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Honest opinions on weight loss surgery
Replies
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MikePfirrman wrote: »I'm an Executive Recruiter and one search I picked up this year was because (unfortunately) the person that had the job had died from complications of WLS. Years ago, one of the parents on my kids soccer team nearly died as well from WLS. No surgery is easy. When you're morbidly obese, even more risk. I would guess that many don't know the full risk or simply ignore it.
The thing that gets me is that you usually have to lose weight to qualify. Many times, this is the first time that those considering the surgery have really tried to lose weight using CICO. Once they prove to themselves it can be done that way, why go through with the surgery?
I lost over 70 lbs and have kept it off without surgery for over 5 years. So it's not like I haven't been obese before myself. [/quotas
as I understand it choose a doctor who did all of their work in bariatrics...many many doctors don't and then choose bariatrics. NO. get one that did ALL THEIR PREP WORK INTERNSHIPS RESIDENCY etc in bariatrics.0 -
Well, i think instead of going towards the surgery. You should go towards the natural way of losing weight i.e. by doing some games, exercises an using green tea.18
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My colleague's father is a popular surgeon and he does bypass surgery as well. She told me that almost all cases regain the weight back in 1-2 years. I personally know one person who only lost in the beginning and then gained all the weight and more. And another girl but she was not obese she was only overweight so most doctors refused her case but she found one and did the surgery and lost weight. And now she still gain weight and then lose and so on like most ppl. To consider the amount of suffering you have to go through after the surgery. I know how desperate one can get and it is not easy to lose especially in the beginning, and you would want something radical and for sure will work. But I really don't think it works unfortunately.3
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Evelyn_Gorfram wrote: »
I am superobese (BMI = 46); and, at a routine check-up a few years ago, my GP very tactfully addressed my weight, its current impacts on my health, and my risk of future weight-related complications, just as he usually did.runnermom419 wrote: »Nothing good can really come out of cutting out a portion of your stomach and should only be used as a last-ditch effort after everything has been exhausted.
Then, just as I was about to walk out the door, apropos of absolutely nothing, he asked if I had ever considered weight loss surgery.
I was shocked at his abruptness, and at the implication that I was really that superobese, but I just said that I hadn't. He said that I would probably be eligible and gave me a brochure.
So I looked into it. I was really surprised to learn that WLS only works for weight loss when combined with medically supervised diet, exercise, and counseling. I also read up on the surgery itself, its long term success rates, and the potential complications. My intellectual self decided that it seemed like a bad bet.
What I'll call my visceral self reacted more strongly. I've been overweight since the second grade, and took lots of grief over it from just about everyone in my life. This included my parents, my doctors - this was back in the day when you couldn't get treated for a hangnail with a lecture on your weight - and, worst of all, my schoolmates - this was back in the day when bullying was treated more like a rite of passage than an unacceptable form of behavior. All of this is what lay behind my gut reaction that my doctor wanted to mutilate my innards as a punishment for me being fat.
I know full well that that is not what he said, and not what he wanted, and not why he wanted it. But I have never been back to that doctor since.
I have thought about pretending that I want the surgery, though, so I can get approved for the period of medically supervised diet, exercise, and counseling leading up to it. I'd do the stuff, learn and lose as much as I could, and then opt out at the last minute. AFAIK, that's the only way I'll ever get Medicare to help me lose weight.
I bet there's a way to explore this without violating your sense of honesty. Starting down that road doesn't mean you're 100% committed to it. I've seen many people here say they started the process and decided they could continue without the surgery.
Also, looks like there are Medicare sponsored weight loss programs that are independent of WLS.
