Just curious, how do you guys feel about gastric bypass

bear73000

I was considering bypass surgery because of several medical issues. My medical center requires potential patients to go through a 12 week life style learning program. Patients can't even be considered for the surgery until completing this program. Many people that finished the program were denied for the surgery by the surgeon because they didn't show the signs during the program they were willing to make the necessary life style changes. They make it very clear that surgery is just a tool to help and not the magic pill to make a person skinny.

I just finished the program and started to make many of the changes to my life style. I lost 50 pounds during the program and decided I didn't need the surgery to lose the weight. Plus everything I was doing during the program, is what I needed to do after the surgery. Why put my body through all that when I can do it on my own.

I can tell you my medical center won't even do the lap band anymore because it has a 70% failure rate with patients.

Overall, I think people really need to look at themselves and ask if they really have tried hard enough to loose it on there own. The surgery is only a tool that will work if you make the changes in your life to become healthy. If you don't exercise and eat healthy, the surgery will not work.

I give huge kudos to my medical center for not making it easy to just have the surgery!!

MarciBOT

For those of you who have posted that you "would never pass judgement on someone's choice to have weight loss surgery but then go on to write "why would you have your insides rearranged when you could achieve the same results by just following a sensible diet." I got news for you all, YOU ARE PASSING JUDGEMENT!!!! Let me tell you a little someothing about gastric bypass. I used to agree that it should be a last resort. The problem is...that it shouldn't be a last resort. It should absolutely be the choice of weight and cure for morbid obesity. It took me five years to decide to proceed with this surgery. I had always been heavy but also had always been healthly. My blood pressure was never higher than 80/60, I walked regularly, lifted weights, and was extremely active. Then I sustained two pretty activity limiting activities. So my healthy weight of 200 became an inactive, unhealthy weight of 225, then 250, then 300. For one thing the injuries made it virtually impossible to maintain a regular active lifestyle. So then I decided, "oh what the hell!" I'm fat, I've always been fat and I'm not going to fight this anymore. Then at a doctor's appointment, for the first time in my life I had high blood pressure. When I reached my heaviest, 326 pounds I knew I could not do it on my own. So I started exploring my options. For several more years, I kept thinking, "I can do this on my own." Boy was I fooling myself. At 326 pounds, I had a BMI of over 60%. So I went to a surgery seminar and started the ball rolling. In December 2006 I had gastric bypass. At first I was discouraged because I wasn't losing weight as fast as I was told I could expect to lose. So once again I felt like a failure! But I had a very strong support system at home and at the surgeon's office. In 2008, I hit a weight that was within ideal BMI range having lost 150 pounds. By 2009, I weighed 36 pounds below my surgery weight loss goal and weighed 30 pounds less than my total weight loss. I lost a total of 186 pounds. My blood pressure was back down to 80/60. My heart rate was that of marathon runner, and I had so much energy I actually preferred to be up and active. I have gained some back and even though I would like to weigh less that I do right now, I don't want to go back to my lowest weight. Since my surgery, I have trialed several sites like My Fitness Pal but I always come back to this site. Part of it was because of the support I get when I'm here. But one thing I had never done is researched weight loss surgery on this site. So today I searched gastric bypass and this thread appeared. I couldn't believe my eyes when I started reading post after post similar to this. So for those of you who post those, "I am never judgemental..." If you are posting that type of disclaimer, you are guilty of what you just said you would never do. Kind of like when someone says to you, "I am being absolutely honest with you!" We all have plans/solutions that work for us and may not work for someone else. For me the idea of this website is for all of us to support each other regardless of the method we have chosen to acheive our goals. So bottom line is that I am judgemental over members who post in this manner. But know this, whatever your method of weight loss, achieving better health, running a marathon, etc. You have my complete support in attempting to achieve your goals.

MarciBOT

This post is anything from inspirational! I applaude this member being able to do it without surgery, but to pass judgement on others who have by saying, "you know it can be done without surgery." I am sorry but all you are doing is making people who chose to have WLS feel quilty for chosing the method that they chose all because it was different from your own opinion is not inspirational, it is the epitome of judgemental. It provides no offer of support or inspiration and reeks of discrimination. The very discrimination that you encountered as a morbidly obese person.

