Diet and Exercise vs. Surgery. Thoughts?
Replies
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18 months post surgery
Gave us our lives back...that's all that matters.
P1000204 by SteveMPhoto, on Flickr
You look awesome
Way to go and keep up all your hard work on this life long journey 0 -
Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
Oh. My. Gawd!
Why didn't I think of that?? Why didn't I spend half my life struggling to learn how to eat right and just "eat less"? I wish somebody had told me that before I'd chosen to get myself cut open! It seems so obvious now that you've pointed that out!
Lol..:) It seems so easy for some....
I dont really care HOW people loose weight...hats off to all of them
Just as a litlle mix..what about those who cannot afford the gym and have to make do without the regime\?? Should they have more bragging rights than someone who uses the gym all the time|??0 -
18 months post surgery
Gave us our lives back...that's all that matters.
P1000204 by SteveMPhoto, on Flickr
You look awesome Way to go and keep up all your hard work on this life long journey
Actually, that's my wife...and she does look awesome.
30 lbs on her back and my boys and I had to struggle at times to keep up with her.0 -
Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
Oh. My. Gawd!
Why didn't I think of that?? Why didn't I spend half my life struggling to learn how to eat right and just "eat less"? I wish somebody had told me that before I'd chosen to get myself cut open! It seems so obvious now that you've pointed that out!
Lol..:) It seems so easy for some....
I dont really care HOW people loose weight...hats off to all of them
Just as a litlle mix..what about those who cannot afford the gym and have to make do without the regime\?? Should they have more bragging rights than someone who uses the gym all the time|??
It's not easy for anybody, including those who don't use a crutch.
I'm not sure why people continue comparing it to using the gym/attending alcoholics anonymous meetings. It is a MAJOR SURGERY. A very big deal to get an elective surgery that you don't /need/. Totally different than just going to a meeting. In fact, I'm sure nobody would have a problem with those who had surgery if they chose to attend meetings to learn more about their poor habits/attend a different gym instead. That's all irrelevant.0 -
I wouldn't say I am "Weaker" than anyone else...I may actually be stronger. Some people go through things in their lives that others do not and have to handle them emotionally. You have obviously had a much easier time at your age then I did when I was 20-21.0
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Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
Oh. My. Gawd!
Why didn't I think of that?? Why didn't I spend half my life struggling to learn how to eat right and just "eat less"? I wish somebody had told me that before I'd chosen to get myself cut open! It seems so obvious now that you've pointed that out!
Lol..:) It seems so easy for some....
I dont really care HOW people loose weight...hats off to all of them
Just as a litlle mix..what about those who cannot afford the gym and have to make do without the regime\?? Should they have more bragging rights than someone who uses the gym all the time|??
It's not easy for anybody, including those who don't use a crutch.
I'm not sure why people continue comparing it to using the gym/attending alcoholics anonymous meetings. It is a MAJOR SURGERY. A very big deal to get an elective surgery that you don't /need/. Totally different than just going to a meeting. In fact, I'm sure nobody would have a problem with those who had surgery if they chose to attend meetings to learn more about their poor habits/attend a different gym instead. That's all irrelevant.
Maybe you don't NEED a surgery, but other people do. I believe that you may not understand the emotional side of morbid obesity and that being forced at first to eat less was what many people need to realize they can do it. I have and still do attend meetings to assist with my eating issues as many people do. In fact my surgeon requires you to, to address your emotional issues that cause you to over eat in the first place.
Congrats on losing weight and being healthier! The lap band no longer assists me and hasn't since I lost 35-40 pounds. Good old diet and exercise is what we WLS surgery people have to do to.
Don't be so quick to judge people just because you can do something easier than others.0 -
Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
Oh. My. Gawd!
Why didn't I think of that?? Why didn't I spend half my life struggling to learn how to eat right and just "eat less"? I wish somebody had told me that before I'd chosen to get myself cut open! It seems so obvious now that you've pointed that out!
