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More people need to get educated on weight loss surgery.
Livematthew25
Posts: 27 Member
in Debate Club
Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. If you think it is, you have been lied to. There is a very long approval process and a very long adjustment period after. There can be pain, sickness and follow-up surgeries afterwards not to mention comments made in ignorance by people who have no clue what you go through emotionally, physically, spiritually and finacially. All of this just to get you a little closer to being ready to diet and EXERCISE for the rest of your life just like everyone else or gain it all back! There are no free rides!! Surgery is a tool not a free ride!! I put this under debate because I know a lot of people are against getting the surgery.
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Replies
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You are right, surgery is not the easy way to lose weight. Surgeons want to do surgery.16
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Most people need to be educated on a lot of things now a days. No surgery isn’t the easy way out and doesn’t teach you a healthy lifestyle, but nowadays people are all about aesthetics and image regardless of side effects or ailments that come along with it. I’ve learned to make the consequences known then shut up and let people do what they want with their bodies. It’s not worth my time to give my input for it just to be shut down. Some people just won’t listen anymore regardless of side effects. They just want the easy way or the quickest way, even if it technically isn’t in the long run20
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I don't really disagree with the OP that people should be educated about weight loss surgery. I'm not sure that everyone on the planet who has the surgery receives the same level of preperation, counseling and after care.
I'm against the surgery unless the person has a need to lose faster because of a serious health condition A lot of people do seem to think it is a replacement for watching what you eat and changing your activity level. I think surgery is the harder path to take and should be taken extremely seriously. If you have studied the topic, consulted with your doctors, know the risks, prepared yourself to work hard then you will probably be more succesful than someone who says they want it because dieting and exercise don't work for them.16 -
Yachts need bling. That's what bariatric surgery is really for.28
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I don't see why people in general need to be educated on weight loss surgery.
Someone considering it? Yeah, obviously that person should.
I'd agree it's not really the easy way out, but if it's not easier -- or more to the point, if it isn't sold as easier and the person doing it doesn't expect it to be easier -- why do it? That I don't think it is (not having surgery seems way easier to me) is one reason I wouldn't. That said, I don't judge people who choose to have it, their reasons and their business.24 -
I don't need to be educated about it because I'm not interested in it and wouldn't need it for myself, and I could give a rats *kitten* what other people do.32
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Perhaps approach the people who are saying it's the easy way out and have this conversation with them. I have seen several conversations on these forums over the years about bariatric surgery and it's typically a mixed bag of reaction. Generally speaking, I think many people know that it's not an easy way out, although some still do. People make the decision to have surgery for a multitude of reasons, but most I have spoken to chose the surgery out of fear for their health and well-being and feel like they have no other choices. They are scared and feel trapped. I'm not saying that's true for everyone. Some make the decision to use it as a tool towards their goals, and hopefully receive the appropriate before and after care, but not all do. There are options, but none of them are easy. Simple maybe, but not easy.10
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There are a fair few people facing wls, who realise having been set the target of loosing so much before the operation that the surgery is no longer what they actually want or need and continue to loose weight without surgury.14
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I agree to the effect that weight loss surgery can not remove any emotional factors connected to overeating and binge eating.12
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JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Yachts need bling. That's what bariatric surgery is really for.
My surgery was done where medicine is publicly funded. All of my previously medicated chronic conditions are in remission. Where are the yachts in my scenario?
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If anyone is considering it and not getting educated about the pros and cons and lifestyle change get another surgeon ASAP. Before I could even be considered I had to lose 50 lbs and go to therapy and see dietitians. I did lose my weight naturally as the risks were far worse than the outcome.16
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JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Yachts need bling. That's what bariatric surgery is really for.
My surgery was done where medicine is publicly funded. All of my previously medicated chronic conditions are in remission. Where are the yachts in my scenario?
My dentist owns a Bentley, no lie.9 -
We have farmers and mechanics doing just as well. The difference is doctors and surgeons can’t advertise and their rates are publicly negotiated.8
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I'm not against WLS completely - I'm just against it being pushed as a first line decision, which in my experience is what a lot of PCPs are doing. And I"m against the surgeons who don't give their patients the full, complete truth as to what they facing, who trot out all the success stories instead of being realistic in the successful outcomes or who tell them that "you can't gain the weight back" or "you won't even want to eat and your cravings will go away" which is what my brother experienced when he had the surgery done. He admits that there was a lot of things he was told before that didn't hold true afterwards, such as the "your cravings will go away" thing. And there are a lot of people who look to have it done because they think its going to be easier - i.e. my sister in law, who found out after she had it done that it wasn't nearly as easy as she had thought it would be.
