Bariatric Surgery
YEGKate
Posts: 3 Member
I have been going to our local hospital's bariatric program called Weight Wise. It evaluates and supports your mental health, diet, and sleep. I have been prescribed Saxenda, Contrave and Ozempic to help me lose weight. None have. The doctor has said I would be a good candidate for bariatric surgery, and if I understand correctly, she says the only way I will lose and maintain any weight loss is by having surgery. Although my husband would support me with surgery, he would prefer I did not. I would prefer I did not. However, she said that population studies show people just will not be successful with significant weight loss on their own. The loss yes, but keeping it off it the problem. Hormones and set points come into play and is why most people regain the weight. Not sure what to do. This is a big decision, and would love to hear your comments and feedback.
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Replies
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I had Bariatric surgery and losing significant weight likely added ten years of health to my life.
However, you don’t want it. Don’t go in to a surgery that requires this sort of commitment if you don’t want it.11 -
I have been going to our local hospital's bariatric program called Weight Wise. It evaluates and supports your mental health, diet, and sleep. I have been prescribed Saxenda, Contrave and Ozempic to help me lose weight. None have. The doctor has said I would be a good candidate for bariatric surgery, and if I understand correctly, she says the only way I will lose and maintain any weight loss is by having surgery. Although my husband would support me with surgery, he would prefer I did not. I would prefer I did not. However, she said that population studies show people just will not be successful with significant weight loss on their own. The loss yes, but keeping it off it the problem. Hormones and set points come into play and is why most people regain the weight. Not sure what to do. This is a big decision, and would love to hear your comments and feedback.
I think (and it is only my opinion) that a lot of people fail at maintenance because they don't understand weight loss. For years and years I yo-yo dieted, I tried weight loss supplements, stupid diets, shakes, etc because I didn't understand Calories In vs Calories Out or Water Weight Fluctuations. So I'd eat "healthy" for a couple of weeks lose weight then go back to the way I was eating before or freak out over a 5lb gain and rage quit, not realising the majority of the gain was just water retention and have the mentality of eating well isn't working so I might as well just stay fat.
Now that I know the science behind weight loss I've more or less maintained the first part of my loss for 1 year and I am now working on losing the rest.
Surgery can he helpful for some, but you're still going to have to change your habits once you've had it, you can't go back to eating how you were, it's not a magic fix.
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I have been going to our local hospital's bariatric program called Weight Wise. It evaluates and supports your mental health, diet, and sleep. I have been prescribed Saxenda, Contrave and Ozempic to help me lose weight. None have. The doctor has said I would be a good candidate for bariatric surgery, and if I understand correctly, she says the only way I will lose and maintain any weight loss is by having surgery. Although my husband would support me with surgery, he would prefer I did not. I would prefer I did not. However, she said that population studies show people just will not be successful with significant weight loss on their own. The loss yes, but keeping it off it the problem. Hormones and set points come into play and is why most people regain the weight. Not sure what to do. This is a big decision, and would love to hear your comments and feedback.
Even if that were true (I'm not buying it), surgery wouldn't change that. Frankly, it sounds like your doctor is pushing you into a major life-altering surgery that you don't want.
Read some of the success stories in that sub-forum here. Plenty of people have lost significant weight (and maintained it for any number of years) without surgery. It's possible, just not easy. Surgery isn't easy either, and is no guarantee of long-term success.11 -
I would not do the surgery. Too many complications including death. And a huge failure rate at keeping it off. you don't say how overweight you are, but I have found that the only time I can lose and keep it off, is if I am here, counting calories, weighing and logging my intake. Every time I have regained it was that I neglected to continue those steps. I am not sure I believe the hormones, and setpoints as the reason for gaining again. All medications have side effects, and as far as weight goes, there is no quick fix. When my dr started pushing bariatric surgery on me I got a different dr. One that is supportive of losing weight by counting calories, weighing and logging food. Since you are here, give this method an honest try. Invest in a food scale if you have not already, learn to use it faithfully, stay within your caloric counts for the day, and log every bite every time. It will make a difference. Losing weight is not a quick fix but a lifestyle change. Maintenance of that weightloss is lifelong habit. Good luck and congratulations for taking this step toward a healthier you!
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For such a major decision, it's definitely worth getting a second opinion.
It would be useful to ask your doctor for more information on the studies she's referring to.
