Diet and Exercise vs. Surgery. Thoughts?

angelcurry130

Surgery is a cop-out.

Why do I think so? Because I was considering it AS a cop-out. I didn't want to feel disappointed in myself for my poor eating habits. I didn't want to get disgusted looks from people when they met me and saw how large I was. I hated my self image and wanted a quick, easy fix. I was a slave to the food and I couldn't admit that to myself. Fortunately, I didn't have a pile of cash big enough to even bother with a consultation. So I waited.

I waited just long enough to have a heart episode. Amazingly enough, with my eating habits, it was not due to diabetes, high cholestorol, high bp, or even heart disease. Just a blood clot. But, it was enough to get me going. I cut all the garbage I was eating. No starches, no sugar, limited carbs. That alone dropped SIXTY POUNDS!!! With portion control and exercise, I intend to lose at least 100 more. I will NEVER go back to where I was.

I made a choice as an adult to fix my lifestyle. No one was shoving food down my throat. I had to fix my thinking, and change my bad habits. Anyone who makes excuses has no right to claim success. They just have temporary results. You have to want it, and let go of the comfort zone, because the comfort zone will kill you.

AmyP619

I'm a nurse and I have seen the good things and bad things that go along with bariatric surgery.

I know that I am going to get lambasted for my comment, but here goes: People who need bariatric surgery are people who have weak minds and constitutions.

Yep, I just said that and I will hold to it.

Why do I say this?

I say this because every person that I know who has had bariatric surgery has learned nothing about eating healthy. They continue on with their old, junk food eating habits and then wonder why they are lacking in vitamins and mineral, why their hair is falling out, why they lack energy, etc. They also wonder why their stomach stretched back out and why they are gaining weight again.

Usually, before a person has bariatric surgery, they must go on a diet to show that they are capable of following the strict diet that people who get the surgery have to follow.

Say what??? They have to go on a diet!!!!

If they can maintain a diet before surgery, than why can't they lose the weight without the surgery.

Because they lack motivation. Bariatric surgery appeals to people who want the quick solution to a complicated problem. Just as people want the pill to control their blood pressure or diabetes instead of losing weight, some people want bariatric surgery to help them lose weight quickly instead of taking the long route where they really would learn how to eat healthy.

The motivation to follow a diet prior to bariatric surgery is the bariatric surgery itself. If only these same people would find a different motivation to get themselves to follow a diet, they would lose the weight without the surgery.

Are these people happy with their decision to have bariatric surgery? I would say that half of the people that I know that have had it (I know about 20) wish they never had it. They can't eat anything with sugar without experiencing dumping syndrome. Two of them have to wear wigs because they are losing hair in patches. One can't eat more than half a cup of food or she gets nauseous. Half of them have to be near a bathroom for an hour after eating.

Oh what fun that sounds like!

Then we have a MFP friend who I unfriended who was losing 5-6 pounds a week by eating only 500-700 calories a day post bariatric surgery. You want to eat like that, fine. Just don't friend me.

Do they have bragging rights?

I don't feel that they do. They didn't really work hard to lose the weight. Yeah, maybe they exercised a bit, but they certainly are limited in the number of calories they can eat because the stomach is smaller. Additionally, they don't learn to listen to their body or eat healthy, unless they really go out of their way to do so. Some just continue eating their crappy food, like Fritos or potato chips, just in smaller portions.

So, no, I don't think that they should have bragging rights. If I had a person who had bariatric surgery and lost 100 pounds and another person who lost 100 pounds the old fashion way standing in front of me, I would respect the later more than the former because they worked hard in order to lose that weight. The person who had bariatric surgery took the easy route.

Basically, you gained the weight shoveling food in your mouth and sitting on your butt all day. Do the opposite and you will lose weight.

And don't give me that "I have a disease that causes me to eat" story. There are only two diseases that cause people to eat - Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. Look them up. They are very uncommon, so you better have proof to show me that you have either of those two if you are going to say you have a disease that causes you to eat. Unless you have either of those two diseases, the only disease that you have is what I call hand-to-mouth syndrome.

Love this. Thank you for posting! I agree 100%!!!!!!!! That's exactly what I said about people dieting and losing weight before the surgery in order to have it.... If you can lost 30 lbs in 3 months before your surgery in order to have it... YOU CAN LOSE 100 ON YOUR OWN, TOO! You're just too lazy!!!!! I don't know HOW many times I have given up at dieting because it's so hard. Yes, it's HARD, but if you stick to it and really set your mind to it..you can do it! Surgery is permanent, it's dangerous, and it's no fun when you're constantly sick. Suck it up, change your eating habits, exercise, and the weight WILL come off.
AMEN!

seximami79

surgery freaks me out, and I feel that you should not invite unnecessary invasiveness that could go wrong when you have other options...

