Gastric Bypass/

I had it done 8 years ago. Worked good for me (95 lbs) and then one year ago, I quit smoking and even though there were no changes to my diet, I did not exercise more for the metabolism changes from quitting, so I gained 40 lbs in a year and a half. Now that I have the weight balanced from that I am back on track to losing. That is why I am here. But back to the Gastric, I do not regret my decision, it really helped me with the mind over matter idea, the more the gastric helped me lose the more I did to improve my own way of eating, etc. My brother had it 5 years ago and gained half his weight back, because he went back to some old ways of food, however not all of them. I agree with the others that you have to use it to help but that it is a tool only and is still up to you. I also have two friends that look terrific and no problems.

Nope. I think it should be an extremely last ditch effort. It's not easy and it's a lot of stress and hard work, not a cop out like people think it is. To me, it's NOT worth putting my body through surgery just to get me to eat less. I can do that on my own.

My husband had the Rny 7.5 years ago and lost 145 pounds. He gain 10 back and has maintained since. He would do it again in a heartbeat.

I know a lot about this type of thing My uncle had the GB I want to say 4 years ago now, he had sleep apnea, and diabetes along with being overweight, and he slimmed down that's for sure he looks great. There was a time where he gained some of the weight back but took it back off. I talked with him about it and he said he tries to stick with soups, he can't really go out to eat and if he overeats it comes back up. Although eventually your stomach would stretch back out.

My cousin got the sleeve. I am not as informative as this she had bounced around with her weight for a while and the sleeve took it off and she looks great, but I rarely get to see her so I don't know if she is keeping it off.

And then there is the lapband... which I think is weird since there is a port. I know 2 people that have had this procedure. one just recently but the other only lost 60 pounds and she was still very much overweight. I have known the lapband to only really be able to tolerate softer foods and this lady would constantly eat just ice cream and cottage cheese... macaroni and cheese... her diet was horrible.

I may be a hypocrite but I'm ok with these types of surgeries if people use them as a tool and not a "quick fix" or just continue to eat crap and don't learn from it. I could easily go and take the same road but I'd rather do it myself, so I can be proud of myself for it. Not that it's not the right choice for you! just make sure you can adjust to the lifestyle and become healthier with it!

I had the surgery Aug 7, 2012 and am soooo very happy. Have always been able to lose weight, but the struggle continually was keeping it off. I am so grateful for this surgery, yet I was very scared to have it. I am down 54 lbs so far and so excited. Know 5 others who have had the surgery and it has been a blessing to them all. It can be a great tool to help you learn to eat properly and smaller portions, to eat healthy and to exercise. But like anything else, if abused, weight gain can return if you sabotage yourself. I had tried all the diets and many of them work to lose weight, but the big deception is that none of them help you keep off the weight. My appetite would always win and also once I reached my desired weight, I had to exercise for hours a day and starve myself to keep the weight off. I could not maintain this long term and my appetite would eventually win out. For once in my life I am in control and can think with my head (vs. appetite controlling me) and have freedom.

WLS may not be for everyone, and there are a few horror stories and many nay sayers, but you know what there are far more people who die from obesity and obesity related diseases. I have a new lease on life, no more sleep apnea, no more snoring, no more gout, no more high blood pressure and no more pills, no more sore joints or sore feet, or back, reduced chance of cancer and heart attack. I feel wonderful and am so looking forward to the rest of my life and living it the way I envisioned it.

Way to go Carl! I had the surgery almost 2 yrs ago and lost 160. Still keeping it off!! I no longer have diabetes or sleep apnea. You summed it up I was the same tried everything and then hurt my back had 2 back operations and was not able to do any walking, exercise anything that is why I did the surgery. No one should judge they do not know the situation of others!

I'm starting the process. Still have to drop another 50 pounds before they will operate but I"m working towards it. Something I would say to any person thinking of having surgery or who has had surgery; the surgery doesn't fail the person, the person fails the surgery. You only get out what you put in and if you change your habits and your relationship with food it will only go so far.

It is an excellent tool...but it does not replace the need to watch your diet and exercise. Sometimes people want the surgery as a quick fix...and a way to lose weight without having to do the work. These are the people that ultimately fail. Even after surgery, you must commit to a life long change in the relationship with food. There is no way to lose weight and keep it off without putting in the work required. That being said...I am 5 months post op from a gastric bypass. It was the best choice for me. My diabetes is now perfectly controlled and I no longer have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. I also have to be meticulous about what I eat, and I have to exercise. Would I do it again? You betcha. I really believe it saved my life. Best of luck to you!

