Just curious, how do you guys feel about gastric bypass
AmyFett
Posts: 1,607 Member
surgery or the lap band, just for the sole purpose of losing weight. Not because it's medically necessary, or you have health problems. I get that, if it's medically necessary. But why on earth put yourself through all that trouble just to lose weight?
My friend and I were talking earlier about a girl she's friends with who had 100 lbs to lose but no other health issues and got gastric bypass after having the lap band. WHY?! Why do doctors do this if it's not necessary? I myself and a woman who is 5'2 and I have a good 75-100 lbs to lose with a BMI of 41. I would never consider these surgeries. I know people who have had both and they end up saying it's more trouble than it's worth. Why can't you do it like everyone else? My friend who this conversation was with, has the lap band. She complains about it all the time, too, yet, she got offended because of my thoughts of the surgeries. She said I think it's easy when I KNOW that is not the case, which was my point, why put yourself through that?
Just curious what some other people might think on this topic. I am not aiming to offend anyone, honestly. This is just my personal opinion.
My friend and I were talking earlier about a girl she's friends with who had 100 lbs to lose but no other health issues and got gastric bypass after having the lap band. WHY?! Why do doctors do this if it's not necessary? I myself and a woman who is 5'2 and I have a good 75-100 lbs to lose with a BMI of 41. I would never consider these surgeries. I know people who have had both and they end up saying it's more trouble than it's worth. Why can't you do it like everyone else? My friend who this conversation was with, has the lap band. She complains about it all the time, too, yet, she got offended because of my thoughts of the surgeries. She said I think it's easy when I KNOW that is not the case, which was my point, why put yourself through that?
Just curious what some other people might think on this topic. I am not aiming to offend anyone, honestly. This is just my personal opinion.
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Replies
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I don't have a lot of weight to lose, but I don't get it either. I would never go under the knife on purpose! I recently had a non-weight related surgery and it sucked and changed my life! No thanks.
I know someone who is considering gaining weight (30 lbs) so she'll be heavy enough to get it...I just don't understand.0 -
only if it is doctor recommend for someone several overweight that they may die soon.0
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* shielding myself from the negativity* I find it to be an easy way out if there is not something medically wrong. Now, if you have thyroid issues, are so overweight that you are unable to loose the weight alone, etc etc etc, than it's a wonderful tool! However, too many people get it and do NOT change their eating habits after, in turn, gaining all your weight back!0
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Waste of time, money, resources etc... You'll be limiting what you can eat as far a choices and for no benefit, you still have to watch what you eat and exercise. For every success story there are 10 failures. Don't do it. IMO0
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My wife and I looked into that option and discovered during the consultation sessions that without restricted caloric intake for life afterwards, the weight is generally regained anyway.
So our thought was "why not just do the restricted caloric intake anyway and skip the surgery."
It's working so far.0 -
My wife and I looked into that option and discovered during the consultation sessions that without restricted caloric intake for life afterwards, the weight is generally regained anyway.
So our thought was "why not just do the restricted caloric intake anyway and skip the surgery."
It's working so far.
Good for you guys!!!0 -
I guess it depends on your situation, but its not for me. A few years back (being about 90 pounds overweight) a doctor told me I would NEVER get down to a healthy weight without surgery! My ticker below says different. About 27 pounds left to obtain a medically healthy weight. So the doctor can bite it
I think if you want it bad enough you can do it without surgery. Just my opinion.0 -
My mother had gastric bypass and she has nearly as many health issues as she did when she was severely obese. She has a difficult time absorbing vitamines and nutrients. I think it's fine as a last resort. Do or die. But, in my case, I am young and relatively healthy and there is no reason diet and exercise won't work for me. It has to be a lifestyle change. Gastric bypass might seem like an easy solution but if you don't change the way you live you will eventually gain it all back. Bypass or not.0
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I am now waiting for a gastric sleeve . I am disabled have bad knees and weight about 495 I hate myself and if I don't get the help I need I know how much longer I'll be here0
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I NEVER said I wanted to do it. Where did I even hint to that?! No f-ing way. i'd rather be fat than to put myself through that hell.0
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I don't want to come across as condescending because in all honesty this kind of procedure is something I will never ever need to consider, however, here's my opinion:
...People CAN make amazing changes on their bodies, just look at biggest loser, I am always in awe of the way those contestants push and push and push, they get unbelievable results, so we know that anything is possible, yet at the same time, in real life, it is not always possible for people to make those kinds of changes, They may not have enough time to work out hours and hours a day....they may lack the funds for a trainer who will push them, or a gym membership, and we all know that crap food is often cheaper, and some people lack push, motivation and most of all willpower, and sadly some people are sadly too big to even be able to exercise enough to lose weight.
