse97

I would never recommend WLS for anyone who has less than 100 lbs to lose.

Here's the deal with Weight Loss Surgery - most people who get it gain the weight back within 5 years. Because WLS doesn't address the problem. It forces you to eat less, but doesn't get to the heart of the issues of why you are over weight nor does it teach you how to eat normally for the long run.

Wonderfully said. I work on a bariatric surgery floor, and we had to go to a new patient seminar to see what was being taught. Surgery is a tool, but doesn't fix your mind, and SO many of us gained weight because of our minds. In order for surgery to succeed, you have to be completely willing to change your mind and the way you act towards food.

For me, it was simple...do I want to give up NEVER eating a Thanksgiving meal again? Do I want to give up caffeine forever? Do I want to take away some of the joy I get from food, just to be smaller, when I could do it on my own? Definitely not. Not to mention that these surgeries can have massive negative side effects that can develop into problems later on.

If you want to do it, go through the classes every week for 6 months, but also really try the good old fashioned way. Use this site to count calories, exercise and eat healthy. I bet you'll see a BIG difference in those 6 months, if you really commit to it.

jennajava

A coworker has done lapband and is seeing great results-- with little pain from the surgery.

Txnurse97

You can do this on your own. If you were so obese that you were in danger of hurting yourself by exercising, then I would say go for it. Or in other words, if your weight was so high, that you were disabled by it. That is who this surgery is really meant for.

I wish more people would realize this!

jessashcher

100 lbs. is not that much to lose if you look at it in small increments, I have a sister in law who had the lap band surgery, that was about 5 years ago, she started at around 375 lbs and within a year she was down to 150 lbs. She was always sick, couldn't keep anything down, had to puree her food for a very long time, she now has seizures since the surgery and has to take medication for the rest of her life because of it, I have heard other horror stories about this procedure, and by the way she may have lost all that weight and her insurance covered most of it, but they would not cover surgery to have the excess skin removed, and she can't afford that, so now she is walking around with so much extra skin just hanging there and she looks sick all the time, constantly at the doctors, so before you decide to have this surgery because it's not going to cost you much you need to look at all the costs that come with it afterwards, like medications for the rest of your life if something goes wrong or the cost of having to have surgery to remove the extra flab that has nowhere to go after you lose all the weight. Some people on here say do what you think is best, but as for me and what I have seen and heard about this I say don't do it. you can lose it all on your own, be healthy and get tone at the same time and you won't incur those extra costs that you are not even thinking about.

mleoni092708

Well, my thoughts on the subject are like this-you are going to have to learn how to eat properly and exercise with the band anyway, so why not really try again without the band? I don't think you give yourself enough credit. You are MUCH stronger than you think you are. Look at all the people on here who have lost over 100 lbs? My initial goal was 130 lbs to lose (260 to 130). Very overwhelming. But you can't look at that. You have to focus on one day at a time, even one hour at a time some days. All the effort you will put into the surgery takes work. Not to mention the risks. If you can put the effort into the classes, you can put that time into finding and trying new recipes and beginning a workout program. I'm not against surgery, I considered it for myself, but decided against it. You know what's best for you. Best of luck!

CharlieBarleyMom

When I truly thought about it -- and I have known some folks who have done it, mostly all have gained it back or look like hell with flabby skin and no muscle tone - I thought "If I can cut myself down to 1 oz. of food 5 times a day on my own, I can lose the weight without surgery so why would I put myself through that?"

The first few weeks after the surgery are horrendous and there is bandage changing and leakage and yuck! Take a deeper look into your weight gain. Write down your weight, as you remember it, through your weight gain and see how long it took to put it on. Take a deeper look inside of yourself. Many of us are in denial about the true cause of our weight gain. Depression and anxiety alone can aid in the weight gain, not just the meds.

If you decide to do it, I hope it works for you... but this is not a rollercoaster, this is your life. Treat your body right and it will thank you.

lawtechie

Yes the classes are for maintaining weight loss, and also an evaluation, psych evaluation, etc etc etc. All these things to make sure you are qualified.

I understand that I need to change my eating habits and fitness habits......but like I said, losing 100 pounds is overwhelming. It is like I need a jump start of some sorts to get me moving in the right direction. The reason I am considering it is because like I said my insurance covers it...and I just pay a very small percentage of it...so in the end I will not lose a whole lot of money if I gain it all back.

I feel weak...you guys who are doing it the natural way are strong and brave. I know this is the easy way out.

Think smaller and hopefully you'll be less overwhelmed. You're not losing 100 pounds in a day, a week, a month or maybe even a year. You can lose a pound or more a week, every week for a year and by this time next year you'll be 50 pounds lighter. But you're only thinking about losing that 1 pound a week.

You'll be exercise 3 times a week or more for the first month. Then at the start of the new year up that to 4 times a week, then 5, then 6. Go for walks. Run, skip, bounce, dance, laugh -- anything to get moving. Moving burns calories. Calories burned = weight loss with the right eating.

Tree72

I have one friend who had had great success with her Lap Band procedure. However, she was in a much different situation than you. She's has to be extremely careful with what and how much she eats. Like someone else here mentioned, 4 oz at at time is about it. That's about half a cup of many foods. And she really has to watch certain types of carbs; they can cause issues even at small quantities.

She has definitely had great success with losing the weight though. It's taken her about 4 years to lose about 180 pounds. She's trying to lose 20 more to reach her goal weight of 200. She's 5'3". So, even when she's at her goal, her BMI will be over 35. She's also quite physically active, which has helped tremendously. She does have some loose skin, but her insurance will cover a lift of everything below the belly button. So she's going to get that done when she's happy with her weight.

She's quite happy with her procedure. But just watching the struggles she faces, I'm glad that I don't have to endure them. I could not handle the thought of having the possibility of vomiting daily if I took one bite too many.

Whatever you decide is your journey to weight loss and better health, just make sure it's really the path you want to take. You'll be the one walking it daily. Make sure you have all the information you need, and don't let anyone rush you into any decisions.

Babrao

I just think you can do this on your own. I started this journey at 270 pounds and have managed to get down to 211 so far (6 months) and there are people who have started at alot higher weights than that and have been successful without surgery. I understand what the "requirements" are, but you being 230 pounds and still young, I don't think that risking your life to get surgery is the right decision. Do you work? You would have to take off of work for months I assume and not be able to do much of anything during that time. This is a lifestyle change and unless you can go through the process of understanding what you are doing wrong to be overweight and are willing to make the sacrafices and decisions daily to lose the weight, in the long run you will be right back to where you started or worse. Just wanted to put my opinion out there.

aims78

My recommendation for this is to do it as a last resort.. My new job covers it too, but I wont do it unless I have to. I understand your curiousity because I have been there, done that.. Then I decided that no matter what it will be a nutrition adjustment in my life, and you still have to exercise.. The point being is there is no magic pill or surgery that is 100% full proof without any side affects. My Step-Cousin went through the lap band surgery about 4 or 5 years ago, she did lose quite a bit of weight, but I did recently see her and her place and she is still buying the junk food, and her weight is picking up. So she didn't learn a thing...she just wanted an easy way to lose the weight without doing all the hard work. I opted to do it the hard way because I feel that I will feel better about myself if I work my butt off for it instead of having some surgery to cut off (in a way) part of my stomach... Your stomach will naturally shrink and your appetite will decrease.. you will start to crave the healthy foods more than the bad foods.. You just have to give it time,... Work your butt off, and you will appreciate it so much more.. I wish you the best of luck!

bcattoes

Surgery can be a life saver for some very obese people, but unless it was life or death, I would not recommend it.

You should consider the extra cost of skin removal that is nearly always necessary when you lose weight that fast. IMO, that saggy skin looks as bad (or worse) than fat. If you lose weight more slowly your skin will have more time to adjust.

