having gastric bypass surgery in September
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So you would rather risk death from major surgery (which is a very real possibility from anesthesia, the surgery itself, malnutrition after the fact) than try to adhere to a calorie deficit and see if that leads to more reasonable weight loss?
Gastric bypass is supposed to be a last resort, usually for those with multiple comorbidities who are at risk of death in the near future from their weight, not an alternative to putting in the hard work/lack of determination to stick with something long term.
If i was 250 or below i wouldnt be doing this.. my health is at risk and i want to live a long time and be able to have kids and see them grow up. As i said before i do need a therapist and everything like that but its a tool i will be glad i have
If you die during surgery, those aren't going to happen. You could easily lose 50 lbs in the next 5-6 months, just by eating less. So in 5-6 months you wouldn't consider the surgery? I am sorry if you think this is harsh, but surgery carries risk, and if 50 lbs is the line you create that determines if you get the surgery or not, I would seriously question if it was a good choice. There is also the chance that the surgery leaves you permanently scarred, or disabled. Honestly, it sounds like this is a decision you made hastily without thinking of all the consequences.
Not sure why someone flagged this... no abuse is present... @elphie754 is speaking the truth...0 -
I have an uncle who was seriously obese and was up to have gastric bypass surgery, he just needed to lose a bit of weight first. He ended up losing so much weight that his doctor told him to just keep on going - which he did! He looks amazing and he never needed the surgery.
I have an old school friend who was up to 130kg (290lbs) and climbing, so she had a gastric bypass surgery. She lost lots of weight and looked amazing (not perfect but definitely healthy) and she finally received her reason for having this surgery - pregnancy and a beautiful baby boy.
The point of my post is that while gastric bypass surgery isn't for everybody, it does work for some people. I'm going to go ahead and wish the OP the best of luck because although I would never consider having this procedure, this might be her turnaround point and she might never look back.0 -
IsaackGMOON wrote: »So you would rather risk death from major surgery (which is a very real possibility from anesthesia, the surgery itself, malnutrition after the fact) than try to adhere to a calorie deficit and see if that leads to more reasonable weight loss?
Gastric bypass is supposed to be a last resort, usually for those with multiple comorbidities who are at risk of death in the near future from their weight, not an alternative to putting in the hard work/lack of determination to stick with something long term.
If i was 250 or below i wouldnt be doing this.. my health is at risk and i want to live a long time and be able to have kids and see them grow up. As i said before i do need a therapist and everything like that but its a tool i will be glad i have
If you die during surgery, those aren't going to happen. You could easily lose 50 lbs in the next 5-6 months, just by eating less. So in 5-6 months you wouldn't consider the surgery? I am sorry if you think this is harsh, but surgery carries risk, and if 50 lbs is the line you create that determines if you get the surgery or not, I would seriously question if it was a good choice. There is also the chance that the surgery leaves you permanently scarred, or disabled. Honestly, it sounds like this is a decision you made hastily without thinking of all the consequences.
Not sure why someone flagged this... no abuse is present... @elphie754 is speaking the truth...
Seems anything that disagrees with the OP is being flagged as abuse, which ironically is abuse of the flagging system.0 -
So you would rather risk death from major surgery (which is a very real possibility from anesthesia, the surgery itself, malnutrition after the fact) than try to adhere to a calorie deficit and see if that leads to more reasonable weight loss?
Gastric bypass is supposed to be a last resort, usually for those with multiple comorbidities who are at risk of death in the near future from their weight, not an alternative to putting in the hard work/lack of determination to stick with something long term.
If i was 250 or below i wouldnt be doing this.. my health is at risk and i want to live a long time and be able to have kids and see them grow up. As i said before i do need a therapist and everything like that but its a tool i will be glad i have
Don't you have to lose 20-30 pounds before they will do the surgery anyway? And then you'd be within spitting distance of 250.
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I lost 75 pounds in six months through self control. You can too without surgery. I can't understand why any surgeon would CUT OUT HEALTHY TISSUE.0
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Good luck!