So I think that there is place for lap bands and gastric bypass, when there are no other possibilities, and they can yield good results for the morbidly obese, but there are complication involved, you may have problems absorbing nutrients and vitamins, and you will never be able to go back to having a normal stomach or a normal diet. In the end I think if you can get it done with out need needing that, it is a 100% better option!0 -
I guess it depends on your situation, but its not for me. A few years back (being about 90 pounds overweight) a doctor told me I would NEVER get down to a healthy weight without surgery! My ticker below says different. About 27 pounds left to obtain a medically healthy weight. So the doctor can bite it
I think if you want it bad enough you can do it without surgery. Just my opinion.
I agree, they basically said the same to my mother who has diabetes and a rare heart condition that was due to not fault of her own. She was 270-ish and 5'3, she's now in the 180s. She did it by controlling her diet and diabetes, and also, her viewpoint on this surgery is the same as mine. Even though she has a medical reason and I would actually have felt safer going with the surgery, she was damned determined to not go through it! And she did it.0 -
I don't want to come across as condescending because in all honesty this kind of procedure is something I will never ever need to consider, however, here's my opinion:
...People CAN make amazing changes on their bodies, just look at biggest loser, I am always in awe of the way those contestants push and push and push, they get unbelievable results, so we know that anything is possible, yet at the same time, in real life, it is not always possible for people to make those kinds of changes, They may not have enough time to work out hours and hours a day....they may lack the funds for a trainer who will push them, or a gym membership, and we all know that crap food is often cheaper, and some people lack push, motivation and most of all willpower, and sadly some people are sadly too big to even be able to exercise enough to lose weight.
So I think that there is place for lap bands and gastric bypass, when there are no other possibilities, and they can yield good results for the morbidly obese, but there are complication involved, you may have problems absorbing nutrients and vitamins, and you will never be able to go back to having a normal stomach or a normal diet. In the end I think if you can get it done with out need needing that, it is a 100% better option!
don't surgeries cost a lot of money? I know they do. Even with insurance you can pay thousands. Dieting is cheaper. I have two kids and my family has one income. I still would never consider it.0 -
and I'm glad so many people agree with me on this subject. I was pretty much called a *kitten* by my friend today, but it's true. If you want it, you can do it. I'm losing a pound a month at the MOST. I know it's frustrating..0
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I wouldn't say it's an easy way out. Two of my cousins had it done and I've seen them suffer. You have to restrict your diet, you have to eat VERY slowly and if you don't follow all the rules, you end up (TMI alert!) bringing it all back up. NO THANKS!
However, I would say, if you think you can endure those rules, you might as well try losing weight on your own without the huge risks!!
I know there's some counseling before hand but I think for some folks they just ignore all of that and keep thinking "this is the magic cure so I can be skinny again!' regardless of the consequences.
For one of them (not sure of the other one, haven't discussed her experience much), it really was the only way because there was no way she was going to change her eating habits without being forced to. The sad thing is though, your body will still adapt so if you continually force it and eat too much, you can still gain the weight back. She and I were neck in neck with weight loss for the first year then she had some health problems and stalled out. From what I've seen in recent family pic on FB, she's gained at least some of it back. All that for nothing...0 -
I don't want to come across as condescending because in all honesty this kind of procedure is something I will never ever need to consider, however, here's my opinion:
...People CAN make amazing changes on their bodies, just look at biggest loser, I am always in awe of the way those contestants push and push and push, they get unbelievable results, so we know that anything is possible, yet at the same time, in real life, it is not always possible for people to make those kinds of changes, They may not have enough time to work out hours and hours a day....they may lack the funds for a trainer who will push them, or a gym membership, and we all know that crap food is often cheaper, and some people lack push, motivation and most of all willpower, and sadly some people are sadly too big to even be able to exercise enough to lose weight.
So I think that there is place for lap bands and gastric bypass, when there are no other possibilities, and they can yield good results for the morbidly obese, but there are complication involved, you may have problems absorbing nutrients and vitamins, and you will never be able to go back to having a normal stomach or a normal diet. In the end I think if you can get it done with out need needing that, it is a 100% better option!
don't surgeries cost a lot of money? I know they do. Even with insurance you can pay thousands. Dieting is cheaper. I have two kids and my family has one income. I still would never consider it.
