Comments on: Bariatric Surgery: Bad To The Bone

By: Maya

Maya — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:04:47 +0000

I’ve lurked at a few obesity boards just out of curiosity and have noticed a trend: those who have had weight loss surgery seem to expect external forces to do the work for them. The surgery will cure whatever ails them, their surgeon is praised like a savior and if something goes wrong it’s all his/her fault (may or may not be), their mottos are “let go and let God”, “God has a plan for me”, the theme seems to be “YOU fix me!”

I read the non-op diet and exercise forums and the attitude is different, they don’t make excuses, they don’t expect others to “fix” them. They just do what they need to do and they get results - without carving up their digestive systems and without expecting others to do the work for them. They have bumps and failures but they pick themselves up and keep going.

What gets me the most is that often the doctor will put the WLS-ers on a diet before their surgery to get down to an operable weight. Funny how they couldn’t diet before to save their health but now they suddenly can lose 25, 50, 80 lbs for a chance to worship at the altar of their surgeon. Gotta love the irony.

Great article Tom.

I’ve heard of cases like that; they go on zero-carb liquid diets to lose weight, then have the surgery. Why, for pete’s sake, would you do that to yourself when you just proved you can lose weight without it?

By: Stacey

Stacey — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:30:29 +0000

I had gastric bypass 2 years ago. I have never coughed food out of my pouch, nor have I vomited since surgery. People’s bones break because it is a malabsorptive surgery meaning the body can’t get the nutrients it needs from food because food passes through the body rather quickly, people need to take calcium pills every day along with other vitamins for the rest of their lives.
Yeah dumping sucks, but you control that by eating the right things, DUH. Eat what you shouldn’t have, your heart races and you go lay down. 10 minutes and I am fine again. I just skimmed your article because I’m searching for something else, but thought I’d come comment because I live this.
I lost hair, but it was nothing compared to being FAT. Id rather be skinny with new hair than be fat with all the hair in the world.

By: Paula Wiggins

Paula Wiggins — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:36:29 +0000

I think this is a very biased view of weight loss surgery. My own opinion is that people should not undertake it unless they are morbidly obese and have been unable to achieve and maintain weight loss by other means. Most of the insurance companies feel the same. I am not advocating weight loss surgery for people with a small amount to lose (by small amount I would say under 100 pounds) but for some very obese people, I do believe it is life-saving.

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:27:51 +0000

Let me add that although I sometimes eat a large meal, I am one of those fat people who doesn’t *habitually* eat huge amounts of food. I sometimes forget breakfast, even, and have since I was a teenager. I did have a mean full-sugar soda habit for years and years, but I’ve largely kicked that. My endocrine system is just messed up from years of caffeine abuse and carb overconsumption and God knows what else. I’m pretty sure reproductive hormones played a role too since I gained the most weight after being on the Pill or pregnant.

Women’s bodies are so damn complicated… especially mine, it sometimes seems.

I’m just playing devil’s advocate. One of you pro-butcher commenters said it was a food addiction, the other insists it is not. You can’t even get the story straight. You know, I always assumed an addiction was a habituation to a substance one does NOT need. You need food. You especially need some of the foods that your body won’t let you eat now.

I feel the same about people who take alli. But at least that’s reversible. Assuming the drug doesn’t kill you, of course. I’ve heard some bad things about it.

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:23:38 +0000

Rhonda, you said:

“People who comment negatively about overweight people and have no idea always assume all obese people eat too much and the wrong things, are food addicts etc .”

Well, if that’s not true, WHY DID YOU HAVE THE SURGERY? Obviously if it’s wrong to think an obese person is a food addict, then there’s no damn reason to maim yourself permanently so that you eat less. Right?

Guess what? I’m a hundred pounds overweight. Not sure if that qualifies as “morbidly” obese, though I suspect it’s close, at least. But yes, I DO know what it’s like to be fat. I’ve also known what it’s like to be thin so I’ve been on both sides of this. And you know something? They will never get me on that table to lose over half my stomach. No way in hell.

Now I’m gearing up for a major push to lose this weight and if I am successful this time around they MAY get me up there for a tit lift and tummy tuck because damn if I’m going to go around looking like a raisin the rest of my life… but those things will not malnourish me the rest of my life, or leave me vomiting and shitting my pants.

