Diet and Exercise vs. Surgery. Thoughts?

kimbeth41

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.

very well said..:)

jynxxxed

:laugh: someone gives an opinion that somebody else doesn't like and the attempted attacks at their personality and what a horrible person they must be roll in.

vbmama2012

I get that surgery is the only option for some folks. The problem that I have, and I've seen it, is when someone has the surgery, and in a public forum or social media, they are asked HOW they lost that weight...the answers that are given mystify me. "I just use my WII Fit"... "just yoga"... REALLY?? You lose over 100 lbs in a matter of months using WII Fit?? There shouldn't be a SINGLE WII gaming system sitting on store shelves!!
It comes across that the one who had the surgery wasn't honest with themselves from the beginning as to WHY they had to have surgery...and that behavior ISN'T changed AFTER surgery because they CAN'T be honest with others as to HOW they lost the weight. It's things like this, I feel, that take away from the true commitment, hard work, and perseverance of others who opted NOT to have surgery. It also gives someone else who may be struggling with weight loss some false hope that they can sit at home with their WII and have a "miraculous" weight loss...

nsblue

I get that surgery is the only option for some folks. The problem that I have, and I've seen it, is when someone has the surgery, and in a public forum or social media, they are asked HOW they lost that weight...the answers that are given mystify me. "I just use my WII Fit"... "just yoga"... REALLY?? You lose over 100 lbs in a matter of months using WII Fit?? There shouldn't be a SINGLE WII gaming system sitting on store shelves!!
It comes across that the one who had the surgery wasn't honest with themselves from the beginning as to WHY they had to have surgery...and that behavior ISN'T changed AFTER surgery because they CAN'T be honest with others as to HOW they lost the weight. It's things like this, I feel, that take away from the true commitment, hard work, and perseverance of others who opted NOT to have surgery. It also gives someone else who may be struggling with weight loss some false hope that they can sit at home with their WII and have a "miraculous" weight loss...

Like I said, some just cannot fathom why anyone would have WLS.... nor the negative stigma MANY people have against it so they remain quiet.... some will not tell the WHOLE truth...probablly due to issues they deal with....everyone has their story.... and not everyone is the same.... one or two stories does not make the truth.

FYI in Feb 2011 I seen a WL Surgeon...who put me into his weight loss program for WLS. I weighed 430lbs then and had lost 170 pounds on my own before seeing him. I continued to work hard...learning all about the program offered and changed my lifestyle. In dec 2011 i still had WLS...the "sleeve" where they removed 80% of my stomach. From feb to dec , in those 9 months... I lost 200 more lbs by following their program and changing my own life. ON MY OWN. I still went ahead and had WLS BECAUSE it is a TOOL to help me continue with my journey.... the surgery does not lose the weight...the person does. WLS is solely a tool of restriction.... the person still decides what goes past those lips and decides what effort they put into exercise..
Having WLS and losing weight IS STILL HARD WORK dont minimize this...one doesnt know until you live through it.... we atill have to change our lifestyle AND EXERCISE....AND DEAL WITH BEHAVIOURS that had gotten us there!!

agonzalesjoy

I get that surgery is the only option for some folks. The problem that I have, and I've seen it, is when someone has the surgery, and in a public forum or social media, they are asked HOW they lost that weight...the answers that are given mystify me. "I just use my WII Fit"... "just yoga"... REALLY?? You lose over 100 lbs in a matter of months using WII Fit?? There shouldn't be a SINGLE WII gaming system sitting on store shelves!!
It comes across that the one who had the surgery wasn't honest with themselves from the beginning as to WHY they had to have surgery...and that behavior ISN'T changed AFTER surgery because they CAN'T be honest with others as to HOW they lost the weight. It's things like this, I feel, that take away from the true commitment, hard work, and perseverance of others who opted NOT to have surgery. It also gives someone else who may be struggling with weight loss some false hope that they can sit at home with their WII and have a "miraculous" weight loss...

Like I said, some just cannot fathom why anyone would have WLS.... nor the negative stigma MANY people have against it so they remain quiet.... some will not tell the WHOLE truth...probablly due to issues they deal with....everyone has their story.... and not everyone is the same.... one or two stories does not make the truth.