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

Who's lauding anyone? Defensive much? the question was whether these individuals have bragging rights. Just because some of u think they don't is by no means the same as "lauding" them.

dpeeler28

i'm one of them cheaters that had surgery and ya, i could eat junk food, drink pop, stuff myself til i puke ya know, the same things a person without surgery can do.....but i don't and i'm using this as a tool to teach myself to eat healthier and make better choices. there is no shame in needing help. my tool made my stomach smaller...because i had a problem with portion control. this is simply a tool to stop me from excessively stuffing myself, it will not MAKE me choose healthier foods, or cook my meals for me, or run 2 miles for me nor will it magically burn calories for me....all that is what I HAVE TO CHOOSE TO DO just like ANYONE ELSE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT. so if someone has a problem with consuming too much soda in a day and it has caused weight gain, should i condemn them for switching to diet soda? i mean, diet soda is a tool to help you lose weight, i mean, to keep you from over-consuming calories, right?? you couldn't stop drinking pop so you switched to an altered form of of pop that wouldn't kill your(millionth)weight loss attempt....... i had a hard time with portion so i switched to an alternate form of stomach so that i could be successful at my "millionth' and last weight loss attempt....anything that you change in your diet to keep you from your pit falls is a tool, just like surgery is a tool. it will not work for those people who are not willing to make the appropriate life changes just like exercise too will fail when not used appropriately....that would be like me walking up to someone who eats a meal replacement bar and saying you're a failure because you can't do it on your own. or saying the same thing to someone who eats sugar free food, because they have a hard time with sugar........no matter how big or small, it all comes down to the same thing. You use what tool you know will help you succeed....plain and simple.
as far as all of the stories about "so n so gained it all back ofter surgery", one person ruins it for everyone....there are those of us that researched, and contemplated and prayed and cried and felt like a failure(without any of you having to tell us over and over) trying to decide what we needed to be healthy, happy, and successful.....i personally will be DAMNED if any person makes this choice(for anyone)out to be an ugly, cheating, way out.......for all of you who want to condemn, so be it...an ugly heart makes an ugly person and inner beauty and peace go much farther than your vanity and "willpower".

RhonndaJ

Some of the responses on here make me sad. Particularly in that some of them come from medical professionals.

I would hazard to say that every person who is morbidly obese suffers from at least one mental disorder that contributes to how they got to where they are. It doesn't matter if it's a chemical malfunction or trauma created, such disorders warrant other peoples' compassion, not their critical judgment.

I spent long years believing I should be able to 'fix' myself, that I was weak-willed and just didn't try hard enough to be more 'normal'. I'm not talking about being morbidly obese, I'm talking about the depression, the anxiety, the chaotic mood swings, all of which were contributing factors to my out of control eating for comfort when I actually was living a darned good life.

I spent more than 25 years trying to find a solution. Both to my mental health issues and to my weight. I have done time in therapy. And I've taken too many combinations of pills. And I've done too many efforts to lose weight, healthy ones as well as unhealthy. This isn't the sign of a weak willed person. It's the sign of a strong person, a heck of a strong person, going on year after year after year in a state they would wish on not even their worst enemies, and never giving up for long. Always trying again to find something that will work.

I attribute a lot of my success right now to finally finding a combination of meds that keeps me balanced because if my depression and anxiety and mood swings weren't under control I don't believe I could do what I'm doing now. And that is finally finding consistency in making better food choices, and in being able to exercise more than I'm not.

Does that mean that I'm not entitled to be proud of all my hard work because I needed the crutch of medication to start eating better and working out, and that I'm likely going to need that crutch for the rest of my life so I can be happy and fully enjoy my life?

~snorts in disgust~

Tough.

Surgery is a necessary tool for some. It's the key they need to unlock the door to a better life. Same as my meds were the key for me. Yeah, a lot of people misuse the tool, heck a lot of people misuse meds, but across the board condemnation of everyone who has the surgery who isn't bed-bound is unfair.