Lol..:) It seems so easy for some....
I dont really care HOW people loose weight...hats off to all of them
Just as a litlle mix..what about those who cannot afford the gym and have to make do without the regime\?? Should they have more bragging rights than someone who uses the gym all the time|??
It's not easy for anybody, including those who don't use a crutch.
I'm not sure why people continue comparing it to using the gym/attending alcoholics anonymous meetings. It is a MAJOR SURGERY. A very big deal to get an elective surgery that you don't /need/. Totally different than just going to a meeting. In fact, I'm sure nobody would have a problem with those who had surgery if they chose to attend meetings to learn more about their poor habits/attend a different gym instead. That's all irrelevant.
Maybe you don't NEED a surgery, but other people do. I believe that you may not understand the emotional side of morbid obesity and that being forced at first to eat less was what many people need to realize they can do it. I have and still do attend meetings to assist with my eating issues as many people do. In fact my surgeon requires you to, to address your emotional issues that cause you to over eat in the first place.
Congrats on losing weight and being healthier! The lap band no longer assists me and hasn't since I lost 35-40 pounds. Good old diet and exercise is what we WLS surgery people have to do to.
Don't be so quick to judge people just because you can do something easier than others.
Saying that I can do it more easily is ridiculous. People are generally here because they have an unhealthy relationship with food and breaking this habit is never easy for ANYBODY. It is possible for anybody to do this without surgery, though still people continue to give up the fight and fall back on a crutch.
Again, I understand that losing weight with the surgery can still be a fight, but it's an unnecessary procedure for many who just give up on themselves too quickly.0 -
Saying that I can do it more easily is ridiculous. People are generally here because they have an unhealthy relationship with food and breaking this habit is never easy for ANYBODY. It is possible for anybody to do this without surgery, though still people continue to give up the fight and fall back on a crutch.
Again, I understand that losing weight with the surgery can still be a fight, but it's an unnecessary procedure for many who just give up on themselves too quickly.
"Too quickly"...hmmm. So it's better to fight for 30 years and reach a point where you can't move without assistance and then have the surgery than it is to realize along the way "Ok, I *have* to do something drastic here!"?
I'm 28. I've been struggling with my weight since I was in middle school. I think I gave it a pretty good go before choosing surgery.0 -
Saying that I can do it more easily is ridiculous. People are generally here because they have an unhealthy relationship with food and breaking this habit is never easy for ANYBODY. It is possible for anybody to do this without surgery, though still people continue to give up the fight and fall back on a crutch.
Again, I understand that losing weight with the surgery can still be a fight, but it's an unnecessary procedure for many who just give up on themselves too quickly.
"Too quickly"...hmmm. So it's better to fight for 30 years and reach a point where you can't move without assistance and then have the surgery than it is to realize along the way "Ok, I *have* to do something drastic here!"?
I'm 28. I've been struggling with my weight since I was in middle school. I think I gave it a pretty good go before choosing surgery.
You don't have to defend yourself. Especially not to someone who hasn't been able to accomplish and maintain weight loss on her own.0 -
Saying that I can do it more easily is ridiculous. People are generally here because they have an unhealthy relationship with food and breaking this habit is never easy for ANYBODY. It is possible for anybody to do this without surgery, though still people continue to give up the fight and fall back on a crutch.
Again, I understand that losing weight with the surgery can still be a fight, but it's an unnecessary procedure for many who just give up on themselves too quickly.
"Too quickly"...hmmm. So it's better to fight for 30 years and reach a point where you can't move without assistance and then have the surgery than it is to realize along the way "Ok, I *have* to do something drastic here!"?
I'm 28. I've been struggling with my weight since I was in middle school. I think I gave it a pretty good go before choosing surgery.