I've met several who have had this done and we're very successful. But some were not.0 -
It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.0
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dolliesdaughter wrote: »OP Disagreeing does not equal hating.
Yeah, I think people were more concerned than anything...
OP, I just wanted to agree with the therapy suggestions. A nutritionist might be a good idea too, unless your doctor or hospital is referring you one already. I thought that was standard practice, but it probably varies by country. I have a couple family members who have gotten GB or a lap band, and it can be a good push for people who are discouraged or feel hopless/out of control in their eating. It's easy to go back to old habits, though, once the motivation runs out (and it will). No one hits a morbidly obese weight 'just because', though, so figuring out why your eating is disordered and learning how to combat the issue is just as important as eating healthy and moderately.
Getting a firm grasp on your diet and exercise regimine before you're recovering from surgery and don't feel great is a good idea too. Get into your new routine now, and you'll thank yourself in a month Friday.
I think if you're viewing this as a tool to help[\I] you loose weight, and not a solution then you'll be fine. I think a lot of the 'negative' comments here are from people who have seen how useless and pointless these surgeries can be if people expect having their stomach shrunk down can solve all their problems.0 -
It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
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There seems to be a lot of interesting information on here. I had a gastric sleeve, not bypass on June 1st. I'm down 36 lbs since June 2nd. I eat about 1,000 calories a day of lean protein and veggies with occasional fruit. I can drink water with no problems. You can't drink 15 minutes before and 30 minutes after a meal. But otherwise it's fine. I totally changed my eating habits. For the year before I had the surgery I struggled a lot with eating properly. I found my tastes totally changed since surgery. I can't stand sweet stuff any longer - ice cream actually makes me barf on one bite. I can look at a dessert bar and not be interested. I've tried a couple of potato chips and they are icky too. I used to eat the whole bag. I've had more veggies in the past 6 weeks than I've had in the past 6 years. It's a tool. If I try to eat too much I get really sick. I know where my limit is and I know what happens if I push that limit.0
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hockey7fan wrote: »I had a gastric sleeve, not bypass on June 1st. ...I totally changed my eating habits. For the year before I had the surgery I struggled a lot with eating properly. I found my tastes totally changed since surgery. I can't stand sweet stuff any longer - ice cream actually makes me barf on one bite. I can look at a dessert bar and not be interested. I've tried a couple of potato chips and they are icky too. I used to eat the whole bag. I've had more veggies in the past 6 weeks than I've had in the past 6 years. It's a tool. If I try to eat too much I get really sick. I know where my limit is and I know what happens if I push that limit.
This is what most of the critics are concerned with, stories like this that for one are too early to determine long term results and make GB seem like a magic pill. Hockeyfan, I hope for you the best of luck, but if you have not addressed the underlying issues of how you gained the weight in the first place in time all these changes from the surgery can be reversed and the weight will come back.
He's my counter argument. I started using MFP late March with a BMI 36+ and high cholesterol which made me a morbidity obese and probably a candidate for GB. I set a goal of 1.5 lbs per week, cycle 3-4 times a week, and track my food. Somedays I hit my goals, other days I don't. I judge myself based on a running 7 day total. I eat dessert, pizza, chips, alcohol and what ever else I want but log it and hold myself accountable for my choices. As of this morning, my BMI is a hair over 30 and next week I should finally be able to say I'm not longer obese. Oh, and my cholesterol is already in check.
Now who doesn't want that magic pill?
Still, I hope for the best in what ever the OP chooses and what others already have.
