Gastric Bypass/

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.