Weight loss surgery - does anyone REALLY need it?

[NaLisa]

I have just been approved for the gastric sleeve. My entire family has made changes already, even though they are not the ones that needed them. We are eating much healthier at home and my oldest son is preparing to go to water aerobics classes with me as soon as school is out so it will help his back.

I have tried many many times to loose weight and something will happen with my health and send me spiraling and the weight will come right back on.

I first approached this with my primary dr and he agreed with my laundry list of medical problems at 37, that the surgery will greatly benifit me. My neurologist, neurosurgeon and cardiologist are also very supportive.

I am ready for this lifestyle change so I can really enjoy the kids while they are still young! I miss being the me I used to be.

Best of luck to you!

 

[gometros]

The surgery only addresses one aspect of the overall issue. The surgery doesn't change habits, compulsions, or anything else. It doesn't force anyone to become more active. All the counseling in the world won't really address the other aspects either, only the patient can truly address those aspects themselves. Counseling can help them get to the issues but it on them to actually make all the other lifestyle changes and stick with them for the rest of their lives. It isn't like there is a history of patients telling counselors or psychiatrists want they want to hear as opposed to the truth.

Far too often those other issues are not addressed and the surgery only becomes a short-term band-aid that doesn't work long term. Of course sometimes those other issues are addressed and the surgery is a success. Every patient gets to decide for themselves if the surgery will be a new life or just a temporary respite.

So what's is your point? We've already agreed that WLS is not a solution by itself. It's a tool and it all comes down to his the person getting WLS wields the tool that will determine how successful she or he will be.

I have just been approved for the gastric sleeve. My entire family has made changes already, even though they are not the ones that needed them. We are eating much healthier at home and my oldest son is preparing to go to water aerobics classes with me as soon as school is out so it will help his back.

I have tried many many times to loose weight and something will happen with my health and send me spiraling and the weight will come right back on.

I first approached this with my primary dr and he agreed with my laundry list of medical problems at 37, that the surgery will greatly benifit me. My neurologist, neurosurgeon and cardiologist are also very supportive.

I am ready for this lifestyle change so I can really enjoy the kids while they are still young! I miss being the me I used to be.

Best of luck to you. I had the sleeve a year ago. If you need somebody to bounce things off of who has gone through it, feel free to PM me.

 

[FireDancer]

So what's is your point? We've already agreed that WLS is not a solution by itself. It's a tool and it all comes down to his the person getting WLS wields the tool that will determine how successful she or he will be.

My point was exactly what you said, WLS is not a solution in itself and it comes down to other changes the patient makes. In the post you quoted I was answering a question albeit one conveyed with an emoticon.

 

[FergieTCat]

My point was exactly what you said, WLS is not a solution in itself and it comes down to other changes the patient makes. In the post you quoted I was answering a question albeit one conveyed with an emoticon.

Why do you care? Are you considering WLS?

 

[ChristineNic]

The surgery only addresses one aspect of the overall issue. The surgery doesn't change habits, compulsions, or anything else. It doesn't force anyone to become more active. All the counseling in the world won't really address the other aspects either, only the patient can truly address those aspects themselves.

Yes, the surgery only addresses some aspects of a very complex medical issue.

However, in my experience, the surgery helped me to overcome constant hunger (both physical and mental) and be satisfied with healthy portions of food. Because I had the physical saiety, I was able to learn to distinguish between actual hunger and "head" hunger, e.g. eating from habit because it's time for a meal; eating because I was bored, lonely, tired, depressed, or stressed; or eating because of thirst. I lost weight. I lost enough weight to resolve issues with sleep apnea, which consequently, helped to resolve long fatigue. Since I was not constantly fatigued, I became more active. As my activity increased, my energy increased and I started to exercise regularly. Regular exercise helped my knees, so I was no longer in pain. The increased activity and healthy diet lowered my blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The surgery was the beginning point which made all of the other changes possible to attain and to maintain. I am very thankful that I had the surgery; because of the surgery, I was able to change my life.

 

[FireDancer]

Why do you care? Are you considering WLS?

I am participating in a discussion. Health and fitness topics interest me so I participate in the discussion about them.

The surgery was the beginning point which made all of the other changes possible to attain and to maintain. I am very thankful that I had the surgery; because of the surgery, I was able to change my life.

And I think that is what it is designed to be, a new start. I think when WLS is used correctly, as you and many others here have used it, it is a good option. You perfectly illustrated all the advantages of being a healthy weight. How someone gets there and stays there isn't as important as doing it in my opinion.

