Weight Loss Surgery VS. Diet & Exercise...Thoughts?

Surgery works for some people. Its a serious thing though. for only 50 pounds, I'd give calorie counting a shot first.

Every person I've known to get a weightloss surgery has been back to obese within 3 years but I know many people (including myself) that have lost weight and kept it off. I'm all about diet and exercise. It's less expensive and longer lasting (in general). It maybe harder work but I believe you appreciate the things you work for more.

I'm in the same boat as you in that I've had 2 family members do the surgery and lose quickly. I also, have 50 lbs to lose and I'm doing it with diet and exercise. I personally thought my family member could've lost the old fashioned way - meaning diet and exercise. However, they chose the lazy way out. They still don't eat good or even exercise.

I lost 91lbs in one year and I also gained knowledge of nutrition and fitness, the surgery is only for people that need it for medical purposes. In my opinion it's not a very good way to lose weight, most people I've heard of getting the surgery gain it all back!

There are a lot of risks associated with weight loss surgery, as with any surgery. If they came through the surgery ok then there's nothing much to worry about. What they do after they've lost the weight is up to them.

Your goal of 50 pounds in 6 months is doable, but it will likely be challenging, especially when you get closer to your goal. You will have to be pretty diligent about diet and exercise. 2 pounds a week will require a 1000 calorie a day deficit.

Diet and exercise for me!

If you have surgery, you still have to learn about diet and exercise or the chances of you gaining back are quite high. Why not do he hard work first, then if surgery is still required from lack of results then go that route.

I'm not saing surgeryis lazy, I just think that if someone can prove they can maintain the correct healthy diet before taking surgery (which i think anone SHOULD do) and they see results (which I think a majority ofptients would) then that may lessen the amounts of surgeries performed like this.

All but two I know that have had weight loss surgery have gained it all or most of it back. Those I know like myself that used cleaner eating and fitness have lost still losing and kept it off. When you do the cheaters way you don't get the mental mind set you need to be a healthier person its a short cut without the training that is needed for being a fitter and healthier person.

Another thing that bothers me is that is that I have received 0 support and encouragement from outside of my household. Granted, I've only been dieting for two weeks, but I lost 2lbs. before joining MFP and 3lbs. since and that is amazing to me. I went from eating total crap to eating a healthy balanced diet and from sitting at my computer all day everyday to actually getting up and doing stuff. It would be nice to get the same encouragement that my family members received and continue to receive at every family gathering. No one has even asked how I'm doing, even though I made my diet public so I wouldn't be tempted to give up so easily.

I get what your saying, but this lifestyle change can be a lonely battle.

I think that every person is different in how they lose weight and what works for them. I have known people that have done it through surgery and those that have used other methods. While some of them have maintained others have gained because they did not work on the issues that caused them to gain the weight in the first place. I personally would never go through the surgery, but that being said I do wonder why some people have done it and then refuse the support/group therapy after because those are the ones that I have watched gain it back.....same can be said for the ones that refuse to take a look at their lives and what caused the gain that did not have the surgery. I just think that that is a HUGE medical intervention that would not have been worth it for me.

1 - If you only have 50 lbs to lose and no obesity-related illness, no way a doctor would do a weight loss surgery.
2- Even if you have weight loss surgery, you still have to change your diet and exercise.

This ^^

I've known people who have gotten gastric lap bands because of illnesses/treatments that caused them to gain way too much weight/body stress (unable to work out heavily enough to help), and they had to be at least 100 pounds overweight. Also, people who have these surgeries do have to change their diet drastically. As some of them have told me, it basically makes you surgically bulimic if you over eat. The good part about the bands is that they can be readjusted as you reach your goals.

I have seen some of the possible negative side effects of these surgeries. Because these surgeries can be extremely dangerous, I wouldn't suggest it for anyone out there just looking to lose weight. However, if you are informed and feel you need to go that route, I wouldn't judge you. It's up to the person and what they feel is right for them in the long term.

ETA: The consensus so far seems to be that you all assume people who have this surgery are "taking the easy way out" or "lazy." That seems awfully judgmental to me. You don't know their entire life story, and those surgeries are not a pleasant experience that makes you magically lose weight without doing anything.

Diet & Exercise & Stop all the bad vices like drinking liquor,drugs & smoking cigarettes

I have a lot to lose. A lot! I go back and forth considering the surgery. Yesterday I spent way to much time obsessing over the pros and cons. I have a cousin that had the surgery and has had great results with no complications. I have a friend that had the surgery and has had to have an additional 4 surgeries to correct problems and still is not right. I once again came to the conclusion that I can do this through diet and exercise. You really are rolling the dice with surgery and I'm not a lucky person. I don't want my kids to grow up without me because I didn't give diet and exercise another shot!

I think most of the time weight loss surgery is a quick fix to a larger problem. Yes, they drop the weight but it doesn't fix the issues in their mind as to how they got that size to begin with. I have lost every pound and every ounce on my own. I gained knowledge in the process.