Onaughmae

For some people it is a life saving option. It was for me. My diabetes was so far out of control that it was killing me. Within 2 days of my surgery my blood sugar became more manageable. I went from using 200 units of insulin a day to a now healthy 30-35 units a day and I am perfectly controlled. Dont assume that because someone has WLS that they are lazy and looking for an easy fix. It isnt easy...quite far from it. I have to watch my diet very closely...and I will have to do that for the rest of my life. I have to exercise just like everyone else. Fat does not just fall off my *kitten* while I sit on the sofa and eat Cheetos.

And for the nurse that thinks I have a weak mind and constitution...shame on you. You should know better. I am a nurse too. I actually did my research on the benefits of RNY surgery for diabetics. Maybe before you run your mouth off you might try a little research on your own also. I sincerely hope you are not so judgemental to your patients...if you are then I honestly feel sorry for them. Surely you dont think that I am taking the easy way out for using insulin to replace what my pancreas does not produce? How about for the heart patient that has bypass to save their lives? They shouldnt have had those blocked arteries in the first place...how dare them....While we are at it, those people that have had limbs amputated should just suck it up and hop around instead of taking the easy way and having a prosthetic...I mean really...whats the world coming to?

CarlaYvonne

WLS isn't a cop out. I personally have had WLS done and I still have to bust my butt to see results. It is another tool in my weight lose journey. I still have to exercise and watch what I eat. As a person who was literaly addicted to food, the LapBand saved my life I truley beielve.
I do know people who have had WLS done and they have lost nothing, or lost and gained it all back. It is not a quick fix, you can't be lazy. It's a weight loss aid, not the complete answer. Dedication, self disapline and will power are still required to get the job done and requires the correct mind set.
I don't think I went the easy way out, because it has not been an easy journey post LapBand. I commend weight loss in all forms, as long as it is done in a healthy manner and the person is not starving them selves or making them selves get sick.

KendaVSG

Essentially, the general consensus on this post is that I don't deserve to be proud of, nor should I be posting about my weight loss. Because I didn't do it myself. I cheated. I took the easy, lazy way out by having bariatric surgery. Since (as it has been proven by so many commenters' "close personal friends" and family members) I will gain all of it back, I therefore deserve no kudos, nor well wishes.

Okay. Well thank you so very much for making that clear for me. I thought that my two hours of working out, 6 days a week, monitoring my calories and utilizing this tool (both my sleeve, AND MFP) were what was making me successful with losing the 75% of the 350 pounds I started out with needing to lose! I am so glad you were all here to let me know how wrong I was.

So, for all of you who have positively commented and complimented me on my weight loss, I apologize for taking those remarks away from people on here who have lost their weight the honest way, with absolutely no help nor weight loss tools, as they are the only ones who's weight loss was truly worked for and earned, and have absolutely no possibility of gaining any of it back. Again, my sincerest apologies for taking away from those worthy "losers".


You judgmental, uneducated, ignorant, donkey's arses!

nicenurse2012

Some of the responses on here make me sad. Particularly in that some of them come from medical professionals.

I would hazard to say that every person who is morbidly obese suffers from at least one mental disorder that contributes to how they got to where they are. It doesn't matter if it's a chemical malfunction or trauma created, such disorders warrant other peoples' compassion, not their critical judgment.

I spent long years believing I should be able to 'fix' myself, that I was weak-willed and just didn't try hard enough to be more 'normal'. I'm not talking about being morbidly obese, I'm talking about the depression, the anxiety, the chaotic mood swings, all of which were contributing factors to my out of control eating for comfort when I actually was living a darned good life.

I spent more than 25 years trying to find a solution. Both to my mental health issues and to my weight. I have done time in therapy. And I've taken too many combinations of pills. And I've done too many efforts to lose weight, healthy ones as well as unhealthy. This isn't the sign of a weak willed person. It's the sign of a strong person, a heck of a strong person, going on year after year after year in a state they would wish on not even their worst enemies, and never giving up for long. Always trying again to find something that will work.

I attribute a lot of my success right now to finally finding a combination of meds that keeps me balanced because if my depression and anxiety and mood swings weren't under control I don't believe I could do what I'm doing now. And that is finally finding consistency in making better food choices, and in being able to exercise more than I'm not.

Does that mean that I'm not entitled to be proud of all my hard work because I needed the crutch of medication to start eating better and working out, and that I'm likely going to need that crutch for the rest of my life so I can be happy and fully enjoy my life?

~snorts in disgust~

Tough.

