Thinking of the Weight Loss Surgery?

I believe the surgery be what it may is a stepping stone to get whoever does it moving in the right direction.. I don't believe it is a easy, lazy way out because the folks that opt for it still have to work just as hard as someone like myself to keep the weight off. At the company I work for there are lots of folks that had gastric bypass and the lap band. They go through a lot after the surgery and life for them totally changes. One friend even ate his way over the vomiting and nausea and is gaining his weight back. That's another thing once people know they've had the surgery they are constantly watched to see if they'll gain. I have one friend that is doing awesome with keeping her weight down but she counts calories and exercise. So they don't get away from it they just get a big jump start on their weight loss journey.

I'm not a candidate for the surgery so I can't get the jump start - but good luck to all that can and did!

Just my opinion!

because i weigh 504 pounds and i have to do this or i will die. I have disabilities that limit me from exercising as avidly as the "average" person. Honestly, you don't know my story, so don't try to guess what's in my book

I think the person was more asking 'if you can lose 80lbs without the surgery, can you continue to lose weight the same method you are losing now and potentially not have surgery.'

---

Surgery is dangerous and there are a lot of complications to WLS and its not a fix all. As many who have had it in this thread already know. Its not easy but it is a guarantee (at least for a short while), that you will lose weight. Someone without the weightloss surgery has to exercise or they wont lose the weight. Those with the weight loss surgery are pretty much guaranteed weight loss (at least for a while).

Now I am not saying people who get WLS are lazy or that its easy to live with, just that its very different from traditional. I know a lot of people go into the weight loss surgery, take it seriously and do everything right. But to say weight loss surgery is harder than traditional... I would say thats wrong. Traditional have to make food choices and resist things not because its going to make them throw up or get sick but because they will gain weight otherwise. They have to exercise and burn the calories off to see faster weight loss and better muscle gains (which help more with weight loss).

I am by no means saying WLS is in any way 'cheating' and I know for many people its an emergency situation where they need to lose a lot of weight fast. But I do feel that WLS isnt the best option as its not 100% preparing people for the 'rest of their life' stage of diets. I know there is lots of therapy and nutritional advice involved but traditional diet and exercise not only starts to get you where you should be but it helps you deal with everyday life and prepares you for the future. WLS you lose all the weight then have to deal with the rest of your life and so for many people who get WLS they dont manage the 'rest of your life' part well and end up gaining back a good portion of the weight.

Now these are just the major flaws I see with WLS, congrats to anyone who got it done and was successful, it was by no means easy and you are definitely healthier now and in a better place for doing it.

I contemplated surgery late last year. I met with dietitians and nutritionists, had psych evaluations and many consults. In the end, I couldn't go through with it, but realizing that that's where I was at was such a huge motivating factor in my decision to change things up.

Surgery scares me, but if it works for some, I say good for them.



And good job, OP. You look great!

I want to agree with something you said.........I had Gastric bypass in 2001. in th first yr I lost 160 pds. Lack of knowledge/rsearch on my part and a doctor who didn't inform me of things I needed to know, I have regained 100 pd back over the past 10 yrs or so. I am, vit. difficiant which has cause major health problems. So YES it can have complications in the long run. I don't regret having the surgery but I do regret my lack of learning more AND that the doctor I choice didn't feel some things were important for me to know. Nor was I ever told or made to have any councling, seminars nothing. just did consult, lab work and scheduled surgery. My life did depend on this surgery but my life now depends on losing these 100 pd again........by watching what I eat, excersing very slowly and learning about health and nutrician.

In all fairness limiting your intake is huge. Someon e doing it on their own does not have that assistance to be fair.

I think you could achieve better results without the surgery. Its shouldn't be the first choice, its should be the last resort. I've lost 111 lbs with hard work and diet, changing your lifestyle is what you need to do.

Just my 2 cents.. for what its worth.

I'm sure the surgery is everyone's last resort as I have spent half of my life batteling weight loss/gain. After trying every diet in the book, this is what worked for me..Since when does having the surgery mean it's easy and not hard? My dear the band only limits how much I intake, everything else is on me.. Working out, eating the right foods etc. Thanks for your input..

I have never had or needed weight loss surgery, but I know people who have. I think we need to remember that we are not all working on a level playing field here. There are so many factors that come into play with regard to weight loss. Just because one person was able to lose the weight without undergoing weight loss surgery, doesn't necessarily mean that everyone can, or should, be held to these standards.

Yes, weight loss surgery should absolutely be a last resort option. People should absolutely exhaust other options before undergoing weight loss surgery. It's easy for us to judge, but when you have struggled with your weight all of your life, and you are literally being told by your doctors that you need to lose weight or you will die, then you absolutely need to do what you feel is best for you. Sometimes this means taking drastic measures to make the change.

MFP and weight loss surgery are tools to aid us in our health, fitness, and weight loss goals. They don't do the work. We do.

I am totally against it. I believe it's too dangerous and even if it doesn't kill you many people have problems from it. So not worth it. Just track your calories and go for a walk as often as you can. This makes me so sad when I hear people considering it. It's no magic cure..

Cant believe all the negativity! Whatever works for you! You cant get surgery and then just eat what you want ...it takes alot of work to maintain and keep it off. Leave the girl alone just because you don't believe in it or don't agree with it DOES NOT MEAN ITS WRONG!

Agree...it works for some and doesn't for others...dieting and exercising works for some and doesn't for others. Don't judge her on your thoughts of how it may have helped/hurt someone in your life or even yourself. Congratulate her on making the decision to go on this journey and the fact that she has had success. Success is the best motivator....I foresee great things in her future!