I've seen studies which support the hypothesis that participants regain slightly more weight after extreme, rapid weight loss (e.g. the Minnesota starvation experiment) but I'm not sure there's evidence to support the same in the case of slow controlled weight loss.2 -
Thanks to all of you who replied. I value all your comments. This is probably the biggest decision I will have to make. I have a lot of weight to lose, but either way, surgery or no surgery still requires me to make big changes in how I think and act around food choices. I am learning, but it’s taking me a while. Small changes have been made over the last 20 years and have more ahead of me. As my husband keeps telling me “slow and steady wins the race”. I keep trying to sprint. Best wishes to all.
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My advice would be not to let a doctor push you into a life-altering surgery if you do not want it. Aside from the potential risks involved (death being a big one), any weight loss plan, including surgery, will require you to make lifelong changes in order to be successful. It requires continuous commitment to an eating plan and exercise, with follow-ups with the surgeons, etc. I have seen people succeed with surgery, I have seen them succeed without. It's about the level of commitment and sustainability. One of my best friend got the gastric sleeve surgery and had many, many complications down the road that threatened her life. I have seen a couple of people lose and then gain a good chunk of the weight back, but I have also seen others lose and sustain (for the most part) with surgery. I think the difference in each of them is whether the changes they made were lifelong.
Best of luck to you. No matter the method you choose, weight loss is not easy. Just don't give up or let old, unhealthy habits creep in.5 -
HI Kate-
My whole family is heavy and I have been heavy most of my life, until now. I had two very close family members have bariatric surgery and they lost a good deal of weight. Even still neither have been able to keep the weight off. Over time they have been able to expand their new stomachs and gain the weight back. They slipped back in to old habits and well we all know what happens.
I think their are lots of benefits to the surgery but surgery or not we have to find weighs to create new habits that will support long-term health. For me this is continuing to log my food and carefully measure all portions. For others they have to find their own healthy habits.
I wish you all the best on your journey.4 -
Population studies tell you about the overall statistics within a *population*. They cannot, and are not designed to, predict individual success or failure, although they can certainly give you context of how many people succeed in losing weight and keeping it off long-term. The population studies do show a very poor rate of long term success, but even in that context there are still many people who have lost weight and kept it off.
Something to consider is that some people who have weight loss surgery are included in the people who lose weight and can't keep it off. It's not a guarantee that you will be successful. Nobody can guarantee that but you and your choices, something that is true whether or not you decide to have the surgery or not.
Good luck.1 -
Hi Kate, why not open a 'my journey' topic and ask people to support you. Invest into a food scale and, with the help of the kind people here see if you can slowly lose some weight. This is something you need to do before and after surgery anyway. So why not start here anyway?11
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My sister did it, well into her 50's. She had lost a hundred lbs several times but jut could not keep the weight off.
She lost the weight after surgery but it took a few years and to this day she still throws up, sometimes several times a day.
It's a very personal decision; are you going to support groups to discuss it?2 -
brookielaw wrote: »My advice would be not to let a doctor push you into a life-altering surgery if you do not want it. Aside from the potential risks involved (death being a big one), any weight loss plan, including surgery, will require you to make lifelong changes in order to be successful. It requires continuous commitment to an eating plan and exercise, with follow-ups with the surgeons, etc. I have seen people succeed with surgery, I have seen them succeed without. It's about the level of commitment and sustainability. One of my best friend got the gastric sleeve surgery and had many, many complications down the road that threatened her life. I have seen a couple of people lose and then gain a good chunk of the weight back, but I have also seen others lose and sustain (for the most part) with surgery. I think the difference in each of them is whether the changes they made were lifelong.
Best of luck to you. No matter the method you choose, weight loss is not easy. Just don't give up or let old, unhealthy habits creep in.
@brookielaw knows of what she speaks. Although she is humble and didn't mention it she has lost well over 200 lbs and faced big challenges and is an inspiration. Go look at her page and it may inspire you too Best of Luck. 8 -
"Most people" don't maintain their weight loss, even with surgery. Your doctor forgot to mention that statistic.12
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I had Bariatric surgery and losing significant weight likely added ten years of health to my life.
However, you don’t want it. Don’t go in to a surgery that requires this sort of commitment if you don’t want it.
Same here. I have not just improved my health, but my quality of life. It was the best choice for me. That said, in my opinion, it is NOT for everyone, and if you have even a shred of doubt, don't do it.