Surgery is a necessary tool for some. It's the key they need to unlock the door to a better life. Same as my meds were the key for me. Yeah, a lot of people misuse the tool, heck a lot of people misuse meds, but across the board condemnation of everyone who has the surgery who isn't bed-bound is unfair.

Leeannboswell

Good Topic. I was a candidate for weight loss surgery last March (2012). However, I was required to take a class which discussed all of the pros and cons of the surgery (gastric sleeve) and had to lose 10 percent of my weight before the doctor would consider the surgery.

I did really well on the weight loss during the 12 week class, and the more I learned about the before and after of the surgery, I knew it was not for me. I am 67 years old and had 138 lbs to lose. Yes, it would have been faster, but I was chicken, quite frankly, to have such a drastic type of surgery with long lasting and far reaching ramifications. Hanging skin, plus a teeny stomach pouch after so you would still have to stay on a diet all the rest of your life. My doctor said, "LeeAnn, we can get you there in 18 months. You won't have anything to adjust to and you will by that time be able to maintain this for the rest of your life NO PROBLEM!" So far, so fair. I have lost 51 lbs as of this morning. My life has completely changed - the way I think, feel and act. I have a long way to go, and I am optimistic! I know I can do it!

PS. Some people have life threatening problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, and heart problems. For these individuals, the surgery may save their lives, and and it's do or die. I was not in that situation, but was frustrated by repeated loss and gains over my adult life. I just had to get committed, and be serious about it for the first time, ever, REALLY. Plus having a supportive doctor, and the time to shop, plan, cook and exercise. It's all good.!!!

:bigsmile: E mail me if you have any specific questions: leeannbos@gmail.com

All the best, LeeAnn

mfpcopine

Obviously, weight loss without surgery is preferable and probably healthier --- surgery carries its own risks -- but if someone has tried and failed numerous times I guess it's better than nothing. What would scare me is being able to eat so little for the rest of one's life. It's one thing if you voluntarily restrict your calories, but having no choice would freak me out.

AmyP619

Essentially, the general consensus on this post is that I don't deserve to be proud of, nor should I be posting about my weight loss. Because I didn't do it myself. I cheated. I took the easy, lazy way out by having bariatric surgery. Since (as it has been proven by so many commenters' "close personal friends" and family members) I will gain all of it back, I therefore deserve no kudos, nor well wishes.

Okay. Well thank you so very much for making that clear for me. I thought that my two hours of working out, 6 days a week, monitoring my calories and utilizing this tool (both my sleeve, AND MFP) were what was making me successful with losing the nearly 350 pounds I started out with needing to lose! I am so glad you were all here to let me know how wrong I was.

So, for all of you who have positively commented and complimented me on my weight loss, I apologize for taking those remarks away from people on here who have lost their weight the honest way, with absolutely no help nor weight loss tools, as they are the only ones who's weight loss was truly worked for and earned, and have absolutely no possibility of gaining any of it back. Again, my sincerest apologies for taking away from those worthy "losers".


You judgmental, uneducated, ignorant, donkey's arses!

Some people are rude, ignorant donkey's arses... but I think the consensus on surgery the "easy" way out comes from the standpoint that there are many people who have this surgery and learn nothing from it. They don't eat better, they don't exercise, they just lose the weight eating nothing but junk because their stomach is tiny, and they do the surgery because it's easier than spending a year or two trying to do it the "hard way". I definitely commend you for putting in the time, sweat, and effort...for using those 6 days a week to exercise.. for watching your calories.. for doing it the RIGHT way. Those choices, whether you've had surgery or not, are very difficult choices. It's just as difficult for someone who has had surgery to exercise as it is for someone who hasn't. Watching what we eat and exercising regularly are obstacles a lot of people struggle with. I find your weight loss journey to be commendable, and it's great that you did it the right way. I was one of the people who did not support the surgery if it was going to be the "lazy and easy" way out... there are people who have it, learn nothing, lose weight, then put it all back on and end up where they started... THOSE are the people I think many of the "anti-surgery" people are talking about.
For those who ARE anti-surgery ALL the way around, whether people worked their *kitten* off or not, deserve your retort. It's sad, it's ignorant, but unfortunately people are always going to judge others in that way.
Either way, no matter how people are doing it, MFP should be a support system, and I hate that threads often become a place to attack and judge others. It's hypocritical of what this site is about.

nicenurse2012

I wanted to reply to the post I quoted..Agree 100 %. Thank you for sharing your story. I praise you for all your efforts! Congrats! Makes me sad with all of these comments. We just need to respect others for their decision. No judging of others. No disrespecting of their choice to help themselves. If we fail, we fail. Hell, we ALL have failed at something. It's not the end of the world. My 10 year old daughter was just sitting next to me and wanted to read..I said NO!! I can't have her read all these comments. She would ask why are people being to mean and negative ( I do believe in freedom of speech). It's just that after reading these posts, I wonder why our world is the way it is today.

captnemo44

I know a few that had the weight loss surgery done, and everyone has gained back there weight plus more. Also they still have the bad eating habits.

