Post by karinothing on Dec 5, 2012 11:42:20 GMT -5
Until DH's ex stepdad got the surgery I had no idea people could get the surgery unless they were very very overweight. I don't think I would do it unless my life was at risk honestly. I feel like his step dad could take 2 bites per meal. He had to take a ton of vitamins and eventually just ate nutritional shakes becuase he wasn't able to get the nutrients he needed from food alone (since he couldn't eat enough).
I do know that the surgery can be life changing for some.
Why no booze ever again? I know it's high in calories, but...?
Weight loss is seriously difficult, but too many people I know use bariatric surgery as an "easy out."
I know exactly one person who truly, truly used it as a catalyst for a major life change. A friend in my tri club gradually became obese over the years, having kids, etc. She had bariatric surgery, and after recovering, took up running, and then triathlons. She's now a distance runner (full and half marathons) and a triathlete. For her it was amazing. But doing the kind of running she does (which is a big part of the new lifestyle) takes just as much dedication and effort as weight loss (if not more). For her the surgery was a tool, not a shortcut.
maybe she has other issues like diabetes that will likely reverse with the surgery? I think it's a really big deal and if she doesn't need it she shouldn't do it then.
I would find myself judging this myself. Especially if she is 1x. I am also not digging the husband attitude. It's like he wants her to be on a diet forever. For what, exactly?
I'm with you. I secretly (or not so secretly) take pleasure when people gain the weight back. Everyone I've dealt with that's had wls always give advice on eating healthy and what they learned...which is just annoying since what they really learned is that they can't eat anything bigger than a pea or they will throw up.
I can't imagine wanting to have surgery unless it was life or death. I was overweight and dropped about 40lbs over 6 months by watching what I ate. I know it's not always that easy but if you're a yo-yo dieter it's never going to happen and stick.
I guess it can go either way. My aunt had gastric bypass years ago and she looks amazing. She has worked herself up the point that she can eat most foods and most of her meals are normal sized. It's my understanding that you work back up to eating normal (healthy) sized meals and all that jazz.
I have a good friend who had it and she's about twice the size she was before her surgery. She frequently makes Facebook posts about what she cooks her family for dinner and it makes me sad. I remember staying at her home when we were younger and she had a lot of health issues related to her weight and her mom would serve us some of the unhealthiest foods I've ever ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I know where she got her eating habits.
I think sometimes gastric bypass gives people the kick in the pants they need to lose weight, and other times I think people just really aren't going to put much effort into their weight loss unless they have something like gastric bypass restricting how much food they can eat.
I think that this chart is based on vanity sizing. Size 4 as XS and 6/8 as S seen pretty generous to me. I am a size 6/8 and usually wear M/L. So I disagree that Plus 1X and Plus 2X at sizes 18-24 are "not that big". Also, keep in mind that the picture she posted on fb is probably a very flattering picture of her in real life. No one posts their fat pictures on fb.
I am not for or against the surgery. I just don't think that it's fair for you to downplay her decision by thinking that she is not that big when she is at the upper end of a chart like this.
Post by kellbell191 on Dec 5, 2012 11:58:13 GMT -5
MIL had the surgery done. She had to go through psychological testing before the fact. She had a lot of complications. As others mentioned, she was having a hard time getting enough nutrients from her food, so she had issues with anemia and related memory loss. You can definitely still stretch your stomach out and she has gained a fair amount of the weight back b.c. the underlying personal issues haven't been resolved.
Post by kimibrighteyes on Dec 5, 2012 11:58:28 GMT -5
I'm so surprised that there are so many posters that know so much about the risks and benefits of the different types of bariatric surgery that they are able to decide whether this woman needs it or not. I didn't realize how much good medical knowledge you all had about this very specialized area. (sarcasm)
You can't tell whether a patient needs surgery just by their size. Their comorbidities play a huge amount in this. As well, the studies that are available suggest that outcomes are better for pregnancies in women after surgery than before, especially with respect to diabetes and hypertension.