ETA - I personally have never heard of anyone dying as a result of weight loss surgery. It makes me crazy when people say this because most have never had real life experience with this either. If you look at the percentages of people dying as a result of ANY surgery, I don't think bariatric surgery has a higher percentage. I have heard of people dying as a result of health complications because of morbid obesity though.4 -
Hi Garber6th-
While I think it is a viable solution for many. I googled it and people do die.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20041007/studies-weigh-risks-of-gastric-bypass-surgery#1I had Bariatric surgery and losing significant weight likely added ten years of health to my life.
However, you don’t want it. Don’t go in to a surgery that requires this sort of commitment if you don’t want it.
Same here. I have not just improved my health, but my quality of life. It was the best choice for me. That said, in my opinion, it is NOT for everyone, and if you have even a shred of doubt, don't do it.
ETA - I personally have never heard of anyone dying as a result of weight loss surgery. It makes me crazy when people say this because most have never had real life experience with this either. If you look at the percentages of people dying as a result of ANY surgery, I don't think bariatric surgery has a higher percentage. I have heard of people dying as a result of health complications because of morbid obesity though.
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I had Bariatric surgery and losing significant weight likely added ten years of health to my life.
However, you don’t want it. Don’t go in to a surgery that requires this sort of commitment if you don’t want it.
Same here. I have not just improved my health, but my quality of life. It was the best choice for me. That said, in my opinion, it is NOT for everyone, and if you have even a shred of doubt, don't do it.
ETA - I personally have never heard of anyone dying as a result of weight loss surgery. It makes me crazy when people say this because most have never had real life experience with this either. If you look at the percentages of people dying as a result of ANY surgery, I don't think bariatric surgery has a higher percentage. I have heard of people dying as a result of health complications because of morbid obesity though.
I can't speak to percentages, but I had a friend who died during bariatric surgery. She was obese....but nothing like the people you see on "My 600 Lb Life". So, it does happen.
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I agree with most of the others on this page. I had gastric lap bad surgery 10 years ago. For me, it was a total failure. I lost about 25 lbs and then went back to my old eating habits and gained over 30 lbs more than I was when I had the surgery. Bariatric surgery is a tool...it is NOT a magic cure. You still need to watch your calories and monitor what you eat. You still need to be 100% committed. If you eat high fat foods, drink sugary drinks, etc. you will not lose any weight. I don't blame my failure on the band...I blame my failure on me. I absolutely would not get bariatric surgery unless it is something you want and are willing to following the doctor's recommended eating/exercise plan. I'm back at it again...but this time I'm just doing it by limiting calories and exercising...no more surgery for me.3
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Hi Garber6th-
While I think it is a viable solution for many. I googled it and people do die.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20041007/studies-weigh-risks-of-gastric-bypass-surgery#1I had Bariatric surgery and losing significant weight likely added ten years of health to my life.
However, you don’t want it. Don’t go in to a surgery that requires this sort of commitment if you don’t want it.
Same here. I have not just improved my health, but my quality of life. It was the best choice for me. That said, in my opinion, it is NOT for everyone, and if you have even a shred of doubt, don't do it.
ETA - I personally have never heard of anyone dying as a result of weight loss surgery. It makes me crazy when people say this because most have never had real life experience with this either. If you look at the percentages of people dying as a result of ANY surgery, I don't think bariatric surgery has a higher percentage. I have heard of people dying as a result of health complications because of morbid obesity though.
I can google a lot of surgeries and it will show that people die. Web MD also has this article about the risks of surgery in general -
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/sizing-up-surgery#3
I googled a BUNCH of articles that list the surgeries with the highest mortality rates, all were different, only one listed gastric bypass, and they all listed stomach ulcer surgery as a higher risk. You can find anything you want on google and it doesn't mean it's correct information.
Many doctors offer the option of vertical sleeve gastrectomy over gastric bypass because it's less invasive surgically and physically, and there is not a much elasticity for the stomach to re-stretch as much as it could with gastric bypass.
Speaking for myself, I felt the small risk of having surgery was small in comparison to the risks I was facing as I was pushing 400 lbs. Surgery got me out of danger faster than I would have on my own. That's my truth. I still agree it is NOT for everyone, but it was right for me.
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"Most people" don't maintain their weight loss, even with surgery. Your doctor forgot to mention that statistic.
