Many Surgery Questions: Delighted, Content or Regretful

kiehn · 01-01-2003, 09:06 AM

Hello and Happy New Years to all,

I done research on weight loss surgery and found the Lap-Band surgery is the safest and least dangerous plus it's easily reversible. Anyone heard of any pro's or con's inregards to this procedure?

I'm interested in hearing from all those who've
had or know of anyone who's had any type of weight loss surgery. Regrets, delights, or just OK/content.

How do you feel emotionally? Does anyone feel like
the surgery was a last resort that meant trading or
giving up freedom of eating, for a healthier slimmer
body?

Can you eat junk food or do you even have the cravings?If not do you feel deprived that you can't eat the junk food or even a plate full of a delious turkey dinner?

What about emotional eating, such as depression, anxiety, boredom, etc. How do you deal with it now
after the surgery?

How about taking large amounts of med's or supplements
is there a problem keep them down or digesting them?

What about fast eaters, they eat so fast that they end up eating too much. As I've read after surgery that usually means it all comes right back up.

Or how about those of us that don't have any back teeth to chew with which makes it harder to digest.
I've also read especially with the lap-band if the
food isn't chewed thoroughly it comes back up.

What kind of medical problems did you have before the
surgery? Did losing weight from the surgery resolve or help relieve any of those medical conditions?

Anything else that caused a change in your life style
good or bad?

Thanks to All, Susie

Lindarella · 01-01-2003, 10:32 AM

Two of my very best friends have had weight loss surgery. Their takes are very different.

Friend #1 isn't sorry at all. She had it nearly a year ago. She weighed 375 and has lost 110lbs in the last year. She didn't have many problems with the surgery.

Friend #2 on the other hand, is not pleased at all. She had surgery complications that landed her in the hospital 3 more times after the surgery. She had it in July and has lost 80lbs. She weighed 325.

Both of them complain of the same basic point. That at first you're all gung-ho so you do well. As time passes, they started to cheat. You still have to monitor every single thing you eat for life, just as you should have before the surgery. They have to make good food choices, exercise etc.

Neither had the problem of throwing up and both still want to and do eat junk. Friend #1 did throw up at first, but now she just eats less but more often and it has went away. She said she picks at food all day long.

Friend #2 is very disappointed in the fact that her doctor didn't mention to her the statistic that more than 40% of people who have this, gain it back. She is very sorry she had this surgery. She told me that if she had only eaten the 900-1200 calories a day that she has to eat now, that she could do it without the life altering surgery and complications. Her basic take is that it was a very extreme way to limit the food she sticks in her mouth. She thinks that a good food addicts program or counseling would have helped her more. One thing on the plus side is that she was diabetic and taking shots. Losing the 80lbs has helped her with this as now she's down to just taking the pills for it.

My take on seeing them both do this is NO WAY! Friend #2 is right. She eats 900-1200 calories a day and could have did that without the $70,000 surgery/complicaions. It definately wasn't a quick fix for either of them. I'd say, over time, friend #2 will gain all this weight back. Friend #1, I don't know.

It's all about control of what you eat isn't it? If you could gain that control now, no need for the surgery. You may think "but I can't control how much eat or I wouldn't be in this shape." This is true but the surgery isn't all it's cracked up to be as you STILL have control what you eat. Food controls my friends. It's very very sad to see.

Good luck to you.

kiehn · 01-02-2003, 12:42 AM

Thanks Lindarella
That's exactly the kind of things I want to hear
about. Ya it's all the hype in the beginning but
how does a person feel 1yr-5yrs-10yrs down the road.
All my life I've always gain weight extremely easily and I've had to literally straved myself to stay slim, but when I hit my 40's I got tired of watching
every one else eat 3 meals a day as well as eat yummy junk foods. So I joined them and over the last 5 yrs in addition to gaining a 150lbs I've now have a list of medical problems longer than I'm tall. I know I need to do something, but I don't have the stamina to deprive and stave myself again each day for the rest of my life to be slimmer. I'm well aware Thyroid problems can cause weight gain, but I only developed a mild thyroid problem after I stated gainning weight which I take med for. I'm sure my situation is very common and my story is basically the same as many others just a different variation. My New Years wish is that those who are truely looking for answers/help inregards to their health issues will not only find them but in addition their health issue will be cured.
Happy New Year, Susie

Lindarella · 01-02-2003, 02:14 PM

I agree it's the biggest bummer to have to concern yourself every minute of the day with food. I gained 30lbs about 3 years ago when I got a computer as I sat and ate way too much junk. Last April I went on a restricted calorie diet. I ate 1200 a day, everyday, zero cheating and lost all the weight in about 12 weeks. So far I've kept it off but it's only been since April.

I'm disappointed that to this day and every day from now on that I have to concern myself with calories. I thought hitting the goal was going to be the end all and be all of the diet but it never ends.....

I think I've had it easy always being thin. These friends of mine have had a hard life and have always been heavy. We all started kindergarten at the same time and they were heavy children. We've had many many many heart to heart discussions over the years as to how some people stay thin and others don't. The thing that I see that's happened with my friends and me is the importance they put on food. I think people who are always thin, don't think food is as important to their mental wellbeing. My friends never seemed to learned the mindset that thin people have. They use food for comfort. This is the main reason why friend #2 thinks counseling would help her. She needs to relearn ways to comfort herself.

There is no easy way to lose weight. And even once you get to your goal it still sucks to have to think about these calories every darn day of your life. I can see now why so many people are overweight and fail at dieting. I used to think if my friends would just quit eating so much it would all be ok. Food and how and why and what you eat is just so much more complex than this idea I had....

I have to do this forever and believe me I understand where you're coming from that you just get sick of it.

I hope you find some motivation to get yourself thin for your health. Good luck to you.

Jabber · 01-07-2003, 06:51 AM

I had it 11/28/02 and Im down 220lbs was suppose to be down 288lbs per BMI index but what am I gonna do? Would I recomend the surgey? Only for people that were in my shape (300lbs over) try every other option, I have been hospitzied once for my gallblader but I am doing things again at 42, Im ice skating playing football with my kids etc yes I have about another 100 to go but I will take it as it comes, I make love to my wife almost every night like we were 17 again but yes the complacations suck but I was dead one way or the other and yeas I can see putting it back on even with a golf ball sized gut! Good Luck and GOD bless

P.S. I keep my life insurance paid up! LOL