Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery?

Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid

Message

MzMia -> Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:02:14 PM)
I am watching a show "Big Medicine" in which this 800 pound man is waiting for the insurance company to okay his gastric surgery. On this show, I OFTEN see people that were between 275-800 pounds, who are now between 120-180 pounds. TLC :: Big Medicine They are smiling, and saying how sexy they are and how great they feel. What are you thoughts on the growing epidemic of these gastric bypass/obesity surgeries? Is it a quick fix and an easy way out? I am NOT talking about the tiny percentage of people that have a thyroid or some such problem. I am talking about the majority of the people that have this surgery, that have gorged themselves with food for years. I really enjoy these programs. I saw one recently, where the woman was scheduled for obesity surgery, and she went to an all you can eat buffet the day before. She said, since she would never be able to eat like that after her surgery, she might as well enjoy her last day. These surgeries cost between $10,000- $40,000 this does not include the years of check-ups, etc. Also, most have to have skin reduction/plastic surgeries to remove the loose skin, to the tune of $5,000-$20,000 {easily}. All total the insurance costs for everything can easily be over $50,000-$75,000 and this is with NO complications. With complications I imagine it could easily cost 500K. As someone that is in the process of losing 10-15 pounds it makes me often go hummmm Thoughts? Feelings? Is this the NEW easy way out? Most of the people I see on these shows waiting for surgery, have given up on dieting, exercising, etc. They appear to be sitting, eating and and waiting for the surgery. Is Obesity/Gastric/Lap Band Surgery, American's new weight loss treatment?

MissMagnolia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:13:16 PM)
Yes, I think it is the in thing to take the easy road. Having a gastric bypass sure is a lot quicker than dieting and exercising for a year, two, ten years. You get almost instant results. I DO also think many people haven't a clue on just how dangerous these operations can be. And all that floppy skin that needs removing when they've lost a shitload of weight. And the checking to see if the band is strangulating anything. And the violent vomiting that can occur. Etc. By the same token, if I had the money, I would have everything lifted, moved to it's original position, removed, implanted and polished.[:D]

Urza -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:16:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MissMagnolia Yes, I think it is the in thing to take the easy road. Having a gastric bypass sure is a lot quicker than dieting and exercising for a year, two, ten years. You get almost instant results. I DO also think many people haven't a clue on just how dangerous these operations can be. And all that floppy skin that needs removing when they've lost a shitload of weight. And the checking to see if the band is strangulating anything. And the violent vomiting that can occur. Etc. By the same token, if I had the money, I would have everything lifted, moved to it's original position, removed, implanted and polished.[:D] I'm in total agreement. I'm quite heavy, clinically obese. But hey I can run/walk and be active like people half my weight. If I could I'd lose weight, it doesn't seem to want to shift though and my appitite just grows! I'd have the surgery. Of course it's quite the proceedure and theres a physical and mental battle awaiting anyone going through it. But it is literally that ease of looking one hell of a lot better after a few weeks! It's not right, it shouldn't have to happen, but if I had the chance, I'd go under the knife.

MzMia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:18:44 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MissMagnolia Yes, I think it is the in thing to take the easy road. Having a gastric bypass sure is a lot quicker than dieting and exercising for a year, two, ten years. You get almost instant results. I DO also think many people haven't a clue on just how dangerous these operations can be. And all that floppy skin that needs removing when they've lost a shitload of weight. And the checking to see if the band is strangulating anything. And the violent vomiting that can occur. Etc. By the same token, if I had the money, I would have everything lifted, moved to it's original position, removed, implanted and polished.[:D] I RARELY hear any of them say, they wish they could have tried HARDER and lost the weight in a traditional manner. Noooo, life is good now! They can wear bikini's, size 4, life is so grand. To me they are selling the easy fix. Eat as much as you want, blow up to 500 pounds, then go have the surgery and join the beautiful people.