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One of my colleagues has had this done, and she has lost quite a bit of weight, but she can only eat very little, and I mean VERY LITTLE. I would hate to have that sort of restriction, and she has found that she can't eat a lot of the foods she used to love because it is just too much for her. She also can't really hold her alcohol anymore which is a problem for her when we go out as she loves a couple of drinks, but there have been times where give it an hour or two she has had to go home ill because she can't handle it. But, obviously, if being slim is worth that to you (she is still overweight, I might add, and she had it a couple of years ago) then it is your choice. But for me, personally, I would find it a very restrictive way to live my life.0
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You're two years post op? Did you have more restrictions when you just finished surgery? My mom had GB, and she was told about a shot glass worth of food/liquid at a time, although frequently just because her stomach was so small. I think it depends on the type of surgery as well.It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
OP, my mom had GB several years ago, and she lost a lot of weight. She has definitely regained weight though, and while she is smaller, she also lost a TON of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss and not doing weight bearing exercises. My mom is a good example of people who take the "easy solution" approach to the surgery. She had nutrient deficiencies because she didn't drastically change the diet; she ate small portions of the things she liked, but she severely lacked vitamins in her diet, and her hair started falling out. She knew she should get to the gym, and she'd go for a month or two, and then stop. And no matter how many times I've told her it's important to do weight bearing exercises, when she does go to the gym, she insists on doing water aerobics.
One thing I see, you said your pre-op diet starts soon. Start now. Maybe not as drastic as pre-op will be, but use MFP to calculate a 2lb per week loss and stick within your calorie goal. Focus on nutrient dense food (you're going to need to learn to get the vitamins in with a very low volume of food, although you will likely be taking supplements as well). Get out moving, even if it's only going for a walk. Start building the habits now; you'll need them surgery or not.
And I understand the frustration you feel reading these comments. I also found that I yoyo'd and "could never lose". Once I started logging (accurately and weighing my food!!!), I saw the weight come off. I had to commit to it; it couldn't be short term. My mom repeatedly suggested that I have the surgery, and I would have qualified. But after seeing her health deteriorate, I'm so happy I never did. She still will have problems with eating too much and will often go to the bathroom to puke mid-meal. She gets diarrhea easily and frequently. She has arthritis, and the one medication that works well, she can't take because it's hard on the stomach. And my fiance's father had the surgery as well, and he doesn't eat many vegetables or meat because he has problems digesting them; he eats a lot of ice cream...0 -
I have been obsessed with learning about the new life style for months now... and if i even started without this i would always be in the same boat... so i have a little help with this tool i am reviving. So what? Even if i dont have it done i will work just as hard as when i do have it done thats all
Well if you can do it if you don't have it done, then why haven't you? If you don't address those issues then you will regain again. You have to do the same thing whether you get the surgery or not, which is just eating less and moving more. But in one case you didn't have major surgery. Personally, I'd skip the surgery and work on why you are having trouble sticking to a calorie deficit.0 -
You're two years post op? Did you have more restrictions when you just finished surgery? My mom had GB, and she was told about a shot glass worth of food/liquid at a time, although frequently just because her stomach was so small. I think it depends on the type of surgery as well.It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
OP, my mom had GB several years ago, and she lost a lot of weight. She has definitely regained weight though, and while she is smaller, she also lost a TON of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss and not doing weight bearing exercises. My mom is a good example of people who take the "easy solution" approach to the surgery. She had nutrient deficiencies because she didn't drastically change the diet; she ate small portions of the things she liked, but she severely lacked vitamins in her diet, and her hair started falling out. She knew she should get to the gym, and she'd go for a month or two, and then stop. And no matter how many times I've told her it's important to do weight bearing exercises, when she does go to the gym, she insists on doing water aerobics.
One thing I see, you said your pre-op diet starts soon. Start now. Maybe not as drastic as pre-op will be, but use MFP to calculate a 2lb per week loss and stick within your calorie goal. Focus on nutrient dense food (you're going to need to learn to get the vitamins in with a very low volume of food, although you will likely be taking supplements as well). Get out moving, even if it's only going for a walk. Start building the habits now; you'll need them surgery or not.
And I understand the frustration you feel reading these comments. I also found that I yoyo'd and "could never lose". Once I started logging (accurately and weighing my food!!!), I saw the weight come off. I had to commit to it; it couldn't be short term. My mom repeatedly suggested that I have the surgery, and I would have qualified. But after seeing her health deteriorate, I'm so happy I never did. She still will have problems with eating too much and will often go to the bathroom to puke mid-meal. She gets diarrhea easily and frequently. She has arthritis, and the one medication that works well, she can't take because it's hard on the stomach. And my fiance's father had the surgery as well, and he doesn't eat many vegetables or meat because he has problems digesting them; he eats a lot of ice cream...