Everybody has the mental capacity to reach within themselves and FIGHT to overcome it. If they are unable to find the strength to do so then they likely did not go to the right measures to ensure that they could beat their problems. It is far from easy to get past overeating issues, especially if they're related to stress or trauma/anything similar. But is it impossible? Far from it. Surgery is completely not necessary.0 -
Ok so I posted back on page one...and just read through all the responses.
Here is what I noticed...the only supporters of surgery with the exception of one man, (actually, his wife) RECENTLY had surgery. I could have missed someone....but seriously come back in 10 years and tell us what you think.
I has gastric bypass 9 years ago.
Surgery only forces you to eat less. The initial weight loss may move you to exercise some, but it does not cure your mind.
Changing your mind can be done without surgery without all the side effects that SUCK for the rest of your life.
I am now doing it the 'right' way...after gaining half my 109 pound surgical loss back. But now I battle anemia and headaches, skin sag, ulcers, digestive problems and other issues all from the original surgery 9 years ago.
No I would not do it again....nor would I recommend it. And until you are 5-10 years out, you are still loving your forced weight loss....so your opinions on it are biased.
There are true long term surgical success stories, but I have found them to be the minority.0 -
Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
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Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
Sometimes, it is needed for people who don't have the mental/emotional ability to let go of their addiction to food right then and there. The surgery forced me to face WHY I was eating and helped me change my life.
Not everyone has the same will power.
I'm pretty sure that's the point that everybody is trying to make. People who choose the surgery option generally do not have the same will power as those losing it the "natural" way, therefore can be branded as 'weaker'. It doesn't make you a bad person, you just lost your weight in a different way than other people and had to use a crutch to get where you are now, whereas many others can do it solely with their will power.
:explode:
I really shouldn't be reading this thread.0 -
Instead of having surgery, why don't people just eat LESS and learn how to do it the right way in the first place? Surgery isn't necessary, it's just a crutch for people who give up on themselves in most cases.
Sometimes, it is needed for people who don't have the mental/emotional ability to let go of their addiction to food right then and there. The surgery forced me to face WHY I was eating and helped me change my life.
Not everyone has the same will power.
I'm pretty sure that's the point that everybody is trying to make. People who choose the surgery option generally do not have the same will power as those losing it the "natural" way, therefore can be branded as 'weaker'. It doesn't make you a bad person, you just lost your weight in a different way than other people and had to use a crutch to get where you are now, whereas many others can do it solely with their will power.
Exactly, it's just an excuse to run circles around someone yelling "I'm better than you are, hahahaha!". I swear, some people never leave high school.
I have enough self-worth without having to steal someone else's, so weak or not, I'm satisfied with that.
It doesn't make anybody better than anybody else. The main argument here is that you can't compare someone who had WLS success with somebody who fought without help to get their weight loss. I understand surgery is not easy, but again, it's a crutch. It's just not comparable to put two people next to eachother who have both lost 100 pounds and say that their success was the same, though one used surgery and one did not. It is two completely different things.
That's the point.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT EATING DISORDERS OR MENTAL ILLNESS, DO YOU????
UN. BEE. LEE. VA. BULL.0 -
Since I lost weight the old fashioned way I completely agree with you. That being said...I've seen a lot of people who got the surgery and only 2 out of the 10 I know kept the weight off long term. I think some are disappointed that it's still going to require work on their part and it ruins eating for them permanently.
I think if they had the surgery and KEPT it off for the long term and changed their lifestyle to an active one with healthy eating habits then they do have bragging rights. But if they continue to eat slop and remain sedentary then no. Don't blast me either peeps...just my personal opinion as well.0 -
Saying that I can do it more easily is ridiculous. People are generally here because they have an unhealthy relationship with food and breaking this habit is never easy for ANYBODY. It is possible for anybody to do this without surgery, though still people continue to give up the fight and fall back on a crutch.
Again, I understand that losing weight with the surgery can still be a fight, but it's an unnecessary procedure for many who just give up on themselves too quickly.