I would find myself judging this myself. Especially if she is 1x. I am also not digging the husband attitude. It's like he wants her to be on a diet forever. For what, exactly?
I believe the OP stated it was a Plus 1X, not just 1X. I don't think there is anything wrong with the husband wanting her to work out for the health benefits. It just sounds like he is clueless about the post-surgery diet and effects.
I'm so surprised that there are so many posters that know so much about the risks and benefits of the different types of bariatric surgery that they are able to decide whether this woman needs it or not. I didn't realize how much good medical knowledge you all had about this very specialized area. (sarcasm)
You can't tell whether a patient needs surgery just by their size. Their comorbidities play a huge amount in this. As well, the studies that are available suggest that outcomes are better for pregnancies in women after surgery than before, especially with respect to diabetes and hypertension.
I'm with you. I secretly (or not so secretly) take pleasure when people gain the weight back.
You know what, this is a disgusting statement.
:heart: kimibrighteyes
Judging people who get weight loss surgery is also disgusting. Maybe it's a terrible choice for her. Or maybe it's a great choice. But it's her choice to make after consultation with her doctor.
Other than the one comment the responses to this post haven't seemed that judgy to me... it is mostly people sharing anecdotes of friends and family who have had the same surgery.
Lauralynne, thanks for the booze explanation. That makes a lot of sense. And congrats to you on the improvements you have made in your life!
Post by explorer2001 on Dec 5, 2012 12:35:14 GMT -5
From what the op said, it sounds rushed. I will admit we don't know what her doctor's said, how long she's been working on things, comorbidities, etc. It just feels fast for such a huge surgery. Of course, this is likely colored by it taking a decade for me to get approved for a much needed breast reduction and being scared after complications from my last surgery. My lumpectomy was a skin nick compared to gastric bypass and I ended up back in the hospital a week later. I hope your friend has all the support she needs and makes the right choice for her whatever that is.
She's a yo-yo dieter. To me, that means she doesn't have the drive/energy/ability/desire to find and stick with a diet that works. If she doesn't find a diet that works, she needs to try adding in exercise. If that doesn't work, she needs to see a doctor that might diagnose a true issues (for example: hypothyroid).
To me it seems like she is taking the quick and easier (not easy) way out.
She should also know that the divorce rate for gastric bypass patients hovers right around 99%. Seriously.
We've had many women have the surgery here at work and several of them have gotten divorced afterward. I thought it was just coincidence, but that's eye opening.
You can eventually drink again as pp said, it's just not right away. And a couple of the women at work have just replaced a poor food relationship with something else, working out, sleeping around, etc.
I am judging based on what OP said. ... To me it seems like she is taking the quick and easier (not easy) way out.
And maybe, JUST MAYBE, the OP doesn't have all the information.
I mean, I'm going out on a limb here, but I think it's possible that this woman's doctor is slightly more knowledgeable about her condition than a friend of her husband's. MAYBE.
I am judging based on what OP said. ... To me it seems like she is taking the quick and easier (not easy) way out.
And maybe, JUST MAYBE, the OP doesn't have all the information.
I mean, I'm going out on a limb here, but I think it's possible that this woman's doctor is slightly more knowledgeable about her condition than a friend of her husband's. MAYBE.
You're absolutely right. That being said, do we never judge a person just based on what an OP puts in a post or do we always assume the best of said person?
I'm with you. I secretly (or not so secretly) take pleasure when people gain the weight back.
You know what, this is a disgusting statement.
Thanks for being a voice of reason.
I think nqb admitted to being a judgy mcjudgerson, but without all the info, what can we know? I doubt the doctors would just do this surgery for fun. Arent there a hundred hoops to jump through? Psych evals? Etc.
A good doctor will make sure that she's ready for this. This is no easy decision. It's not a magic fix-all, and having seen family members go through this, she'll have a hard road ahead of her. I don't think it's up to any of us to judge this woman. I wish her all the best.