Since I was wooed above, thought I would share a few research/report articles about weight gain after bariartic surgery.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/bariatric-surgery-patients-see-weight-gain-after-honeymoon-period-080515#1
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26076054/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/miracle-weight-loss-isnt/#.XD-fSeyIa9c
https://brighamhealthhub.org/gastrointestinal/gained-weight-after-gastric-bypass
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I know quite a few people who have had bariatric surgery. Some were huge successes, some had it reversed (they had the type that could be), and others have put weight on, and have not continued with the necessary commitment to live well after the surgery. The bottom line is, you need to make a major commitment with however you choose to lose the weight. The success stories, that had the surgery, still work hard every day.
On another note, bariatric surgery has a huge financial return for the hospitals that have Bariatric centers, and your doctor does not sound like he's putting your needs first.4 -
"Most people" don't maintain their weight loss, even with surgery. Your doctor forgot to mention that statistic.
This. There's a dismal success rate for long term weight loss success regardless of how the weight loss happens (surgery or not).
But, there is a small percentage that succeeds and there's a large number of long term maintainers that hang out here on the forums. We're the statistical anomalies who have beat the odds and are successfully maintaining our weight goals for the long haul, some here 10+ years. Some have had WLS, many of them have not. Regardless though, it comes down to changing your mindset, learning how CICO actually works, adjusting behaviors and habits and then committing to being a part of the small percentage that beats the odds.
I'd hang out on these forums for a while and learn from the people who have figured out how to make this whole thing work for them, long term.6 -
ive lost 120 pounds through diet and exercise. maintained that for 3 years and now on to the last 30.
ive (personally known, not 'internet known') more people who gain weight back from bariatric surgeries than who kept it off successfully. many on here have kept it off, but not without effort.
No matter what path you choose, it is a commitment and a lifestyle change.5 -
It’s a big decision. I am good friends with two people that had the surgery and they both lost significant weight fast. One recovered easily, the other struggled for a couple weeks. After three years, they both regained the weight and I think psychologically, that has been the hardest part. Devastating really. I know people have benefited greatly but in the end, the surgery forces you to eat less but that doesn’t stay that way forever. I don’t have an answer but eventually, it comes down to being able to reduce portions on your own. If that’s the kick start you need, awesome. If you can find a way to do that without surgery, even better.3
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Whatever you decide, wish you all the best.3
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I am so happy to read your comments, inspired by looking at some of your before and after photos, and reading those profiles that I have access to. Sending each of you warm thoughts and thanks for taking the time to respond.4
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WLS is a huge committment. If you aren't prepared to do it then I suggest waiting. I had a lapband installed and had to get it removed due to complications. It didn't help me lose any weight. I had dieted on and off for most of my life but at 59 I lost over 100 lbs on my own with calorie counting. I have maintained for over a year now and intend to continue. What changed? My perspective. I was concerned about my health and I decided to figure out what weight loss program I could live with for life. Most people diet with the short term in mind thinking they can go back to their old habits some day. This is a mistake. Find a way of life you can live with and stick to it. I am thrilled that I was able to lose the weight without cutting up my body any more than I had. If you choose that route you will still need to make similar changes (maybe even more drastic ones) in your eating lifestyle.
There are several big losers on here who have lost large amounts of weight and kept it off without surgery. I suggest learning from them and checking out the success stories section. I also will suggest a book called "Thin for Life" which tells the story of people who lost and more importantly MAINTAINED their loss and how they did it.
Good luck.4 -
Hop over to the member blogs and read back from @The_Movie_Chair's blog. It's a documented weight loss with all of the real struggles and victories, with Life's ups and downs thrown in. This lady has stuck with it and literally changed her life. It's an awesome read (as are other blogs over there). You can do this. Yes, it's going to be hard, but it will be a total brain shift in your relationship to food either way. Maybe delay the surgery and give it a go making lifestyle changes. With a supportive husband, you already have someone on your side
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"Most people" don't maintain their weight loss, even with surgery. Your doctor forgot to mention that statistic.
One of the main reasons people don't maintain weight loss is because they don't follow the plan they are given by their surgeon and his team. Like with any other lifestyle change involving your health, you still have to do the work and you still have to be consistent. Surgery is not the be-all, end-all, it is a tool, and like any tool you might have in your tool box, you have to use it the right way to get the best results.
ETA - I am a believer that you have to work on yourself from the inside out. Before I ever considered WLS, I went to a therapist because in my opinion there had to be something wrong for me to have let myself get to 400 lbs. I think working on my issues gave me an advantage as far as approaching WLS with the right mindset to be successful. If you aren't mentally ready for it, you can be setting yourself up for failure.3
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