I'm not against the surgery completely as I understand that there are many people for whom it truly is the best option for them for their health and who has truly tried losing the weight and failed in many other ways. I just wish that more would be done both by the patients themselves and by the doctors involved in educating them so that they know exactly what they are getting into as its a serious surgery, it can have life threatening side effects, and its permanent - there is no going back after having it done.
And to those who scoff at the idea of it being a money racket, while its a life saving procedure for many people, it still is a money racket in some areas, just like a lot of stuff in the medical business. It is a business, after all, and if the business wasn't making money, they wouldn't be offering the procedure.
On the flip side, a little more knowledge of the ins and outs for the general public would help, IMO, for others to understand more of what the patients go through, because there are a lot of people who think having the surgery done is cheating and who dismiss the efforts made by the patients to lose their weight because of it. There's this attitude that if you can't do it through sheer willpower alone, then your efforts aren't real, and that's a shame.13 -
I think a lot of people (myself included) are easily swayed by anecdotal info about WLS. I also think that now it has become confusing with all of the different types of WLS. I remember 15 or so years ago it was used as a last-ditch effort for super mega obese people. Now I know women who weigh maybe a little over 200 lb and get lapband surgery like it's Botox or something...it is advertised on billboards around town with 50 doctors performing various WLS. I do understand that it is something to be taken seriously and it's not "the easy way out" but unless you really take the time to research it (which I haven't, honestly)...meh.7
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I think medical professionals need to be educated about it so they can appropriately screen patients before recommending it. Seriously life-threatening medical issue that can be remedied with WLS, like advanced T2 diabetes? Sure. Obese person who binge eats/compulsively overeats/emotionally overeats, maybe the should try a lot of other interventions to fix the root problem and be guided through realistic weight reduction techniques before suggesting making a stomach smaller. WLS is a powerful tool, but it's not a permanent solution.
Medical professionals also need to learn about success rates, complications, and the benefits of a patient having counseling and support groups with dieticians, psychologists, and successful patients. I was under the impression that counseling was required before and after having a surgical bariatric procedure, but apparently that's not always the case.8 -
Should people be educated? Sure. My husband and I made an educated decision for him to have WLS to save his life. He was NOT going to do it on his own, sad as it may be. He does not have the willpower or desire to change his eating habits on his own. So no, it did not change any root cause issues, but it allowed him to drop 100lbs and keep it off for 14 years and no longer be at risk of dying in his sleep.33
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We have farmers and mechanics doing just as well. The difference is doctors and surgeons can’t advertise and their rates are publicly negotiated.
http://www.thejournal.ie/doctors-ireland-3457857-Jun2017/
I know it's focused on Ireland, but it's typical of all countries with socialized medical care. Their doctors emmigrate to other wealthy countries, their country brings in doctors from less wealthy countries.
Is it really bad that this happens? I can't say it is, but it does seem sad that a young Irish, or a British, German, or Canadian, doctor feels forced to run away from his or her home country to seek appropriate remuneration.9 -
I'm not sure anyone actually thinks it is easy. My issue with weight loss surgery is that at somepoint if an obese person is going to maintain a healthy weight after losing the weight they are going to need to learn how to eat in such a way as to not put the weight back on. If the obese person loses the weight through calorie counting and restriction and over a long period of time by the time they hit their target weight they have basically formed the habits necessary to maintain their weight. If, instead, they lose the weight rapidly through a surgery like a stomach staple that basically makes it so they can't eat very much at all then they aren't actually learning how to eat properly...they aren't building the habits they are going to need later on and I would imagine most of the time they end up putting the weight back on.
I think weight loss surgery has its place, like in the case where a morbidly obese person is likely to die in a few years if they don't lose the weight now...but I don't think it is a particularly good way to lose weight and keep it off.16 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »I'm not sure anyone actually thinks it is easy. My issue with weight loss surgery is that at somepoint if an obese person is going to maintain a healthy weight after losing the weight they are going to need to learn how to eat in such a way as to not put the weight back on. If the obese person loses the weight through calorie counting and restriction and over a long period of time by the time they hit their target weight they have basically formed the habits necessary to maintain their weight. If, instead, they lose the weight rapidly through a surgery like a stomach staple that basically makes it so they can't eat very much at all then they aren't actually learning how to eat properly...they aren't building the habits they are going to need later on and I would imagine most of the time they end up putting the weight back on.