MissMagnolia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:24:46 PM)
Meh, I never did parade around in a bikini telling everyone how fabulous and sexy I was[sm=lol.gif]. I agree with you though, they perpetuate the myth (especially to the very young and usually females) that if you get gastric surgery and get thin, you will be sexy, happy, rich, have no troubles, a successful career, marry a millionaire, daily rose deliveries, no bills and have men queuing up to get your autograph. I think more people need to look at self esteem, not surgery. Self esteem makes women feels sexy and gorgeous, not their size.

MzMia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:24:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Urza quote: ORIGINAL: MissMagnolia Yes, I think it is the in thing to take the easy road. Having a gastric bypass sure is a lot quicker than dieting and exercising for a year, two, ten years. You get almost instant results. I DO also think many people haven't a clue on just how dangerous these operations can be. And all that floppy skin that needs removing when they've lost a shitload of weight. And the checking to see if the band is strangulating anything. And the violent vomiting that can occur. Etc. By the same token, if I had the money, I would have everything lifted, moved to it's original position, removed, implanted and polished.[:D] I'm in total agreement. I'm quite heavy, clinically obese. But hey I can run/walk and be active like people half my weight. If I could I'd lose weight, it doesn't seem to want to shift though and my appitite just grows! I'd have the surgery. Of course it's quite the proceedure and theres a physical and mental battle awaiting anyone going through it. But it is literally that ease of looking one hell of a lot better after a few weeks! It's not right, it shouldn't have to happen, but if I had the chance, I'd go under the knife. Urza, I appreciate your honesty. Don't you think of HAVING the option of going under the knife, aleviates many from having to try hard or harder? Hell I am eating low carb, I sit here craving pasta and potatoes, wearing my dang pedometer and I watch people eating cheeseburgers and fries waiting for their gastric bypass surgery. But I am sticking to it, and walking, and exercising. I rarely see t.v. shows about people that lose weight the old fashioned way.

Gwynvyd -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:26:09 PM)
I think for people who have medical reasons for it.. Thyroid issues, or other metbolic issues that make it very hard for them to control thier weight it is a way for them to have it come off. My Thyroid left town long ago. I also had a very bad accident that put me down for a while. I didnt allow myself to get to the point some of these people get. not every one is the same though.. so I understand why some people may need a procedure to get rid of thier weight. Personaly I exercise, and try my best to eat healthy. I do not think it should be used as a quick fix for being lazy not not giving a shit about yourself.. however I do not think people should sit back in judgement of people of size either. You can not look at a fat person and know thier medical history. I think the pharmacudical companies have hyped up the "Fat Epidemic" so much that the masses have actualy bought into the BS. Gwyn

MzMia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:29:23 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Gwynvyd I think for people who have medical reasons for it.. Thyroid issues, or other metbolic issues that make it very hard for them to control thier weight it is a way for them to have it come off. My Thyroid left town long ago. I also had a very bad accident that put me down for a while. I didnt allow myself to get to the point some of these people get. not every one is the same though.. so I understand why some people may need a procedure to get rid of thier weight. Personaly I exercise, and try my best to eat healthy. I do not think it should be used as a quick fix for being lazy not not giving a shit about yourself.. however I do not think people should sit back in judgement of people of size either. You can not look at a fat person and know thier medical history. I think the pharmacudical companies have hyped up the "Fat Epidemic" so much that the masses have actualy bought into the BS. Gwyn I am sorry about your thyroid, Gwen. But from what I have read and seen, 90% of these surgeries are performed on people that DO NOThave these types of medical issues. Many of them have weight related illnesses {diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.}. Also, it is hard to exercise when you weigh 700 pounds.

CuriousLord -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:34:25 PM)
Easy is good. If they can do this with no consquences, why not? Since they can't, those just need to be taken into account by the individual. I have no interest in promoting or condemning it. It's whatever works for someone as long as it doesn't backlash onto others. That's certainly a possibility if insurance is paying a lot.

philosophy -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:36:49 PM)
...i find it sad that medical insurance companies seem able to fund people for such operations but conversely find it difficult to sort out an affordable solution to the many people who cant afford health insurance. Where are the priorities of a society that allows such things to happen, even celebrates them through mass media?