I'm not sure how it is in the States, but probably. Here I think they may be covered if it was an extreme situation, but they are not as common here either.0 -
I have not had it but I know a lot of people who did. I think that sometimes the need for weight loss is more than just medical need. Being an obese person is very difficult. You are subjected to emotional and physical abuse because of it. You may feel alienated and depressed.
I applaud the work of people who strive for size acceptance, but for many this is not enough. Losing weight isn’t 100% about health, it is, for many, about self worth. I can understand that. I might not feel the same for myself, but I don’t pass judgment.0 -
I am now waiting for a gastric sleeve . I am disabled have bad knees and weight about 495 I hate myself and if I don't get the help I need I know how much longer I'll be here
see that's what I mean. There's a legitimate reason, last resort. I don't think you're silly for doing something to save your life. Never. But people who have no medical reason, that's what I'm touching at here. Don't hate yourself, though, it's not entirely your fault if there's no way you can exercise or whatever. Options like the band and gastric are there for people like you, IMO.0 -
I had Lap Band in October of 2010 and it literally saved my life. However, I am a firm believer that bariatric surgery can only be seen as an adjunct to weight loss. It may be the thing that sets your feet upon the path or brings you back from the edge but if you are not willing and ready to put in the work it will fail. The one trap that people, including myself, fall into is assuming that because you are physically able to lose weight you will do so eventually. If surgery is available to you and you have not lost weight naturally than you may stubbornly wait around until you die thinking that it will happen any day now.0
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oh boy - here we go. Yes, I had gastric bypass surgery and lost 165 lbs. 4 years ago. I'm now trying to lose even more weight. Believe me, it is NOT an easy option and yes, you have to change your lifestyle for the remainder of your life. If you are not ready to change eating habits, you are correct, the bypass will fail and fail miserably. For those of us who take it very seriously, it probably saved my life (high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid issues).
For those of you that have not gone through these procedures, please don't judge. And someone who wants to gain weight to be able to have the surgery, most likely will not pass the psychiatric evaluation requirement.
Thanks for letting me share the positive side. :flowerforyou:0 -
only if it is doctor recommend for someone several overweight that they may die soon.
If someone is so overweight they might die soon, they sure as hell shouldn't go through invasive surgery. That takes much more of a toll on the body than starting to lose weight.
I cannot think of a single reason why lap band or gastric bypass would EVER be anything other than a horribly wrong thing to do.0 -
I don't want to come across as condescending because in all honesty this kind of procedure is something I will never ever need to consider, however, here's my opinion:
...People CAN make amazing changes on their bodies, just look at biggest loser, I am always in awe of the way those contestants push and push and push, they get unbelievable results, so we know that anything is possible, yet at the same time, in real life, it is not always possible for people to make those kinds of changes, They may not have enough time to work out hours and hours a day....they may lack the funds for a trainer who will push them, or a gym membership, and we all know that crap food is often cheaper, and some people lack push, motivation and most of all willpower, and sadly some people are sadly too big to even be able to exercise enough to lose weight.
So I think that there is place for lap bands and gastric bypass, when there are no other possibilities, and they can yield good results for the morbidly obese, but there are complication involved, you may have problems absorbing nutrients and vitamins, and you will never be able to go back to having a normal stomach or a normal diet. In the end I think if you can get it done with out need needing that, it is a 100% better option!
don't surgeries cost a lot of money? I know they do. Even with insurance you can pay thousands. Dieting is cheaper. I have two kids and my family has one income. I still would never consider it.
I'm not sure how it is in the States, but probably. Here I think they may be covered if it was an extreme situation, but they are not as common here either.
yeah my friend ended up paying a few thousand for hers and she had full insurance on her husband's plan. She *****es and moans about it, rightfully so, and as someone above said, you do have to eat slow, there's certain things you can't even eat because it blocks a hole? I'm not sure what that means exactly, but my friend always says she can't have lettuce because of it blocking a hole. She gets sick from it every couple days. I just don't understand.0 -
I have not had it but I know a lot of people who did. I think that sometimes the need for weight loss is more than just medical need. Being an obese person is very difficult. You are subjected to emotional and physical abuse because of it. You may feel alienated and depressed.
I applaud the work of people who strive for size acceptance, but for many this is not enough. Losing weight isn’t 100% about health, it is, for many, about self worth. I can understand that. I might not feel the same for myself, but I don’t pass judgment.