I think weight loss surgery has its place, like in the case where a morbidly obese person is likely to die in a few years if they don't lose the weight now...but I don't think it is a particularly good way to lose weight and keep it off.
100% agree with this, and why I dislike so much the current push for the surgery as the answer to the obesity epidemic. I agree it has its place; that place just shouldn't be front and center for every obese person. And I find it rather frustrating how people get rushed through the so-called checks for surgery candidacy. My SIL had to go through the mental evaluation and was supposed to adhere to a diet for 6 months before the surgery to prove she would adhere to the lifestyle changes afterwards. She didn't adhere to the diet at all, but the surgeon went on with it anyway. At first, she had to be very careful what she ate because certain feeds did not sit well with her at all, and she suffered the common side effects of the surgery, but as her body healed and those became less of an issue, she has already started adding things in that she shouldn't - such as excessive alcohol consumption. And she has plateaued in her weight loss because of it.
My brother and my SIL both still have regular check ins with their surgeons, but come to think of it, my brother never talks about seeing a nutritionist or anything like that; there's an online support group of folks who've had the surgery and advice provided by the surgeon on what to eat, but that's about all the post operative care they get.
My SIL had it done 18 months ago; my brother had it done 8 months ago; my cousin had it done 3 months ago. Of the 3 of them, the only one I expect to be able to keep the weight off long term is my brother, and that's because he is taking it upon himself to study and learn about proper nutrition. I seriously doubt my SIL or my cousin either one (neither of whom are studying things out for themselves but who are just relying on what the doctor tells them) will keep it all off long term; time will tell.2 -
I think the comments prove the OPs point that people do not know much about WLS.
The thinking that people get weight loss surgery and just go back to their regular lives is false on so many level. WLS patients are weighing, tracking, and regulating their food from the day that they leave the hospital. There are specific guidelines that they follow through all stages post op. There are regular post op visits to watch vitamin levels, look at the patients weight loss/gain, check their food logs,etc. WLS patients do learn about nutrition and fitness for long term success. There is also a large community of support in the WLS community. Most programs have in person support groups and there are so many online forums and conferences. Of course a patient can choose to ignore all the rules and never go for their checkups and gain the weight back but almost everyone I have met in the WLS community is dedicated completely to their health, nutrition, and exercise. I have yet to meet someone in person who regrets the surgery, even those who did have considerable amount of complications still do not regret their decision in the long run.
Most programs require some sort of pre surgery nutrition classes, therapy, support group attendance, and/or weight loss requirement before surgery can be preformed. A lot of bariatric patients have lost 100's of pounds over and over again throughout the years but have not been able to keep it off until they had the surgery. Surgery has so many physical, psychological, cardiovascular and metabolic advantages. It is not just about making the stomach smaller so you eat less. WLS is about long term success. What will help an obese person be healthier in the long term. In the long term, surgical patients are far more successful at sustaining weight loss than those who choose non-surgical methods.23 -
I'm getting gastric bypass surgery in july. I have been in this process for 11 months now. I have made the proper changes in my life, but in the past 11 months have only managed to lose 37 pounds. I have a few medical issues that make losing weight and keeping it off extremely difficult. I have 175 more pounds to go to be in a healthy weight range. I am 5'3.5. I weigh 301 pounds. I have educated myself on the whole process. I was the one who brought it up to my doctor. I self referred myself to the bariatric clinic for the information seminar. I have a managed weight loss plan i follow, I exercise daily, and I am set up with a nutritionist. I have literally lost and gained the same 100 pounds 2 or 3 times over the years. I didn't make this decision lightly, i researched both the pros and cons for 7 months before bringing it up to my doctor. This process has not been easy by any means. I've had plateaus, I've gotten sick a couple times, my hormones have been out of whack to the extent of bleeding for weeks on end due to fat loss. The whole thing is worth it though. I've learned a whole new way of eating, i focus on protein first and eat vegetables and fruits as sides, sugar free jello as a snack and sometimes have a fudgesickle for dessert. I get my endoscopy on the 17th, a sleep study in the next few weeks and an ekg. I'm going to Florida for vacation on the 19th and we are planning on being very active the entire time we are there. I booked a hotel room with a full kitchen so we can make our own dinners and keep it healthy.15
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lcoulter23. I wish you so much through all this. I understand something of "hormones being out of whack". Its something only those with their own experiences who can possibly have the slightest clue of all you are going through.
Most of all I hope the "we" you refer to have the most wonderful time together. Keep on taking care.2 -
lcoulter23. I wish you so much through all this. I understand something of "hormones being out of whack". Its something only those with their own experiences who can possibly have the slightest clue of all you are going through.
Most of all I hope the "we" you refer to have the most wonderful time together. Keep on taking care.
Thank you! My boyfriend and I have been together for 20 months and are taking our first vacation together! We're going to both Disney world and universal studios. We're planning on taking our own food and snacks with us to avoid the high priced calorie rich foods.
I'm getting both very excited but nervous about surgery. The good thing is, I have aspergers syndrome and so I am a stickler for following things to the letter when I am given instructions. I'm very detail oriented. Thus the extensive research on the surgery lol3 -
I personally don’t care what someone else chooses to do with their body, I however on my journey to being healthy and thinner I look up to woman/men who haven’t had gastric surgery because I admire the strength & dedication that it takes not just to workout but the struggle to go out and have to face temptation and either say no or make a healthier choice and watch your portion. Someone how has had any kind of gastric surgery has a smaller stomach, they can only eat as much as an egg or so = reducing the amount of calories you can take in. Just my humble opinion and everyone should choose whatever path works for them.9
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I personally don’t care what someone else chooses to do with their body, I however on my journey to being healthy and thinner I look up to woman/men who haven’t had gastric surgery because I admire the strength & dedication that it takes not just to workout but the struggle to go out and have to face temptation and either say no or make a healthier choice and watch your portion. Someone how has had any kind of gastric surgery has a smaller stomach, they can only eat as much as an egg or so = reducing the amount of calories you can take in. Just my humble opinion and everyone should choose whatever path works for them.
WLS patients literally do the exact same thing. And they can eat well more than an egg.
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Livematthew25 wrote: »Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. If you think it is, you have been lied to. There is a very long approval process and a very long adjustment period after. There can be pain, sickness and follow-up surgeries afterwards not to mention comments made in ignorance by people who have no clue what you go through emotionally, physically, spiritually and finacially. All of this just to get you a little closer to being ready to diet and EXERCISE for the rest of your life just like everyone else or gain it all back! There are no free rides!! Surgery is a tool not a free ride!! I put this under debate because I know a lot of people are against getting the surgery.
I wish I could tag my M.I.L in this. She got weight loss surgery and is using it as an out to eat the same, not exercise, etc. I keep trying to tell her that just because the weight is gone does not mean she is now healthy, but she doesn't get it. Never will.7 -
peaceout_aly wrote: »Livematthew25 wrote: »Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. If you think it is, you have been lied to. There is a very long approval process and a very long adjustment period after. There can be pain, sickness and follow-up surgeries afterwards not to mention comments made in ignorance by people who have no clue what you go through emotionally, physically, spiritually and finacially. All of this just to get you a little closer to being ready to diet and EXERCISE for the rest of your life just like everyone else or gain it all back! There are no free rides!! Surgery is a tool not a free ride!! I put this under debate because I know a lot of people are against getting the surgery.
I wish I could tag my M.I.L in this. She got weight loss surgery and is using it as an out to eat the same, not exercise, etc. I keep trying to tell her that just because the weight is gone does not mean she is now healthy, but she doesn't get it. Never will.
Unless I'm misunderstanding the post, if her excess weight is gone then she's not eating the same as she was before. She's eating less.5 -
I personally don’t care what someone else chooses to do with their body, I however on my journey to being healthy and thinner I look up to woman/men who haven’t had gastric surgery because I admire the strength & dedication that it takes not just to workout but the struggle to go out and have to face temptation and either say no or make a healthier choice and watch your portion. Someone how has had any kind of gastric surgery has a smaller stomach, they can only eat as much as an egg or so = reducing the amount of calories you can take in. Just my humble opinion and everyone should choose whatever path works for them.
WLS patients literally do the exact same thing. And they can eat well more than an egg.
Sorry but it’s Not the same.9 -
I personally don’t care what someone else chooses to do with their body, I however on my journey to being healthy and thinner I look up to woman/men who haven’t had gastric surgery because I admire the strength & dedication that it takes not just to workout but the struggle to go out and have to face temptation and either say no or make a healthier choice and watch your portion. Someone how has had any kind of gastric surgery has a smaller stomach, they can only eat as much as an egg or so = reducing the amount of calories you can take in. Just my humble opinion and everyone should choose whatever path works for them.
WLS patients literally do the exact same thing. And they can eat well more than an egg.
Sorry but it’s Not the same.
What do you see as the key differences?
People who have had WLS will still have the urge to eat, they still have to watch their portions, they're still facing the same sorts of temptations we all face. They may be restricted in how much they can eat, but they're still capable of consuming more energy than their body can use.10
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