If you are having a really hard time losing weight on your own, what makes you think you'll keep it off if you lose it with surgery?

Justice2012

I just want to thank everyone who has commented on this thread and taken the time to give me advice. My inbox is also flooded with messages from people who care and only want the best for me.

I appreciate everyone's answered..I really do. I read through them all and have a lot to think about. I promise to you all (and mostly to myself) that I will not rush into this, and will do my research on this. I would like to sign up for the classes at my hospital, but there is a small wait for that. So I have time to think this through. Plus I have 6 months of those classes which I can choose at the end that this is not for me.

Again, I thank you all for your thoughtful words and that you would even stop by this thread and give your opinion. I appreciate it very much. I guess I will kepp everyone posted as to what happens next

oceanrose78

My brother had weight loss surgery early this year. About the same time I started dieting so he wouldn't be going alone. I also knew that technically I qualified for surgery as well.

He went through the meetings, and still goes to a support group. He has lost 100 pounds since starting the process, and 80 since the surgery.

I have lost 50 hard fought pounds in the same length of time.

Having said that, I definitely don't wish we'd switched and I'd had the surgery. My reasoning for this is as follows:

I have really focused on eating right and healthy this time. I've made slow changes that yield lifelong results, These will be better for me in so many ways.

He has to constantly watch what he eats and second guess how sick he will get from the food.

The surgery recovery was ok, but you don't eat normally for a month before the surgery (protein shakes anyone?) and for the next 6 weeks afterwards. This is difficult, harder than any diet.

You must exercise, you're losing a ton of muscle with the fat due to how quickly your weight comes off.

You MUST stick to the diet to lose weight. It's so low calorie you may have depression, low blood sugar etc.

You MUST watch sugar intake for the rest of your life.

Eat wrong, and you'll end up in the bathroom with dire results.

With all that said, he is really glad he went through it, and with the results. You may be the same way..

But I'm willing to bet, given enough time, you could do the same. You don't gain weight overnight, don't expect to lose it that way either. Exercise, eat right, make good choices and it'll come off.

kmbrooks15

You must be prepared to change your diet/exercise habits FOREVER. No matter how successful the surgery is, you can undo all the good by eating badly and stretching out what's left of your stomach or by drinking too many calories. WLS is NOT a quick fix, and it does not give you a license to eat whatever you want.

I'd suggest, before you decide, that you commit to eating right and exercising for at least one year to make sure you can do the lifestyle change that's required. If you do that, you'll know that you can handle a permanent change. You may also find that you lose enough weight that you don't need the surgery.

ngory07

I would consider the options and go for what feels right. But I am a HUGE advocate for wls. I am 5'5" my highest weight was 304. I was miserable and depressed. I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in January of this year and have lost over 140 lbs and still losing. I am now 161 with a goal of 140. I do have to watch what I eat and exercise. Its a big change but I am not constantly hungry or worried about food. Yes when I eat too fast I throw up. Not every day or even evrry month. To the people who have said its the easy way out what is so wrong with that?????? Everyone wants a "miracle" when it comes to weight loss. There is effort involved but I know I have a great tool that if the scale even shows a slight gain I can go back to basics. Protein, veggies, then carbs and water water water. If you have lost weight doing it the "hard" way then u know all the effort you put into it so even if its just a tad bit "easier" for someone else to get sugery why is that so wrong? I am very healthy. My doctors are impressed. I have never had so much energy. Sometimes I think the naysayers are pissed b/c they worked so very hard to lose a fraction of what we have lost. Gaining it back is a possiblity but only if u are very lax and don't change anything. I have a cousin who is 500 lbs. She told me not to do it she had gotten down to 400 by doing it the hard way. Preached and preached the evils of wls. I am almost at goal and she gained her 100 back. She hates me for my success. Just research everything. And don't let the holier than thou fitness freaks on here discourage you!