Yes, I am two years post-op. In the beginning, of course there was more restriction. The poster I responded to made it seem like those restrictions are permanent, which they aren't at all, and I felt it was really misleading. I eat healthy, work out, log my food, and do what I have to do. I think that's the key right there, doing what your surgeon and his team tell you to do. So many people, like your mom and your fiancé's father, don't follow the program. Surgery and the lifestyle changes to support it are a huge commitment. Honestly, I don't think it's right for everyone, because not everyone "gets" how big the commitment is. It is not a quick fix, it's a tool. I am grateful that I was able to use this tool properly along with other changes I have made. I am healthy now and that was my goal.0 -
You're two years post op? Did you have more restrictions when you just finished surgery? My mom had GB, and she was told about a shot glass worth of food/liquid at a time, although frequently just because her stomach was so small. I think it depends on the type of surgery as well.It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
OP, my mom had GB several years ago, and she lost a lot of weight. She has definitely regained weight though, and while she is smaller, she also lost a TON of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss and not doing weight bearing exercises. My mom is a good example of people who take the "easy solution" approach to the surgery. She had nutrient deficiencies because she didn't drastically change the diet; she ate small portions of the things she liked, but she severely lacked vitamins in her diet, and her hair started falling out. She knew she should get to the gym, and she'd go for a month or two, and then stop. And no matter how many times I've told her it's important to do weight bearing exercises, when she does go to the gym, she insists on doing water aerobics.
One thing I see, you said your pre-op diet starts soon. Start now. Maybe not as drastic as pre-op will be, but use MFP to calculate a 2lb per week loss and stick within your calorie goal. Focus on nutrient dense food (you're going to need to learn to get the vitamins in with a very low volume of food, although you will likely be taking supplements as well). Get out moving, even if it's only going for a walk. Start building the habits now; you'll need them surgery or not.
And I understand the frustration you feel reading these comments. I also found that I yoyo'd and "could never lose". Once I started logging (accurately and weighing my food!!!), I saw the weight come off. I had to commit to it; it couldn't be short term. My mom repeatedly suggested that I have the surgery, and I would have qualified. But after seeing her health deteriorate, I'm so happy I never did. She still will have problems with eating too much and will often go to the bathroom to puke mid-meal. She gets diarrhea easily and frequently. She has arthritis, and the one medication that works well, she can't take because it's hard on the stomach. And my fiance's father had the surgery as well, and he doesn't eat many vegetables or meat because he has problems digesting them; he eats a lot of ice cream...
You're two years post op? Did you have more restrictions when you just finished surgery? My mom had GB, and she was told about a shot glass worth of food/liquid at a time, although frequently just because her stomach was so small. I think it depends on the type of surgery as well.It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
OP, my mom had GB several years ago, and she lost a lot of weight. She has definitely regained weight though, and while she is smaller, she also lost a TON of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss and not doing weight bearing exercises. My mom is a good example of people who take the "easy solution" approach to the surgery. She had nutrient deficiencies because she didn't drastically change the diet; she ate small portions of the things she liked, but she severely lacked vitamins in her diet, and her hair started falling out. She knew she should get to the gym, and she'd go for a month or two, and then stop. And no matter how many times I've told her it's important to do weight bearing exercises, when she does go to the gym, she insists on doing water aerobics.
One thing I see, you said your pre-op diet starts soon. Start now. Maybe not as drastic as pre-op will be, but use MFP to calculate a 2lb per week loss and stick within your calorie goal. Focus on nutrient dense food (you're going to need to learn to get the vitamins in with a very low volume of food, although you will likely be taking supplements as well). Get out moving, even if it's only going for a walk. Start building the habits now; you'll need them surgery or not.
