Why is surgery considered so wrong???

SoDamnHungry

A point that many people on here might make is that you're still on a diet. You're just being forced not to eat that much by your stomach size being decreased. It hasn't changed the reason why you overeat, just made it so you can't.

Don't get me wrong, kudos to you on the weight loss and the fact that you're eating healthy now. Obviously you tried hard and it just wasn't working for you. I'm just saying others might see it as a forced way out, not willpower.

oandemom

I don't think its wrong, but we lost a dear friend and teacher to my kids to the Bypass surgery. She had a bloodclot 2 days after surgery and it killed her. This beautiful person will be forever missed. She did her research and in her own last words she did not expect this to happen, but the 1% fatality rate has to happen to someone unfortunately.

I do believe that it is a very personal choice and you have to make your own choices and do your own research and to heck with everyone else and their opinions. Good luck!

Traci

Amy911Gray

I couldn't afford surgery, heck--couldn't afford a gym, weight watchers, metalife, jenny craig or any of the others. Both me and my husband were out of work and with our considerable weight gain we were poster children for rising medical costs. 2011's version of the new class of unemployable!

Once you've made up your mind to lose weight, nothing can stop you from getting the job done. Halfway doesn't cut it, and I really didn't want to be a C student in a healthy lifestyle program. So, I did the research, set my goal, set a date, and I was off.

I've been working the program for about 400 days. If surgery is an option, and that's the route you want to take...take it. Any help that can get you from point A to point B and beyond is worth the work...

Velum_cado

I'm wary of surgery because we don't know what this is going to do to the system, long term. My aunt had bariatric surgery in the 1970s, and lost weight, but 30 years later, she died from what it did to her liver. Now, weight loss surgery is no longer done in the same way, but we don't know what the long term effects of the current methods are. The other people I know who have had the surgery, seem to gain back a big portion of the weight. Obviously that can happen with any diet program, but without the added bonus of having gone through life-threatening surgery.

I also think people do use it as an "easy" fix, instead of really mucking in and putting in the effort to lose weight themselves. I know that's why I was considering it... I thought it was impossible for me to lose weight. That I'd "tried everything", when the one thing I hadn't tried was eating less, and moving more. Once I tried that, I actually lost weight. I don't think a lot of people actually weigh the pros and cons of surgery, and take into account how dangerous and life-altering it is.

I think people should do whatever they need to do, but I'm so, so glad I didn't go through with surgery when I was considering it.

Deipneus

I don't like to read the boards too much myself because there is so much horrible, horrible advice out there and if you dare to offer a counter opinion, a flame war breaks out. Just ignore them. It works for you and that's all that matters. Congratulations and continued success.

jennielou75

Absolutely I have changed my diet. When I see pics of myself at my heaviest I am first upset then angry that I let myself become that way. I did not horrifically overeat but I did over eat for my body and that was the problem.

This is no miracle cure and yes regain can and does happen. I hope to goodness it doesn't happen to me but I know what to do if it does.

I do feel that there is not enough counselling available for people who have surgery. I personally will be going to my first follow up meeting and it is three months after my op. I feel this is too long but I have made sure I have kept going with my good eating habits that I was doing for 5 months before my op.

There are people who yo yo in all forms of weight loss and while this is not for everyone it is working for me. I just need to work to make sure it continues to work for me.

gerbies

There definitely is a level of righteousness felt and shared on these boards from individuals who have lost weight the "traditional way" versus weight loss surgery. I think there are a number of reasons for that, but, at the end of the day, I think it comes down to a philosophical difference.

Those that lose weight by eating healthy, cutting calories, working out (without WLS), feel like they've "earned it" in a way that those with surgery haven't. There's something to be said for someone who, using their own discipline, has lost in excess of 80+ lbs by making solid food choices and being active. Because of their willpower, focus, and some sacrifices, they may feel those who lose large amounts of weight with surgery have taken the easy way out. It's easier to lose weight when your body physically enforces its limitation with food (e.g., throwing up after too much food is eaten). Not sure why they care so much. To be honest, most people who lose weight by cutting back and exercising (e.g., losing more slowly) look much, much better at goal weight than those who get the WLS.

On the other hand, surgery is a pretty drastic step. Going under the knife has a number of risks and some individuals have a smoother experience than others. Though not as much in the beginning (though you can feel ill due to high sugars, etc.), you can eat what you'd like to lose weight. In order to be successful in the long term with WLS, you must eat healthy and exercise. Though I am not aware of broad statistics, I will share that every person I have ever met/known who has had any version of WLS, never hit their goal weight and gained weight back. Of the 15 or so that I know, about 5 have gained almost all of their weight back.

Overall, WLS is not a choice for me. I cannot imagine having a surgery to solve an issue I can tackle more holistically (through good food and exercise). For me, it would be an embarrassment to have such a surgery...like I just gave up and was too lazy to do it myself. Of course, I do not have any major illnesses and, other than weight, am in good health. I have the luxury of choice and time to lose it without such an intervention. Therefore, I'm not in a position where I feel like that's my only choice. I also cannot imagine having gone through this process with the thought that this would solve my problem and then, never hit my goal and start gaining weight back.

For those who have chosen WLS, they are doing so for their own good reasons. It's not someone else to judge their choice. Each person can only decide their opinions on whether they would themselves have such a surgery.

stang_girl88

There is nothing wrong with surgery as long as you and your doctor(s) are ok with it. Who cares what other people think. Everybody has an opinion and they are always right. If you are happy with your decision, that is all that matters. Everybody deserves to be happy.

FitFabFlirty92

Congrats on your success! I don't think surgery is wrong, I just don't think it's right for everyone. Unfortunately, a lot of people look into surgery because they THINK it's the easy way out. Your story and many others I've heard prove that that is hardly the case. Also, surgery doesn't teach you how to eat properly -- you still have to learn that yourself. A lot of people start out okay, and as their stomach stretches to make room for more food, they wind up eating the way they did before and gain it all back.

I guess my point is surgery has a lot of drawbacks and doesn't work for everyone. It's also incredibly risky and not necessary for every overweight/obese person who wants to lose weight. It doesn't make it bad, but it does make it something that weight loss sites might not want to be pushed on new people coming in.

mistygrt

Congrats on your success. I had a sleeve as well. Who cares what other people think? It is your decision and as long as you know what you're getting yourself into ,then good for you. If you want to go on a forum with other wls people,then I highly recommend obesityhelp.com.

PaBirdie1

I didnt finish reading all the replies yet, but I also have a gastric band . I lost 80 pounds (the old fashioned way) before I got it. I have a seriously bad back and was warned that if I dont get the weight off and keep it off, my spine will eventually collapse. I have already lost 1 1/2 inches in height and I am only 48.

Most people do not get weight loss surgery for vanity reasons. There is a lot of thought and research that goes into it before we even decided this is something we need to do. Then there are all the insurance requirements like the 6 month supervised diet, a multitude of medical tests and even the psychological exam.

Having weight loss surgery will never be successful unless you take the time to change your lifestyle while you prepare for the surgery. Learning to have a new relationship with food, making time for exercise and feeling good about yourself are extremely important steps in making this work. Once you have gone through the process, you are better prepared to handle your new life post surgery.

I obviously dont consider surgery wrong, but it isnt for everyone. There can be long term complications if you dont follow the rules. Living with a gastric band, gastric bypass or the sleeve is by no means easy. Anyone who suggests it is the easy way out is ill informed and needs to do some research before they judge the person who had it done.

LordBear

i have always been overweight to some degree and no matter what i did or how hard i worked out.. i couldnt lose a pound.. then i injured my back and spent the last 10 or so years in misery. at some point i cant remember when.. started hearing the stories of the miracle weight loss surgeries.. and everybody seemed to know some one getting it and how well it worked... thought bout it but never really considered it. and then i started hearing a lot of surgeries that didnt go well and others that had multiple surgeries and others that ended up in the same position they were in to start with...

some time in the last 3-4 years i started looking in to it because it was an option and i didnt see any way out. with out something drastic. so i started researching it and going to this one website and forum that had tons of info. and a chat room to talk to others bout it and such... after study and seeing the outcomes and knowing what was at stake. this is no simple operation. i started to turn from it.

for surgery..from a reputable place... therapy was needed, food counciling, special diet, then depending on how much you weighed.. it varied but the docs all wanted you to lose weight... and people would do this... then u go in and the tare up your innards then put u back together with major chance of infection and being laid out for a while.. and then u dont get to eat anything because of ur healing... warmed broth ...to jellos etc..over a certain amout of time.. and then if u make it thru that part now is the issues ..depending on the exact surgery you had... of not being able to absorb all the nurtients you need.. so u were forced to eat or drink special supplements for the rest of your life... although many dont.. and then u get sick or have some sort of dry heaves if u intake the wrong thing. etc... all this just forces you in to a certain diet and lifestyle..how ever it does not change what got you that way in the first place.

not saying all this to scare any one away from it..but this is all true. i have personally know a couple of people that have had the surgery.. couple of worked for them and one lady went back a couple of times..and she ripped her staples out each time.

some one in a previous post said that this only fixed the body and not the mind..while i kinda of agree with what they were saying..but this does not fix the body. it is trading one evil for another.... dont get me wrong this has helped people.. just saying if you have to diet and lose weight in the first place..you have just proven u dont need the surgery.. therapy and counceling etc..yah you need that obviouly..surgery or not. by watching what you eat..guess what ..the stomach shrinks..no surgery needed. get off lazy bum and exercise... no bull no excuses.. just do it. no it is not easy and you have to force yourself but it does get easyer.