I know a few people who have had it done. One of them even helps educate people who are interested. But from what I understand (at least with this program) you have to see a psychologist and you also have to prove you can change eating habits. That's actually how I found out about MFP is because a friend of mine wanted to have it done but had to find a way to log the food for the dr to see. So instead of making a spreadsheet my friend hit google and found this site. So now I am on it to count calories (no surgery for me!).

But as people have already said it is an aide and must be accompanied by a life style change. As with other diets once you hit your goal weight that doesn't mean you just stop what you were doing because you WILL gain it all back. I don't care who you are. Yes weight loss can be done without surgery but sometimes that surgery can be a life saving option. Plus there are about 10 different kinds that can be done.

**edit**
Also with my friend who found MFP...still has regular visits post op to the dr's showing logged food and exercise.

Hello I did not have the bypass, but I did have weight loss surgery (vertical sleeve gastrectomy... I *highly* recommend it). The thing with ANY weight loss surgery is that no matter which one you chose, it is ONLY a tool. Will you lose weight? Yes. Will you keep it off? Maybe. The maybe depends on you and how much effort you put into it. You have to learn new eating habits and figure out why you ate the way you did in the past. The tool helps you get near your goal, but it is only one small step in the overall weightloss journey. If you perceive it as the miracle cure you are going to be in trouble eventually because it does not work that way. I'm not sure if you are asking for yourself, for someone else, out of curiosity, for advice, etc. so its hard to just randomly write about my experience.

I fell in love with my sleevie (cue overdramatic sigh ) and I would do it over and over again in a heartbeat if I had to.

I had it done 8 years ago. It helps get you to a point where you can eat normal portions, be small enough to exercise and be mentally int he game to really loose weight. It is not a perminant fix. I can eat almost anything I want. I never got dumping symptoms (I could eat ice cream and wash it down with a coke if I wanted). I am working now to lose the last 40 lbs that I need to remove. I am down 15 but I can tell you I have to eat right and excercise to get me there. I would still do it again since I think I would have given up before I ever lost the initial 90.

I know weight loss can be so discouraging and difficult...and especially when your doctor tells you you must consider bypass surgery to save your life (due to severe medical issues). However, I feel it should only be done in extreme situations.....and even then, I don't know. (The greater your obesity, the greater your chance of complications) I see first hand the worst situations, professionally....and they are bad. You are voluntarily allowing your body to be carved and refitted. There is no rewind button, you can't put your miraculous body back the way it was. Surgery should only be for true emergencies. I could write an essay here.

Have you watched the Biggest Loser? I was so glad when Dr. Huizenga spoke out, lamenting the effects of gastric bypass surgery. Do you have life threatening hypertension or diabetes? GET SCARED! Change what you are doing to save your life! Read and watch inspirational books, blogs, and videos every week, every day. Just like many have said on this thread that they had to do hard work after gastric bypass....and that is what it takes to have success (If you don't have complications).....well, do the hard work now. You are fighting for your life.

Here's an website of one person's experience:

http://gastricbypasstruth.com/life-after-gastric-bypass/one-month-after-gastric-bypass-buyers-remorse/

All this said, I completely get why folks have the surgery, we want to live. It's the doctors that I don't get, when they see what I've seen and heard, yet still recommend this surgery way too often. If you do have the surgery.... you have to, have to follow the guidelines to the letter. It's not just so you won't stretch out your sleeve or pouch, it's for your safety.

I wish you had a different photo.

I am 10 weeks post-op from RNY gastric bypass and have lost 56lbs. I follow my eating plan, track all of my food/water/nutrients, and walk 2-3miles per day. I feel better and have had no complications thus far thankfully. My husband had the surgery almost 3 years ago, has lost 205lbs and has kept it off by proper eating and exercise. It is a wonderful tool for those of us who have been overweight and unhealthy for many years - a literal lifeline...

I had the sleeve gastrectomy just over two years ago. The going was great the first year but then the weight loss slowed down...which is normal, but I still have a heckof a long way to go. Saw my surgical team last week to request an RNY to complete the journey and they were amazed that I am still losing and not gaining. I attribute that to MFP and working daily on the emotional baggage from a lifetime of obesity.

I know people who have had all the different types of surgery. Surgery WILL help you lose weight, but it will not do much to keep you there.

The only reason I am opting for more WLS is that I desperately need both hips replaced and I am still 474lbs. Soooo, I need the speed more than anything. If you DO have WLS, please stay on MFP and log daily. PLEASE. There are people here, some on my friends list who have set their calories for bariatric surgery needs and they get loads of support. Plus you will need to monitor carb vs protein intake for the rest of your life.

GOOD LUCK!

My father had it done 10 years ago. He died from complications and infection a week later. There is no easy way to lose weight. It takes hard work and dedication. I am sure there are a lot of people telling you the same thing before me. If you can, try to talk anyone out of it too.