DH's cousin just had stomach bypass surgery. Would any of you resort to that?

[faith]

Dh's cousin had the stomach weight loss surgery on Monday. They disconnected his intestines, made his stomach tiny and reconnected everything. He gets out of the hospital today and is supposed to recover at home for about 6 weeks. (They mainly kept him four days to make sure his stomach wasn't leaking). He is 40 and has been heavy all his life, tried every diet etc. On the phone he sounds so happy! I think this will give him a new lease on life. He was probably 150 pounds overweight.
My original question...would any of you do this? I am thankful that I don't have a lot to lose after nine LONG years of slow weight loss. But even if I had a large amount to lose I think I love eating too much to do such a drastic step.

 

[blanq]

Well, this is a tough one. I think you have to be at least 100 lbs overweight before they will allow you do do this surgery, and I do not have that much to lose. But, if I did have that much to lose, I think I would seriously consider having the surgery. I, too, love food, so it would be hard to resort to eating just a few tablespoonfuls of food at each meal. I suppose though that the health and other benefits from having it done would outweigh my not being able to eat much. There are two people I work with who have had this surgery done within the last three months, and both are doing so well. They do not regret their decision, and the weight is just falling off them.

Linda

 

[TigH]

Oh, I hope his recovery is speedy and painless! Good luck to him!!!

I can't say that I would or wouldn't do this because I'm not in that situation. Of course, I think I would love to have breast enhancement surgery and my DH and family think I am nuts (and don't support the idea!) By the time I reach my goal, we'll be able to iron clothes on my chest!

I am glad that this type of surgery is available for people who want to pursue it (the stomach bypass). Being overweight is no picnic and some people have a much harder time passing up food than others. I hope he is able to reach his goal and maintain his loss!!! Please pass my good wishes along!!!

 

[nativetxn]

If I weighed 400 pounds, at my current age, after having tried all the other alternatives, you bet I would do it.

Fortunately, I'm not in that position.

 

[lisajl]

No, Never. A classmate of mine died from that surgery.

It is very risky. God bless the people that have it done.
I hope everything goes well for him.

Lisa

 

[lmhall2000]

My mother believes in every pharmaceutical trick- currently she drives to another state to get her "diet pills"- she just doesn't buy into exercise and eating right. She lost over 100 pounds when she was 35 but by her 40's it had crept back- she then got up to probably 270 and had the surgery- it worked and she was down to 170- now she's 238- I say this to explain that the surgery may work for someone who is not looking for "the" answer- the surgery will help if they are willing to reduce portion sizes and eat sensibly and add exercise. They essentially cut your stomach down in size making it very hard to eat much at one meal- so my mother learned to keep eating throughout the day to make up for it and remain sedentary- so for those who need the jump start for heavy weight loss- I would view it as an option but only if they are committed to eating differently.
HTH
Tara

 

[CarolA]

I had a friend who had this done. In his case he was going to die if he did not lose weight. His blood pressure was causing swelling on the brain or something like that.

He has done very well and kept the weight off. However, he has also received therapy to help him learn how to manage stress and food.

I think in his case the surgery risk was worth it. He was close to 400 lbs.