Bariatric Surgery

My Twin sister is having a gastric sleeve surgery this week. Whereas I only have around 50 pounds to loose, she has around 150. I truly think it is the best choice for her. Surgery isn't the easy way out, I know she is scared because she has 2 children and it is surgery, but she has medical issues that might be solved with weight loss. If you can loose weight without surgery then good for you, most can't and won't. I also know 2 people who have had the gastric bypass surgery (one had the duodenal switch type) and both are very happy with their choices, because it may have bought them a few more years of health, but you will have to weight the advantages versus the disadvantages.

As someone who has dieted for years (I do not remember a valentines day, when I wasn't dieting) real changes are hard. I even did a complete liquid diet and did loose all the weight I needed , but here I am dieting again 2 years later. I have never been very large, but if I was and it threaten the quality of my life such as being diabetic, then I would consider it.

My advice, talk to talk your doctor and nutritionist and see what they think (surgery programs usually require meetings with a nutritionist and a therapist to judge if you are a good canidate for the surgery).

No one on this board, can tell you what is right for you, only what they think is right for them.
You know you best.
what ever you you decide, good luck on your road to health

Thank you everyone for your responses!!! Even the heated moments because these are the arguments i am having with myself

.. i am signed up for the bypass surgery, the lapband has not been very successful, with men my age, and i have several other co mobidities.. and one is acid reflux, which the lap band does not help as much...

the diabetes is my main concern, since i just reached 6 years, and most endo.. doctors, believe you have 7 years to turn it around with the surgery... i am surprised that i have not been able to drop my insulin amount since i have lost the 34 pounds.

the reason the dr. wants 300 is he thinks that most of my weight is in my stomach, so if i lost the 40 pounds that my stomach supposidly will shrink...

and thanks, i wondered too, if the dr.would cancel the surgery if i dont loose the weight...

lol, i did pass the pyshiatric interview, about my eating habbits, so either she feels that i can overcome it... or i am crazy enough to fool her.... guess i will find that one out afterwards....

i had lost 80 pounds after i was first diagnosed with diabetes, from fear of dying... but unfortunately it doesnt take long to figure out how to eat a lot, and not raise your sugar level... so when i quit smoking a few months later, it all came back, i got down to 302, i did not break the 300 pound barrier, which i have weighed for about 20 years....

thanks i wrote all the pros and cons down and will definately go over them over and over again, until the day of decision comes...

I would give the Duodenal Switch a look before you decide --- you can learn more at www.dsfacts.com

I think you should keep going with MFP and avoid the surgery if you can. I know several folks who have had the surgery, and only one who was actually able to keep off the weight. The others put it back on because they still overate. It seems healthier, although slower, to lose the weight by modifying what you eat than through surgery. Laproscopic or not, it's still invasive.

you must not know enough people who have had WLS because I had the Duodenal Switch and the success rate is a lot high, I know people that are 10 years out and still maintaining their weight loss. Check your facts before you go and bash.

Leighby1987: You chose to have a life, not wait for your life. Don't ever apologize for your decision to have surgery. It is not an easy fix and it is not for whimps. There is no one right answer for everybody.

I couldnt have said it better myself!

I joined this site roughly 4 weeks ago looking for some options to my weightloss, I am always trying to mix it up and even after 28 months I am constantly learning. Look you can tell people feel strongly on both sides of the equation but whether your right and I am wrong or vise versa is a stupid argument for either side to have when it comes right down to it, I for one am happy for anyone that is able to regain control of their life regardless. 28 months ago I was starring down the barrel of a load hand gun. I had ate myself into corner. Severe depression, food addictions, Severe social phobia's... I couldn't walk from room to room, I was 560 lbs. and I literally had not left the house in 2 years. After 3 days of contemplating taking the easy way out I finally had that Aha moment and when my wife came home I took the first step any addict can take and that is admitting I had a problem and that I needed Help... When you hit rock bottom and have nowhere to go but up (and even though you don't know how to get out of the hole you have dug yourself into) You stop saying no and start saying yes no matter what and that is what I did. I knew from the start Surgery was Not an option for Me. I weighed 230 in the 6th grade 160 in the 7th grade 250 in the 9th grade 280 when I graduated, 209 when I came out of the Army, and 560lbs. at my worst. I knew for me if I didn't fix the problems in my head then no matter what I did there was no way I could fix the weight issues once and for all. So I gave into the process, and said yes to whatever I was asked to do. I found out I had full blown type 2 diabetes, along with a host of other Super morbidly obese problems. Everything was baby steps, from therapy both mental and physical, and I took each small victory in stride and continued to set new goals. I knew this time there was going to be no second chance and that I had to commit this time and not give in to temptations like I had so many times in the past. I worked with a dietician from the beginning and we got me structured so that I dropped roughly 2 pounds a week. I had to start exercising in the water because I could not support my weight on land. I spent the first 1 1/2 years in the pool and dropped 175 lbs. then I was fitted for braces for both knee's (have grade 3 osteoarthritis both knee's torn meniscus both knee's and torn ACL in my left knee) I am on 3 pain pills and get knee injections to by time to get through my weightloss then I will be getting knee replacements. This month marked a major milestone on my journey, I am now literally half the man I use to be... Current weight 277 lbs. Amount Lost: 283 lbs. So my point is you have to weigh out your options and what is best for you, Was my way easy, Heck No!!! I have alot of blood, sweat and tears in my journey and I am not done yet, but I finally got it.... I didn't go on a diet this time, I knew this was going to be a total lifestyle change and until you are able to admit to that you won't be successful either way you decide to go. Just make sure whatever you do it is your decision and you can live with it and then do what is best for you...... I wish you all the best on your journey.......