 

[happygirl]

I have just been approved for the gastric sleeve. My entire family has made changes already, even though they are not the ones that needed them. We are eating much healthier at home and my oldest son is preparing to go to water aerobics classes with me as soon as school is out so it will help his back.

I have tried many many times to loose weight and something will happen with my health and send me spiraling and the weight will come right back on.

I first approached this with my primary dr and he agreed with my laundry list of medical problems at 37, that the surgery will greatly benifit me. My neurologist, neurosurgeon and cardiologist are also very supportive.

I am ready for this lifestyle change so I can really enjoy the kids while they are still young! I miss being the me I used to be.

Wishing you all the best!!!

 

[Robinrs]

I have just been approved for the gastric sleeve. My entire family has made changes already, even though they are not the ones that needed them. We are eating much healthier at home and my oldest son is preparing to go to water aerobics classes with me as soon as school is out so it will help his back.

I have tried many many times to loose weight and something will happen with my health and send me spiraling and the weight will come right back on.

I first approached this with my primary dr and he agreed with my laundry list of medical problems at 37, that the surgery will greatly benifit me. My neurologist, neurosurgeon and cardiologist are also very supportive.

I am ready for this lifestyle change so I can really enjoy the kids while they are still young! I miss being the me I used to be.

Good luck!!

 

[Robinrs]

I am participating in a discussion. Health and fitness topics interest me so I participate in the discussion about them.



And I think that is what it is designed to be, a new start. I think when WLS is used correctly, as you and many others here have used it, it is a good option. You perfectly illustrated all the advantages of being a healthy weight. How someone gets there and stays there isn't as important as doing it in my opinion.

Health/fitness and losing 100 pounds are two different things. Same category, different experiences.

You may well be an expert on the first two but the last one... not.

It is so easy to preach when it's NOT your problem. Every single human being who is smart enough to turn on their laptops and participate online KNOWS the mantra. Eat better, exercise, you will get everything you need and want.

No one here is a child, everyone here KNOWS that.

 

[LSmith]

Health/fitness and losing 100 pounds are two different things. Same category, different experiences.

You may well be an expert on the first two but the last one... not.

It is so easy to preach when it's NOT your problem. Every single human being who is smart enough to turn on their laptops and participate online KNOWS the mantra. Eat better, exercise, you will get everything you need and want.

No one here is a child, everyone here KNOWS that.

Since when do you have to be an expert to have an opinion on the DIS? I see non experts on every thread weighing in their opinions.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Isn't this kind of liking asking why an alcoholic needs to go to meetings? Or why can't an alcoholic just control their drinking by drinking smaller portions? For me, you don't need alcohol to live, but you do need to eat. So it's liking asking an alcoholic to have 3 drinks a day, nothing more and spreading them out over the course of the day.

I'm fat. Have been for years. Why? Because of emotional issues, because some days it feels like I haven't been that skinny girl in so long that it's completely unattainable, because I haven't felt attractive or good about myself (physically) in years so why bother, because I'm lazy, because I like food too much, because it's there, because I'm afraid I won't be able to succeed, because some days I just don't care, because it's the role that others expect me to play, because every time I go to the gym and start watching what I'm eating my husband starts bringing home chips and ice cream, because some days it's just so hard....I could go on forever. None of them are excuses, but that doesn't make it any easier to overcome.

So please don't belittle the struggle by asking things like "why don't you just eat smaller portions?" because it is the same asking a depressed person "why don't you just be happy".

 

[FireDancer]

Health/fitness and losing 100 pounds are two different things. Same category, different experiences.

You may well be an expert on the first two but the last one... not.

It is so easy to preach when it's NOT your problem. Every single human being who is smart enough to turn on their laptops and participate online KNOWS the mantra. Eat better, exercise, you will get everything you need and want.

No one here is a child, everyone here KNOWS that.

You are right, I've never had to lose more than 10 pounds but that was because when I saw I was getting lazy and not living a healthy lifestyle I made changes and corrections. I assessed what I was eating and drinking, how much exercise I was getting, and started to read a lot more about the topics of health and fitness. After doing all of that I made changes and stuck with them. Had I waited longer and not made any changes I would have gotten heavier. I would have had to do the same things to lose the 100 pounds as opposed to the 10, I'd just have to wait a lot longer before I was back to what I should weigh but the cause and solution would have been the same, me.

