Negative views on Weight Loss Surgery...

[Queen]

I am wondering if I am the only person that does NOT view negatively towards surgery?

The discussion has come up many times, and I am shocked to hear peoples opinions.

I think surgery is a great option for those who have long term struggled with their weight, and I see surgery as a better choice than draining our health system from obesity related illnesses.

Am I alone here?

[FabFiona]

I don't view it negatively. I agree that for those that have struggled with weight over the long term it is a great option. I also TOTALLY agree that it is far cheaper than dealing with the range of obesity related illnesses later in life.

That being said, I do have a concern that sorta like c-sections they might become overused. Particularly for those that are moderately overweight and have not tried any other weight loss methods such as lifestyle changes, eating patterns, exercise.

[ladybird11]

I'm 50 / 50 on the matter.

I think surgery is definitely a good option for some people; but I don't agree with people resorting to it for a 'quick fix' solution, IYKWIM? Example, my friend had been overweight for most of her life, I've known her since I was 9. She never attempted to lose it through exercise or food intake - and she had openly admitted to me she wanted lap band surgery as she can't be ar$ed trying to lose it herself (she had about 50kgs to be in a healthy BMI range). She said the surgery would give her the 'kickstart' she needed. I never bagged her or thought negatively about it. She's had the surgery in Feb 2011, and still has shocking eating habits. She hasn't altered the foods she eats at all, just the amount (which is due to the surgery).

However, I've lost almost 40kgs from just exercise and good food intake after having my second child. And I've now got 8kgs to lose after just having DD2 one month ago. And I'm confident that I can and will do it. Yup it was tough in the beginning, but it got easier and easier as time went on, and just became a part of my daily routine.

But yes, its a case by case approach, there is no one size fits all when it comes to this topic I believe.

[toomanyshoes]

I think it's a legitimate option that is abused.

In 99% of cases its simple, energy inout far out weighs energy output. And there seems to be an increase in people having the surgery thinking it's the easy way out.

I actually know a number of people who have had lap banding, most have put 60-80% of the weight they lost back on 5+ years later.

A lot of people defend the surgery saying people see nutritionist and what not throughout but most people over eat for a reason and if that reason isn't identified and dealt with no surgery or diet will work.

I also don't see a need to have to "cure" over weight people, not everyone wants to fit into the xyz mould and are quite happy the way they are. Skinny people are also a drain on the health system.

I don't think tying a band around your gut to make it half its size or stapling your stomach in two should be taken so lightly as it is now. Its major surgery. My mum still 10 years later has problems with her band and vomiting because food gets stuck, this is going to have major health implications as she gets older.

I hope we can one day move away from having to "cure the fatties" and just except people will always come in different shapes and sizes.

[berrme]

I am with the other girls here. There are people who it is a fantastic solution for, but it doesn't work on its own. All it does is make your stomach smaller. I think there is a view out there that if you have this surgery then you will lose weight and look amazing in no time, but that is not necessarily the case and should only be undergone if other options like healthy lifestyle have already been attempted.

Leesa, has your friend lost any weight? We have a friend of the family who has stayed almost as big years after her surgery because she still eats utter crap, just in smaller portions more often.

[MrsFabuloso]

I also agree witht he others. It needs to be carefully wieghed up as to whether it's the right option for you. I have heard of people changing their entire lifestyles around and the surgery being the point of change, but I have also heard of people like Leesa;s friend who have just continued on their merry way of eating junk and no exercise. There needs to be better psycological testing to see if you're mentally prepared for such a life altering thing to be done.

[kimmi]

I don't know how I feel about it to be honest! I think it is a valid option for many people, however, if it is not supported with the right eating and exercise coaching, it is still doomed to fail.

I am very overweight and I am working towards slowly slowly losing the weight on my own.

I feel good about the fact I am really learning what I should and shouldn't do.

A friend of mine had lap banding done a few years ago and hasn't budged any weight at all.

It's like any aspect of weight loss I suppose. Hard work pays off!

[LionsandBears]

I suppose for me, weight loss isn't just about reducing size. It's about health and fitness. I don't know much about the surgical options, except i think there comes a point where people need it as drastic action (like when they can no longer walk, for example). However, lap band isn't going to miraculously cure the build up of fat in arteries and the pressure that puts on the heart and brain. It won't suddenly cure liver or kidney disease or improve bone density. Over time, if the fat falls off, it may help. However, if people dont exercise, they cant improve or maintain their fitness or strength. The same goes for skinny people who dont exercise - some of them are heart attacks waiting to happen too.

I'm not obese, but I'm overweight. My weight hasn't increased much, but due to physical restrictions, I haven't been exercising properly for over a year. I know i've lost fitness, strength, flexibility etc. I've tried to adapt my diet accordingly (I'm not perfect though), so i don't create extra problems for myself or for bub. However, I'm conscious I don't have the same resting heartbeat I had when I was fitter. I'm hoping once bub arrives and I can work to get rid of the SPD, then i get back to some sort of training regime. I may not be able to the same sort of exercise i did pre-baby, but I'll find a work around. I hate being inactive.

