Not trying to be so negitive but..

I think everyone has to make the decision that is right for them.

For WLS to work long term, people that go through that have to put in the work too or it comes back (like you are starting to see with your mom). Believe it or not, some people that have had the surgery will eat highly fat and calorie ladden things straight - like butter. Because it wasn't being hungry that caused them to gain the weight. So, I don't think any way is the easy way out. I think you have to put a lot of hard work into addressing root causes of issues for anything to work. Sure, WLS helps the weight come off easier, but it doesn't ensure the weight is going to stay off or you are going to be a happier person. But, some people need that boost to start working on what the real issue is.

And congratulations on the work that you have done!!!! No matter what learning good eating habits and exercise habits is a MUST to maintain weight loss and you are definitely doing that!

I agree. I have several acquaintances that have had the surgery. They are very small, but their skin and hair look sick. {Not being mean, they just look unhealthy}. I have been working hard and see very SMALL results. I just know they are thinking " Why don't she just have surgery?" If my life was in danger I could see it, but other than being overweight I have no health issues (for that I am thankful). I am just determined to do it the healthy way, however long that takes. Good for you on your loss! Keep it up!

This can be a hotly debated topic here. Congrats on your successes with the choice you made. I'm going to sit back and watch the poo storm build now.

SCOOT OVER TEDDY, and hands him a beer...lets watch this show together !! I think one will get good .

Honestly, I feel the same way with my friends who are doing HCG. At the end of the day, though, I can only focus on myself and what I'm doing. When I hear them talking about how hard they worked to lose weight, I just smile. They are doing what they feel is best for them, just like I'm doing what I feel is best for me.

congrats on your weight loss.

I have never been overweight, however, I don't feel one way or another about people who choose to have surgery to lose weight. I'm not sure that any surgery is easy; there are certainly risks that include death. My guess is people who choose that route cannot, for some reason, do what you have done. Perhaps they don't have the willpower, support, knowledge . . . whatever it is that they're lacking to succeed with another method.

I have a brother-in-law who must be nearly 400 lbs., he is only 50 years old, but in need of double knee surgery due to his weight.

I wonder why he DOESN'T get lap band or some other such weight loss surgery instead of knee surgery, but it is not my body, so really not my business.

In any event, you should be proud of your accomplishment regardless of what others are doing.

blessings.

Congrats on your weight loss. I know 4 people that have had the surgery. And while initially it might seem to be the "easy way out," here is what I know about those 4 people. What I don't know is if there were medical reasons for their initial surgeries.

#1. I never would have know if he had not had medical complications. It did not seem to work for him at all.
#2. A co-worker that I initially met a few years post surgery. He has been packing on the weight for the past couple of years. I see what he eats...if he initially changed his habits he has reverted to the old ones.
#3. Friend's mom...probably a bit of 1 and 2 combined.
#4. Very good friend that I must say looks fabulous, but her journey was not without issues as she had some "addiction" tranfserence and struggled with alcohol addiction. She has since quit drinking.

I understand that bariatric surgery can be a lifesaver for some people and I get that. But IMO, 25% is not a very good success rate.

Stand tall for the courage and commitment it takes to ungergo a body revamp. Loosing weight is not easy for anyone, but it is especially difficult when it takes twice the amount of time it does for surgery patients. I see patients daily who have had the surgery and the weight comes back!~ Now this does not imply that my weight or your weight will not return, but when you work so hard to accompllish a goal, you often think twice.

The mental anguish, and the pain that is associated with weight is horrid! The brain will always function the same, but when you dramaticaly cut caloric intake after bypass, your brain goes hay-wire...You have adjusted yourself through milestones and hard days, and good! Remember we all choose what works for us, and you will BE healthiere in the long run because of moderation and not extreme.

I am not bashing any weight loss surgeries! I realize the year of tests and pain to get to this point must be strenuous! There is both positive and negative! Neither situation is ideal nor easy! The obstructions, mental anguish and nutrient deprivation is nothing to play with!

With whatever path we choose, hopefully the same result will be yielded!

Be proud of your accomplishment, and be proud of your Mom! When we begin to understand that others take pride in our difficulties, we tend to look at their reactions different.

Keep up the amazing work, and remember your body thanks you!

Honestly, I feel the same way with my friends who are doing HCG. At the end of the day, though, I can only focus on myself and what I'm doing. When I hear them talking about how hard they worked to lose weight, I just smile. They are doing what they feel is best for them, just like I'm doing what I feel is best for me.

I like this Doing what is best for you-- congrats on your weight loss so far!

I think you are amazing to do it this way. People will have so much more respect for you.

Anytime someone starts a sentence with this statement, they know that they are being exactly what they say they do not intend to be. "I don't mean to insult you, but..." "I don't mean to be a bother, but...", "I hate to sound like an azzhole, but..." Just come straight out and say what you mean without hiding behind a disclaimer. As a close personal friend of a Bariatric Surgeon, I know of many people who have regained weight after having bypass. I also know of countless success stories associated with it. Just because this was not your choice does not make it wrong. And I am sure that in the past, you have lost and gained weight just like your friend has who had the surgery. And as far as someone having so much more respect for you because you did it the "hard way", child please. I feel no lest respectful of my friend Andrea who lost 135 pounds after her lap band several years ago and has kept it off, than I do for my brother who lost 100#s the hard way and now has regained it all back and more. Just do you and let others do what they feel is best for them. Step off your high horse and applaud success in any way, shape, or form. Surgery is never easy...unless you are an officer of the Starship Enterprise.

OK so as a person who had family try to talk me into having the lap band surgery and even going to a hospital to get information on it, i am totally against the surgery route to lose weight. for one the risks are really high that there might be a problem during or even later. i was a big guy at 535 pounds when i started losing weight and wanted to take the easy route, but i was way to scared to actually follow through with it. and on top of that i have a coworker who had the surgery and it worked for her, but she started eating too much again afterward and ended up worse than she was when she started. yes losing weight is hard work and no one wants to put the effort in anymore, but i have lost 90 pounds in 9 months, with most of it being lost since i started on this site. the support of other people with the same battle is so amazing. the bad thing is i have friends where i work that make fun of me for one of the things i do. i go to zumba 3 times a week and love it, but they continuously are making fun of me and laughing at me, but yet have i seen any of them doing much to better themselves. 2 of them were strength training with me, but one of them dropped out and it is just me and another guy. but lifting weights is not enough. OK i am gonna shut up now...