Have You Had Weight Loss Surgery?

i have known a couple people who have done it. what always struck me (because some of them did gain the weight back) is that, to keep it off, you truly have to change your life. eat less, and exercise more. what i never understood (as a big person myself) is, if you have to do that after, why not do it before?? and save yourself the pain and expense of surgery?

i originally weighed 250, i am now at 222, from better diet (NOT a "DIET"- just eating less and making better choices) and exercising. i understand in the grand scheme of things 30 lbs is not huge, but to me it has been awesome. and i don't intend to stop. so while i don't weigh as much as some people i have seen, i feel like i have a little bit of experience with this issue. but this is just my two cents...

A friend of mine had the surgery. I'm not sure which one, but she is in her 20s and wanted more children. She is heavier now than before. I personally think it "failed" because she did not commit to changing her life. She was about 22 when she had it done and thought it would be a quick fix. She doesn't exercise and didn't change her diet.

If you've been considering this for 3 years, you sound very committed. Best of luck!!

I know several people who have had gastric bypass. I'm assuming you are doing your homework because it's huge, major surgery and carries all the usual risks - infection or worse.

My cousin is doing well several years after her surgery, but she had a rough pregnancy. Her stomach was so much smaller but she had to eat enough calories for them both. It's been a huge lifestyle change for her - which seems to be what you have to do in order for it to work. She takes prenatal type vitamins daily and watches her diet to make sure she gets what she needs with what her system can handle. She has not had skin problems that I am aware of (not looking at a body lift). From an outsider's perspective, I just worried about her recovery because of my friend's mom's passing. She got an infection post-op that she never recovered from.

Good luck to you, whatever you choose.

I have several friends and family members that have had the bypass and lap band surgeries. The ones with the lap band did not loose as much as fast as the bypass ones. The people that did alter their diet and exercise have maintained their weight loss. However in both groups, the people that didn't change their eating habits or exercise regiment gained all of their weight back within 4 years. That seems like an awful lot of pain to go through if you aren't willing to sustain the changes required.

Some of them have had serious side effects which required more surgeries to correct. Some have lost their gall bladders after having the bypass. Others have had no side effects other than weight loss :)

I say if you have been working on this for three years you have already done your research and have made the commitment. Have you followed the altered diet your doctor has given you? I know my friends had to follow a very strict diet for several months prior to the surgery before the surgeons would set the date for surgery. They want to make sure you are able to commit to the changes required BEFORE having it done.

If you are able to follow the restricted diet beforehand for several months you will have no problem following it post op.

Best of luck to you :)

Peace and Blessings,
T. B

I heard lapband was better because it is removable and adjustable, especially if you get pregnant.

Hubs had a lap band done in Aug 2011. He's lost about 70 lbs since. He can and does eat everything after the surgery, but avoids most breads. His portion size has significantly decreased though because his appetite is constricted.

He must take care to eat slowly and chew well, otherwise he suffers nausea. He also has to make sure to eat often enough, 3-4 small meals a day, so that he doesn't find himself wolfing and uncomfortable.

As you already know, surgery is not a quick fix. It takes a committment to lifelong dietary changes to keep weight in check. In hubs case, he always ate "good food", just way too much of it.

He's had no skin sagging, and doesn't seem flabby. He hasn't been exercising, but his energy has increased, and his mood and overall vitality are improved.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

My BFF had gastric bypass surgery over a year ago and she has done AMAZINGLY well! She has lost about 70 pounds and is in excellent health. BUT (there's always a but, lol!) she followed the post op diet and directions to a T. It will not work if you are not 100% committed and realistic about how this will affect the rest of your life. There are certain foods she can never eat again. Her portion sizes are very small. She takes supplements to deal with digestive issues which she will now always have.
One of her coworker's spouses had the same procedure, with the same surgeon, and wasn't able to stick to all the dietary restrictions. As a result she has not lost as much weight as she wanted and she is in constant digestive distress. I believe she has been hospitalized at least twice with serious complications.
If you have an excellent doc and follow ALL the rules after the surgery your life WILL change for the better! Good luck :)

www.whole9life.com
I highly suggest you read Melissa and Dallas' book, It Starts With Food. And I highly recommend avoiding surgery.