And I understand the frustration you feel reading these comments. I also found that I yoyo'd and "could never lose". Once I started logging (accurately and weighing my food!!!), I saw the weight come off. I had to commit to it; it couldn't be short term. My mom repeatedly suggested that I have the surgery, and I would have qualified. But after seeing her health deteriorate, I'm so happy I never did. She still will have problems with eating too much and will often go to the bathroom to puke mid-meal. She gets diarrhea easily and frequently. She has arthritis, and the one medication that works well, she can't take because it's hard on the stomach. And my fiance's father had the surgery as well, and he doesn't eat many vegetables or meat because he has problems digesting them; he eats a lot of ice cream...
Yes, I am two years post-op. In the beginning, of course there was more restriction. The poster I responded to made it seem like those restrictions are permanent, which they aren't at all, and I felt it was really misleading. I eat healthy, work out, log my food, and do what I have to do. I think that's the key right there, doing what your surgeon and his team tell you to do. So many people, like your mom and your fiancé's father, don't follow the program. Surgery and the lifestyle changes to support it are a huge commitment. Honestly, I don't think it's right for everyone, because not everyone "gets" how big the commitment is. It is not a quick fix, it's a tool. I am grateful that I was able to use this tool properly along with other changes I have made. I am healthy now and that was my goal.
Yup. People need to realize that they need a lifestyle overhaul whether they have surgery or not. There is no easy way out even with surgery. It takes work and commitment. My mom still doesn't understand that. She had a "revision" to her surgery partly because she had a fistula, but she also kept saying how great it was that she'd lose again. And she did a little bit, and then put on even more weight. Because again, she didn't adjust her lifestyle.
A lot of people take the stance of "if you have to change diet and exercise anyways, why get the surgery". And I completely get that it's a personal choice, but everyone needs to realize that the diet and exercise MUST change for weight loss to be effective for long term (again, regardless of the surgery).0 -
I can't believe some of the replies on here. Yes, OP can prob loose the weight without surgery, however, when you are only suppose to loose 1-2 lbs a week and have several of not a good 100+ lbs to loose, it can take YEARS! Or get medical assistance and have this done. I had it done 5 years ago and lost 115 lbs, gained a few back, got back on track through MFP and working out. It will have to be a lifestyle change, but the surgery will help with the bulk of the weight. Yes I recommend talking to a therapist and following up with the dr's but weather she should get the surgery or not is not anyone's choice but the OP's.... And some stranger on the Internet is not going to sway that. So stop being so mean.0
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I can't believe some of the replies on here. Yes, OP can prob loose the weight without surgery, however, when you are only suppose to loose 1-2 lbs a week and have several of not a good 100+ lbs to loose, it can take YEARS! Or get medical assistance and have this done. I had it done 5 years ago and lost 115 lbs, gained a few back, got back on track through MFP and working out. It will have to be a lifestyle change, but the surgery will help with the bulk of the weight. Yes I recommend talking to a therapist and following up with the dr's but weather she should get the surgery or not is not anyone's choice but the OP's.... And some stranger on the Internet is not going to sway that. So stop being so mean.
We don't usually get the 'everyone is so mean' posts until Friday, you're early. Or late
Of course we, and OP know, it is her choice, and no strangers on the internet is going to change it. But she asked for advice, and some people's advice was 'don't do it'. No meanness about it, just honesty.0 -
Oh well, sorry I'm late, or early, I guess that's what happens when I have other stuff to do than sit on the Internet. BYE....0
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I can't believe some of the replies on here. Yes, OP can prob loose the weight without surgery, however, when you are only suppose to loose 1-2 lbs a week and have several of not a good 100+ lbs to loose, it can take YEARS! Or get medical assistance and have this done. I had it done 5 years ago and lost 115 lbs, gained a few back, got back on track through MFP and working out. It will have to be a lifestyle change, but the surgery will help with the bulk of the weight. Yes I recommend talking to a therapist and following up with the dr's but weather she should get the surgery or not is not anyone's choice but the OP's.... And some stranger on the Internet is not going to sway that. So stop being so mean.
