Weight Loss Surgery vs Loosing Weight Naturally

reichardtjessica wrote: »

Thanks for all the input. I always told myself I wouldn't have WLS and just seeing my friend 70 lbs lighter than me in less then 2 months got me in my feelings lol ill continue to do it the natural way!

You may think 70 pounds in 2 months is great but in all reality it isn't. It is not just fat he is losing.

ETA for clarity

I have family members that have done it....nothing to envy. I think your success is wonderful and you're learning the strategies to maintain the loss. My family members were not so lucky...one is obese again...because they never learnt how to handle CICO.

I, too, have considered WLS. But It requires life long commitment and discipline, IMO, more than with non-surgical weight loss. It isn't a quick fix-- statistically only 50% of the weight comes off after surgery for the majority. 4 women in my family and 4 friends have had WLS and seeing what they have been through and how they have to eat for the rest of their lives and still struggle to lose the weight and keep it off while not being able to eat normally, as well as dealing with the side effects associated with malabsorption and malnutrition, I know that I personally do not have the discipline or commitment to have the surgery right now.

Ive had wls. It is just a tool

I was 387lb and very very ill. I had tried numerous methods including a GP approved vlcd that left me with deficiencies and GP prescribed gym who bless them banned me as they were worried about how ill i was. My GP did bloods several times telling me they were normal

I went thru a tier 3 programme (uk based, you have to prove you can comply, i did 18 months where the rest of my group did 6 months)

It was during this time i was copied in to letters sent berating my GP for not treating me for hypothyroidism and several other autoimmune diseases. Yup my doctor lied when they told me my bloods were normal

Post sugery i lost alot slower than others but in my seminar group others lost between 3 and 5 stone then regained. I lost 13 stone. I can eat anything going, i choose not to

I exercised, the others didnt. I took up the gym, running, swimming etc

I have had a bit of a regain, i had a horrendous pregnancy, lost one twin, developed hypoglycaemia, emergency stitch placed, hospitalised and gave birth at 25 weeks

I still have to deal with nasty comments from people (usually overweight acquaintances) who like to loudly announce how i didnt lose the weight, that surgery did. I police what goes in my mouth, one such group were sat at a cafe with me. I was eating salad they had fish and chips with a side order of cheese toastie and dessert. But yep its a line of staples.

I was also the one getting my *kitten* out of bed at 5am to exercise before starting the day but then im berated for being stupid, they dont get up till 8am i should be the same

Just focus on you and what you want to do

I would not take the step/risk of surgery and everything after since you are losing at a good rate without it.
WLS or not you will have to work to lose weight and keep it off. It isn't easier to do WLS just a different drastic way of reducing calorie intake.
Fast weight loss isn't better. Try not to compare to others.

I know several people who've lost weight with wls and have gained all the weight back plus some, and I know several people who've lost weight without wls and have gained all the weight back, plus some. The reality is whatever route we chose, statistically speaking most of us will fail at long term weight loss adherence ie maintenance.

Maybe your friend will be a statistical anomaly and beat the odds, going the route he's chosen. And maybe you will, going a different route. Only time will tell (for all of us).

Another vote for not doing surgery. If you lost 17lbs already you have already lost pretty near 20 percent of what you want. Or, you have shown that can do what is needed to lose the weight in what I consider a far better way. I agree with others to thrown the jealousy aspect aside and just continue losing naturally. As well it will set your lifestyle and eating habits up for better overall health down the road. Keep doing what you are doing and best of luck:):):)

My sister had WLS; It's not something I would like. 10 years post WLS, She still has so many dietary restrictions and chronic vitamin deficiencies. It just doesn't seem like something I could live with.

I've known a few WLS folks, and I had considered it as a last-ditch option before I came to MFP. Just like many things, WLS is great for some and not for others. It doesn't fix anything. The person still has to do the work to lose and maintain, and there can be some side effects that make metabolism a little janky.

I can tell you a friend who had WLS and has done well with it, but seeing her agonize over a list of can/can't foods really put me off from it. I totally get being jealous/envious of the rapid weight loss.

On the other hand, I've been really working at weight loss on MFP since September. I've lost 70+ lbs and am 70% to my goal and I eat anything that fits into my calories and didn't have to give up a single food I didn't want to give up. For me, that has been the real win. I know I will reach my goal in time, and I will have built up the eating and exercise habits along the way to maintain it.

Like many things, WLS may be right for some and not right for others. I certainly don't frown on it if it's something someone feels they have to do to get their life back. But, it's not a cure, and there is still a lot of work to be done.