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:39:29 PM)
I have two friends who had gastric bypass surgery, years ago, when the surgery was much more extensive. I was amazed to hear that they had the surgery, because guess what!! They were both supersized. I had NO idea that a person could lose hundreds of pounds and GAIN THEM BACK after the surgery. Astounding. Another friend of mine just had the surgery done (the new version) and told me that she had lost forty pounds before the surgery, and forty after. I didn't ask her why she felt the need for surgery if she was able to lose the weight on her own...she's been yo-yo ing for years, an it seemed unkind. Anyway. Easy road? NO WAY. Healing all that skin? OMG. They really minimize the utter hell that is recovering from that kind of surgery. Those are often two foot long incisions! And believe me, the scars are not pretty. Also, I am not certain of what the long term effects are for people of having so many of their nutrients not absorbed by their bodies. It's a major risk, IMO. I do not think that the surgery is an easy way out. It is a jump start, and I think that if you need to lose 200 pounds or more---an entire PERSON of weight---a jump start is what is needed. Keeping all that weight off is the lifetime of work and commitment that all those who have had the surgery will continue to face, just as average sized people have to commit to not living on junk food. Speaking as a person who only gained weight after her fourth nervous breakdown, and going on meds for depression and autoimmune stuff (yay PREDNISONE!) I don't think I can judge how it must feel to be that size. How must it be, being 400 pounds simply because you ate yourself into it? What kind of families enable those that are so obese that they can't leave their houses? I was watching a show about Jackie (yeah, Dad and I are addicts for these shows!) who hadn't left her apartment for ages...and her caregiver was making her a grilled cheese sandwich and potato chips! How about some scrambled eggs, or grilled chicken and green beans? Well, that grilled cheese is way yummier, eh, and once you are already fat.... I go back and forth over this all the time. On the one hand is my dear friend who has tremendous guilt over her size, and knows full well that she has issues with food, and her overall health would improve if she lost weight. Obviously, or she wouldn't have done the surgery the first time! I just can't judge her badly---because I love her too much, and because she is well aware of her own hell. Where do we draw the line?

Gwynvyd -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:45:04 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MzMia I am sorry about your thyroid, Gwen. But from what I have read and seen, 90% of these surgeries are performed on people that DO NOThave these types of medical issues. Many of them have weight related illnesses {diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.}. Also, it is hard to exercise when you weigh 700 pounds. Ehhh such is life. By the time they let it get out of hand that badly the only way they can lose weight to a really good point is by a dramatic means. (sadly enough) and it is very dangerous the heavier the person is... the more complications.. it all just gets worse. A dear friend of mine from my old work had a gastric bypass. ( a male mind you) He was very heavy, and having health issues pop up because of his weight. He is now thin, and fairly healthy. He can never eat the same again. He still drinks special prescription liquid meals a year later. He has had indigestion, and is rarely hungry. I like food.. I actualy love food. I do not want to drink my food from a straw for the rest of my life because my fat ass isnt willing to put down that chesseburger, and do some exercise. I have always wondered once these people got past the 300 lb mark why didnt they turn back? why didnt they stop themselves? What made them unable to reconize that something was seriously wrong. ( if they dont have a medical issue, and arent being treated by a Dr.) shrugs but thats just me. Gwyn

MzMia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:48:46 PM)
The majority of the people, seem better off after their surgery. One of my main points here, IS.....do a lot of people give up TRYING because they know at a certain point, they can have this surgery? I never said losing weight the old fashioned way was easy. THAT is the main point of this thread. I enjoy the show, so just wanted to chat about it.

MzMia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:52:58 PM)
GWYN!!! THAT is the $60,000 question! Why did they not stop at a certain point? The man that weighed 800 pounds was very young, he looked like he was in his 20's. He was just laying there in bed, could not even turn over, wash himself, etc. No thyroid problem or anything mentioned on the show. Lying in bed with older family members taking care of him like an 800 pound baby, waiting for his surgery to be okayed. It was denied, I can't wait to see what happens next.