If you are severely obese, you are not limited to losing 1-2 pounds per week. Calorie deficit creates the weight loss -- surgery is a way of helping create that deficit. Losing multiple pounds a week via a larger (non-surgically induced) deficit isn't less healthy than surgery, providing one is seeing a doctor during the process.0 -
Also, to the OP, try other online forums, like thinner times and obesity help, they're WLS forums that will give you the support you're looking for. Let's be honest, you posted on a general weight loss board, on a non WLS website... Best of luck to you!!!0
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Also, to the OP, try other online forums, like thinner times and obesity help, they're WLS forums that will give you the support you're looking for. Let's be honest, you posted on a general weight loss board, on a non WLS website... Best of luck to you!!!
So we should only support what appears to be a hastily made decision and not list the dangers of such drastic choices? Okay then....0 -
You're two years post op? Did you have more restrictions when you just finished surgery? My mom had GB, and she was told about a shot glass worth of food/liquid at a time, although frequently just because her stomach was so small. I think it depends on the type of surgery as well.It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
This is misleading. The restrictions you are describing are only in place for the first week or two after the surgery.OP, my mom had GB several years ago, and she lost a lot of weight. She has definitely regained weight though, and while she is smaller, she also lost a TON of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss and not doing weight bearing exercises. My mom is a good example of people who take the "easy solution" approach to the surgery. She had nutrient deficiencies because she didn't drastically change the diet; she ate small portions of the things she liked, but she severely lacked vitamins in her diet, and her hair started falling out. She knew she should get to the gym, and she'd go for a month or two, and then stop. And no matter how many times I've told her it's important to do weight bearing exercises, when she does go to the gym, she insists on doing water aerobics.
But she's lost weight right? Weight loss is not a cure-all by any means, however for a lot of people who are unable to do it on their own or for people who keep yoyoing, they are still better off being at a lower weight than they were before. As to it being an easy solution, from what I've heard of it, the way people end up eating less after surgery is because they quickly feel nauseous and sick if they try to repeat old habits. That's a pretty miserable way to live and it certainly does not seem easy.
You are absolutely right that it's better not to have surgery and there can be all sorts of complications afterwards. On the other hand, heart disease is still the #1 killer in the developed world and complications from that or type II diabetes are not a healthy way to live either.0 -
NoIdea101NoIdea wrote: »Of course we, and OP know, it is her choice, and no strangers on the internet is going to change it. But she asked for advice, and some people's advice was 'don't do it'. No meanness about it, just honesty.
I'm not sure when "honesty" became "tactlessness," but that honesty excuse is really overused here on MFP.
I notice this similar phrase in a lot of posts: "But I'm helping by being brutally honest!" Brutality does not need to be conjoined to honesty. That's like saying something cannot be honest unless it is brutal. It seems very self-serving. Which, I'm pretty sure, is what @kak22283 meant when she wrote "So stop being so mean."
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peter56765 wrote: »
You're two years post op? Did you have more restrictions when you just finished surgery? My mom had GB, and she was told about a shot glass worth of food/liquid at a time, although frequently just because her stomach was so small. I think it depends on the type of surgery as well.It's the water issue that makes me say hecks no. Your reduced stomach will only hold about 2 tbs of food/liquid at a sitting. How exactly are you going to drink enough water when you exercise? My cousin had it done, and she has to carry a water bottle around all day and take sips. She does not exercise because she cannot really replace the sweat with water quick enough.
Not sure where you got this information from - 2 tbs? I do an hour on the elliptical and finish a 23 oz bottle of water while doing so. I can eat much more than 2 tbs at a time. At first you can't eat/drink quite that much, but as you heal that changes. Your information is incorrect. Sounds like your cousin might be one of those people who gets surgery but doesn't want to do the work that needs to be done to go with it to ensure more success.