https://www.healthcompare.com/articles/plans-and-coverage/medicare-coverage-for-diet-exercise-weight-loss
...If your doctor evaluates your body mass index (BMI) and determines that your BMI is 30 or higher, Medicare Part B will cover behavioral therapy sessions to help you lose weight. This counseling may be covered if you get it in a primary care setting, such as a physician’s office, where it can be coordinated with your other care. Your physician can help you create a personalized plan to improve your health with diet and exercise.4 -
I don't think it is an effective means to weight loss without accompanying it with a lifestyle change. I think that eventually the person will gain back to weight if they continued the same nutritional habits that they had prior to the surgery.1
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Here's my story: When I was 160 lbs overweight with a BMI in the high 50's, I decided weight loss surgery was my best option, and my doctor agreed. I went through the required six months of dietary counseling, psychological testing, and educational components, and really dedicated myself to learning everything I could about the process. Eight days from my surgery date I called the surgeon and cancelled the procedure because I realized it would be the hardest thing I would ever do, and once done, my life would never be the same. The pain, the side effects, the food restrictions, the long term chances of malnutrition, osteoporosis, dumping syndrome, not to mention the likelihood of regain. Most WLS surgery patients are required to start losing on their own prior to surgery--even if it's just a few pounds, and I had begun to lose weight in preparation for the procedure. So after much soul searching I decided to call it off and see how far I could go through my own diet and exercise efforts. I've lost 115 lbs In the past year, and though it has been hard work, I made the right decision for me. I support and admire anyone who chooses surgery because they are brave, strong, determined individuals. In the end, I couldn't do it.31
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Weight loss surgery is a tool. One of many. I am now 44 years old. In early 2015, I am convinced I had a heart attack. I stayed in bed and hoped I would die in my sleep. I weighed 307lbs.
I had done every diet on the market, my weight yo-yo'd from puberty. In 2012, no matter what I did, I couldn't lose weight. I exercised, followed strict diets, tried pills, I did everything anyone told me to do to try and lose weight.
All obese people are not lazy. Many have ended up with metabolic disorders that, WLS, seems to fix as an added bonus.
On October 15, 2015, I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. My stomach is now about the size of a banana. My insides were not rerouted, just my stomach reduced.
In the next 10 months, through therapy, nutritional counseling, and a lot of exercise, I lost 165 lbs.
Since then, I have gained some of that weight back, I'm currently 160 lbs. I'm working on getting the weight back off. I got "lazy" with my food portions. I stopped weighing, stopped planning snacks, started grazing. So, the weight came back on, easily.
It is by far the easy way out. It's a tool in my toolbox. I chose to have surgery to give myself a chance to live. I would definitely have died if I didn't lose all that weight. I'm much happier and more well adjusted since losing the weight.
It really pisses me off for people to call it the easy way. Easy? Having surgery? Living for almost a year on less than 1000 calories a day because you can't take more in? Drastically changing your view on food and your entire diet overnight? BUSTING my *kitten* 9 times a week in the gym? Yes, NINE times a week. That first year was AWFUL.
But, I have a great program, with great follow-up and education. I am smart enough to know I need ongoing therapy for my issues with food. I am smart enough to know when I need help and reach out. I am tough enough to succeed and be in that % that does get the weight off and keep it off.
There is no way anyone who knows anyone that has done it and succeeded can imply that WLS is the easy way out. For some of us, it's the ONLY way out.9 -
I don't think it's easy. It sounds hard (and a bit scary) to me. I can understand why people feeling hopeless would take that help too.
What I find upsetting is that "therapy, nutritional counseling" seems to be available (covered by insurance) or offered (so that people are aware of it as an option) for many people with surgery, but not otherwise, and I think this is probably something that would help a lot of people lose weight even without surgery.10 -
I don't think it's easy. It sounds hard (and a bit scary) to me. I can understand why people feeling hopeless would take that help too.
What I find upsetting is that "therapy, nutritional counseling" seems to be available (covered by insurance) or offered (so that people are aware of it as an option) for many people with surgery, but not otherwise, and I think this is probably something that would help a lot of people lose weight even without surgery.
This is something I strongly agree with, and it really bothers me when people who potentially could continue to lose weight without surgery if they were able to continue with the pre-surgery counseling are put in the position of getting the surgery regardless or having the support withdrawn.
I believe the choice to have surgery shouldn't be framed as get the surgery to get the weight-management support. WLS is the right choice for many people, but no one should feel that it's their only choice in order to continue with a non-surgery stratagy that is working for them.
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I don't think it's easy. It sounds hard (and a bit scary) to me. I can understand why people feeling hopeless would take that help too.
What I find upsetting is that "therapy, nutritional counseling" seems to be available (covered by insurance) or offered (so that people are aware of it as an option) for many people with surgery, but not otherwise, and I think this is probably something that would help a lot of people lose weight even without surgery.