When I see a problem I find a solution. I'm that way about everything in life, not just this topic. If that means changing a habit that means changing a habit and, like it or not, that is at the core of almost all weight loss whether it is 10 pounds or 300 pounds.

I like discussing these kinds of topics so I do. Considering my opinion on this topic (weight loss surgery) seems to match the opinion of many of those who have gone through it and succeeded I'm not sure why anyone is singling me out on this thread. I have never looked down on anyone who had to go the surgical route. My only reservation about it is those who don't go in ready to make all the changes needed along with the surgery.

 

[NaLisa]

You are right, I've never had to lose more than 10 pounds but that was because when I saw I was getting lazy and not living a healthy lifestyle I made changes and corrections. I assessed what I was eating and drinking, how much exercise I was getting, and started to read a lot more about the topics of health and fitness. After doing all of that I made changes and stuck with them. Had I waited longer and not made any changes I would have gotten heavier. I would have had to do the same things to lose the 100 pounds as opposed to the 10, I'd just have to wait a lot longer before I was back to what I should weigh but the cause and solution would have been the same, me.

When I see a problem I find a solution. I'm that way about everything in life, not just this topic. If that means changing a habit that means changing a habit and, like it or not, that is at the core of almost all weight loss whether it is 10 pounds or 300 pounds.

I like discussing these kinds of topics so I do. Considering my opinion on this topic (weight loss surgery) seems to match the opinion of many of those who have gone through it and succeeded I'm not sure why anyone is singling me out on this thread. I have never looked down on anyone who had to go the surgical route. My only reservation about it is those who don't go in ready to make all the changes needed along with the surgery.

I truly don't mean this snarky, but maybe you can look back over your posts on this thread and try to see how some of your comments came across as judgmental and/or superior. Even this one.

 

[LSmith]

Can someone please explain why when it comes to food addictions everyone is supposed to tread delicately and politically correctly and beat around the bush BUT if you are addicted to alcohol, drugs, bulimia, gambling, sex, tobacco, video games, etc. it's time for a serious intervention?

Why is food addiction treated differently when it is just as disabling?

 

[Granny square]

Can someone please explain why when it comes to food addictions everyone is supposed to tread delicately and politically correctly and beat around the bush BUT if you are addicted to alcohol, drugs, bulimia, gambling, sex, tobacco, video games, etc. it's time for a serious intervention?

Why is food addiction treated differently when it is just as disabling?

I think that all addictions are similar. And that people deserve to be treated with dignity regardless of their addiction. Snootiness isn't any more attractive than some of those issues. Lol, I'd take a day out with the crack addict who was my husbands BFF in grade school than some of the folks I see in print. But I usually am more comfortable with the sinners than the saints. and that is without any addictions except a tendency towards codependency.

As far as surgery a friend from church had Lapband 4 years ago that has helped her lose 147 pounds. Interestingly she says she never felt full until her surgery and correct fill levels. She also has to have remarkable steadfastness since it would be easy to eat around the band. It just works as a tool.

If a tool helps people whether weight loss surgery, Antabuse or vivetrol, or the patch all the more power to the people who use them.

 

[LSmith]

I think that all addictions are similar. And that people deserve to be treated with dignity regardless of their addiction. Snootiness isn't any more attractive than some of those issues. Lol, I'd take a day out with the crack addict who was my husbands BFF in grade school than some of the folks I see in print. But I usually am more comfortable with the sinners than the saints. and that is without any addictions except a tendency towards codependency.

As far as surgery a friend from church had Lapband 4 years ago that has helped her lose 147 pounds. Interestingly she says she never felt full until her surgery and correct fill levels. She also has to have remarkable steadfastness since it would be easy to eat around the band. It just works as a tool.

If a tool helps people whether weight loss surgery, Antabuse or vivetrol, or the patch all the more power to the people who use them.

I agree, if all else fails and the person's health is at serious risk, maybe it's time for medical intervention but people do need to know it's not a be all and end all. People do need to learn how to eat healthy. There is a psychological aspect of why they got that way in the beginning.

I've actually been shocked to read deluxe dining reports on the DiS by people who have had the surgery. I've also seen first hand how the surgery can help and how in one case the surgery did nothing to stop the food addiction.

 

[MickeySP]

As I understand it, another aspect of gastric bypass surgery has to do with malabsorption -- your body will not process all of the calories eaten.

Personally, I don't understand why an alcoholic can't just stop at one drink. I guess because I've never walked a day in his shoes.

He can't because it is an addiction - physical & mental.

What happens is they change you stomach size to approx 3oz, then they connect you to your more lower intestine. Now the upper is where you absorb most fats & sugars so it is used to it. The lower is now presented with them and doesn't like it so you get what is called "dumping" I will not do TMI but what goes in comes out. It becomes almost like Pavlovs dogs, you soon get an avoidance to the things you can't eat.

Yes malabsorbtion is also true this is why GBP are gonna live a lifetime of supplements & changes. I have to amp mine when I start to train for races. Also I do not hydrate as well since my stomach only holds about 4 oz now. So I constantly have a water bottle with me( Brita)

The surgery only addresses one aspect of the overall issue. The surgery doesn't change habits, compulsions, or anything else. It doesn't force anyone to become more active. All the counseling in the world won't really address the other aspects either, only the patient can truly address those aspects themselves. Counseling can help them get to the issues but it on them to actually make all the other lifestyle changes and stick with them for the rest of their lives. It isn't like there is a history of patients telling counselors or psychiatrists want they want to hear as opposed to the truth.

Far too often those other issues are not addressed and the surgery only becomes a short-term band-aid that doesn't work long term. Of course sometimes those other issues are addressed and the surgery is a success. Every patient gets to decide for themselves if the surgery will be a new life or just a temporary respite.

My point was exactly what you said, WLS is not a solution in itself and it comes down to other changes the patient makes. In the post you quoted I was answering a question albeit one conveyed with an emoticon.

And noone here is claiming that especially those that have BTDT, you need to reread posts of those people. The only ones who think in this vein are those never been in it or been with a loved on going through. What this did was give me a HUGE jump start. It allowed me go faster and get psyched with the results & not discouraged by setbacks.

Again ethical programs require group & private therapy before & after. So just like anyone with any other addiction it is a process.

As far as only gaining 10 & getting a hold on that Bravo for you but you are you and others are not as fortunate to see it while in it. In my case I was in a huge depression. My marraige feel apart(happens when he won't stop dating), I lost my home, moved in with my parents then found out I was pregnant. He is now 28 and never seen his father, so you can guess the help I got. This was alot for a 20yo to handle, So no I didn't see it. Food became my friend, my only friend and we were in love.

So don't judge or devalue because you can't see it. Maybe show some compassion & be grateful that at this time noone you love is going through ANY addiction.

 

[robinb]

Not as much a "pile on" but a lot of people who never had the problem telling those who do how easy it is to overcome...

I've never drank so I could NEVER tell an alcoholic to just stop.

I've never done drugs so I could never tell an addict to stop taking them.

But it amazes me how some self righteous people feel the need to tell people how to control their demons. Their demons are their OWN, not yours

I'm posting without reading the rest of the thread (I need to leave in a couple minutes). It's even worse ... everyone needs to EAT. Fat people are told to eat less or to eat better foods. You can't tell an alcoholic to just drink LESS or to drink heart healthy red wine instead of whiskey. You can't tell a drug addict to just cut back or change to organic pot instead of heroin.

 

[LSmith]

I'm posting without reading the rest of the thread (I need to leave in a couple minutes). It's even worse ... everyone needs to EAT. Fat people are told to eat less or to eat better foods. You can't tell an alcoholic to just drink LESS or to drink heart healthy red wine instead of whiskey. You can't tell a drug addict to just cut back or change to organic pot instead of heroin.

I've never understood this argument. An alcoholic doesn't need alcohol. Period. Everyone needs food, but nobody needs garbage foods. Eat whole foods and nothing more. You will be healthy, thin and live longer.

How about sex addiction? Tiger Woods? boo hoo.

More excuses.

 

[FergieTCat]

I've never understood this argument. An alcoholic doesn't need alcohol. Period. Everyone needs food, but nobody needs garbage foods. Eat whole foods and nothing more. You will be healthy, thin and live longer.

How about sex addiction? Tiger Woods? boo hoo.

More excuses.

If you want to stage a food addiction intervention, go for it. From what I can see, there are plenty of resources on the Internet.

I'm not sure why you'd bring it up on a thread where people are discussing the pros and cons of bariatric surgery. I think the more knowledgeable contributors in this thread (i.e., the ones who have had surgery) have already ascertained that their weight is negatively effecting their health.