This is misleading. The restrictions you are describing are only in place for the first week or two after the surgery.OP, my mom had GB several years ago, and she lost a lot of weight. She has definitely regained weight though, and while she is smaller, she also lost a TON of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss and not doing weight bearing exercises. My mom is a good example of people who take the "easy solution" approach to the surgery. She had nutrient deficiencies because she didn't drastically change the diet; she ate small portions of the things she liked, but she severely lacked vitamins in her diet, and her hair started falling out. She knew she should get to the gym, and she'd go for a month or two, and then stop. And no matter how many times I've told her it's important to do weight bearing exercises, when she does go to the gym, she insists on doing water aerobics.
But she's lost weight right? Weight loss is not a cure-all by any means, however for a lot of people who are unable to do it on their own or for people who keep yoyoing, they are still better off being at a lower weight than they were before. As to it being an easy solution, from what I've heard of it, the way people end up eating less after surgery is because they quickly feel nauseous and sick if they try to repeat old habits. That's a pretty miserable way to live and it certainly does not seem easy.
You are absolutely right that it's better not to have surgery and there can be all sorts of complications afterwards. On the other hand, heart disease is still the #1 killer in the developed world and complications from that or type II diabetes are not a healthy way to live either.
I in no way meant to dissuade the OP, and you're right, my first comment isn't that that poster was wrong, but it is a limitation, it's just right after the surgery.
I'm not saying the OP shouldn't have the surgery; I'm trying to prove the point what happens when someone *does* try to use it as an easy way out. It works for a little bit, and then it stops working. Weight loss takes effort, surgery or not. And the OP has stated repeatedly, she realizes it's a tool.
I guess I was trying to provide incentive and evidence for doing it right; listen to doctors' advice on the types of foods to do, get exercise as allowed, etc. And my big take away was to START NOW. It takes a while to build habits, and it will be hard post op because surgery takes a lot out of people in general. It's best to try and start building healthy habits now to make it a little easier post op.0 -
I know several people who have had the surgery. Most have lost weight, some have regained.
Everyone one of them now has serious problems eating food. They have to be very careful what they eat or they have "issues". Presumably they end up throwing up and/or have diarrhea. We've never gone into details but when we go out to eat they are excusing themselves to the restroom every 5 minutes.
I believe many of these procedures require the patient to lose X amount of weight before the procedure. Have you done that? Are you required to?
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Also, to the OP, try other online forums, like thinner times and obesity help, they're WLS forums that will give you the support you're looking for. Let's be honest, you posted on a general weight loss board, on a non WLS website... Best of luck to you!!!
So we should only support what appears to be a hastily made decision and not list the dangers of such drastic choices? Okay then....
Not at all, but one can deliver this message with kindness rather than "brutal honesty" or "tough love."
(Only one or two posts registered as being unhelpful, but I haven't been keeping score.)0 -
maillemaker wrote: »I know several people who have had the surgery. Most have lost weight, some have regained.
Everyone one of them now has serious problems eating food. They have to be very careful what they eat or they have "issues". Presumably they end up throwing up and/or have diarrhea. We've never gone into details but when we go out to eat they are excusing themselves to the restroom every 5 minutes.
I believe many of these procedures require the patient to lose X amount of weight before the procedure. Have you done that? Are you required to?
I have had surgery and I have no serious problems at all. Not everyone has problems. Problems can occur when you start to eat too much, or eat certain things before you have healed properly, etc. Problems are generally avoidable and individuals often cause their own discomfort.
ETA - people who don't do what they are supposed to do have problems and often stall or regain, but if you follow the plan you can be very successful.
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i would just be so sad to not eat as much food as i wanted....
I also don't understand the doing this big surgery without seeing a therapist and or nutritionist, in my opinion (which obviously doesn't count for much) a doctor should require a patient see a therapist and nutritionist and attempt to lose weigh the old fashion way before they do this life altering thing to their bodies.
But it seems nowadays doctors are more about fixing the problems rather than preventing the problems.
To each their own, but I really don't like these procedures except in extremely extreme cases.
Good luck OP, I hope you find what you're looking for.0
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