Gastric Bypass?

[Lisa F]

The doctor mentioned PCOS as well as thyroid and adrenal issues as possibilities and basically said that an endocrinologist would be better equipped to deal with all of that. Luckily this medical group has a "diabetes center" which is something of a misnomer since they deal with all kinds of metabolic issues and after my next appointment I will likely head over there.

Yes, it has been very frustrating and I apologize to the OP for sort of hijacking the thread. I've never really felt like people treated me "differently" for being overweight and I always believed that what was important was attitude and how you dress yourself and carry yourself and for the most part that has been true... except when visiting doctors, then all bets are off and they pretty much judge you the second they see you. What has really really made me angry is how many doctors have taken one look at me and suggested the surgery.

Whenever people are judgemental of those who have the surgery it makes me want to scream because they are likely just doing what their doctors are telling them to do! And yes, I do know of two "horror stories" where both people died from the surgery. Both people were kind of like me, otherwise healthy (good blood profile, good blood pressure, fairly active though not exercising as much as I do, no real obesity related complications to anything) and they were BOTH told by their doctors that if they didn't have this surgery they would be dead in 5 years. Well great, instead they were dead in 5 weeks.

It just makes me so angry and then to experience the same sort of "pressure" from doctors to do that is just insane. I probably have less chance of dying in 5 years than someone who is thin who smokes and has high blood pressure and cholesterol through the roof and who is sedentary but just happened to be blessed with a high metabolism. IMO, the surgery has done WAY more harm than good because the people like Shugardrawers are the exception and not the rule... it seems like most people who get the surgery end up worse off than before. Please do not minimize her accomplishment because she had the surgery and it was a "cop out." IMO, for long term success and quality of life, the surgery is NOT the easy choice but rather the more difficult one and although intial weight loss was probably "easy" (as easy as it is losing weight when you have a stomach virus that is) her continued success is all her.

Anyway I will stop ranting now.

 

[Chicago526]

Lisa F, don't apologize, you didn't hijack the thread! I wanted all points of view on this subject. Plus when I talk to my friend, I can find out if the docs are really pushing her towards the surgery without mentioning other avenues, or if it's just one of many options they've given her. Since it's not a life or death situation, I'd rather have her lose it the old fashioned way, but once I find out what the docs have said (I've gotten most of my info second hand from her sister, my friend is embarassed to talk about this with me), I can hopefully help her figure out if this is really the way to go.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I didn't think about it earlier when I posted, but there have also been other benefits for me from the surgery. Before the surgery I was actually trying to decide to have it done first or surgery on my feet. Heelspurs or plantar fascitis, whichever it was. About two months after the gb surgery, however, I noticed the pain going away in my feet. Two years later, I now don't have that problem anymore. Also, the reflux and indigestion problems I had were horrific. I could've been looking into surgery for that in the near future. The surgery took care of that, too. Surprised me no end. I hadn't even heard of it taking care of the indigestion. And, by the indigestion no longer being a problem, my hiatal hernia doesn't act up hardly at all anymore. I do have to still be careful eating dense meats, but it's loads better now.
That's the strange thing about some of these surgeries...you may get great unexpected results.
Kim

 

[patsvette]

Originally posted by phamton
LisaF, have you been tested for PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome? It is estimated that as many as 10% of all women suffer from this. It causes insulin resistance and thus weight gain or difficulty in losing weight. Most obese PCOS women do not overeat — the weight gain and maintenance is due to metabolic disturbances. Not all women with this disorder have every symptom.

Thats actually what my wife has and thyroid and thats why she went with the surgery.And like said above her hyenial hernia hardly bothers her at ll anymore,before it was almost every night.

 

[Mary Ellen]

but at least I know this doctor will send me to an endocrinologist and also a nutritionist

For LisaF and the OP's friend, PLEASE don't see a 'nutritionist'. The person you should see is a Registered Dietitian. They will have the initials R.D. after their name and have MUCH more knowledge and training with nutrition than a M.D. (who may [probably] not had any nutrition in Med School) or a 'nutritionist' (which absolutely anyone can call themselves - with NO training).

I am not a R.D., but Nutrition was a requirement for my Bachelors, the prerequisites were Organic chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, Microbiology and Anatomy. This Nutrition class was the same one that was offered to the Medical students (one of the top 2 Med Schools in the country) and I wouldn't feel comfortable/qualified to guide someone nutritionally (well, it has been more than a few years). Last I heard, only about 50% of Med Schools even offered Nutrition and in those that did, only 20% (or less) of the med students took it.

A R.D. has had MUCH more training than I have had. They are the person to see, not a 'nutritionist'.