A lot of resistance to health and fitness is habit and what people learn from their families growing up. A lot of it is psychological. I'm a comfort eater myself, so I can relate. However, it is everyone's choice as to whether or not they access the help they need to get better (I see extreme unhealthy eating, whether over or under eating as an illness). I don't think just getting surgery is going to solve anything, if people dont also work on the psychological side of things and learn to consciously exercise and eat appropriately.

[briggsy's girl]

i think in the right circumstances, the surgical assistance can be warranted - but it has to be done correctly. using it as the be all and end all is not gonna work. you need to make significant lifestyle changes before undergoing the surgery so that it is the boost to the changes, not the kick start. i am the daughter of two failed surgical weight loss candidates. neither made the required lifestyle changes. i am friends with a couple of people who HAVE made the changes and simply used the surgery to boost that weight loss

so yes, i can see both sides. it CAN be a fantastic thing if it's not abused.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

This has been taking up most of my mental capacity lately, LOL. I'm supposed to get a gastric sleeve in August, but I just can't make up my mind. I personally would rather lose it the old fashioned way, I guess because of the way people view it? I think I focus too much on the opinions of others. At the end of the day, I just fricken wanna be healthy! But I also question whether getting skinny that way IS healthy. Sure, it's effective, probably moreso for me, given how much difficulty I have losing weight. But the accompanying mineral and vitamin deficiencies concern me - am I healthier now, even obese, than I would be after the op?

Such an interesting topic.

[ladybird11]

Nah berme, my friend didn't / hasn't lost weight ad yet.

Keike - I can understand your thinking there (about how to lose the weight). For me personally it was kinda like saving hard to buy my first car; I took far more pride and care of my car when I bought it, compared to my friends who had theirs bought for them. Sometimes time / patience can be a factor - depends on the real motivation behind you wanting to lose it eg - ttc. Just do what feels right for you Hun, I'd be 100% behind you no matter what decision you make .

[ladybird11]

And I do agree, skinny is not necessarily healthier by any means if it's been achieved thru unhealthy methods.....lol, hope that makes sense

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Yeah, I understand I suppose, looking at it simplistically, I would be at less risk of dying from a heart attack or something. Mineral/vitamin deficiencies can be controlled and supplemented, but excess weight around vital organs can't be fixed apart from losing that weight.

Something else I worry about is whether it's safe or possible for me to lose that amount of weight - I mean, an obese person has a lot of extra strain on the heart, and then doing cardio is even more strain. Is it safer to use the surgery as a kickstart, and then follow it up with a tailored exercise regime, than it would be to jump in and start flogging it right now?

[toomanyshoes]

I think the safest way to lose weight regardless if it's a little or a lot is eating a healthy diet with variety, portion control and exercise.

But with exercise you have to push yourself past whats comfortable to have any effect, you have to start sweating.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

That's my point, is my body capable of being pushed past its limit without killing me?

[toomanyshoes]

as long as you're not flogging yourself.

Set a goal, push yourself a little, when that becomes easy push yourself a little more and so on.

I don't think it's a matter of having to hitting the pavement and doing a 10km run straight up.

[Rouge]

A good friend of mine had lapband surgery and at first I was worried and cynical because I too had only heard the bad stuff.

And I can tell you it was not an instant fix. She still watched what she ate and exercised. And she is one of the most successful band patients. It's not the norm but that doesn't mean it can't happen. The band is like a crutch, that you can lean on. And it also depends on how you eat and whether or not you eat a lot. Not everyone gains wait from eating a lot. Some people gain by WHAT they eat. For example if you have a band eating chocolate, lollies etc empty calories will still be consumable through the band even if you are consuming small amounts.

I think Lap Band Surgery is good for some people. But NOTHING is a quick fix. Everything should be balanced with smart eating (not starvation) and exercise. Because that is the way to a healthy lifestyle. I love the new ads we have here. "Don't stop it, just swap it." and it's so true. Small changes can change everything.

Keike if you need a treadmill buddy let me know. I need to get back on it. And I used to MMS my final treadmill screen to my gf to keep us motivated...

BTW I lost 17 kgs last year. And when Lucy died in Jan I stopped everything I was doing. Whilst I haven't lost much more, I haven't gained a single kg. So I know I have changed. I just need to get my mojo back so I can lose more

[Phteven]

I think that when it is combined with a commitment to having a healthy lifestyle it can be a good option.
I read something interesting about stool transplants and gut flora a while ago - they have been transplanting stool from the bowels of slim people into people who struggle with weight and finding that it can help weight loss and reduce diabetes risk so maybe that is a less drastic option.

That's my point, is my body capable of being pushed past its limit without killing me?

If you don't sweat and you don't hurt just a bit it's probably not going to work. Pushing yourself past your limit is how you gain strength and fitness.
If you push yourself you will learn to love the pain and the endorphin rush afterwards.