This is a mentality that is slowly changing. Many firms offer wellness programs which stress education over direct action. The problem is that far too many people think they know this information, but are only educated in misinformation.3 -
Hi , i was looking for some honest opinions on weight loss surgeries such as gastric bypass and sleeves etc. While it's great people are bettering their health do you feel the person who makes hard lifestyle changes and loses the weight on their own works harder ? Is it wrong to feel that way? . I guess to me when you decide to change your lifestyle and really grind for what you want health wise it seems slot harder vs losing weight with surgical help, maybe I'm wrong but I'd like some opinions, like I said it's still grwat when anyone betters their lifestyle
Maybe it depends on why you're doing it? I have a friend who had to get it because she had to lose the weight quickly to save her life. It worked and she's doing wonderfully.
And then there's those for whom weight loss is a major issue (see MY 600 POUND LIFE) where there's also a time factor in saving the life or in controlling diabetes.
But if a person can demonstratively lose the weight, why put yourself through that pain? I knew a woman years ago who needed to lose 100 pounds. And she had no threatening conditions. She just wanted to get thinner faster.
She ended up with a bunch of sagging skin (which can happen and has happened to me without surgery, but not as badly).
She then went back to her old ways and regained 50. I felt very bad for her!
This is just my opinion based on what I've seen. It really seems to be a matter of why you want it as to whether or not you should get it.
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If you make no lifestyle changes then this will just be a temporary fix, I've seen people do this and lose a ton of weight only to gain most of it back many years later. I have also seen it cause health issues, like bowel obstruction.1
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I'm 10 weeks post op, 11 weeks tomorrow. I had to do a year of medically supervised weight loss before insurance would cover it. I had gastric bypass. I lost almost 50 pounds preop. Most was while on a mostly liquid diet because my stomach didn't digest food correctly. I'm now down to 254 from 340. I'm still on mostly liquids because my tiny stomach doesn't tolerate much and my taste buds have changed drastically, but if I hadn't made the changes pre-op, in preparation for surgery, I'm not sure I would ve doing as well as I am. I did have to have a second procedure because of complications, but it was all worth it just because my digestion problem seems to be fixed. I'm also off of a handful of meds I was on before surgery. Surgery is only a tool. If you aren't willing to put in the hard work, it will not be a success. I watch what I eat and stay on plan every day. This was my last resort, and it was worth it to me just to be able to eat a tiny bit of real food again. My stomach is the size of 3 baby fingers put together in a fist. My max consumption is about an ounce at a time. I'm still learning my full signal. Also, I have to force myself to eat because I'm never hungry. My foos I can eat right now are cheese, yogurt, and sometimes chicken thigh or hamburger meat and mashed potatoes.5
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I had the gastric bypass and the results have been life-changing. I most appreciate getting my mobility back, though getting off all my medications was a big plus.
I had the gastric sleeve and it has changed my life. I am now in onederland from highest weight of 330. I had such a hard time losing weight before because I was a volume eater and severely depressed. I've had to deal with the depression and exercise but it is so much easier to lose weight. I know I will have to keep up the discipline because I get hungry when I don't exercise. It is still a lifestyle change and mindset change. I try to eat healthy and I take my vitamins every day. I have a more physical job which helps burn calories too. I try to burn as much as I can most every day. I hate being fat. I've been that way my entire life and I want to be thin now. The wls gave me so much hope that I can get there and not struggle so much with food every day.5 -
I was overweight enough to qualify for surgical intervention. I seriously considered it--expense, recovery, scars, restrictions, and lifestyle change. Instead I finally decided I was the one in control of my body, and started doing the things I know work for me.
I am grateful that I didn't go for the surgery. I'm thankful that I can still move, and diet, and take control of my own health. For me, surgery is an ace in the hole I hope I never have to play. I don't think surgery is the easier way. I look at it as the option for someone desperate to save their life. I'd much rather see someone go in for surgery, than have a heart attack or stroke. There should never be any judgment over doing what you need to get healthy.
I've lost 60 already, and I've got another 65-70 to lose. I've gone from diabetic to borderline, dropped my BP, and reduced my risk for heart attack and stroke. I will always be on a diet. I know I'll never be the one who can eat 2,000 calories a day and not gain weight. My diet now is close to what I'd be eating if I went through the surgery. I have been blessed that I have the support of my family. My husband and daughter have each lost 25 lbs with me.
What would be more expensive, weight loss surgery, or hiring a trainer and dietitian to help you make lifestyle changes? I've been thinking that this would probably be a better option than surgery--unless you were too heavy to move.9 -
cariwaldick wrote: »What would be more expensive, weight loss surgery, or hiring a trainer and dietitian to help you make lifestyle changes? I've been thinking that this would probably be a better option than surgery--unless you were too heavy to move.
