Q. Forgive me if I'm confused...I have a few friends who got gastric bypass. One lost 80 lbs before the surgery, she was around my current weight when she got it. (I'm 255, she was around there somewhere.) The other lost 60 lbs before the surgery,she was probably in the 270's or so. Anyhow...I was 299 at my high weight and I feel SO much better at 255, I feel more hopeful, more like 'I can do this' now that I have a little success built up...I'm confused, why go to all the trouble, the possible complications (my two friends, the one had to go back in three times to fix problems the surgery caused, the other had to go back in twice)...the risk of regain WITH a stapled stomach which seems so much worse than regain without it, the side effects, malnourisment, possible addictions in the future... If you have done it, why not keep at it? This isn't a value judgement, it is I swear...total bewilderment. Or, maybe I'm a wimp and surgery is scary. lol.
A. I explained some of my personal reasons in my introduction. I can't tell you everyone's reasons, but I can give you some generalities. Some people, such as myself, can make short term succeses by ourselves. We can take off 10, 20, 30, etc. pounds - however, we don't have the capability for one reason or another (whatever this reason is, is a big factor into why we would qualify to receive the surgery) to take off the full amount of our excess weight or can't keep the weight off ourselves.
Many people lose some of the weight before the surgery like your friends did because - well - sometimes if you DON'T lose weight before it (and prove that you will really try to AFTER it) the surgeon will refuse to perform the surgery on you. To someone who thinks the surgery is their last chance, they'll do pretty much anything not to screw it up.
Yes, as we all know, bariatric surgery is only a tool in the end. You have to change your lifestyle either way. The surgery can make it easier to do because you can eat much less food and still feel full. Personally, I know I won't be able to do it myself (sometimes I swear I can eat an entire cow without feeling full). I know I won't be able to do it myself because I have tried over and over and failed. I know the way my brain works, and besides the fact that I will feel full much sooner, I know the surgery and the risk of all the complications if I do go off track - those will keep me in line. It will give me enough incentive to keep going.
My BMI is 57.4- far over the morbidly obese line, no matter who you're talking to. I'm pre-diabetic, and can barely get out of my house without being in pain. For me, WLS will give me my life back and the capability to actually help myself. WLS will make me lose enough weight initially where I CAN get up and exercise and be about; and therefore really able to aid myself in losing the weight. I'm really looking forward to going on long walks with my husband.
You should feel fantastic that you got yourself as far as you have. You should be proud that you can do it yourself. You're doing something great for yourself. However, without sounding snotty (because that really is not my intent), people like me who have been honest with themselves, and admit that we need help, are doing just as well for ourselves. If we use our method correctly, just as you use yours correctly too, we will all succeed.
Of course people want to talk about all of the horror stories.
First, we'll examine those who gain back the weight. This is rare, but it does happen. Some people just won't stick to the plan. It's sad, but it is possible to fail. No method of losing weight is 100% effective - and no matter what, people will have to change their lifestyles to succeed. Some people just will not do this, and no matter what their method - whether it be calorie counting, weight watchers, atkins, any other food plans, or bariatric surgery - those people will not succeed.
Next, of course, there are complications of WLS as with any surgery. We'll talk about this in terms of people who follow the plan post-op. These people will have lost or be losing the weight, and the risk factors associated with obesity. We'll also discuss this in terms of people who cannot lose the weight themselves. We'll assume that the person would not be considering bariatric surgery if that was an option in the first place. This becomes an internal debate anyone considering WLS must have. Two different people can look at the same list and choose different options. The options are to remain obese, and have the risk factors of obesity:
Increased Risk of Premature Death
Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Increased Risk of Stroke
Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Increased Risk of Cancers
Increased Risk of Fatty Liver Disease
Increased Risk of Gallbladder Disease
Increased Risk of Breathing Problems
Increased Risk of Arthritis
Increased Risk for Expectant Mothers and their Babies
also, there are Psychological and Social Effects of Obesity
or to have Bariatric Surgery and you may experience some of the complications of bariatric surgery:
Dumping Syndrome
Blood Clots occur in about 0.2% of Roux-en-Y patients
Leakage approximately 1% of patients will experience leakage
Bowel Obstruction occurs in 1%-3% of patients
Ulcer occurs in about 2% of patients
Gallstones about 7% of WLS patients have to have their Gallbladders removed later on
Infections
(There are also more complications that can occur in peple with heart conditions, sleep apnea, and other specific conditions, but I stuck to general complications).
The question is: Which list is scarier to you? Both are a result of your own actions (unless there's a medical problem obviously); you just have to choose which one you can live with.
To me, the first list is much scarier.
I will risk the complications also because I truly believe that I will never lose the weight by myself, and my life will be stuck with that first risk list. At least the surgery gives me a really good chance of succeeding.
This is probably way longer of a response than you expected, but I felt the need to put this all up because I know more people than just you wonder the same thing.
Links: Obesity Risks WLS Risks
I think the worst statement you will hear and that which I still hear... three years later is..."You took the easy way out". Don't ever let someone say that to you. It is not easy, not will it ever be easy. I live with it every day.
ReplyDeleteI agree about people saying it's easy, I don't think that, and I have definitely considered WLS at my high weight.
ReplyDeleteI felt desperate and hopeless. I thought there was just no way I could do this on my own and keep it off. I've lost 44 lbs and I still don't know, even at goal, I won't know. We just can't I guess.
***The following is just my thoughts about why WLS is not an option for me, and has nothing to do with anyone else who choses that route.***
I think the main reason why I decided against it is because I'm an emotional eater. WLS would not change that. I feel *I* would most likely regain if I didn't learn a new way to approach my relationship to food, which was the problem all along, whether I was starving or binging or doing some other unhealthy thing, it was the relationship that was causing it.
Although therapy is working out well, and diet and exercise are just kind of a side effect of the therapy. ha. ;)
They think the rates of regain are so high with people with a bmi over 50 because of things like emotional eating and food addiction. (the idea being you didn't get to be that big just because food was tasty, that maybe other things were going on), and for me other things were definitely the issue.
>>>However, without sounding snotty (because that really is not my intent), people like me who have been honest with themselves, and admit that we need help, are doing just as well for ourselves. If we use our method correctly, just as you use yours correctly too, we will all succeed.<<<
I hope you didn't say that because I sounded judgmental, I didn't intend that at all. I am not *against* WLS for other people and when I considered it and talked to another morbidly obese friend about it she was very judgmental to me and she rattled off risks and I said, "I know these things, I know the risks, I'm just at the point where I don't care." So I am definitely not judging and I've definitely been in that head space.
Anyhow, how much weight do you have to lose before you can get it and how much have you lost so far?
No, I didn't say it to sound judgmental. Unfortunately, you can't type that in a way where it can't be read with that connotation lol Its just a truth I have come to see. People can reach the same end with many different methods. And none of those single methods are right for everyone.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there are a lot of judgmental people out there though, and I just thought my post should go out to everyone, even the skeptics. :)
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ReplyDeleteOh no no, you misunderstood, I meant I hope you didn't say that in response to thinking I was being judgmental.
ReplyDeleteha. big mess. :P
No, I definitely don't think you were being judgmental! Actually that is the nicest and most respectful way I've ever seen anyone ask! lol That's part of the reason why I took the time to respond at length.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Galactic, you're right. I do have to work on some of those issues. I am actively working on those issues, and getting a little better every day.
I think you're really very brave to post this up.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how people think WLS is "the easy way out"... especially when people try EVERYTHING else before considering WLS... Like you said, it's a tool.
Furthermore, there is only so much exercise you can do when you're this heavy...
If my current diet fails I'll probably start looking into WLS. I've tried everything and will use it next if the other tools don't work.
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