I had a lap band done in March 2010. No matter what surgery you have done or if you have no surgery.....it still takes committment, healthy eating and exercise to lose weight. If you are following a 1500 calorie diet, you can't eat high fat foods such as Fast Food, pies, cookies, cakes and candy ...keep under your 1500 calories and lose weight. That is what got us all in trouble in the first place. Surgery is not for everyone....it is not the easy way out like some people think. There are issues that you need to deal with such as vitamin deficiencies, dumping and hair loss. Everyone has to make their own decision. I wish you luck.

Pam

The most important thing to remember is to get the best WLS doctor you find. So many new doctors are doing it now. I had my RNY 22 yrs ago in Florida and My main concern was experience . I had a few complications with mine, I developed hernia at incision line and after 12mos I had a ulcer. But I never regretted my decision. I had lots of negative people when i had mine, I trusted the doctor and guess what, the negative people ended up having the RNY surgery within 5 yrs.
My family and friends saw my success and they also had the RNY, 10 of them. None had any complications. They are all successful except one of my friends, who never did follow what the doctor told her and regained her weight and more. If I had not had the surgery I am sure I would be 500 pounds by now. The most important thing is to get the weight off. The tool you are given is wonderful and lasts a lifetime. It is up to you to make it work. With all the pitfalls of surgery, No surgery is fun, at end of day the weight is gone. I still cannot eat a big mac that I use to eat 2.
Good luck on whatever you decide.

Having bariatric surgery is not an easy fix or an easy way out as some people think. I had my GB two years ago. I weighed 348 and now I weigh 227. Some days are beter than others. I have had a few side efffects due to the surgery but, in the end it saved my life. I was a severe diabetic on
5 insulin shots a day and taking 2000mg of metformin. I was diagnosed in 2000 and if it weren't for WLS I would either be deceased due to an enlarged liver or on kidney dialysis with very severe complications as I had before my surgery. My AIC levels were 10.7 and now they are 5.5 which is perfect. I primarily drink protein drinks, very soft foods and vegetables that are soft like baby food mostly due to severe GERD. (Gastral Esophageal Reflux Disease) I take Nexium, Tums, Pepcid and Maalox but, it is
controlled with avoiding spicy, caffeine and acidic foods. I have adjusted. For me, Gastric Bypass gave me an "entire new lease on life" and I am off
not only all my diabetes meds but, high blood pressure, cholesterol and depression meds. WLS is a personal decision that is not a
quick fix but, requires dedication and is only a tool. It is indeed a lifestyle change but, one that has drastically changed my life...for the
better. Good luck to you and God bless. MFP is a wonderful support system for me as well as friends and family.

Having bariatric surgery is not an easy fix or an easy way out as some people think. I had my GB two years ago. I weighed 348 and now I weigh 227. Some days are beter than others. I have had a few side efffects due to the surgery but, in the end it saved my life. I was a severe diabetic on
5 insulin shots a day and taking 2000mg of metformin. I was diagnosed in 2000 and if it weren't for WLS I would either be deceased due to an enlarged liver or on kidney dialysis with very severe complications as I had before my surgery. My AIC levels were 10.7 and now they are 5.5 which is perfect. I primarily drink protein drinks, very soft foods and vegetables that are soft like baby food mostly due to severe GERD. (Gastral Esophageal Reflux Disease) I take Nexium, Tums, Pepcid and Maalox but, it is
controlled with avoiding spicy, caffeine and acidic foods. I have adjusted. For me, Gastric Bypass gave me an "entire new lease on life" and I am off
not only all my diabetes meds but, high blood pressure, cholesterol and depression meds. WLS is a personal decision that is not a
quick fix but, requires dedication and is only a tool. It is indeed a lifestyle change but, one that has drastically changed my life...for the
better. Good luck to you and God bless. MFP is a wonderful support system for me as well as friends and family.

Pray on it! Continue doing what you're doing and pray, it will come to you!

I know some people who have had it done, and it has helped them, but they still have to make an effort. I assume since you've spoken to a doctor they've told you about how you won't be able to eat as much, can't eat certain foods, etc. It's a big choice, but I'm sure you'll make the right one.