MarciBOT

Completely agree!!!!! I am almost six years out and have maintained most of my weight loss. While I want to lose some of the weight I put back on I am still healthier and better off than had I tried to do this on my own. That is one of the things that is different from losing weight without the surgery. While is it common for post WLS patients to regain some weight, their success at not regaining back to being obese is much more sucessful.

MarciBOT

I also find it interesting that the person who started this thread did not have WLS. Seems to me all you were doing was trying to offend. If you "don't get why" those of us have done it then stick to what you know and leave the rest of us out of your judgemental rant!

RealWomenLovePitbulls

my mom had the gastric bypass in 2004 because she simply lacked the motivation and self discipline to lose weight adn keep it off. she was constantly on some sort of diet plan or another. she did really well with her surgery and lost somewhere around 200lbs, and has kept most of it off. being overweight can easily turn into a health issue and some people just don't have the motivation to do it through diet and exercise, it is a lot of work and can be very frustrating. i also have an aunt that had the gastric bypass (she had lots of back problems from an old injury) and she also did quite well with it.
my gramma on the other hand went in for gastric bypass, and she was 400+lbs, i think, and had some complications from the surgery (the accidently cut through a respiratory muscle) so they had to just do the lab band, which was quicker. she lost a little over 100lbs and was feeling a lot better, but then some other health issues got her down, and those, along with the problems from the surgery, along with her weight all added together, and she died at age 65

MarciBOT

Wow! How sad that you think your mom had WLS because she lacked the motivation. While I agreed that there are some programs where all you have to do is pay your surgical fee and you can have WLS. And as I was starting to address your post I realized that there was no reason to do that as you really do not understand the principle behind having WLS. And I don't have the time to educate you about this. WLS provides a very important tool to achieve and maintain successful weight loss goals. The fact that she finally was able to lose and maintain that loss is the whole reason for haveing WLS. If she'd lacked the motivaton she would never have been a sucessful WLS patient. Glad you are not my child!

WisconsinGirl212

It's not for me. I feel that some may need it for health reasons, but I don't believe just anyone should get it. I can lose the weight by diet and exercise, but some can't get out of bed. Those are the people who may want to consider it, but they should take some kind of weight maintance class so they don't gain it all back. If someone is not serious about getting the surgery they should skip it all together. Why get it if your not willing to change your habits? Honestly, gastric bypass should ONLY be a last resort. I think diet and exercise should be on the top of the list. Not bypass.

_stephanie0

my aunt had it done...
few months later she had an infection....almost died...


its a quick fix, and excuse, and the stupidest thing i've ever heard of.

poesch77

If you are 500 plus pounds and cant walk....almost dying yes....only 100lbs overweighht...no.....I had 100lbs to lose 40 left....did it all with MFP help.....in 10-20 years what will become of these people who have the surgery...no one knows....most gain weight back anyway. It is in your head not your stomach. Must fix pyschy before shrinking stomach. Disagree with it.

Ayeshat

if not medically necessary then its pure laziness i my opinion but everyone's lookin for a way to make life easier

Rockmyskinnyjeans

*Prepping myself for the backlash*

I am 8 years post-op RNY gastric bypass. I had no other option at 180+ lbs overweight and dying from Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. I wanted to have children so bad and even fertility treatments weren't working with the severity of my PCOS at that weight (334 lbs). I researched my options and tried everything in the book for some years before I did have the surgery done. I was 26 at the time. I am 183 lbs down from that now. I have been more, but I've still got some medical issues. The surgery is not an easy way out or cure all. I still work hard every day to keep my weight off. After 8 years, I eat pretty much like a normal person. My tolerances are back. My stomach was operated on, not my brain. At the end of the day, I'm still a binger and an emotional eater, and I am glad I have this site to keep me in check on that. It isn't a quick fix to get a gastric bypass. It's a lifelong commitment. I know too many people who have gained everything back for it to be just a "quick fix". I would have died if not for getting my weight off. I'd also never have known what it's like to be a mom. I just thought I would share a view from the other side of things.

velsbree

there are risks with surgery, sadly the issue is one of addiction and that does not go away look at he studies for people 5 years out of surgery not very good. Some people just substitiute another addiction. If yo do it do it right go for therapy get to the root of your issue then if you must do it go. When the surgery was first introduced you had to do 6 months to a year of therapy and medically supervised diets to get approved by, now with the demand up it is a chop shop take the money do the surgery forget the patient.