BuhbyeBooty

Just for those that keep repeating that "my friends had the surgery and have gained all the weight back" I hate to tell you but so do a lot of "natural" dieters gain all the weight back. I say if it gets you to where you need to be, go for it. I think the benefits from carrying around less weight out weigh the so called "cop out" factor.
By the way I'm doing it naturally, if I could have afforded it, I'd have done it. I do half marathons and am a very active person, but I can tell you that it would be much easier to be active if I didn't weight this much!
Cut people some slack, you don't know what they've gone through or what their battle is like. Support people, and if you see someone slipping back, don't rag on them, ask them to go for a walk, it will do you both some good!

Best comment on here! I know MANY people who have had the surgery and most have been very successful. It's a hard road to travel no matter which path you choose. A little less judgement and a lot more support would make it a much more pleasant place!

MrsBully4

I was never interested in weight loss surgery because I like food, I like having my stomach intact, had no health problems aside from being fat, and was not afraid of dropping dead.

Now, if I had some kind of medical crisis or weighed much, much more than 273 lbs to start with, I may have had a different opinion.

dpeeler28

Obviously, weight loss without surgery is preferable and probably healthier --- surgery carries its own risks -- but if someone has tried and failed numerous times I guess it's better than nothing. What would scare me is being able to eat so little for the rest of one's life. It's one thing if you voluntarily restrict your calories, but having no choice would freak me out.

i would just like to explain something -hopefully you dont mind- for the first six months after the gastric sleeve you do eat very small portions, but usually after a year or two you can consume a normal amount of calories...you HAVE to teach yourself during that first 6 months or so how to make those calories count though. this is where people usually start getting off trck and sliding in to old habits. people assume you will always eat these teeny tiny portions, and that's not exactly accurate. you do eat smaller portions but eventually your are eating "normally" but, you HAVE to stop when you are full.....it's a big mind game in all honesty. eventually you get used to eating the correct portions(believe me, i freaked the first 2 weeks and hated myself for the decision to have the surgery) and you will eat between 4-6 small meals/snacks a day----like a normal person would/should. and this actually keeps your metabolism fed too....

abberbabber

Just for those that keep repeating that "my friends had the surgery and have gained all the weight back" I hate to tell you but so do a lot of "natural" dieters gain all the weight back. I say if it gets you to where you need to be, go for it. I think the benefits from carrying around less weight out weigh the so called "cop out" factor.
By the way I'm doing it naturally, if I could have afforded it, I'd have done it. I do half marathons and am a very active person, but I can tell you that it would be much easier to be active if I didn't weight this much!
Cut people some slack, you don't know what they've gone through or what their battle is like. Support people, and if you see someone slipping back, don't rag on them, ask them to go for a walk, it will do you both some good!

Best comment on here! I know MANY people who have had the surgery and most have been very successful. It's a hard road to travel no matter which path you choose. A little less judgement and a lot more support would make it a much more pleasant place!

No no, I'm sorry, you're wrong. Nobody is successful long term with WLS, it's just not how it works. Haven't you learned anything in this thread?!

Nettabee

This reminds Me of the TLC show about those four people who had gastric bypass. I think it was "My 600lb life" or something. That show PISSED ME THE F*** OFF! Nothing but excuse after excuse, surgery after surgery. And then after 7 years only one guy kept all his weight off and lost more. You have nothing to brag about. You took the easy way out!

Half my family has medical issues. Diabetes, hypertension, etc. The ones who are over weight (including myself but luckily I have no medical issues) started out well over 350lbs. At some point you have to put the spoon down, get off your fat butt and make a CHANGE! One by one everyone is making that lifestyle change. NOT with surgery, but working on themselves inside and out.

You don't get bragging rights because you took shortcuts. Yeah good for you you've lost weight. But you also had over half your stomach stapled off. Meanwhile others are learning self control, making mistakes and falling down, but brushing themselves off and getting right back on the horse!

Vent completed. :flowerforyou: