Just had my consultation for bariatric surgery...
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One of the first things you will notice on here when posting about bariatric surgery are all the people with "my friend" anecdotes. Then you will also notice that all the anti surgery people know nothing about it other than what they "heard". However, there are also many folks on here who have had surgery or, like myself, are on the road to getting surgery. It's not an easy decision and one that should not be taken lightly.
The first thing a person should ask themselves is "why am I fat?". If the answer is because I love food, because I can't control myself, because I have a need to eat even when not hungry, then surgery is NOT a good path for that person. Not until those issues are dealt with.
Be sure you are educated in what your options are. I would not go anyplace for the surgery that is not a center of excellence (a certification given only after many many surgeries, years of training and inspections). Also, research the surgeon. Remember, with all but the lap band, this is a one way surgery, it can't be undone if you change your mind or they do a booboo. Know what you are getting into.
I wish you luck. And I hope it helps you be successful in you mission to get healthy and live a long and productive life. I still have 60 pounds to drop before I can schedule my surgery so it's a while out for me.0 -
I'm really horrified that these sort of practices exist. To me, they're just another marketing venture paired with dozens of others, and many profiteers partner with eachother and racket the hapless victims back and forth - from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, treatment to treatment. And what's more, is that our affluent society, so full of disparity in morality, sits by and lets it all go on in travesty - a mockery of decency, but a tribute to true, raw capitalism.
A quick fix is never a permanent one. To truly solve a problem, you must master the solution, and thus the problem. Be in command, take control, and put yourself in the position of power here, not some quack specialist.
You can do more; you can do better; and you can do it because you have it within you.
I wish you well, and pray that any who considers this proceedure to consider my advice also.
-Mal0 -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Just because I'm not understanding, why did you gain it all back? What happened when you got off these programs?
To me it sounds like you went back to your old habits, thus the weight gain. PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong. I'm just curious. vytamindi
The answer to your question is not simple or easy. The complexity of obesity is HUGE! There are common threads amongst us all but we are all also very different in the "why's," the "how's" etc. There are lifestyle components, genetic components, environmental components, and spiritual components.
If it were as simple as just diet and exercise then there wouldn't be as many obese people in the world.
Diet and Exercise alone works for many and to them I say BRAVO!!! Good for you!!! And I wish that were me.
WLS is tool, not one to be taken lightly, but it is just a tool. WLS in combination with diet and exercise increases success for many people out there. Not everyone will succeed unfortunately.
The decision for me has been part of a long, long journey to which I had some measure of success and some setbacks. The addition of the WLS to my plan, I believe, will greatly increase my odds of success this time around. javascript:add_smiley('flowerforyou','post_body')0 -
Hi Annette: I hope you'll take the other woman's advice and visit some WLS forums. I don't know that folks here will be able to provide the support your looking for with respect to this part of your weight loss journey. Best of luck! (and I'm not suggesting you stop coming here, just that there may be better places for that particular bit of information, as evidenced by the replies you are getting so far).0
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Here in Australia we are fortunate with our health care system providing gastric band surgery and the like, if you go on the waiting list for it.
2 years she waited and didn't do anything about her weight but like everyone else has always had the opportunity.
Had her surgery and now 2 years down the track she is still obese.
Her behaviour is damaging not only to herself but her family and friends as well. Do you think it wouldn't hurt to watch someone put themselves through something like I've described?
When family and friends have been supportive to her cause (I might not seem it but I can be much gentler in person) and she continues to throw her health down the toilet (literally).
Everyone on this message board is fighting everyday to make themselves a better person. My post was a warning, not a dig.0 -
I had gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago. Don't listen to the anti-surgery people. Some of us need the extra help. No way in hell I could have lost 200 pounds and more importantly kept it off without surgery. Do your research and make the best decision for YOU!!0
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Just because I'm not understanding, why did you gain it all back? What happened when you got off these programs?
To me it sounds like you went back to your old habits, thus the weight gain. PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong. I'm just curious. vytamindi
The answer to your question is not simple or easy. The complexity of obesity is HUGE! There are common threads amongst us all but we are all also very different in the "why's," the "how's" etc. There are lifestyle components, genetic components, environmental components, and spiritual components.
If it were as simple as just diet and exercise then there wouldn't be as many obese people in the world.
Diet and Exercise alone works for many and to them I say BRAVO!!! Good for you!!! And I wish that were me.
WLS is tool, not one to be taken lightly, but it is just a tool. WLS in combination with diet and exercise increases success for many people out there. Not everyone will succeed unfortunately.
The decision for me has been part of a long, long journey to which I had some measure of success and some setbacks. The addition of the WLS to my plan, I believe, will greatly increase my odds of success this time around. javascript:add_smiley('flowerforyou','post_body')
I guess my question should have been worded better. I do not know your past or am I a doctor, but if it is a weight LOSS tool, and you do really well losing weight, why have the surgery? It would seem that the most important thing right now is to find out why you keep gaining it back.
However, if you are working close with the help of your doctor, and are totally honest about your habits with him/her, and they suggest it for you, I will trust your decision. The LAST thing I want to do is to discourage you from something that would add years to your life. I wish you nothing but the best!The first thing a person should ask themselves is "why am I fat?". If the answer is because I love food, because I can't control myself, because I have a need to eat even when not hungry, then surgery is NOT a good path for that person. Not until those issues are dealt with.
THIS makes sense. I've seen you post around the forum and you seem to have a very good grasp on your health and what you need to do to be the best you can be.
Food sucks. Unlike other addictions, it's very easy to relapse into bad habits because we need food to sustain ourselves. I hope everyone finds a way to deal with its temptations and learns to eat to live, not live to eat.0 -
hello my love3132 im a mom of 2 girl i am gettimg gastic bypass sugry in sep2012 ! so happy ! im from cleveland ,ohio ! imam319 now 1 so happy for evey one who is on the wrght track ! good louck to every one0
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Hi, Annette,
My name is Robin and I underwent a slightly different procedure 9 years ago. I weighed 444 pounds, and the reasons I decided on the surgery was because I had several medical conditions that either prevented exercise, or required exercise for function, and I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I was told I'd continue to decline until I died. I researched the various surgeries, including the one you are going to have, and my doc, hesitant to do anything too radical because of my health, gave me a rny with a very conservative bypass.
I made the choice to go through with the surgery because I was trying to outrun which medical condition was going to do me in, so I understand why you made the choice you did. What many people don't understand, is that while one could lose weight through diet and exercise, the surgery changes the hormonal process that assists with weight loss as well. In other words, there's a good side effect to the surgery other than limiting food intake.
I had no illusion it was a "quick fix." It's a lifestyle change like no other, but the day I realized I could go up a flight of stairs with no problem was exhilarating. When I could exercise a whole aerobics session, I was high for the whole day. But I had to have a guarantee if I failed, there was a failsafe. I had no other options. If there's a ton of weight to lose, a negative to the weight loss is hanging skin-can't get away from that, but if one wants to live, I think it's a side effect I can live with.
I lost over 200 pounds, which was my target loss. My docs did not want me losing any more than that. Because I had to go on steroids and chemotherapy for severe psoriatic arthritis in 2008, I gained 100 pounds back. Part of it crept up on me. 70 pounds was related to the meds (and gained in two months). Until my condition went into remission, I was damned if I could lose weight at that point, and it was demoralizing.
The arthritis went into remission and now I can get some results from dieting. I've lost 30 of the 100 I need to get back to my original goal, and my pouch has kicked in again. I would like to lose another 40 more on top of the 100, but this time, I'll do it one minigoal at a time, and not worry about how fast I'm losing so long as I'm losing. My self esteem is fairly robust, and I don't care any more about beating myself up with negativity.
The emotional side of obesity is so overlooked, and I think for most folks with the most to lose, it's the biggest issue. My depression drug me down, and my self esteem was shot. I had to heal those emotional issues, and it was the hardest thing I've done. The diet is easy-it's my self regard that is my demon. I think I've got that devil shoved into a corner right now, but I try to remain humble so that demon don't sneak up on me.
Annette, I've been there-if you need support, you can friend me-I promise I'll friend back! And there are some other people here who have been where we've been and who've offered wise advice, such as really continue to research what your life is going to be like after the surgery, and make a good plan to make the most of the switch.
Much, much good health and happiness!
Metta, Robin0 -
I didn't read all of the replies so I don't know if this was brought up but ... do you ever plan to have children. Cause it is not safe to have children after the surgery. The baby won't get the nutrition it needs.
Think this through a lot.
Plus it is not a guarantee, you can gain the weight back. Your stomach can stretch back out.0 -
My husband had the surgery 2 years 9 months ago. He has kept the weight off.
Good luck and remember this is life time.0 -
Hi Annette,
I had lapband surgery in Jan '12 and am so glad I did. I am still in the process of getting it properly adjusted, but have lost 69 pounds and felt better than I have in years. Do not let anyone fool you into thinking this process is a breeze. Losing the weight is still a lot of work, and I am still having to work through my emotional/stress attachment to food. What the surgery has done is to allow me to curb the physical hunger so that I can do the other work and develop new habits. Don't let the naysayers make your decision for you, but also take some time to make sure that you are ready to do the work. It took about a year between my initial consult and the surgery, and I used that time to get myself properly prepared. Good luck!0 -
I didn't read all of the replies so I don't know if this was brought up but ... do you ever plan to have children. Cause it is not safe to have children after the surgery. The baby won't get the nutrition it needs.
Think this through a lot.
Plus it is not a guarantee, you can gain the weight back. Your stomach can stretch back out.
This statement is ABSOLUTELY FALSE.0 -
Surgery is not the easy fix it is often advertised to be, but there are circumstances (like yours) where it is a good and viable option.
My mom had a sleeve done last summer, and her life has changed dramatically for the better because of it. Her fibromyalgia, borderline diabetes, and high cholesterol all resolved. She can move much easier now, so she walks several days a week and does Zumba. She has left her old couch potato mentality behind, and has found that being able to exercise has improved her mood drastically, and even reduced her panic attacks.
Just make sure you always keep in mind that this will be something you need to work at daily for the rest of your life (even though it will get easier), and you will have a great chance at success.0 -
I didn't read all of the replies so I don't know if this was brought up but ... do you ever plan to have children. Cause it is not safe to have children after the surgery. The baby won't get the nutrition it needs.
Think this through a lot.
Plus it is not a guarantee, you can gain the weight back. Your stomach can stretch back out.
I call BS on this one. I've had 2 children since my RNY gastric bypass. Both are healthy and have more than adequate nutrition levels. I know a lot of other moms of post-op babies who would agree with me. I just wanted to step up when I read that. If it was not for losing the weight I was unable to lose without the RNY (multiple medical complications), I never would have had children.0 -
I'm going to tell you a story that could potentially ruin your day...
I was always intrigued by weight loss surgeries, they sounded like such a quick fix.
Until...
My aunt had surgery about ten or twelve years back.
Lost tons of weight and looked great.
Then...
She died on August 20, 2010.
Since she couldn't eat anything, she became a major alcoholic.
This in turn, weakened her stomach so much that it ruptured her scars in the middle of the night.
Even worse...
Her 8 and 10 year old daughters found her that morning on their first days of school that year.
That was my wake up call. If I'm going to lose weight, I'll do it the right way.
I just turned 23 last week so we're essentially the same age. I have not graduated college, or been proposed to, or married. I have also not become a mother or a grandmother. All of which I want to do!
I have been big since birth. I have dieted forever. I'll lose weight and then gain it all back and then some. I'm really getting in gear now and in ten months, I know I won't need surgery, I seriously doubt you will either. Just the other day I read a success story of a woman who was in a wheel chair, then a cane, then hiking in the bad lands. If she can do that, anyone can.
I promise I'm never this negative and I do like to support people as much as possible but there are better ways to lose weight! We're in this together, you can do it.0 -
I have had gastric bypass and lost over 120 lbs. Lots of complications since including adhessions which rquired another surgery and restricted to eating baby like foods due to severe gerd. It is definately life changing and a very strict diet. I can't eat meat. Strictly a vegetarian. However I would indeed do it all over again. Before GB I was a severe diabetic facing kidney dialysis on 5 insulin shots a day and 2000mg of metformin and severe bouts of depression, high cholestrerol and high blood pressure. My life has indeed changed for the better despite being restricted to my diet. Good luck and I wish you the best of success. :flowerforyou:0
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I think that it's pretty telling that someone who says they want bariatric surgery to solve all their problems doesn't even have a diary open to the public. Surgery is not the answer, even though you have convinced yourself that it is. Send me a friend request and also send friend requests to all the people on here that you can find who have lost lots of weight without this surgery and you can learn to eat right and save your own life. It happens every day, and it can happen to you, and I'll help you if you want the help, but you'll need to keep an open diary and keep logging. For now, exercise is a bad idea but I do have some ideas that could work and are gentle.0
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I'm wondering why everyone keeps saying this is a "quick and easy fix". There's nothing easy about this. : /
I never got up to the weight where I considered surgery, but the success stories I've heard are mostly from people who kept with the diet and/or exercise program. And the unsuccessful stories I've heard are mostly from people who did believe it was a quick and easy fix where they could just continue their old lifestyle.
Good luck to you on your journey and I hope you're able to find the support system you need in order to succeed. :>0 -
I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. However, speaking from experience all she did was trade one bad habit of overeating to another bad habit of drinking. I had the surgery almost 10 years ago. Since then I have gained about 40 pounds back and when I look in the mirror and remember what all I went through, I decided to never allow myself to get that big again. I found this site a couple weeks ago and have lost 2 lbs. After the surgery, losing weight is a lot harder than before. If I had to do it all over again would I? Absolutely. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done but also one of the most rewarding. By the end of this year, I promised myself, I've fit comfortably back into my size 10 jeans and run another 5k.
Best of luck to you.0 -
I'm Annette and I'm 22 years old.... Looking for friends who are going through the process to have surgery or who have already had the surgery (any bariatric surgery, really) that can be some support.
OK, people who have posted advise and alternatives, I know you mean well with stories and advice. We all have our own ideas. The OP didn't ask for any of this, though! She asked for friends who can support her through this process. It is her decision and her responsibility to be fully informed. Annette, I am not in your shoes, but I'd be glad to be your friend! I do have a brother in law and a sister in law who have both had bariatric surgery.0 -
I know several people who have had gastric surgery. More often than not there are serious complications. About half of them have regain most of their weight. You will lose the weight fast, but that will leave you with loose skin which will most likely develop into you having more surgeries. It's not a quick fix.
Please make sure you get plenty of counseling before and after the surgery (if you decide to go through with it). Get with a nutritionist and a personal trainer for before and after the surgery. You will need it.0 -
I can't say I approve, being almost 22 myself, no matter how heavy I am, I'll never get surgery to fix what nature can. What did big people do before surgery? Well they either ate right and exercised or they stayed big and died, but there was no magical fix.
If you truly feel it's best for you, then do it, but if there's any hope in the back of your mind that you can do it the natural way, give it a try, even if just for 6 months, give yourself a small goal and get to it.0 -
I dont get this either? im extremely overweight for my height but using my fitness pal has put my mind into a new frame, ive watched my calories, still allowed myself the odd treat and lost 17lb so far and ive only been going 6 weeks. This is the first "diet" that has worked for me. Im a long way off my goal but i need to adjust my way of life to smaller portions and calorie counting.
If you can reduce your calorie intake and exercise surly you wont need surgery? Would it not give you a greater achievement knowing you have lost all your weight all by yourself?
Good luck for the surgery however maybe you should see how much you can do on your own in th 10months your waiting.If you are able to commit to a strict diet for 10 months in order to get surgery why not change your mind set and do it for life and avoid all of the complications of surgery? I am just curious because these surgeries seem to be marketed as the be all end all to lose weight, yet many people gain the weight back because they don't learn the skills to properly feed their bodies.0 -
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Actually, my statement is true. I went through the consultation and orientation. I took the time to specifically ask those questions and had them explained to me because I wanted to have children. As to the stomach stretching back out. Yes that can happen. Obviously not immediately but over time if you gradually eat more and more. So you don't agree with me but since I went through the process of talking to the bariatric surgery team at my hospital (when I use to live in Canada) I know what I am saying is the truth.
You have need patently misinformed about pregnancy.0 -
If you really feel you need it, best of luck to you and I hope it helps you to accomplish your goals. I know people who've had it with great success, and other's who've had it and resulted in death or very serious medical issues. It's risky, but not unlike any other surgery. I do recommend you try your best to lose weight in the months between now and your surgery... losing some of the weight before will be a big help in your recovery and lowering the risks of the surgery.0
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Seconded.I didn't read all of the replies so I don't know if this was brought up but ... do you ever plan to have children. Cause it is not safe to have children after the surgery. The baby won't get the nutrition it needs.
Think this through a lot.
Plus it is not a guarantee, you can gain the weight back. Your stomach can stretch back out.
This statement is ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/pregnancy/0 -
Since I don't need the stress of dealing with people that insist on arguing.0
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OMG really? I think I know more about it than you, considering I actually have been pregnant. Considering while pregnant you need to be able to eat a certain amount to keep both you and the child healthy it is incrediably difficult. Plus it's the nutrients that is the issue. Maybe you are going for a different type than the one I was going for but the food would not stay long enough to get ALL of the nutrients from it. I talk to the doctors, and specialists about it specifically and they told me, each one of them, flat out that it would be very dangerous to get pregnant to the child as it could cause developement problems.
I am not bashing the surgery, as I went in to have it too. It is her choice, if she wants more power to her and I wish her all the success in the world. For some people it is the extra help that they need. I posted what MY doctorS had told me to give her another thing to consider or bring up to her doctors if she was considering it.
Just because you do not agree with the conversation that YOU were NOT there for is no reason to be attacking me.
Plainly put, until you have a uterus, back off.
Just because he's a man doesn't mean he knows nothing about pregnancies. Most OB's are men afterall. And the people who told you that were severely misinformed because that is not how pregnancy works. Even if it were true that you couldn't eat the proper nutrition needed for the pregnancy, anyone who has studied pregnancy knows that the placenta draws the necessary nutrients from the mother's body to support the baby. That is why severely undernourished women can have perfectly healthy, even fat, babies. ETA: Why they can as in why they do, not as in why it is occasionally possible. This is how pregnancy works. Plain and simple. As someone studying midwifery, I can assure you that your medical team was very misinformed.0
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