"Too quickly"...hmmm. So it's better to fight for 30 years and reach a point where you can't move without assistance and then have the surgery than it is to realize along the way "Ok, I *have* to do something drastic here!"?
I'm 28. I've been struggling with my weight since I was in middle school. I think I gave it a pretty good go before choosing surgery.
Everybody has the mental capacity to reach within themselves and FIGHT to overcome it. If they are unable to find the strength to do so then they likely did not go to the right measures to ensure that they could beat their problems. It is far from easy to get past overeating issues, especially if they're related to stress or trauma/anything similar. But is it impossible? Far from it. Surgery is completely not necessary.
I just realized you're 21 years old. You are SO smug and self-righteous...but I'm taking a deep breath and chalking it up to youth. I can't speak for the others on here who have had surgery, but I am more than twice your age and I have struggled with and overcome challenges that you can't even begin to imagine. How dare you imply that I'm weak. Come back and have this discussion when you've lived a little.0 -
Saying that I can do it more easily is ridiculous. People are generally here because they have an unhealthy relationship with food and breaking this habit is never easy for ANYBODY. It is possible for anybody to do this without surgery, though still people continue to give up the fight and fall back on a crutch.
Again, I understand that losing weight with the surgery can still be a fight, but it's an unnecessary procedure for many who just give up on themselves too quickly.
"Too quickly"...hmmm. So it's better to fight for 30 years and reach a point where you can't move without assistance and then have the surgery than it is to realize along the way "Ok, I *have* to do something drastic here!"?
I'm 28. I've been struggling with my weight since I was in middle school. I think I gave it a pretty good go before choosing surgery.
Everybody has the mental capacity to reach within themselves and FIGHT to overcome it. If they are unable to find the strength to do so then they likely did not go to the right measures to ensure that they could beat their problems. It is far from easy to get past overeating issues, especially if they're related to stress or trauma/anything similar. But is it impossible? Far from it. Surgery is completely not necessary.
I just realized you're 21 years old. You are SO smug and self-righteous...but I'm taking a deep breath and chalking it up to youth. I can't speak for the others on here who have had surgery, but I am more than twice your age and I have struggled with and overcome challenges that you can't even begin to imagine. How dare you imply that I'm weak. Come back and have this discussion when you've lived a little.
Don't ruin for her Sabina. It's the only time in life that she'll ever be able to be so absolutely certain of anything.0 -
Sorry Steve, I lost my temper a bit there....*fanning self*0
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I think when surgery was first presented as an option for people to lose weight it wasn't considered an option for everyone; only the most extreme cases where it really is the last resort or only viable option.
However, I feel like surgery has evolved into the next class of miracle pill. So many of the people I know who are overweight (in my own age group!) buy into the next new product that will make them lost 30 pounds in a month, only to fail before beginning because they aren't even considering exercise and a balanced diet. I think it is this same type of person who abuses the weight loss surgeries and makes it look like the lazy way out, when it isn't necessarily because in the long run the lazy people don't keep the weight off; they gain it back.
I don't think getting the surgery and succeeding makes you better than anyone else; it just means it was right for you.
For me personally I would not get the surgery, but that is because I am having such great success (mentally and physically!) with losing weight from exercise and proper diet. I bet I would be more open to getting surgery if nothing else were working!0 -
bump0
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Is this any different than getting a facelift? Nose job? Tummy tuck?. All elective surgeries, all pose some risk to life, those others are not frowned upon, so why this one? If someone wants to eat ridiculously small portions the rest of their lives then so be it. I do agree though that being proud of your accomplishment using this surgery is a little bizarre, once you have the surgery you have no choice but to lose weight, you get physically sick if you eat too much, this would be like me being proud that my leg healed after being in a cast, I didn't do anything, the cast and the doctor did it.0
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Is this any different than getting a facelift? Nose job? Tummy tuck?. All elective surgeries, all pose some risk to life, those others are not frowned upon, so why this one? If someone wants to eat ridiculously small portions the rest of their lives then so be it. I do agree though that being proud of your accomplishment using this surgery is a little bizarre, once you have the surgery you have no choice but to lose weight, you get physically sick if you eat too much, this would be like me being proud that my leg healed after being in a cast, I didn't do anything, the cast and the doctor did it.