FYI in Feb 2011 I seen a WL Surgeon...who put me into his weight loss program for WLS. I weighed 430lbs then and had lost 170 pounds on my own before seeing him. I continued to work hard...learning all about the program offered and changed my lifestyle. In dec 2011 i still had WLS...the "sleeve" where they removed 80% of my stomach. From feb to dec , in those 9 months... I lost 200 more lbs by following their program and changing my own life. ON MY OWN. I still went ahead and had WLS BECAUSE it is a TOOL to help me continue with my journey.... the surgery does not lose the weight...the person does. WLS is solely a tool of restriction.... the person still decides what goes past those lips and decides what effort they put into exercise..

Thats what I'v been trying to get across to these people, but they don't want to hear it, they just want to knock it down. There are so many things things in our life like computers or zip drives or microwaves, etc etc. That were created to make our lives easier, we appreciate someone creating these things so we can get through life easier. Im sure most of these people appreciate things that help them out without having to struggle and get frustrated. I was given the opportunity to have something that could help me get healthy again, get this weight off of me, without failing and getting so frustrated all the time. BUT I had to learn how to use this tool correctly or it wouldn't work. Just like a real tool that a carpenter would use to make his job easier, he has to learn how to use it. What they dont understand is if you dont use this tool right, it WONT WORK! I applaud those that work hard with out surgery, but I also applaud those that get surgery as well, because you still have to work at it! Ive been on both ends, I lost a bunch of weight without surgery only to gain it all back time and time again. Weather it be pregnancy, work, just pure tiredness from day to day responsibilities. But I also lost a bunch of weight with my surgery, But have also gained some back, because of the same thing. But I didn't gain as much back with the surgery, thank God because it does help me to get back on track. But If I wanted to I could just eat whatever i wanted and could gain all my weight back even with the surgery. This is what they dont understand and never will unless they were in our shoes.

HnyB123

Just chiming in. I have been overweight since I was a small child. Morbidly obese my entire adult life. I am 31 and had gastric sleeve surgery three days ago. I feel hope for the first time ever. People who haven't been through all that I have could not possibly understand what it took for me to finally decide to have wls. And its true, it's not diet & exercise vs wls because weight loss surgery is a tool to aide with proper diet & exercise. I respect anyone who was brave and strong enough to make the decision to change their life for the better, whether on your own or with the use of tools. I am very happy with my decision and committed to making my life better, healthier and happier.

gigimariemoran

why do you care what other people do??? don't like it don't do it simple as that... have a wonderful day ;-)

kimtab

I wouldn't do it myself, and I would try to dissuade anyone I cared about from doing it, but in the end people are responsible for their own selves so it's their call to make. I know people who have had success with surgery. I know people who have failed weight loss after surgery. I know people who have died from complications of weight loss surgery.

ecka723

My thoughts are very similar with yours. A lot of people get the surgery not as a 'last resort' after giving exercise/eating right a GOOD try, but because it's an alternative to exercise and eating right. My dad had it and he fits into this category. He never really dealt with his problem, so eventually he gained almost 200 lbs of the 300 lbs he lost back.

My sister on the other hand, has tried for years to get rid of her extra weight provided by two pregnancies. She tried to do everything the healthy way. Eventually, she had the surgery and lost the weight. Currently she has gained a little weight, but with a third pregnancy that is to be expected. She learned the best ways to fuel her body and to keep the weight off.

I

jaketheputty

A close friend of mine had the surgery and lost a lot of weight and then regained about 1/2 of it. She is now trying to watch what she eats to lose more. It is a tough road no matter how you look at it. I agree with what one person said, that it doesn't solve the root of the problem about why we overeat. The surgery is a tough road with the healing and possible complications. My friend eventually had to get her esophagus stretched when it began to shrink 4 years later. It is also a tough road to use the old fashioned methods like diet and exercise. No matter what you do, I wish you luck. Godspeed.
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jaketheputty

Good luck and Godspeed.

jetlag

Everyone I know (all two of them) who have had the surgery have gained all of the weight (and, in one case, even more) back. IMO, it's a waste of money and dangerous to one's health if the person isn't willing to make the necessary mental and emotional changes. No surgery can do that part.

Edited to add: In some cases, it is medically necessary to save a person's life. Then I can see it as a viable option. But again, the person needs more than just surgery to correct the issues at hand. It's not just about being obese. No one just wakes up morbidly obese one day. Weight loss surgery candidates also need proper nutritional and psychological counseling.

This.

I just think it's treating the symptoms, not the problem.

Hildy_J

One poster here, who had been offered surgery, said he wanted to fix the issues that lead to his obesity and so turned the gastric band down because it can't do that. He opted for therapy and a diet given to him by his doctor, I think. That seemed like a sensible and positive move. An empowering move.

