Gastric Bypass & Weight Loss Surgery

MKEgal wrote: »

There are groups for this sort of topic.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/groups
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jenny0599 wrote:

I had gastric bypass surgery 9/22/14. I am down 60 lbs and couldn't be any happier with my life changing decision...
I have to have more self control now more than ever before my surgery. I can't drink carbonated drinks, certain meats/veggies/fruits, etc., if I do, I will get physically sick.
Before surgery, yeah I could intake these things and run the risk of gaining weight. I would just tell myself, "I'll start eating and exercising better Monday", well Monday would come and go and no changes. After surgery, you learn to adjust and figure out what foods work for you. I have more will power now than I've had my whole life.

So you couldn't have figured out what foods "work for you" without surgery?
You didn't have the ability to control your intake before surgery?
You couldn't have taken control of your life, stopped procrastinating getting healthy, without surgery?


At my last checkup, my doctor introduced me to an intern who was doing his endocrinology rotation, a young doctor who'd never seen anyone succeed at losing weight without surgery, apparently didn't believe it was possible.
It is.
Doesn't take permanently wrecking my body for me to exercise willpower, learn to eat less & exercise more.
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Sadly, I expected a comment like this. Unfortunately, I find a lot of people do not quite understand WLS. It is in no way the easy way out, nor is it lazy to get it done. Who says that people never tried to lose weight before? Most people who get WLS are people who struggled with their weight for quite a long time. Not to mention a good amount of WLS patients have an underlying condition worsened or brought on by obesity. (PCOS, diabetes, high blood pressure, Sleep Apnea, etc.) WLS is a tool, nothing more. You have to put the work in to lose the weight. I have tried every diet you can possibly think of before and it either not work or gain the weight back.

I am sorry but I just do not like it when people who obviously know nothing about WLS come in and act so condescendingly about it. Do some research and maybe just maybe you wouldn't have that attitude about people who just want to be healthy. Yes, I have had WLS and yes it was the best decision of my life. I am healthier than I have been in a really long time. I do not believe WLS is permanently 'wrecking' my body. It simply modifies it. WLS did not give me willpower, I already had it. Thank you.

Anyways, have a nice day and try to be more understanding and kind next time.

I had Gastric Bypass RNY surgery in 2006. I'd have to say it was a lot easier than having to lose the weight on my own. I don't know how, but this surgery changed everything. It changed my perception on food. It is indescribable. I have no cravings for fried fast food. I went down the wrong road of eating sweets again, but I have no desire for any fast food restaurant, which I used to eat 3 times a day. I know how important it is to choose better foods because I can only have so little. I'm very lucky that I had no complications and I've only gained 15/20 lbs back which I'm getting back off now. The reason why I gained was because I stopped following the rules. Follow the rules! If you fall off track, remember the rules. Protein first, don't eat with your meals, take your vitamins and smaller portions. Good Luck!! I get so excited to hear people having the surgery! I'm so happy for them! They are making a decision to improve their health and changing their life forever!

I had gastric sleeve surgery 2/2/15. It was not an easy decision to make but after researching and interviewing people who had the surgery I made the decision to improve my health. I've yoyo dieted for the past 20 - 30 years. Lose 50 gain 50. My goal is to use the tool (that's what I call it) to help me maintain my loss. The diet is no different than any other diet I've been on, watch what you eat, portion control, and exercise. I'm very good at dieting but have struggled to keep the weight off. I had a well documented weight loss and insurance approved me within 30 days. They did not require me to lose weight prior to surgery or make me jump through lots of hoops. I know there are many people who are against weight loss surgery. I personally believe each person has to decide what works for them and it may not be surgery. I would support anyone who had found something that works for them and support them on their journey.

I don't understand why people are opposed to WLS. It helps save lives. It's a personal decision, a serious medical choice made with your doctor. It requires a lot of dedication and courage. People who make this difficult choice and succeed are to be admired. Others who do not need it or choose it for their own reasons should respect those who choose a different path for their own reasons.

Hi everyone. I haven't had WLS yet, but I am about to start the appts with my team of doctors. I am going through a program and if I am a candidate, the surgery will be covered by my health plan. I have been on a referred patient wait list for just over a year. I am pretty sure I am a candidate for surgery and plan on getting it as soon as I am able. My question is "How did you decide which surgery to get"? Does your doctor just tell you what they think is best or do you have a choice? I have been overweight my whole life (about 24 years, since I was 9) but never have I been as big as I am now. I have diabetes, PCOS and possibly sleep apnea. I am ready for this change in my life! Please, if anyone wants to add me, anyone with info or wants to keep each other accountable, please do! I look forward to hearing from all of you

Hi I had a bypass on the 2nd July 2014 I have lost 8 stone 8 pounds so far which works out to about 6 stone 8 pounds after my surgery, I use MFP every day to keep me on track with my protein and calories as snacking remains a big problem for me.
Clare1479 in response to your question everyone is very different with skin, I weighed 24stone 7 pounds at the beginning of my journey and still have 4 and a half stone left to loose for 'my' target of 11 stone 6. I am much older than you I am 42 and previously when I have lost weight ( i lost 8 stone on my own 10 years ago) my skin shrunk back, now I have bingo wings, my boobs are empty a bit like a naan breads and my tummy looks like a balloon you find three weeks after a party stuck down the back of a settee, also my inner thighs have little skin pouches on them and just under my bum I have a couple of creases, I expect it to get worse. I run 20k a week, i moisturise after every shower, however I was a smoker before my op also. I intend to have all my skin cut off and some new boobs so am saving up at the moment. 16 stone is tiny in the grand scheme of things and I would say think very very hard about WLS its not easy and it doesnt always go well for people. My weight loss is not huge, some months I am lucky to loose 4 pounds! I have friends that really struggle to eat, never go out with friends socialising etc for fear of being ill, they have lost their hair and feel weak all the time, there are lots of WLS support groups on facebook and these are worth joining to get a balanced view of things
Good luck in your journey

"There are groups for this sort of topic.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/groups"

Are you saying that the OP doesn't have the right to create her own discussion "because there are groups for this sort of topic"?

I'm nine years out and maintained a 100+ pound weight loss. For me it was not the "easy way" out, it was the only way out. I have never regretted my decision.

Rachel you are doing what is right for you. No one else should think that they can make that decision for you or ostracize you for the choice you are making.