Bravo!0 -
I have not had it but I know a lot of people who did. I think that sometimes the need for weight loss is more than just medical need. Being an obese person is very difficult. You are subjected to emotional and physical abuse because of it. You may feel alienated and depressed.
I applaud the work of people who strive for size acceptance, but for many this is not enough. Losing weight isn’t 100% about health, it is, for many, about self worth. I can understand that. I might not feel the same for myself, but I don’t pass judgment.
I'm obese, 225 lbs and 5'2 and I hate going into public even to go grocery shopping or something. I have severe anxiety because of my weight gain from having thyroid issues for years without being diagnosed and on medication. I am embarrassed about how I look through hardly any fault of my own. Yet still, I would never get these surgeries unless the doctor told me I would die if I didn't. And even in that case, I would only do it for my children.0 -
only if it is doctor recommend for someone several overweight that they may die soon.
If someone is so overweight they might die soon, they sure as hell shouldn't go through invasive surgery. That takes much more of a toll on the body than starting to lose weight.
I cannot think of a single reason why lap band or gastric bypass would EVER be anything other than a horribly wrong thing to do.
That is the same logic as not taking chemo for cancer because it might kill you. Bariatric surgery IS a life saver if done properly. The risk from the surgery is far less than from being obese.0 -
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and as someone above said, you do have to eat slow, there's certain things you can't even eat because it blocks a hole? I'm not sure what that means exactly, but my friend always says she can't have lettuce because of it blocking a hole. She gets sick from it every couple days. I just don't understand.
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Sorry, but that information is SO incorrect for the majority of us. Your friend had a bad experience and for that I feel sorry for her. I can eat whatever I want, do not get sick, and live a completely normal life. The only difference between you and me is that my stomach fills up much quicker than an ordinary stomach.
If you're really that curious, I think it's great and you should post on one of the gastic bypass groups and see how many people have had success. I think you'll be surprised.0 -
and as someone above said, you do have to eat slow, there's certain things you can't even eat because it blocks a hole? I'm not sure what that means exactly, but my friend always says she can't have lettuce because of it blocking a hole. She gets sick from it every couple days. I just don't understand.
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Sorry, but that information is SO incorrect for the majority of us. Your friend had a bad experience and for that I feel sorry for her. I can eat whatever I want, do not get sick, and live a completely normal life. The only difference between you and me is that my stomach fills up much quicker than an ordinary stomach.
If you're really that curious, I think it's great and you should post on one of the gastic bypass groups and see how many people have had success. I think you'll be surprised.
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this is about the lap band and not gastric. She has had the band for a couple of years. I'm not talking about the success of it. I'm saying WHY PUT YOURSELF THROUGH IT unless it's a lest resort? That, I don't understand. Technically, I could if i want to, I have severe thyroid issues, at risk for diabetes, and a BMI of 41. But would I? No. I'm doing it the old fashioned way because I'm not at that point where it makes sense for ME.0 -
I guess from another end of it. I would totally do it if my insurance would cover it!! I have more then 150 lbs to lose and i have no health issues at this time. However, I know that i have extra tissue around my heart from all of this weight and that will cause heart issues later in life (i am only 32) also i have family history of heart issues, blood pressure issues and diabeties, So i am predisposed to all of this issues when i am older and my chances are tripled being obese. I have 4 children and I want to stay healthy for as long as i can. I have/am trying everything that is available to me first of course, however I would love to have a little kicker that the surgery would give me. I know a ton of people who have had the bypass and all but one have had good results. It is all about how you look at it. It is not a miracle cure, you still have to do all the work after the surgery, it is just a jump start, or assitance. I also respect everyones individual opion, I just thought I would share mine.0
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this is about the lap band and not gastric. She has had the band for a couple of years. I'm not talking about the success of it. I'm saying WHY PUT YOURSELF THROUGH IT unless it's a lest resort? That, I don't understand. Technically, I could if i want to, I have severe thyroid issues, at risk for diabetes, and a BMI of 41. But would I? No. I'm doing it the old fashioned way because I'm not at that point where it makes sense for ME.
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If you wish to do it by calorie restriction and exercise then great and I wish you luck. We're all individuals and it took me to fail at several weight loss programs before I came to the conclusion (thinking about surgery for about 5 years) before I decided to do it and I can tell you honestly, it was the best personal decision of my life.
Good luck to you.
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why do you keep copy-pasting things I say? =/0
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