Through Thick and Thin #20 (May 1, 2003)

The Top Ten Reasons why Weight Loss Surgery is NOT "the easy way out"
one person's experience and perspectives

10. It's very expensive.  Many health insurance companies don't pay
for the surgery, and even when they do, co-payments and other costs
add up quickly.  Also, it can become very costly to constantly
replenish wardrobes as the weight comes off.

9. Recovery can be very painful.  Besides the pain from the surgery
wound, patients may experience nausea or severe gastric distress.
Patients with sleep apnea may become sleep-deprived, with all of the
associated adverse affects, when they must discontinue use of their
CPAP machines to avoid disturbing the staples creating their tiny
new stomach pouch.

8. Recuperation can take a long time.  Patients may be "out of
commission" and absent from work for a prolonged period of recovery
time.  In some cases, patients may not be able to return to work or
normal pursuits for up to 10 – 12 weeks.
7. It's hard work and a major time commitment.  For optimal results,
patients should engage in aerobic exercise for up to an hour daily.
For bodies unaccustomed to vigorous exercise, this can be very
hard.  It's also a real challenge for WLS patients to learn all they
must about nutrition so they can assure that their food and vitamins
are sustaining their body.  Finally, it can be exhausting to
consciously, carefully and painstakingly chew every bit of food that
enters your mouth.
6. Vomiting isn't fun.  Nor is diarrhea.  It may take patients many
months (and frequent episodes of vomiting or diarrhea) to identify
incompatible foods and to learn the practical limits of their newly
reduced stomachs or digestive systems.

5.  It takes extraordinary courage to consciously limit food choices
for the rest of your life (and potentially limit social
opportunities built around meals).   For many patients, life after
WLS means treating food as a fuel, not as a source of drama,
excitement, comfort or a central life focus: i.e. eating to live
rather than living to eat.  While some procedures may be reversible,
for most patients WLS is a lifetime commitment, requiring a lifetime
of major lifestyle changes.

4.  Weight loss surgery can be dangerous.  As many as .5% of surgery
patients may die from the procedure, and up to 5% may experience
debilitating medical complications (especially if they listen to
their peers' advice more carefully than their doctor's.)
3.  It takes great bravery and strength to deflect other people's
judgments and society's myths about obesity.   Fat people are often
blamed and shamed by family and friends with simplistic advice,
unrealistic solutions, and uninformed prejudices.  Whether it's for
genetic or metabolic reasons, diet and exercise, willpower and
discipline have never, by themselves, been enough.  Our appetite
regulators simply don't work.  Without WLS, we don't know when we're
full!
2.  What gives anyone the right to judge which path is right for
another? Is a person who runs a 10K taking a "better" or "tougher"
route to wellness than the person who walks vigorously every day?
Is working with weights better than water aerobics?  Different
strokes for different folks.  Each of us finds our own right way,
and how dare others judge our path to health and longevity!   By
their reckoning, the most courageous thing would be for us to suck
it up and die young.
1.  For many morbidly obese people, WLS may be the ONLY realistic
alternative for achieving a long, healthy life. The newest research
provides irrefutable evidence that body weight is largely a function
of genes — just like height or a family propensity for cancer.
These genes help regulate appetite and metabolism. People prone to
obesity seem to gain excessive weight easily, while finding it
difficult or impossible to lose it.  That's why diets almost always
fail and why WLS is currently the only viable weight loss option for
many morbidly obese people, according to endocrinologist David
Cummings of the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System.
Most people can lose no more than 5-10% off their "natural" body
weight by exercising and eating wisely.  Decades of diet studies
show that more than 90% of people who lose weight by dieting gain it
all back within 5 years.  "There are exceptions, but when you are
speaking of general rules, the only people who are able to lose more
than 10 percent of their body weight and keep it off are people who
have had gastric-bypass or other bariatric surgery," Cummings notes.

Glenn at www.gastricbypasscoach.com ,VBG WLS 10.24.02, 355/245

Glenn Goldberg, J.D., R.C. is a Writer, Coach, Counselor and
Mediator.  He has lost about 110 pounds in his first 6 months after
his Weight Loss Surgery in October, 2002.  Glenn offers free
subscriptions to his biweekly newsletter, "Through Thick and Thin",
at his website at www.gastricbypasscoach.com.   If you're
interested, check out Glenn's website to see a picture of him
literally wearing his message to the world: WLS is "NOT the easy way
out!"
© Glenn Goldberg 2003

Good luck to you Lenny.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Leonard E. Mandel" <apri15@...>
To: <obesitysurgerysupport2@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Obesity Surgery Support ] Digest Number 66


> Dear Amanda,
>
> I was faced with the same question, What is the best procedure for me.  I
> have selected the most restrictive procedure.  Openy RNY on Monday May
5th.
> Everyone has there own opinions, you have to sought things out and see
what
> sense for you.  Is there a correct or incorrect answer?  Time will be able
> to tell you.
>
> Good Luck
>
> Lenny
>
> http://www.accountant-city.com/mandel/
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> obesitysurgerysupport2-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Dear Amanda,

I was faced with the same question, What is the best procedure for me.  I
have selected the most restrictive procedure.  Openy RNY on Monday May 5th.
Everyone has there own opinions, you have to sought things out and see what
sense for you.  Is there a correct or incorrect answer?  Time will be able
to tell you.

Good Luck

Lenny

http://www.accountant-city.com/mandel/

Research shows that between 2- 3 years out, Lap Band and Bypass weight loss
equals out.
Yes you lose the weight much faster with Bypass..but over 16 months  I have lost
104lbs so far with LapBand and can eat any food I like, I just cant eat much of
it; I prefer that. But to each his own of course.

Worldwide mortality rate is very low too, 02%.

If you want to join a gastric Banding group go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bandsters
or email me :-)

Sylvia



I have a 3 yr old.  Please do lots of research, in my opinion and my
research, there is more success with the gastric bypass than the lap band.
Good luck with whichever procedure you choose.

Amanda, IL
LapRNY
Jan 21, 2003
-63 lbs

option for me


> I am a 45 year woman w/ hypertension, sleep apenea, joint pain. Ineed
> to lose about 125 lbs. I am currently taking  Merdia and have lost
> about 10 lbs.  I have a 6 yr old special needs child I want to be
> here to raise.  I was going to have laparoscipy gastric bypass but my
> family Dr scared me to death.  she thinks if I do any thing it should
> be the lap band...I really need to talk to someone about this....




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a 3 yr old.  Please do lots of research, in my opinion and my
research, there is more success with the gastric bypass than the lap band.
Good luck with whichever procedure you choose.

Amanda, IL
LapRNY
Jan 21, 2003
-63 lbs
----- Original Message -----
From: "marysteffey" <marysteffey@...>
To: <obesitysurgerysupport2@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 7:26 AM
Subject: [Obesity Surgery Support ] HELP confused about which is the best
option for me


> I am a 45 year woman w/ hypertension, sleep apenea, joint pain. Ineed
> to lose about 125 lbs. I am currently taking  Merdia and have lost
> about 10 lbs.  I have a 6 yr old special needs child I want to be
> here to raise.  I was going to have laparoscipy gastric bypass but my
> family Dr scared me to death.  she thinks if I do any thing it should
> be the lap band...I really need to talk to someone about this....
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> obesitysurgerysupport2-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Hello; I am a 36 year old woman who needs to lose 170 pounds and I have a 10
year old Autistic son, so I understand the need to be around to take care of
your child issues.  I am embarking on the gastric bypass surgery, I have studied
alot online and some by watching different television specials and have talked
to a few people whohave had it done.  I know it is serious surgery, but so is
being morbidly obese.  I would encourage you to talk to some people who have had
the surgery done... research it online... there are many personal stories
available and arm yourself with knowledge.  Then make a decision.  Good Luck! 
Dawn
Kansas Windmills and Prairie Flowers are the stuff of beauty!
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: marysteffey
   To: obesitysurgerysupport2@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 7:26 AM
   Subject: [Obesity Surgery Support ] HELP confused about which is the best
option for me


   I am a 45 year woman w/ hypertension, sleep apenea, joint pain. Ineed
   to lose about 125 lbs. I am currently taking  Merdia and have lost
   about 10 lbs.  I have a 6 yr old special needs child I want to be
   here to raise.  I was going to have laparoscipy gastric bypass but my
   family Dr scared me to death.  she thinks if I do any thing it should
   be the lap band...I really need to talk to someone about this....


         Yahoo! Groups Sponsor



   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I am a 45 year woman w/ hypertension, sleep apenea, joint pain. Ineed
to lose about 125 lbs. I am currently taking  Merdia and have lost
about 10 lbs.  I have a 6 yr old special needs child I want to be
here to raise.  I was going to have laparoscipy gastric bypass but my
family Dr scared me to death.  she thinks if I do any thing it should
be the lap band...I really need to talk to someone about this....

I wanted to let you know that I've posted my latest newsletter,
Through Thick and Thin #19 – "How I've Solved My Fruit & Vegetable
Problem" – on my website at www.gastricbypasscoach.com.  In my first
five months post-op, I had done absolutely everything my WLS doctor
asked me to do – except for one glaring omission.  I just couldn't
find a way to eat my five recommended daily servings of both fruit
and  vegetables.   I wasn't being rebellious or deliberately self-
sabotaging.  I just couldn't figure out how to squeeze this
important nutritional source into my tiny tummy.

In this newsletter, I share the solution I've found to my problem.
Now I can check off that last "must do" on my doctor's list!   If
you're experiencing problems or frustrations consuming the nutrition
you need from fruits and vegetables after your WLS, I encourage you
to visit my website at www.gastricbypasscoach.com.   I'd also
welcome hearing from you about whether or not you share this problem
with me, and how you've coped.

Glenn at www.gastricbypasscoach.com -- VBG 10.24.02, 355/250

I wanted to let you know that I've posted my latest newsletter,
Through Thick and Thin #18 – "The Origins of My Obesity" or "It's A
Shame That Shame is Counterproductive" – on my website at
www.gastricbypasscoach.com.  It's my response to the newest medical
report documenting the epidemic of childhood obesity in America, and
a discussion of how my parents' judgments, blaming and shaming about
my weight led me down the path to defiant rebellion, compulsive
overeating, and a habit and lifestyle that would have killed me
without my WLS.  I hope you'll check it out and share your
experiences with me.  Thanks.

Glenn at www.gastricbypasscoach.com   VBG 10.24.02, 355/250

http://groups.msn.com/wlsfriendssupportingfriends

The object of this group is to allow all persons a place to feel
comfortable
enough to share their experiences, their weight issues, embarrassing
issues,
surgery concerns, family concerns and personal concerns. This is for
anyone
who has had surgery and would like to participate, for anyone who is
currently in the process of obtaining their gastric bypass WLS  or
for those who are just now learning what it's all about. You don't have to
be embarrassed anymore! Here is an opportunity to ask questions, get
advice
from others, share ideas, and otherwise exchange experiences of this
life-changing event.
Hope to see you there
Michele and Misty

Dear Fellow Bandsters!

It is with great excitement that we announce the 2003 Florida Bandster Bash on
October 10th-12th! It will be held at the breathtaking Adam's Mark Resort
located directly on Clearwater Beach overlooking the stunning Gulf of Mexico. We
have packed this weekend full of information and fun! Please join us; make new
friends and catch up with some old ones.  Find out all about it at 
www.floridabandsterbash.com !

WIN FREE ACCOMMODATIONS!!!

The names of those paying conference fees before May 31 will be placed in a
special drawing.  If you are the winner, your hotel fees for the conference will
be ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!  If your name is drawn, your hotel fees will be
immediately refunded.  You don't want to miss this chance!

  Space is limited,  so register today!  We look forward to seeing you there!

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Bless your heart!!! It is sooooooooooooo good to hear you!!!  I am going in
for surgery on April 16th, lap-band and am so looking forward to enjoying the
things you are talking about! I can't imagine looking forward to buying
clothes, or having energy or walking through stores "un-noticed" and not
knocking things over!!!! those isles are small right now, I hope they will
soon "expand"!  thanks for the inspiration!!!! take care.........
gloria

Good morning Pat...It must have been fate!! I too am scheduled for lap-band
surgery on the 16th of april & I am 53 yrs. & am scheduled for all of the
tests you mentioned tomorrow as well!  I also find myself wondering what if?
what if? I know what the "dream" feels like...I am so lookinf forward to
doing this thing, all of it and doing it right, of course this surgery has
proven that "if one makes the changes one needs to" it works!!!! Now that is
good news to all of us who have tried ALL the diets, followed the rules and
failed!!
Good luck Pat, try not to worry too much, I keep telling myself that these
teams are trained and I am sure they are aware that our population comes with
a unique set of problems due to years of obesity, I am hoping too that they
are prepared to handle these problems during surgery....take care, good luck
and let us know how you are doing...
gloria

Good luck Pat!  We'll keep you in our prayers!
  pmriley@... wrote:Hello
My name is Pat and I am set to have my Lapband surgery on April 7th--tomorrow
March 31st I have an EKG and an upper GI-and alot of bloodwork done-- I am on
the far end of age on the surgery--56-- and I fear that they might find other
problems that might prevent the surgery --which is a dream and will be very hard
medicine to swallow if this is the case-- maybe I am just borrowing trouble--
anyway, Wish me luck and keep me informed about you all as I do not as yet have
a support group-




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello
My name is Pat and I am set to have my Lapband surgery on April 7th--tomorrow
March 31st I have an EKG and an upper GI-and alot of bloodwork done-- I am on
the far end of age on the surgery--56-- and I fear that they might find other
problems that might prevent the surgery --which is a dream and will be very hard
medicine to swallow if this is the case-- maybe I am just borrowing trouble--
anyway, Wish me luck and keep me informed about you all as I do not as yet have
a support group-




________________________________________________________________
Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today
Only $9.95 per month!
Visit www.juno.com

Sre Missy,I am having Open RNY proxymal (I can never spell that
word!)

--- In obesitysurgerysupport2@yahoogroups.com, "Missy Ann"
<missyann@f...> wrote:
>
> Deana,
>
> Congratulations!! I know you are excited.
> Can I ask which surgery you are having?
>
> Good Luck,
> Missy

I assume you are having the Roux En Y but you never know.
Which surgery are you having?

Lori
In a message dated 3/29/03 1:15:49 PM, deannaboisclair@... writes:

<< This looks like the group for me :)....... My name is Deanna.  I am

a 32 year old mother of 4.  I have been in the process of getting

everying done to have surgery and now I am on my way.  17 days till

surgery!! wooo hoooooo I am happy and nervous.  I know this is the

right thing for me but I also know the life change will be quite an

adjustment.  I am working out at the YMCA and on a new lowfat low

sugar diet from the nutritionist..... I have been having a few

treats saying goodbye to my favorites (like cheesecake) all in

moderation.  I look for ward on reading all your posts and giving

what imput I can.  Well hello :)


Deanna,

surgery date set for 4/16/03


  >>

Deana,

Congratulations!! I know you are excited.
Can I ask which surgery you are having?

Good Luck,
Missy

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This looks like the group for me :)....... My name is Deanna.  I am
a 32 year old mother of 4.  I have been in the process of getting
everying done to have surgery and now I am on my way.  17 days till
surgery!! wooo hoooooo I am happy and nervous.  I know this is the
right thing for me but I also know the life change will be quite an
adjustment.  I am working out at the YMCA and on a new lowfat low
sugar diet from the nutritionist..... I have been having a few
treats saying goodbye to my favorites (like cheesecake) all in
moderation.  I look for ward on reading all your posts and giving
what imput I can.  Well hello :)

Deanna,
surgery date set for 4/16/03

I wanted to let you know that I've posted my latest journal entry
#17 – The Tale of the Tape – on my website at
www.gastricbypasscoach.com.  Every month, on the anniversary of my
WLS, I carefully measure the changed circumferences of twelve
different parts of my body.  For me, this is a priceless
motivational tool.  In this journaling, written five months after
my surgery, having lost more than 100 pounds, I'm happy to let the
numbers speak for themselves.  For most of my life, getting measured
ranked right up there with getting weighed and shopping for extra-
sized clothes as three of my least favorite life activities.  It's
thrilling for me to see this objective evidence of how WLS has
transformed all of these formerly dreaded activities into treasured
and joyful rituals!

© Glenn Goldberg 2003, VBG 10.24.02, 355/253
Glenn at www.gastricbypasscoach.com

http://groups.msn.com/wlsfriendssupportingfriends

The object of this group is to allow all persons a place to feel
comfortable
enough to share their experiences, their weight issues, embarrassing
issues,
surgery concerns, family concerns and personal concerns. This is for
anyone
who has had surgery and would like to participate, for anyone who is
currently in the process of obtaining their gastric bypass WLS
surgery or
for those who are just now learning what it's all about. You don't
have to
be embarrassed anymore! Here is an opportunity to ask questions, get
advice
from others, share ideas, and otherwise exchange experiences of this
life-changing event.


Hope to see you there
Managers
Michele & Misty

I wanted to let you know that I've posted my latest journal entry –
The Agony and the Ecstasy – on my website at
www.gastricbypasscoach.com.  In it, I share the story of my five
days of being unable to keep down anything but water and broth, and
then the discovery that brought me both healing and hope.  If you're
interested in this, or want to check out any of my prior or future
writings, please checkout my website.  Thanks. –  Glenn Goldberg
VBG 10.24.02, 355/258

This article was brought to my attention this morning and I felt it
was important enough to share it with you immediately.  I found it
very validating, because it confirms what I and many of us had long
suspected: that our genetic endowment plays a key role in our
obesity.  It appears that genes make it very difficult for us to
lose more than 10% of our body weight  without weight loss surgery.
I hope you find it interesting and useful.  Here's the links to the
article, "Scientists say genes are often the culprit".
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134645199_obesescienc
e04m0

Glenn at www.gastricbypasscoach.com

I wanted to let you know that I've posted my latest journal entry –
Blocked! – on my website at www.gastricbypasscoach.com.  I recently
experienced a painful and scary blockage of the exit from my
reconstituted stomach.   In this latest installment of my
journalings, I share my experience and strategies for dealing with
the blockage, and explore my rush to blame and shame myself when I
make a mistake or fail to learn or remember.  If you're interested
in this, or want to check out any of my prior or future writings,
please checkout my website.  Thanks. –  Glenn Goldberg

Hello My name is Michele My friend Matt has made a CHAT ROOM MESSAGE
BOARD for everyone that is looking into WLS ( weight Loss Surgery )
or has had WLS or we would like to hear your experiences or where you
are in the process and we will share what we can We all know we can't
do this alone.!!
Hope to see you there

The Link is
http://groups.msn.com/WLSSUPPORT

Thanks Michele

I am 27, have no kids, but want to.  however, I never
want to gain my weight back.  Con anyone who has had a
baby tell me if you gain a lot or not?  Thank you

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I am so paranoid of gaining weight back.  I am new to
the group.  I have posted before, but got no replies.
I am looking to find how often people gaintheir weight
back.  I have a non adjustable band, since 1995.  I
lost 175 lbs (from 370 to 195) and gaines to 224.  I
have been hanigning out ther for a year and a half.
Please tell me your stories, and tell me if you chose
to get another surgery.

__________________________________________________
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I wanted to let you know that I've posted my latest journal entry –
WLS Peaks and Plateaus – on my website at
www.gastricbypasscoach.com.  I'm stalled with my weight loss at 75
pounds 3.5 months out from surgery.  In this latest installment of
my journalings, I explore my frustrations, feelings and strategies
for dealing with this impasse.  If you're interested in this, or
want to check out any of my prior or future writings, please
checkout my website.  Thanks. –  Glenn Goldberg

Hello everyone,
        My name is Thaii and right now I'm in the process of getting
gastric bypass. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what to
expect. Also they have me on a Protein Sparing Modified Fast Diet.
Its very difficult, but I'm ready for this change. If anyone feels
like chatting hit me up at Juicybfw on instant messenger.

I am a 27 yr old female who had open gastric banding
(nonadjustable) Nov 1995.  i have lost and kept off
150lbs.  I am paranoid about gaining the weight back.
I would like opinions from anyone who has had a child
after any of the procedures.  I would love to hear
opinions of anyone who wants to share about long term
successes.
I had a tummy tuck which was a disaster.  I have saved
up for another, as well as lipo and thigh lift. I
would like to get a referral for a great plastic
surgeon in Texas.

Also, my mom is needing to have a panniculectomy.  I
am very worried about it.  If anyone has had one,
please tell me your experience.

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