bariatric surgery

I also struggled with this decision. I actually went through all the pre-surgery requirements and got approved for surgery. I had elected RNY and was supposed to schedule it sometime this month. After all that I decided not to go through with the surgery. The risks were too much for me to deal with at this time. So, here I am. MFP has been a HUGE motivator in helping me lose weight. No, it's not easy and not as fast as RNY surgery would be but I'm taking one day at a time. I would recommend trying MFP first for 6 months to see how you do on your own. Tracking calories and everything you put into your mouth will help. I had no idea how many calories I was truly eating everyday *shocking*. Good luck!

I think it depends on each individual person... our opinions are going to be based on our experiences and feelings, not your life and what you're going through... ya know?

For myself, I wouldn't do it... I'm too damn stubborn and insist on "doing it all my own way", haha. But I know 2 people who have had surgeries like it, and it worked wonders for them. They already had all the tools (healthy diet/lifestyle and exercise), and surgery helped them break past a barrier they weren't able to overcome themselves.

I do think it's important to view it as a tool that can be used to help achieve your goals, rather than an end-all-be-all life fixer. If you don't already have an exercise routine, meal plans and ideas, and calorie counters like MPF... start getting them. Get your life on track with these things BEFORE the surgery, because you'll most definitely need them afterwards. And it will be much easier to accommodate the new lifestyle you'll be taking on if you've already set yourself up for it.

(edited-to-add) PS - congrats on your success Cruella!

I had gastric bypass surgery in December 2010. I lost all the weight that I will due to surgery within the first year ie 30% of my body weight. For me that was about 6 stone. Now I have another 5 stone to go by hard work & exercise. At least now I can!! I have Multiple Sclerosis & my MS meant that I could not exercise & lose weight well & my weight made my MS worse. Something had to give, so I had surgery. Since the surgery it has not been the easiest time & I can understand why friends would not advise me to have it done. When I made my decision they were supportive but it does mean a whole new lifestyle, as well as the risks associated with surgery. I suggest you do some research before you even consider how it may work for you. I used BOSPA web site as a very good way of gaining info. Do not use websites that have a vested interest in getting you to have surgery.

For me, this has been a good decision. I have no regrets and although I NEVER get value for money when eating out, I still go out with friends as it is more about socialising than eating! Never have I vomited as much as I did in the first 4 months after surgery & there are still some foods my stomach can not tolerate 18 months down the line. (pasta, bread, beef to name a few)

Make your own decision but talk to those who have been there. They will be honest with you. Look at why you have the relationship with food that you have in counselling & do not think that this will just disappear! Please feel free to message me if I can help further.

to get bariatric surgery or not? i need some opinions please.

What type of bariatric surgery are you considering. Someone on this site had a duodenal switch, can't remember exactly who.

Found it Leighbie 1987 mentioned the duodenal switch in this post: She eats a lot but only absorbs one third of the food.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/602457-calories?page=2

I completely agree with imsomony. You have to understand that there is no magic . Neither with or witho ut surgery , neither with or without MFP, YOU have to do a job! You have to understand what is important for YOU . I had my bariatric surgery on October 13, 2011. I am spool glad that I'very got my LapBand!!!! I LOVE it!!! But, it IS a TOOL!!!! I am lucky I have it! I call it MY HELPER. However , I had to teach myself to eat properly (with a great help of my surgeon and nutritionist ), I had to start moving again. I have to remember to do it day after day. Not my band, not some magic, not my membership in MFP. ME! It makes no difference if you do the surgery or anything else. Ask yourself ARE YOU READY for a change . My LapBand helped me to understand myself. My band helps me on daily bases, but... I could cheat if I wanted. The question is WHAT DO I REALLY WANT. Think and make a decision . No matter what, you have to eat healthy , you have to watch what you eat, you have to get moving. There is no question about it.
Hope it helps. Good luck!
Warm regards ,
Marishka

This is definitely something you need to research and see if this is the right thing for you. I would suggest looking into a program that does the surgery and go to the meetings they have with people who are interested as well as those who have already had it. Ask questions and decide if you can live with it. You will have to lose some weight on your own prior anyways, so give MFP a try and surround yourself with some good supportive friends. Feel free to add me if you'd like...I would support you either way. Research the surgeries, but also nutrition. Find what works for you.

I looked into doing the surgery and did some pre-op assessments and decided it wasn't for me. Gastric bypass was more risky (esp since I have a clotting disorder) and I couldn't imagine that there were foods I may never be able to tolerate again (I love food..and I don't know that I want to give anything up). All the surgeries required supplements and possible nutrition deficiencies. I have seen people be successful, but more often I seen them gain some or all of the weight back (that is just from people I know...not a scientific study). The surgery is a tool and you still need to make dietary and lifestyle changes.