Before my surgery, I had nutritionists, dieticians, personal trainers, memberships to a variety of gyms. I was incredibly motivated and honestly tried. My body would not let go of the weight.
I ended up moving to a new area, had a hard time finding a PCP that I liked. I finally did. The second time I met her, she asked me about surgery, I flat out refused. The third time I met her, she gave me a brochure for the surgery department. I threw it out. I was trying. I could do it on my own. I had the tools, I knew how. But, my body wouldn't let go of the weight. The fourth time I met her, she told me I had to go to an information session if I wanted to see her again. I did.
She saved my life. I went. I listened to a very magnanimous man speak about the surgery and how it could save me. I left there, researched three other local programs. That man became my surgeon.
It had nothing to do with money. I'd be willing to bet I spent almost $10k on gym memberships and training before surgery. I had multiple food sensitivity tests, I had auto-immune tests, all paid for out of pocket to try and figure out why I wouldn't lose weight.
After surgery, I continue to pay my gym membership. I paid for one year, twice a week personal training. The second year, I paid for once a week training. The third year, I continued once a week for about six months. I know continue at the gym, but know how to work out and don't feel I need the trainer anymore, but will absolutely pay again if I feel like I do.
This is absolutely not about money. Never has been. It was about saving my life before my weight got to the point that it killed me, or one of my comorbidities did.
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Happy you found something that worked for you, and had a good result!NicoleL874 wrote: »cariwaldick wrote: »What would be more expensive, weight loss surgery, or hiring a trainer and dietitian to help you make lifestyle changes? I've been thinking that this would probably be a better option than surgery--unless you were too heavy to move.
Before my surgery, I had nutritionists, dieticians, personal trainers, memberships to a variety of gyms. I was incredibly motivated and honestly tried. My body would not let go of the weight.
I ended up moving to a new area, had a hard time finding a PCP that I liked. I finally did. The second time I met her, she asked me about surgery, I flat out refused. The third time I met her, she gave me a brochure for the surgery department. I threw it out. I was trying. I could do it on my own. I had the tools, I knew how. But, my body wouldn't let go of the weight. The fourth time I met her, she told me I had to go to an information session if I wanted to see her again. I did.
She saved my life. I went. I listened to a very magnanimous man speak about the surgery and how it could save me. I left there, researched three other local programs. That man became my surgeon.
It had nothing to do with money. I'd be willing to bet I spent almost $10k on gym memberships and training before surgery. I had multiple food sensitivity tests, I had auto-immune tests, all paid for out of pocket to try and figure out why I wouldn't lose weight.
After surgery, I continue to pay my gym membership. I paid for one year, twice a week personal training. The second year, I paid for once a week training. The third year, I continued once a week for about six months. I know continue at the gym, but know how to work out and don't feel I need the trainer anymore, but will absolutely pay again if I feel like I do.
This is absolutely not about money. Never has been. It was about saving my life before my weight got to the point that it killed me, or one of my comorbidities did.
Out of curiosity, do you know how many calories you consume daily after surgery, versus before surgery? Do you have any insight into what was causing non-surgical methods to fail for you?
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rheddmobile wrote: »Happy you found something that worked for you, and had a good result!
Out of curiosity, do you know how many calories you consume daily after surgery, versus before surgery? Do you have any insight into what was causing non-surgical methods to fail for you?
I would have to go back eons and look, but my bariatric surgeon says that with years of yo-yo dieting, we can seriously mess up our metabolism. I had followed weight watchers to a T, LA Weightloss, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, you name it, I tried it. I was on strict 1000 calorie diets up to 1800 calories. My body just got to the point where it wouldn't release anything. Even on his 2-week pre-surgery diet most people lose 10 - 30lbs. I dropped 3.
Even my first three months post-op were much slower than most other people. My body just hit a point where it decided to let everything go and I ended up exceeding all of his expectations. *shrug* No clue. My body just finally gave in.
Right after surgery, the first 8 weeks you are really consuming nothing. (On my plan, surgeons all have different plans) The first week was only clear liquids, two weeks full liquids, two weeks pureed foods, two weeks soft foods...this is the stage you can finally add significant calories, but it's still a few hundred calories a day.
I still eat about 1000 calories a day. If I workout, I add in more. It's not easy, even now. But, it has been worth it. I am active, healthy, happy, way more emotionally stable than I was before. I can't think of one negative for me...
