Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery

Are you seeing results in the weight management program?

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.

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!

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.

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