So after doing an upper GI, meetings, dietician, hematology/oncology consult and a psych eval, I made that choice for me and I am glad I did. I tried to lose the pre-op weight and I just struggled back and forth. I joined MFP and even then it took me a month or so to stick with it. Now I have found my groove. In the past I always dieted. Not this time. I eat quite a bit and I am never hungry. There are no foods that are off limits and I don't feel deprived. I have made some great lifestyle changes and it seems like a switch went off in my head and there is no stopping me. I'm down 52 lbs so far and still have around 100 to go but for the first time in my life, I know that I can do this.

I hope that the process I went through helps you in your decision. Either way, you are going to make a change in your health and I commend you for taking that step. You can do it and you can be successful. Best of luck.

I am against it, one of my friends had it. She's lost the weight, but is getting her second skin removal surgery in a month. That has been her biggest problem is the excess skin. Also, do the rapid weight loss, you may have to have your gall bladder removed.

My cousin had this surgery done, she was really over weight when she had it done. She passed away less than a year ago from all the complications. She basically starved to death because they messed the surgery up so bad, and none of the 'fixes' worked. She lived for 3 years after getting the surgery done and had over 6 different surgeries because she couldn't eat. I know that this is an extreme case, but the fact that it could happen at all would make me second guess it. She left behind four children 4-14 years old.

Hi there,

As mentioned above, I think it is very important to consider the risks. While it is more likely you will have a successful surgery, complications are not rare. Also because the surgery is still relatively "new", long term effects are still unknown for the general population who might be doing okay now.

My mother had this surgery 7 years ago and has been in and out of the hospital ever since due to infections, malnutrition, and other unexpected complications that all relate back to the surgery. She is currently in a nursing home as she needs around-the-clock nutrition maintenance. It was so hard for me to watch her struggle with her weight and take such a drastic measure for her health, when in reality she is doing far worse than if she were still heavy. As above, I realize this testimonial is not an every day occurrence but from first hand speaking to her doctors, severe complications are becoming more common.

If you have any questions at all please contact me. As a current medical student, I've done a massive amount of research and I know that this surgery is something I will be working with for my entire career. Hope to help and give unbiased advice.

There are risks so make sure you understand them. They don't advertise how many fatalities they have and not happen at the time. Many happen months later. I am not saying it is not successful for some but for others they are not as lucky. I live with the pain every day of losing my mother to this procedure. I knew that I wasn't going to be a statistic either way so I am doing this without. Not saying that is better as both are very hard. But I won't be a number that they hide under the carpet and don't tell people about.

You can do it. Yes it is so very hard. But a gastric does not guarantee results, does not make you "skinny" and you can gain every single pound back if you don't learn to eat correctly.

Think about it carefully. It is a big decision and may have consequences you did not plan for.

I don't knock anyone for choosing to regain control of there life by any means necessary, that being said for me, at 560 lbs., unable to walk from room to room without the aid of a computer chair I ripped the back off of to roll myself around on, and not leaving the house for over 2 years except to drive my wife to the store and sit in the parking lot cause I felt bad she had to do everything, No Surgery was an option for me... When I finally had that get busy living or get busy dieing moment I told myself and my family I was willing to try but surgery was out and I would lose it naturally or die trying... I was firmly of the mindset that if I didn't fix what was broken in my head that led me to eating myself to 560 lbs. then no surgery would fix that and until I got a grasp on that part of my life nothing would help... So I stopped saying no to everything and as hard as it was started saying yes to anything and everything that was offered to me. I began therapy for my food addictions and social phobia and depression issues, went to the doctors to find out my overall health (found out I was a full blown type 2 diabetic, fatty liver, etc. etc) and my doctor pointed me to my Endo Dr. and he pointed me to a Nutritionist and Dietician and wrote me a script for Aquatic therapy through the Wellness center... I needed water displacement in the beginning cause I was unable to support my own weight.. So the first 16 months I spent in the pool and lost around 170 lbs. then the therapist started pushing me to the shallow end of the pool constantly making me support more and more of my own weight and eventually I was fitted with brace for my severely bad knee's and start injection therapy for my knee's and pain meds but was able to start splitting my time between the pool and land based exercises... I lost another 136 lbs. over the next 16 months ( 306 lbs. to date and my 3 year anniversary is in 3 weeks) Was it hard??? H.. E.. Double L... YES!!! Mentally, Physically, Emotionally the whole thing was Alot of Hardwork!!! but would I do it all over again???? In a Heartbeat!!! You have to decide what is best for you, the surgery isn't going to change the fact you will have to change your entire lifestyle and exercise and live a totally different life than the one that caused you to get to the point you are now.... No one can make the decision for you.... I am working on that last 10 pounds before I schedule my Lower Body lift to remove around 20-25 lbs. of skin that no matter how hard I workout is out of my control...... Then knee replacements and I will finally have what I always wished and prayed for: MY LIFE BACK!!!!! Best of Luck to you........

I cannot tell a lie, I have thought about it.

My mom did a gastric bypass and she has long been trying to convince me to do one. One of my best friends had one too.

My mom has had limited success, my friend is a freaking size 2!

But they deffinately had a lot of complications from the surgery.