Unknown

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Rockmyskinnyjeans

Now I can give you an instance where I think the WLS is being abused. My friend is claiming that a military surgeon, through Tricare, is going to put a lapband on her because reducing weight will reduce her "pain". However, she's 5'4", 160, and not even classified obese. I would think that doctor could get his license revoked banding her and why on earth would Tricare pay for that!

holly1283

Some of the posts did not read the OP very carefully. She said why have it done if there is no medical reason. Many of you named valid reasons. I can relate to the person who has no other reason but the weight. There is a woman in my area who is gaining weight just so she qualifies for the surgery! Whoa. It is no cake walk to have it done. I have friends that did . Some were successful others gained it back plus some. It is a tool, not a quick fix.

AmyRhubarb

Wow! How sad that you think your mom had WLS because she lacked the motivation. While I agreed that there are some programs where all you have to do is pay your surgical fee and you can have WLS. And as I was starting to address your post I realized that there was no reason to do that as you really do not understand the principle behind having WLS. And I don't have the time to educate you about this. WLS provides a very important tool to achieve and maintain successful weight loss goals. The fact that she finally was able to lose and maintain that loss is the whole reason for haveing WLS. If she'd lacked the motivaton she would never have been a sucessful WLS patient. Glad you are not my child!

Dang! How sad that you think you know the poster's mother better than she does! :huh:

My husband's aunt is one of those who gained weigh in order to qualify for the surgery. She's kept some of the weight off, but she's got a heap of other issues not related to the surgery, so I'll just it at that. A few others in his family have had it and I think they are doing well, but don't see them often so can't say for sure.

I have a friend who had it done years ago and has done well with it. She looks fantastic, and while I didn't know her before she had it done, when I see the old pictures of her, I almost don't even recognize her - she is a new woman. She has MS, yet has continued to beat those odds and works out as much as she can, controls her diet, and has kept the weight off. I did see her suffer one day when for some odd reason she ate an entire apple fritter, and a n hour later was doubled over in pain and had to be taken home. But for the most part, I'd say she is a success story.

My opinion on it for myself or a close family member? As with any surgery, I would hope it was a last resort, just because of the potential risks.

NWCountryGal

I've never been in a situation where I felt that desperate but I do understand that a person might feel that way. Either that or just be looking for a shortcut to losing weight. I can't say I'd never do it because I haven't walked in those shoes. I think there is a better way but it takes time, commitment, and an open-mind to learn all that goes along with becoming a truly, healthy, height-weight proportionate person. While typing this I realize even with a surgery like that, you still have to do the work, because if you don't, you could die I hear.

And one more thing, I am convinced eating less is NOT the ticket to good health. It's a combination of starting an active lifestyle and eating most of your diet in good, healthy foods. That's what I am learning here anyway and I feel like a million bucks at age 59:drinker: :drinker:

technogal63

I agree that this surgery is a drastic step that shouldn't be done for non-medical reasons. That said, it can be a huge blessing and a great tool for those that truly need to lose a lot of weight for health reasons. My husband had the RNY gastric bypass almost 3 years ago when his BMI was over 50, he was almost 400lbs at only 5'6". He had severe high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, horrible back pain, etc. etc. etc. He was only 46 years old and dying. Since then he has lost over 200lbs and no longer has any of his previous health problems, he's doing fantastically well. BUT - he has done what he was supposed to, eaten correctly, exercised, and taken all of his vitamins and supplements.

I'm sure some people would say - well, why couldn't he have done that before? His physical condition didn't allow much exercise and the diabetes and thyroid issues caused his metabolism to be extremely low. It is not just a matter of will power and determination to live a healthy lifestyle. Nothing is ever just that simple.

Because I saw what amazing changes this surgery brought to my husband and our lives, I decided to have the same surgery on 6/25/12 and am now almost 7 weeks out. I had many of the same health issues and had gained/lost the same 100lbs at least 5 times. I was done - I realized I literally could not do this on my own. For the record, I've done just fine, followed all the recommendations, and have had no complications (thank goodness). I've lost 43lbs thus far and I dare anyone to say I took the "easy" way out - It is not a shortcut, it's a lifetime committment I chose to make so I could be healthier and around longer for my children. I sincerely applaud those who can lose a large amount of weight and keep it off - I just wasn't one of them.