Not all surgeries are the same. Some do not do any of the work for you - some only help you to feel fuller If you eat the right foods. Ie plain chicken and veggies. If you choose to eat ice cream, chips, cookies, whatever, there is no problem and you can eat as much as you want. So you still have to make healthy food choices, deal with your eating issues, exercise, etc. I.e. you still have to do all the work! What some don't realize (sadly I was one) is that eating healthy doesn't mean you have to starve. Simply eat less of the HiGH calories food and fill up on veggies. You get better results, a healthier body, and, none of the complications. I think in the majority of these surgeries require a lot of hard work by the patients, even if they don't realize it to begin with, and the `honeymoon` phase right after surgery is where they get the most benefit. It jump starts their weight loss, but then you and your body start to adapt, and the further from surgery you are the harder it gets. Its no cake walk. There is only one surgery I can think of - the DS I think, where I would say the patient has no choice but to lose weight, but the complications are - never something I personally would want. Please don't make judgements on peoples decisions without knowing the details - surgery in most cases does not do all the work. In some I would say it makes it harder to lose weight because you have so many complications you end up eating junk that is high in calories and counterproductive,but that does not cause pain0 -
I have had weight loss surgery, it's a tool not a fix. I gained back 45 lbs and realized that I need to save my own life. I now workout and eat healthy. Many who have weight loss surgery think that they can now do whatever they want and that is just plain dumb. You still need to exercise and eat right to properly use the tool that you have been given.0
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weight loss surgery is the bomb diggity...and anyone who thinks otherwise SUCKS. Carry on. lol 0
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I'd happily have weight loss surgery if I could afford it, but I can't - so I'll carry on with exercising and trying to eat less and healthier (until I win the lottery at least :happy: )0
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It's really interesting that I came across your post. I have joined MFP having just CANCELLED a gastric Band with The Hospital Group. My BMI is 32 and considered low for surgery. It would be considered a 'lifestyle' procedure therefore. I had been using a brilliant website forum called Gastricsurgeryfriends, which has masses of information 'pre' and 'post' surgery - whether its a band, a sleeve or a bypass.
I was going for the band.....no question. I had a consultation with the surgeon tomorrow (1st Sept) booked, in Cambridge! I was really excited about it...answer to 30 years of struggling with greed, guilt and self loathing.
So what stopped me?
The band DOES NOT stop you snacking! My obesity is connected with the fact that I can graze.....all day.....and pile in the calories. I am not a 3 big meals a day sort of gal....more just hunking down whatever is around.
I am therefore now eating smaller portions...still following the 20,20,20 rule (look on the website). Eating higher protein, less carbs. Taken photos for the FIRST time ever. Feeling positive (as I always do in the early stages) and exercising more. Common sense.
Saved myself £6K, time off work etc. Makes perfect sense to me...at this point in my diet!!0 -
It really amazes me in this day n age how ignorance runs rampart but it is alive and well.
Anyone who has never been super/morbidly obese will never EVER begin to understand the whys of having weight loss surgery... yet here are some casting judgement on a person's life decision...amazing.... but that's life eh...suck it up... cuz life is life n God forbid anyone have a bit of compassion to try n understand.
I guess bullying does play a role for the bully...for in putting down someone else it puffs up their own knowledgeable self ..... kudos to you!!
I feel this ignorance will be a long time changing really, and that is sad. Because of this ignorance... much more shame and blatant bullying on super/morbidly obese people continues. Downing people and such comments read in this thread I shake my head.