this is not a fix..only a bandaid that hides the wound and infection.. unless you come up with the will of your own at some point surgery will not work.. now i understand there are some things that wld make surgery the best option.. but if u can still move and do things on your own ..then freaking do so.. every doctor i have had has brought this up.. and it pisses me off. its just an easy cop out and the lazy way to go..if you can do otherwise..

if you have had the surgery and u have killed the weight and kept it off for several years.... great job..at some point you found the will.. but are now stuck with a small crutch.

any who... it is your life and your body.. but dont forget that friends and family share your life. do what you feel is right and do what you need to do... just make sure you research and study this topic before jumping in to it if you are considering this. if after you do that and you do see that you can do with out it.. then make your choice. and make the best you can out of it.

joann1948

I worked for Bariatric surgeons for many years. I am a Billing and Coding Specialists, and dealth with the insurane part of it. But had interaction with patients as well. Many of the patients, ended up gaining weight back, and it did not stay off, and my daughter in law, had it. She was 500 lbs and is not under 200. She lived with me for a while, and I got used to all the foods that she could not eat, and if she did got severely sick. Alot of people feel it is a fast fix, to a weight problem, and patients dont change the psycholigical part of it. Hope u do well................Joann

beansprouts

As someone said earlier...There is a lot of general weight loss prejudice and bad advice given daily on this board. (So the prejudice is not just against weight loss surgery)!

As long as it is your body...The final decision about how you choose to lose the weight is yours to make. If you are happy with your decision to have surgery...then why should you even care what other people think about what you are doing?

brenda4life

I believe in the individual right to make decisions about their body and personal health. I do not believe surgery is the end all, be all some think it will be. My mother had her stomach stapled and gained back most of the weight she originally lost. I think there needs to be more post-op meetings to discuss how the weight is being lost and what nutritional value is being considered with each bite. I know my mom still can not eat much but she nibbles all day, and seldom makes good choices.

And then my husband's best friend died from a blood clot days after being sent home from surgery. That was such a waste of a wonderful life.

It is your choice, I would never condemn any for taking that route, I just have not witnessed any great successes.

ncthomas09

Here's the deal. Weight loss no matter how you do it is a life style change. Surgery is a tool. And you know what you have to prove to surgeons that you can make this change and go through months of logging food and psych evals and everything else before they put you on the table to operate. So by making the effort before hand you are used to it post op. You can have the surgery and then decide not to make the life style change and you will gain it all back and then some just like every other diet that "fails" for people.

The diets don't fail, the people fail at making the lifestyle change. I could say that the atkins diet failed for me but truth of the matter is that I didn't want to give up breads, pastas, etc. but with MFP I can still have those things in moderation/occassion. So it's really that people just need to find a method that works for them and make the lifestyle change to make that method be successful.

ncthomas09

There definitely is a level of righteousness felt and shared on these boards from individuals who have lost weight the "traditional way" versus weight loss surgery. I think there are a number of reasons for that, but, at the end of the day, I think it comes down to a philosophical difference.

I think some of this comes from the fact that most people don't always know all of the things you have to go through before getting surgery. You have to prove you can lose and change before surgery. And then after (at least with some facilities) you are still required to go back for progress reports basically.

And some surgeries can be adjusted such as lap band.

BamsieEkhaya

Personally I believe its your body your choice. I do think of weight loss surgery as drastic and yeah life changing, like any other surgery it comes with its pros and cons and its something that needs serious consideration (I'm very aware with all surgeries - took 2years of pain before I had all four wisdom teeth pulled out!!)

Generally for me surgery would be the final decision, if dieting etc didn't work and I was extremely big then it may possibly be an option i'd be willing to look into , currently I know changing my lifestyle and day to day decisions I make now and for the long run can get me the results I want without long term repercussions and side-effects. (I'm also VERRY peculiar when it comes to side effects!)

LADYDEBORAH1984

well done for losing the weight! my best friend has a gastric band and so I know how hard it is trying to get the nutrition in and having less food choices. She is sick alot (vomits) and does get down so I know surgery isn't the easy route, so really well done you, we should all be able to do what we need to do. xxx

Molly_Maguire

I think what most people mean by "surgery is wrong" is that it should not be the first route to go. If you have 50 lbs to lose, and are too lazy to exercise and just don't want to give up your potato chips, then yes, surgery would be wrong. If you have a lot of weight to lose, eat healthy, exercise regularly, (and it sounds like you do, OP) and you STILL have trouble keeping the weight off, then surgery might be a good option.

I don't think there's anything wrong with surgery, as long as you've tried everything else first, and your Dr. recommends it.