Anyone have bariatric surgery?

[JARNJ3]

During my yearly checkup today - I got a serious lecture from my doctor. She said that I could be a candidate for bariatric surgery due to my BMI number.

Now I know I'm overweight - I never thought of myself as THAT overweight! I think maybe I'm about 75 lbs overweight.....

I googled the procedures - even with the lap band - what you can eat is SEVERELY reduced. I can't even imagine not eating .......

I just got myself back to the Y and did 45 minutes (walking) on the treadmill - Saturday & Sunday. Tonight? I just found a reason not to go - but I swear I will go tomorrow. This, by the way, is the internal dialog I have with myself daily and for over the winter (I hate going out in the cold!).

Throughout the years, I have tried WW twice (lost 20 lbs each time) carbo addicts diet twice (lost 20 lbs each time there too), and the old "eat what I want but portion control" method. Only lost 5 lbs on that.....

My main issue is evenings and chocolate (or chocolate chocolate chip ice cream). During the day - I am fairly controlled, and eat healthy.

Any suggestions? Should I consider the surgery? I am so bummed now. You know I'm going to eat......

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am glad that you've spoken to your doc and it appears that the doc seems to think you do not have a medical situation that would prevent your losing weight.

I am sorry to read of your situation.

The reality of your situation is brutal. I am going to chime in as one who is not in favor of the surgery. I know people who have had it. The thing is, you can still be overweight after. You MUST learn to control your consumption of calories no matter the surgery or not. And, you've got to increase your activity same thing...no matter the surgery or not. One man I know that has had it regained s significant amount of weight and it is sad to see. He's also had major health issues along the way. Another woman was quite unhappy since it did not have the effect she had hoped to see. I know that there are successes, just that this is a major surgical procedure.

You need to find the motivation from within you. Coming here you can find support and a great cheering squad, but YOU must make your journey. I would recommend that you dig down deep within you and make this healthy lifestyle system work for you.

There are people here who have lost siginficant amounts of weight with a fierce determination. Please get serious, find your motivation and determination.

Write down what you do. Come here for support and to give support. I've found that often keeps me going. There are free sites to log everything you eat and you can then get an idea of what you can do to make healthier choices. It is not easy, but if you want it you CAN do this! Please try before considering any major surgery.

 

[lisaviolet]

During my yearly checkup today - I got a serious lecture from my doctor. She said that I could be a candidate for bariatric surgery due to my BMI number.


.

Hi,

I have no idea what you look like or even more importantly feel like. And you yourself said you need to lose weight.

Just wanted to add to be very very careful with the BMI. And some doctor's inability of be rational when using it.

When I entered university I had to have a physical. My doctor wrote clinically or morbidly obese on my notes. I really don't know how a brain can get an MD and do this. I was barely overweight. Really. Very close to "normal". It could have and was close to causing an eating disorder. Way to go medical professional. Thankfully, my friends laughed and laughed and thought it was hysterical. And thought I looked fine. And that's young weight obsessed women! That helped. But really.

Even now the BMI says I must lose over 50 more pounds to be "normal". There is no way there is 50 more pounds to come off my body. It's so whacked for some bodies. I'm 5'10" and have huge bones, am relatively fit. I have very little fat on my body. It's insane. I need to lose more weight. But I am very healthy and if I didn't lose another pound there would not be one issue besides vanity. And even vanity I'm looking good and fit.

So yes you said you need to lose weight. And you do if you are thinking 75 pounds. But be careful when doctors keep spouting the BMI without always having rational thought behind it.

Do PM me if you need a buddy or any support. Regardless, all the best to you. Why don't you come over and join us at the BL. We were supposed to end April 15 but we might extend to the end of May. All are welcome.

I wouldn't do GB with 75 pounds. I realize it saves some people's lives. I'm not judging. Just think it's totally doable.

Lisa

 

[mrsklamc]

I know four people that have had it, one is a very close friend. She has lost over 150 pounds and looks awesome.

You have to know, though- you HAVE to work out even if you have the surgery.

Two of the people who had it have had severe complications; the holes didn't heal properly and their stomachs were 'leaky'- no eating at all for them, just IVs.

They've not gotten far enough past the surgery to say if they would do it again with the complications.

 

[whgrn]

OK, as someone who HAS had this surgery, let me "weigh in" here:

I wieghed 486 pounds. I was massively obese. I couldn't walk across a room without having to stop to catch my breath. My health was in grave danger, and without some pretty fast weight loss, I was gonna die. Soon.

Now, 7 years later, I weigh 247 pounds. I'd gotten down to 236 (yup, lost 250 pounds), but gained some back. Now I'm losing again. My GOAL is 210. At 210, my BMI will be 35.6. The "weight charts" will say I am 67 pounds too heavy. But I will be healthy. At that point, I will be around 25% body fat--right where I belong!

Think of it this way--if a 6'4" guy weighs 280 pounds, is he obese? According to the weight charts he is. (max should be 197 pounds) According to his BMI he is. (34.1 is considered obese) But what if he's a linebacker for the NFL, with a body fat percentage of 15%? Guess what? NOT FAT!!!

Alot of doctors and other medical professionals DO NOT GET IT!!! They think if you are higher than those old weight charts say you should be, then you are fat. Period. Well, they are WRONG!

OK, you're 75 pounds overweight, by your own description. Is the weight you think you should be realistic, based on your age and body type? Or is it what the charts say you should weigh? If, indeed, you need to lose 75 pounds, but you are in good general health, then you do not need surgery. if you have Type 2 Diabetes, or multiple other health issues, then maybe you do. (The gastric bypass is basically a cure for Type 2 Diabetes, so even with less than 100# to lose, it's often a good solution). Otherwise, do the best you can with eating better and exercising more, and let the chips fall where they may.

Gastric bypass is a tool. it is not "the easy way". Post op life--eating, supplements, etc--is the hardest thing I have ever done. I've had plenty of complications, including a recurrent abdominal hernia (12 surgeries for that so far, with another one pending...) and persistent iron-deficiency anemia. I still have to be VERY careful about what I eat, and I will have to watch my weight for the rest of my life. That said, I'd do it again without a moment's hesitation--it gave me my life back. It's NOT for everyone, and I do feel that it is done too often on people who have not that much to lose. But only YOU know your circumstances.

Best to you in your endeavor to lose the weight, however you decide to do it.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I have a dear friend who is getting ready for the lap band surgery. She, too, is about 75 pounds heavier than she would like/should be. (I hate the "shoulds"). She has chosen lap band b/c it is laparascopic and thus far less invasive than gastric bypass. It can be done either outpatient or with just one overnight in the hospital. For her description, many docs are no longer doing gastric bypass because lapbanding in so much safer for the patient and little to no complications (medical complications). Her other reason for choosing lapband is that it promotes a healthy loss of about 2-3 pounds a week. Your body will have a much easier time adjusting to losing at this rate, and therefore it may be easier to maintain the loss.

As others have said, only you know what you are comfortable with...but I would encourage you to get all of the information you can to help you make your decision. There is tons of information out there about both procedures...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Good luck.