toservez -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:53:38 PM)
It looks to many of us to be the easy way out but that is the same thought of thinking you can get an alcoholic to stop drinking by telling them to stop drinking. For us who can maintain a healthy weight limit even if it is still extra pounds we want to associate our struggles and effort to eat healthier and exercise more and tend to think the ones who have this surgery have done some unfair shortcut. But the truth is as of now people who undergo this surgery has severe health risks and the risk of the surgery is weighed with the risks of not having the surgery. These are people because of health issues or other reasons cannot control their weight. These are not people who walk into a doctor’s office and go “I want to loose some weight, so please staple my stomach”. Are these people any different then people who go on high blood pressure medication or lower cholesterol medicine because they cannot control what they feed themselves and do not exercise. Are they any different from a smoker who gets lung cancer from smoking and seeks medical treatment?

faerytattoodgirl -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 8:54:03 PM)
floppy skin like adam sandler had in the movie click?? ...looked rather gross though....

MissMagnolia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 9:01:48 PM)
I haven't seen the movie ftg, but I do have a friend who lost 200 lbs by having a gastric bypass. I kid you not, the excess skin on her legs actually ended up in folds around her ankles. She looked, and I'm not trying to be horrid, like a sharpei. She had it all removed, but now has scars everywhere on her body. She got infections in the folds (god I hope no ones eating, if so sorry!!). Gastric banding isn't as simple as people think it is edited because I can't spell.

amativedame -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 9:02:59 PM)
I think it depends on how you look at it. If you are talking about the "lap band" procedure, its far from the easy way out. That particular choice does not bypass/remove part of your intestine. All it does is simply limit how much you can eat in one sitting (if you choose to listen to your body and not want to be sick.) For those people... in order to lose the weight they really have to stick to a stringent diet. Some people don't and go off it and gain all the weight they lost in the first place. "Real" bypass surgery is a lot harder and more invasive. Its a lot more costly since you must take supplements for the rest of your life (since you can no longer absorb nutrients like a normal person does.) I think these types of surgeries are very effective for a lot of people is because it makes you seriously stop and consider what you put into your body. It forces you to change (or at least make a severe effort) to change the way you approach your life and your habits. (My mother wants to have the surgery, and my comment is "why can't you change your food habits like that without going under the knife?") For a lot of people, it adds that last bit of motivation they need. I think that the media has really made it seem like the easy way out. "If you can't diet, have bypass sugery." I think thats a joke. It doesn't work that way! Bypass surgery when done and approached like it should be is not an easy solution... I do however question if more of today's world realizes that. Death is a fairly decent statistic for this kind of surgery (I personally know two women who've died from it.) Def. not the easy way out... not really. There are also studies that suggest that people who have this type of surgery limit their lifespan to 10 years. While this has obviously not been tested significantly, it is something to think about. Oh.... and insurance companies don't make it easy to get coverage. Most require it to be at least a one year long process, and you still need to have 6 years of documented dieting with your doctor beforehand. Those that do get approved have to really fight to get the safer and more advanced options like the lap band (for those, you have to have documented health/gastric issues that would make it dangerous to use the older more invasive options.) While most won't come out and tell you this... most of them are funded out of pocket.

MzMia -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 9:07:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: amativedame Death is a fairly decent statistic for this kind of surgery (I personally know two women who've died from it.) Def. not the easy way out... not really. There are also studies that suggest that people who have this type of surgery limit their lifespan to 10 years. While this has obviously not been tested significantly, it is something to think about. Thank you for such an informative post! 10 years taken off your lifespan? Well, without the surgery, diabetes and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. don't usually lead to a long life either.

FangsNfeet -> RE: Thoughts on Obesity/Bariatric/Gastric ByPass Surgery? (2/6/2008 9:10:51 PM)
People do what they have to do to get the job done when it comes down to last resorts. For the longest time, I was afraid of low carb diets. I was use to moderation, exercise, and low fat plans. But after getting over 220 lbs and having a 38 inch waist, I became desperate to do something. The Curves Low Card diet brought me down to 190 and a 32 inch waist. Drastic times call for drastic changes. Whatever it takes, it's going to happen. If I die, it's still better than living like this. After trying and failing at everything else, I don't oppose anyone having the surgery.

Page: [1] 2 3 next > >>

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.046875