Just curious, how do you guys feel about gastric bypass

I'm SO glad to see so many opinions on something that several of you making negative comments have NEVER done or probably even researched. Keep your negativity to yourselves. The EASY way out? The EASY way out? Seriously... *kitten* you and the horse you road in on! I had bypass surgery 15 months ago and NONE of it was easy and it STILL isn't. It is a long process from the time you make the decision to the day you die.

You have to go through a million medical tests, nutrition classes, seminars and groups before you can even get approved (rightfully so). Then there is the actual surgery prep of liquids only that can range anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to strink the liver before surgery. Then there is recovery which is the worst pain I have ever endured. Then there is the emotional pain of knowing you will never again get a "cheat" day without the effects of getting physically ill.

Did I need the surgery? YES! I had a BMI of 43, I was depressed, had physical problems, and anxiety attacks. It was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and I would do again 100 times! It has made me learn to eat correctly and given me a new lease on life.

Maybe you all should talk to those who have had it, and do what they are SUPPOSED to do once they've had it and see what you think then... It is not a band-aid for obesity, but a tool. An amazing, amazing tool that saved my life.

Yes I am rather shocked at the immense negativity toward a life saving operation. I think some of it stems from jealousy to be honest. I know before I had it, I rationalized not needing it or having it in many of the same ways. Meanwhile I was dying. For those who have lost hundreds of pounds naturally I applaud you but you are the exception to the rule and not everyone has the same will power you have. Instead of quoting unnamed studies about alcoholism to bariatric surgery how about cite the innumerable studies linking uncontrolled obesity to death.

Surgery is a personal choice and I fully support your right to try and lose weight naturally but you are doing others a grave injustice with this rhetoric.

* 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!

I know MANY people with thyroid issues who undereat in fact a lot of hypothyroid people don't "feel" like eating much or even moving much because of their issues, so getting a lapband would never help a hypothryoid person lose weight. The less they eat, the less they lose weight.

TO OP: I have no problem with anyone wanting to do that with bettering their health, it is a good tool to use. I do know people with no health issues and even actually gained weight so they could qualify to get it, I have no idea I would not want to...but some people just don't want to work out or believe in themselves or believe they can cut back on food I guess. I think that there are some people in my life I know that will never workout, never cut back on food and I wish they would do it to save their lives and help them live longer, but it is a difficult process and not easy (the person I know who did it was low on iron/anemic and supplement issues, very ill, gaunt, too thin, etc.) so it does not come without problems (and you can get intoxicated easier, etc.)

I'm SO glad to see so many opinions on something that several of you making negative comments have NEVER done or probably even researched. Keep your negativity to yourselves. The EASY way out? The EASY way out? Seriously... *kitten* you and the horse you road in on! I had bypass surgery 15 months ago and NONE of it was easy and it STILL isn't. It is a long process from the time you make the decision to the day you die.

You have to go through a million medical tests, nutrition classes, seminars and groups before you can even get approved (rightfully so). Then there is the actual surgery prep of liquids only that can range anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to strink the liver before surgery. Then there is recovery which is the worst pain I have ever endured. Then there is the emotional pain of knowing you will never again get a "cheat" day without the effects of getting physically ill.

Did I need the surgery? YES! I had a BMI of 43, I was depressed, had physical problems, and anxiety attacks. It was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and I would do again 100 times! It has made me learn to eat correctly and given me a new lease on life.

Maybe you all should talk to those who have had it, and do what they are SUPPOSED to do once they've had it and see what you think then... It is not a band-aid for obesity, but a tool. An amazing, amazing tool that saved my life.

This! And I second...FU and the horse you road in one. this is (for most) the hardest decision they will ever make and it can change their lives!

i disagree with those surgeries for what youre saying 100%. my friend has family members that are like the poster family for gastric bypass AND lapband (gaining weight back after GP so then they get the band). He has a member in their **20's*** whos gotten gastric bypass and now is getting the band cuz they gained weight back....theyre like maybe 50 lbs over weight MAX. I highly doubt its that much. (i don't know what kind of doctors they go to to allow this cuz don't you need 100+ to lose for the band???)
it just makes me sad mostly to see that some people feel like this is their only option and that they're not capable of eating healthy and exercising to the point where they can't even bring themselves to try, and having doctors push these surgeries aren't helping anyone either.

the people here on MFP are so inspiring, and a constant reminder that it IS possible and you can do it!!!!