My wieghtloss has been signfigant, but this is the second time I am going through this. I was able to lose about 90 pounds 7 years ago, ran a marathon, joined the PEace Corps - and gained it all back!

As much as I think it is easier and healthier to do it naturally, I am very fearful I will gain the weight back. I know the surgery makes it more permanent.

It's a tough decision, there are pros and cons on either side. I am happy with my decision to do it without the surgery, but I completely understand someone going the other way.

I don't knock anyone for choosing to regain control of there life by any means necessary, that being said for me, at 560 lbs., unable to walk from room to room without the aid of a computer chair I ripped the back off of to roll myself around on, and not leaving the house for over 2 years except to drive my wife to the store and sit in the parking lot cause I felt bad she had to do everything, No Surgery was an option for me... When I finally had that get busy living or get busy dieing moment I told myself and my family I was willing to try but surgery was out and I would lose it naturally or die trying... I was firmly of the mindset that if I didn't fix what was broken in my head that led me to eating myself to 560 lbs. then no surgery would fix that and until I got a grasp on that part of my life nothing would help... So I stopped saying no to everything and as hard as it was started saying yes to anything and everything that was offered to me. I began therapy for my food addictions and social phobia and depression issues, went to the doctors to find out my overall health (found out I was a full blown type 2 diabetic, fatty liver, etc. etc) and my doctor pointed me to my Endo Dr. and he pointed me to a Nutritionist and Dietician and wrote me a script for Aquatic therapy through the Wellness center... I needed water displacement in the beginning cause I was unable to support my own weight.. So the first 16 months I spent in the pool and lost around 170 lbs. then the therapist started pushing me to the shallow end of the pool constantly making me support more and more of my own weight and eventually I was fitted with brace for my severely bad knee's and start injection therapy for my knee's and pain meds but was able to start splitting my time between the pool and land based exercises... I lost another 136 lbs. over the next 16 months ( 306 lbs. to date and my 3 year anniversary is in 3 weeks) Was it hard??? H.. E.. Double L... YES!!! Mentally, Physically, Emotionally the whole thing was Alot of Hardwork!!! but would I do it all over again???? In a Heartbeat!!! You have to decide what is best for you, the surgery isn't going to change the fact you will have to change your entire lifestyle and exercise and live a totally different life than the one that caused you to get to the point you are now.... No one can make the decision for you.... I am working on that last 10 pounds before I schedule my Lower Body lift to remove around 20-25 lbs. of skin that no matter how hard I workout is out of my control...... Then knee replacements and I will finally have what I always wished and prayed for: MY LIFE BACK!!!!! Best of Luck to you........

Well said.

I don't knock anyone for choosing to regain control of there life by any means necessary, that being said for me, at 560 lbs., unable to walk from room to room without the aid of a computer chair I ripped the back off of to roll myself around on, and not leaving the house for over 2 years except to drive my wife to the store and sit in the parking lot cause I felt bad she had to do everything, No Surgery was an option for me... When I finally had that get busy living or get busy dieing moment I told myself and my family I was willing to try but surgery was out and I would lose it naturally or die trying... I was firmly of the mindset that if I didn't fix what was broken in my head that led me to eating myself to 560 lbs. then no surgery would fix that and until I got a grasp on that part of my life nothing would help... So I stopped saying no to everything and as hard as it was started saying yes to anything and everything that was offered to me. I began therapy for my food addictions and social phobia and depression issues, went to the doctors to find out my overall health (found out I was a full blown type 2 diabetic, fatty liver, etc. etc) and my doctor pointed me to my Endo Dr. and he pointed me to a Nutritionist and Dietician and wrote me a script for Aquatic therapy through the Wellness center... I needed water displacement in the beginning cause I was unable to support my own weight.. So the first 16 months I spent in the pool and lost around 170 lbs. then the therapist started pushing me to the shallow end of the pool constantly making me support more and more of my own weight and eventually I was fitted with brace for my severely bad knee's and start injection therapy for my knee's and pain meds but was able to start splitting my time between the pool and land based exercises... I lost another 136 lbs. over the next 16 months ( 306 lbs. to date and my 3 year anniversary is in 3 weeks) Was it hard??? H.. E.. Double L... YES!!! Mentally, Physically, Emotionally the whole thing was Alot of Hardwork!!! but would I do it all over again???? In a Heartbeat!!! You have to decide what is best for you, the surgery isn't going to change the fact you will have to change your entire lifestyle and exercise and live a totally different life than the one that caused you to get to the point you are now.... No one can make the decision for you.... I am working on that last 10 pounds before I schedule my Lower Body lift to remove around 20-25 lbs. of skin that no matter how hard I workout is out of my control...... Then knee replacements and I will finally have what I always wished and prayed for: MY LIFE BACK!!!!! Best of Luck to you........

OMG what an amazing transformation! You must be so proud of yourself for making that positive move to take charge your own life for the better. Congrats on the 306 lb. lost :drinker: