I know this has been mentioned here before those asking about weight lost surgery vs. losing weight naturally. This article explains it perfectly.
http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/03/23/weight-loss-surgery-vs-diet.aspx 1|1|it explains it perfectly for THIS person not everyone|whitmarg|robin@whitmannet.com|09:03:53|03/25/2012|
This is a scare article.
I am 5 years out from bypass and not a single complication listed. Having had to go thru 18 months of pre.op classes I met a lot of post-op patients with none of these.
A modified bypass is now being used to cure (yes cure) diabetes and not just for obese patients.
Everyone is different. Some can do without surgery but for those whose first heart complication will be their last - this quick magic bullet could save their life. 4|2|Also a WLS patient here.............|cldt67|cindy123@zoominternet.net|10:18:13|03/25/2012|
I had gastric bypass surgery 2 yrs ago. NO complications what so ever!!!!!! Ive lost 130+ lbs. Cured my sleep apnea. My BP is now perfect. Urinary incontinence GONE! I have more energy than most teenagers. My labs are perfect. I DIDNT loose my hair. I DONT have to chew my food to mush. I DONT vomit. I DONT dump. I eat normal foods, just not as much as I did pre surgery. Life is GOOD!!!! Cindy 2|1|oh and that 1 in 50 die after bypass 'fact'?|whitmarg|robin@whitmannet.com|09:09:28|03/25/2012|
The mortality rate is much lower - I believe its more like 1 in 1000 during the first 5 years post surgery.
But bottom line, the mortality rate for humans is 100%. Its all about extending the time between birth and death with quality of life being critical.
3|2|I interviewed a woman who lost about 300 lbs after that surgery...|sunriver|sunriver@gmail.com|09:22:34|03/25/2012|
One of the questions I asked her was also about the risk of complications and her response was that even if she died that day, she would do it all again. Having the surgery gave her a life back. She was able to do things she had only been able to dream about when she weighed more. She was traveling again, making friends and the quality of her life had improved drastically.
This was 5-6 years ago and I believe they have learned more since then and the risks are less.
I don't think that surgery is the answer for everyone, but I do know that people become trapped by weight and for those people it may very well be the best solution. I also think that anyone considering it should talk to several doctors, nurses and people who have already had it.
5|1|Cindy - thanks for reminding me|whitmarg|robin@whitmannet.com|10:24:53|03/25/2012|
I went in 170 pounds heavier than I am now. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, I was miserable.
I came out with my pre-diabetic normal blood pressure of 110/60, low cholesteral, no diabetes. I have vomited ONCE in 5 years and I really think it was bad fish; I have never experienced the dumping everyone refers to. I, too, got my life back and regret to this day not doing it sooner. I don't have to mush my food, altho I have experienced discomfort when I did.
The downsides -- I have to take vitamins every day and I do not remember them. But I have friends and coworkers who hound me daily. I have lost my desire for certain tastes and textures (can also be a plus!). Chicken is a little difficult and rice is a little difficult. So, I stay away from them. I have just started to like beef again (sorry cows!).
I did have plastic surgery to have 20 pounds of excess fat and skin removed around my middle a year ago (best thing EVER) and a lipo procedure on one leg that was quite noticably larger than the other. But again, awesome.
Have I extended my life? Well, my mom had diabetes and died at 55 from a massive heart attack. I just turned 58... so yeah, I guess I did. Would I do it again? Well, crap, let's hope it doesn't come to that, but I would not hesitate.