Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery

Hello my name is AJ and I have been in a weight management Nightmare program for 8 months because of Insurance requirements, have not had surgery because of the horrible people running the program. My question is is it worth it? Has anyone here had any success? Has anyone here had any failures? Please respond with stories of VALUE that might help me and others struggling with this option.

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Use the search feature, lots of threads with pros and cons
  • Are you seeing results in the weight management program?
  • No results from Program I feel that they are after the 45 grand in insurance money, They appear to be moving a lot of people through like cattle.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    I know 4 people who've had some flavor of weight loss surgery.

    #1 had surgery about 8 years ago. She was very obese, lost a ton of weight, and then gained a bunch back. Currently, she's still much smaller than she used to be, but she's still morbidly obese. She could not really afford to have the operation, but did it anyway. She does not recommend having weight loss surgery.

    #2 had surgery about 5 years ago. She was morbidly obese, lost a ton of weight, and gained a bunch back. She is currently overweight - I would guess close to obese, but not quite there. She could kind-of afford the surgery. She is ambivalent about the operation, but is mostly happy enough with the results.

    #3 had surgery about 3 years ago. He was morbidly obese and lost some weight but not nearly enough. He could barely afford this surgery. He is still obese, and he has had several serious complications. He still has a lot of trouble eating pretty much anything, still has all of his original health problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc) and his wife is miserable because really, this just made things worse for them and she now spends even MORE time taking care of him.

    #4 had surgery about 4 months ago. She's dropping weight like crazy, but she misunderstood the rules from her insurance company about out-of-pocket maximums and wound up owing more than $8,000 more than she thought, which she cannot afford. Her eating disorder is not remotely under control, and I have no idea how she made it through the psych tests. It's still early, but I expect this is going to be a massive train wreck.


    Of 4 people, three Nos and a Maybe. The plural of anecdote is not data, etc, but this is what I've seen and heard.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    My mom had the surgery several years ago, and we never really discuss weight, but she did drop from maybe a size 26 to a size 14. She lost a fair amount of weight, but she has always struggled with eating the right foods, and she lost a lot of hair and had vitamin deficiencies.

    She did not use it as an opportunity to change how she eats or to incorporate exercise into her daily routine. She put about 20-30lbs back on, and her health has not dramatically improved. She had to be put on an insulin pump for her diabetes, and she recently just had a heart attack with a 99% blockage of her artery.

    Instead of attempting to lose weight through diet and exercise, she had a revision to her surgery because she had stretched out her stomach and she was again able to eat large portions. This was before the heart attack, and the doctors have told her she MUST start exercising.

    It can be a useful tool for some people, but you must realize that it is a tool to help you change your lifestyle. It still boils down to eating fewer calories than you burn, and incorporating daily exercise seems to be far more helpful than just losing the weight for health concerns.
  • gypsyblues90
    gypsyblues90 Posts: 1 Member
    As someone who has been through this twice and has a whole family let me start with this piece of advice. As the guy above me notes the people's downfalls, he mentions eating disorders and stuff. I've seen friends who haven't mastered their weightloss after surgery and its because of their own decisions. I will say AVOID THE BAND at all costs because I had so many complications it lead to 3 extra surgeries and a liver dissection to remove it after only having it 3.5 years. While I lost 75 pounds with the band, it wasn't nearly enough and I vomitted 7 times a day because I couldn't keep food down. I've seen my father in law lose 100 pounds almost 10 years ago and keep it off, 2 of my friends lose over 120lbs a piece over the past 7 years, and my partner just finished his one year out from gastric sleeve down 200 pounds from 387. However, I've also seen my one friend lose 200 pounds become anorexic, and then have her band out and gain it all back. The reasoning behind some failures is yes, the same surgery doesn't work for everyone, but, they weren't prepared to make the changes. I could give you the example of my one friend who had the band the same time I did but only lost 30lbs, but, she still eats dominoes on a weekly basis.

    If you are fearful you won't succeed, it benefits you because you can channel it into determination. I didn't lose anything on presurgery diet, but, after having the sleeve 6 months ago I'm down 87lbs and I still struggle. But my struggle is in my head, making the right choices and fighting the mind hunger. I found for the first few months I avoided food network and anything heavy with food commercials. Eventually I know don't worry about craving pasta, sweets, or breads. I've found little ways to deal with those one off instances with sugar free pudding, sweet potato, or weird concoctions from pinterest.

    Not going to lie, my partner has cookies, french fries, and I even have ice cream, but, its all the choices you make and moderation. We don't eat things every day and we stick with yogurt and high proteins. But, if you have any fear about your future don't be afraid you'll never eat again. They few I've seen fail do so because of the food choices they make, or over consumption of alcohol. We drink on a weekly basis, but, never beer. Always make better food choices on days we drink.

    I hope any of this information helps. If you'd like any one on one support let me know!
  • april731
    april731 Posts: 122 Member
    I had the gastric sleeve in April of last year and have lost 135 pounds so far. I'm certainly not far out enough to be considered a long term success story, but surgery has had a profound effect on my life (in a good way) and my eating and fitness habits have changed 180 degrees. I spent a lot of time researching surgery and what made people successful - protein-forward eating, limiting carbs, lots of water, etc. Surgery can be a valuable tool for weight loss and maintenance, but it's certainly not for everyone and is a decision you should make in consultation with your doctor(s).
  • debubbie
    debubbie Posts: 767 Member
    I am sorry that your weight management program is doing a disservice to you and everyone else in their program. My current weight management program has been a great benefit to me accountability wise and helping me to own up to my problems with food. I typically eat out of stress or boredom, and was eating huge amounts of food several times a day. I am learning how to control my emotional eating and what a real portion size should be.

    As for the surgery, only you know what is right for you and the health risks that you may incur based upon your health history. I do know out of my five friends that have had some type of bariatric surgery done only two have been successful, but they are limited severely in what they can eat each day. Sugar (candy bars, cake, brownies) and carbonated drinks are out for the both of them. The one's weight loss has slowed down considerably and she is still in the obese category and a size 24-26 right now, even though she works out 5x a week and watches what she eats. The other three friends have all gained the weight and then some because they never learned to deal with their food issues (eating to eat, portion control, emotional eating). All three of them have mounds of excess skin that they can not afford to get rid of that hangs and makes them look heavier than what they are. None of the five feel confident in their bodies to wear tank tops or shorts because of this.

    Again, you have to decide if this is right for you and if you are mentally ready for everything that comes with this decision. Are you ready to limit your food intake to not stretch out your stomach? Are you able to avoid food when you are eating out of boredom or stress? Do you know what complications and health risks that you may have from the surgery?

    I wish you the best of luck in your journey.
  • gaurdgoose
    gaurdgoose Posts: 106 Member
    My sister in law and Niece booth had the surgery about 12 years ago. My sister in law lost most of the weight she need to lose and has managed to keep it off. However my niece has gained it all back.
    My thought on the surgery or any weight loss program is that if you cant get your mind right (whether by counseling, medication, or come to Jesus moment) You can sabotage or eat your way around anything surgery, stomach stapling, sleeve, band, medication,
  • dcc56
    dcc56 Posts: 172 Member
    If you seriously think your clinic is only after the insurance money I would be looking for a different clinic....as soon as possible.

    Then, look for this book at your library:
    The Expert's Guide to Weight-Loss Surgery: Is it right for me? What happens during surgery? How do I keep the weight off?
    Authors: Garth Davis, Laura Tucker