If that route isn't possible (for whatever reason) and a gastric band is the only thing that will improve a person's health - absolutely. However, there are risks associated with having a general anaesthetic, which are obviously higher for people in poor health.

sopravvissuto

A few months ago I went in to see my doc for whatever reason. As we were going through stuff she said, "and would you like a referral for weight loss surgery?" My reply, "f**k no, I'm not lazy!" (excuse my language, I'm a sailor's wife )I KNEW I was overweight, but I guess I was in denial? So, I started changing how I ate (I don't call it a diet - it's a lifestyle change) and started working out. I chose to see WLS as a lazy way out, HOWEVER after reading a good portion of posts in this thread I do see where SOME have used it as a tool to do more. That is admirable.
I sat in a restaurant on base a couple weeks ago with my husband. I had just knocked out about 1200 calories on the treadmill so I could have half of a cheeseburger for lunch (my cheat for that week) and a woman sitting in front of us was talking across the restaurant to her friend about having the surgery, and yet STILL had diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. AND she was still huge....munching on her own cheeseburger, but also fries and a shake. I agree with a previous poster who said something about Dr.'s and insurance providers just passing out the surgery. If those having the surgery aren't learning to change their lifestyle then they won't be successful.
I have a fellow wife who had the surgery and in 4 months has lost more than I have in 7 months. I feel like such a **** for admitting it, but yes, it pisses me off. She doesn't go to the gym. She still posts on facebook about her delicious cheeseburger at Red Robin.....So, when she brags on FB about being down 60 lbs I block the post. I shouldn't let it get to me and I know that....I am working on it.

RainHoward

This same subject pops up often here in MFP forum hell. As a husband to someone who has been very successful with surgery and as someone who had the same surgery on August 30th, here are my words of wisdom. If you know the risk, if you know what's involved and what you're getting into, in other words, if you're educated about the surgery and still want it, have at it.

And here's the important part. If you don't want to have it, if a friend of a friend of your great aunt lisa had bad results, if you just hate doctors, shut the **** up about it. Do we come to the gym and tell you you're lifting wrong? Keep your nasty *kitten*, rude, vitriol filled comments to yourselves.

Because it's a personal decision. It's up to as much as what I drive is up to you. And it affects you just as little. I'm strong enough in my personal fortitude to not give one half a rats backside what some a$$hat on the internet or juiced up gym jockey thinks about me or my choices. Unfortunately, many people on here and in life, aren't that strong. They don't need some idiot belittling them for trying to better their quality of life.

jenj1313

To each their own. There is only one person who fully knows your story, and that is you. The same goes for every other person you meet.
If they keep weight off after surgery, let 'em brag.
My mom had gastric bypass and has gained most of her weight back. She is an emotional eater and obviously didn't deal with that part of the picture.
So if your relatives are keeping weight off after surgery, for the long haul, they must be doing something right, because even surgery isn't a sure fire bet all by itself.
But, that said, you definitely have bragging rights too! Keep up the good work, and keep doing what works for you. Be happy that you didn't have to go through a potentially life threatening procedure to get your results, but let your relatives have their success too.
Good luck in your continued success!
Jen

unapologetically_crystal

do they get bragging rights? yes. why because its their journey. yes they didnt do it how you did it.. but still it deeply affects them. their life is changed forever. they can't eat the same. they can get physically ill when it comes to eating sometimes. they have to monitor their food just like you did. they should be needing to exercise as well... isnt that what you do too? see its the same. you might feel like you work harder..but its not a comparison party. its your each and own personal journeys.

now having said that.. do i like that people choose surgery over diet and exercise? not exactly. (& technically its still diet and exercise after surgery) i would actually probably try to talk them out of it. but i respect that it is in fact their decision and their body though.

JDHINAZ

Out of curiosity, what's the argument against those who lost weight without surgery, only to gain it all back? It's been decided here that those who had surgery and regained weight were using a crutch, and not changing their behaviors. But with the high percentage of people who regain after losing just with diet and exercise, are we just chalking that up to bad luck?

Really, it's all the same. People can lose weight in a healthy manner with or without surgery, and both can leave long-lasting negative affects if not done correctly. Neither route guarantees long term success. But both require the same amount of dedication and behavior modification.

I'm not understanding the argument either way.

And for the record, I'm au naturale.

Zombella

Honestly.. and some may not like this.. but in some cases I feel like it is the easy way out. I know that some people need it to be able to lose weight but some just want the end result without the work.