I'm SO glad to see so many opinions on something that several of you making negative comments have NEVER done or probably even researched. Keep your negativity to yourselves. The EASY way out? The EASY way out? Seriously... *kitten* you and the horse you road in on! I had bypass surgery 15 months ago and NONE of it was easy and it STILL isn't. It is a long process from the time you make the decision to the day you die.

You have to go through a million medical tests, nutrition classes, seminars and groups before you can even get approved (rightfully so). Then there is the actual surgery prep of liquids only that can range anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to strink the liver before surgery. Then there is recovery which is the worst pain I have ever endured. Then there is the emotional pain of knowing you will never again get a "cheat" day without the effects of getting physically ill.

Did I need the surgery? YES! I had a BMI of 43, I was depressed, had physical problems, and anxiety attacks. It was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and I would do again 100 times! It has made me learn to eat correctly and given me a new lease on life.

Maybe you all should talk to those who have had it, and do what they are SUPPOSED to do once they've had it and see what you think then... It is not a band-aid for obesity, but a tool. An amazing, amazing tool that saved my life.

Yes I am rather shocked at the immense negativity toward a life saving operation. I think some of it stems from jealousy to be honest. I know before I had it, I rationalized not needing it or having it in many of the same ways. Meanwhile I was dying. For those who have lost hundreds of pounds naturally I applaud you but you are the exception to the rule and not everyone has the same will power you have. Instead of quoting unnamed studies about alcoholism to bariatric surgery how about cite the innumerable studies linking uncontrolled obesity to death.

Surgery is a personal choice and I fully support your right to try and lose weight naturally but you are doing others a grave injustice with this rhetoric.

AMEN!!! I struggled with the decision for 5 years! Meanwhile, I was just yo-yo-ing. Making my situation so much worse...

I considered it for a time, then I saw how people go back to how they used to act/eat and even do worse (drugs, alcohol, etc.). Other people developed infections and someone my mom knew died while having gastric bypass surgery. Also, insurance may or may not cover it. So, I decided to do the right thing and make the changes myself. This was the best decision I ever made and would never regret it. Yeah, it takes time, but your body will thank you for it later.

Generally speaking... being cut open and having a portion of your stomach removed/bypassed/constricted/stapled or otherwise mutilated should be a last resort. Too many possible complications that could endanger your health or even your life (and I've known 5 people who have had surgury... 2 of them had serious complications, one life altering)

Sadly, We live in a fast food, instant gratification society that focuses on the here and now and not the long term big picture. Nutrition, Counselling and Exercise is a far better combination treatment for obesity.

Explore the reasons why you are overweight or obese. In most cases it is about the lifestyle choices we make (and I'm not talking about thyroid problems or other medical problems either). Poor dietary choices and lack of exercise are a tandem for ill health.

We choose convenience foods over real/nutritious foods. We choose the quick road and forget to walk and smell the roses.
We all believe we can have the silver bullet that allows us to relax on the couch, eat cheesies or potato chips and still be healthy. It doesn't work that way despite what the TV says. The advent of consumer electronics has distracted us from motion and still offers us visual reminders of what the cultural ideal is.

Imagine if everyone in Canada and the US turned off their TV's and Computers and just moved 30 minutes more in a day. How much more productive would we be? How much healthier would we be.

Although not directly related to your question, I've done this myself...Here is a challenge to everyone here.. We'll call it a social experiment?

TURN OFF, UNPLUG and DISCONNECT for an hour a day. No Electronics during that hour. Do this for one week.

Spend the time eating a proper meal at the dinner table, engage in discussion with your family or a friend or go for a walk. Swim, Cycle, Run, Play football with your kids. Just do something other than stare blankly at a screen. Use the time to build a relationship and to work on your health.

Come back to me in a week... tell me if something didn't just feel good about it. Feel free to friend me. I'll be your advocate thru this.

I think most people will be surprised by the results.

Rant over.... Let the Challenge begin!

Last resort when your life is in danger from being obese.

Why do you assume everyone here is uneducated? The fact that we DON'T want the surgery and are taking other measures first prove that we have some education about it. I personally said this is my opinion, and this isn't the option for me, but you clearly didn't read the posts, just as quick to judge as everyone else.:ohwell:

I've read a lot of misinformation here from people who haven't had the surgery and obviously haven't researched it. Hearing this or that from a friend who had a bad experience doesn't count as "researching." Dumping and vomiting, for example, are not complications that occur with the band. Studies have been done correlating alcoholism with bypass patients, but not with sleeve and band patients. If you're really interested, do a MedLine search.