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Why are we spending time judging each other via a procedure? Doesn't the world do that enough? I suggest each person do the research, understand what works best for themselves, and does what they need to do. Sharing stories on personal journey's and supporting each other seems more productive and human to me.2
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cinger0439 wrote: »Why are we spending time judging each other via a procedure? Doesn't the world do that enough? I suggest each person do the research, understand what works best for themselves, and does what they need to do. Sharing stories on personal journey's and supporting each other seems more productive and human to me.
I think there are multiple threads on WLS in the "Motivation and Support" area. Those are going to be geared towards what you're looking for. This is the "Debate" section, where we tend to get more into our personal opinions and assessment of the overall pros and cons of things.8 -
I had to look back through here but @janejellyroll is correct. You've been here quite awhile, so you know the drill. You might want to start your own group or join another for support.5
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janejellyroll wrote: »cinger0439 wrote: »Why are we spending time judging each other via a procedure? Doesn't the world do that enough? I suggest each person do the research, understand what works best for themselves, and does what they need to do. Sharing stories on personal journey's and supporting each other seems more productive and human to me.
I think there are multiple threads on WLS in the "Motivation and Support" area. Those are going to be geared towards what you're looking for. This is the "Debate" section, where we tend to get more into our personal opinions and assessment of the overall pros and cons of things.
Besides, @cinger0439 this is a two year old thread. 🤷🏻♀️2 -
missysippy930 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »cinger0439 wrote: »Why are we spending time judging each other via a procedure? Doesn't the world do that enough? I suggest each person do the research, understand what works best for themselves, and does what they need to do. Sharing stories on personal journey's and supporting each other seems more productive and human to me.
I think there are multiple threads on WLS in the "Motivation and Support" area. Those are going to be geared towards what you're looking for. This is the "Debate" section, where we tend to get more into our personal opinions and assessment of the overall pros and cons of things.
Besides, @cinger0439 this is a two year old thread. 🤷🏻♀️
Haha, oops! Completely missed that!1 -
I see this a lot on Instagram. It's the "I lost weight naturally" statement that drives me up the wall. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. That's it. Almost all of the people I personally know that have had it (some the sleeve and a few the gastric bypass - RouxNY) grind it out in the gym on the regular and watch what they eat. The one or two that don't do this have gained back quite a bit of the weight. One is almost at the same weight she was when she got the surgery. By 4 years out, the sleeved patient's stomach has gotten big enough that if they make bad choices when eating, they will gain weight just as easily as someone who has not had the surgery. Sure, they lose weight rapidly in the beginning - they're only allowed to eat first liquids and then soft foods. Their stomach is still healing and swollen for quite a while after surgery. After that initial period, more effort has to be expended.
Sure, you could easily see this as a waste of money but for the vast amount of people that get this done, it does save their life and create new and healthier habits.
If you only remember one thing from my post, it's this - everyone has to work at losing weight, whether they have had the surgery or not. It's just the tools they use to do it don't look the same.1 -
the people I know who have gotten the surgeries have gained most of the weight back5
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the people I know who have gotten the surgeries have gained most of the weight back
The sad truth about weight loss is that the vast majority of people who lose weight wind up gaining it back. I think your anecdotes suggest more about the nature of *weight loss in general* than they do about weight loss surgery specifically.10 -
I don't view surgery as "easy". If someone makes any change with the goal of becoming healthier, I can't see anyone having a problem with it. And if they do, it's really none of their business.6
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I'm under the impression someone who gets surgery has to be even more diligent, plus survive and recover from a surgery.4
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I recently had the gastric sleeve surgery. It was a hard choice for me. I put it off in 2018 because of fear and my husband. I tried on my on hit a Plato. Couldn't get past 272. My left knee was hurting me my right knee I had a partial knee replacement it was starting to hurt again. Now congenital heart failure. I reached my highest 314. It was not always over eating but emotional eating or skipping meals being depressed. I had the surgery. It is still a challenge. But I am on track still working hard watching everthing I eat exercise steps. After the first month you have to put the work in or it was a waist of time to do the surgery.8
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My mom had her stomach stapled 36 years ago. Honestly, it ruined her life. She was never really ever able to eat a proper meal after that. In the first year she did lose a whole bunch of weight. Over the next 6 years gained half of it back. Then decided to make some sustainable lifestyle changes. After doing that, she lost the weight and kept it off.6
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