As some have mentioned...Weight Loss Surgery is JUST a tool...IT DOES NOT lose the weight. Even with having WLS it is a lot of hard work, lifestyle changes, diet changing and exercising for life. Basing opinions on WLS on people who never understood that fact is unfair to those who do "get it"
Here in NS a person has to go through much learning and pass through a panel of professionals to make sure a person understands all of these things before getting WLS... not like many areas where its given without such...and this is where I feel such disasters happen.
Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom........ ignorance is bliss.0 -
I look at weight-loss surgery the same way I look at bankruptcy. Sure you can say “hey look at me I'm debt free!” but all you did was use a “tool” to get you there. And before you say “it's not the same” - yes, it's a great analogy:
- You get yourself in debt – so much so that it seems insurmountable
- lots of people who become that much in debt learned poor financial skills from their parents
- there are several kinds of bankruptcy
- It's not necessarily easy (there are lawyers, courts, counseling, hoops to jump through)
- after wards there are months and months if not years of recovering from it
- If you want to stay debt free you have to work at it and make sure you don't get back in the hole. I know plenty of people who have filed bankruptcy in the past only to be back in debt in 10 years.
In the end I have much more respect for the person who spent YEARS working towards paying off their debt than I do for the person who filed bankruptcy (and I'm one of those people). Does that mean that the person who went bankrupt is a bad person? Not at all, but I don't think it gives you bragging rights either. ← that's what the OP was about “the right to brag”0 -
It really amazes me in this day n age how ignorance runs rampart but it is alive and well.
Anyone who has never been super/morbidly obese will never EVER begin to understand the whys of having weight loss surgery... yet here are some casting judgement on a person's life decision...amazing.... but that's life eh...suck it up... cuz life is life n God forbid anyone have a bit of compassion to try n understand.
I guess bullying does play a role for the bully...for in putting down someone else it puffs up their own knowledgeable self ..... kudos to you!!
I feel this ignorance will be a long time changing really, and that is sad. Because of this ignorance... much more shame and blatant bullying on super/morbidly obese people continues. Downing people and such comments read in this thread I shake my head.
As some have mentioned...Weight Loss Surgery is JUST a tool...IT DOES NOT lose the weight. Even with having WLS it is a lot of hard work, lifestyle changes, diet changing and exercising for life. Basing opinions on WLS on people who never understood that fact is unfair to those who do "get it"
Here in NS a person has to go through much learning and pass through a panel of professionals to make sure a person understands all of these things before getting WLS... not like many areas where its given without such...and this is where I feel such disasters happen.
Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom........ ignorance is bliss.
You are absolutely right. I have thought about it, actually looked into getting the lapband surgery. Man does your insurance company put you through too much to get this approved. You have to get a psych evaluation and be to pass this first. I don't think it is a easy fix but rather hard sometimes. You have to be quite diligent in watching what you eat. My sister in law, who only weighed 230 pds but had other health issues, had the gastric bypass surgery. She did not exercise and now has all of this excess skin that looks kind of gross, Plus her body has not lost the weight in correct proportions. Her legs look like bean poles but she still has a double chin. I think exercising and cutting back on calories is the way to go for me. But too each his own.0 -
I went to the Dr's to see about my weight, thinking he would give me a magic pill that made me thin. I was 238lbs at the time and I am 5ft 3" my BMI was 42. He said he would refer me to the weight management clinic at the hospital and to think about gastric bypast surgery. I nearly died I knew I was FAT but not that FAT. I was determind to prove to myself that I could lose weight by exercising and eating less. Within 8 wks I had lost 21lb. ( I have lost 28lb up to now) started on MFP a week or 2 after starting dieting. I wanted to do this to proof to myself that it was my eating and lack of exercise than medical. When I went to the hospital the weight loss surgen was very impressed and advised that even at my biggest weight I was not heavy enough for surgery but my GP had done this to scare me and it did. However he did say if I would have done nothing about it and carried on gained weight I would off eventually.
My point is very few people actually need surgery, they just need to eat less and move more. It sounds easier than it is but if I can do this anyone can.0
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