Great for you that it worked out for you. Why do I suspect you’re in the minority, though?

By: Rhonda Lanry Krantz

Rhonda Lanry Krantz — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:19:21 +0000

Forgot to say I do not and never did drink sodas, diet or otherwise ( just too syrupy, sweet, carbonate or acidy, I drink and love bottled water all day, take it with me, even to bed. Sometimes I drink Crystal Light, but prefer icy water.Do not drink alcohol(well occassionally a good bloody mary …lol), never did drugs recreationally. Living a healthy life is important.I o drink onje cup of coffee in morning ith Splenda, sugar makes it too thick, sweet, syrupy, changes the consistency totally.

By: Rhonda Lanry Krantz

Rhonda Lanry Krantz — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:09:13 +0000

I really agree with you Laura Preston. These people are blindy commenting without really KNOWING or understanding, either do not know, do not know enough or are going by or have alot of incorrect and/or simply misleading info especially on the web(lots of incorrect info on the web from people who claim to know but do not). Unless you have lived the life of obesity ( people who comment negatively about overweight people and have no idea always assume all obese people eat too much and the wrong things, are food addicts etc . )These people are ALWAYS or almost never people who have ever had a weight problem and assume FAT , yes I said FAT people are gluttons, greedy and LAZY.They also assume that what works for one or even the majority works for all, not so.Also, do you really think anyone that gets any type of weight loss surgery did not consider, research and evaluate it before hand, no you probably did not think that. Obviously it is percieved we choose surgery because they/we are lazy, lack intiative and plain old want the easy way out. Obviously people who are commenting think these things.Do you realize the cost $20,000.00(almost always have to pay for it ourselves I did, few insurances help).Why do people who do not have this problem even come to this forum, obviously not to support or encourage, they need to analyze that more, not why obese people try to better thier health and lives. I am a 52 year old woman that is very intelligent and active. I work with Foreign exchange stuents, educators etc. I am not stupid as is thought of obese people as well ( I mean after all we would not be fat if we had the sense to not over-eat and eat healthy, right?). I was top of everything in school and after, was head cheerleader, drill team, all honors, president of every club you can name. Self employed, but always had a struggle with weight, even though I always ate well, exercised, salads, veggis, sugar free this, salt free that, my mother and everyone in my family does not like, use or buy salt sugar high fats,it is a personal preference. About 15 years ago I was going through something very traumatic, being treated for PTSD. I went to therapist 2 times week when she noticed I was gaining astronomical amounts of weight in days, she personally took me to ER. I also went to another doc to tell him I was feeling really bad, exhausted and hyper, racing heart, sweating, mood swings,cessation of menstrual cycle, ferociously hungry, passing out, weakness , bulging eyes, dry eyes. First it was thought I had hypothyroidism because I was fat. After trying everything I could, then researching bariatric surgery for 10 years while still seeing nutritionist and eatting 6 eggs whites a day because I lacked protein. The doctors said then that I had all the signs of hyperthyroidism as well.But this could not be possible, I was fat, they giggled, how rude and condascending! I continued dieting, exercising, drinking protein drinks which I love.Also all I ever ate was grilled lean meats(blah, do not like meat) and veggies with Smart balance as always because I like the way it tastes.I continue to gain lots of weight. When I could not take it anymore I exhausted all other avenues I went to a Bariatric surgeon to start the process, I used my savings (part of it) because my quality of life became less than desirable.My pre-op test showed I had very little if none thyroid and parathyroid hormone, meaning I had hyperthyroidism, it is believed you are always extremely skinny with this, the doc my pcp laughed again and said no way. I said hell with it I need this weight off before it affects my health. I had been passing(years) out regularly since I first told docs my symptoms and they said no way you cannot have hyperthyroidism and be fat. So I had an extensive heart work-up done, my heart is fine. I had and still have low-sugar, low blood pressure(recently alarmed it was way too low, low cholesterol, my lab works were and are indicative of how I eat which is very healthy, but, my weight gain was not. So I had the surgery, was great is great, lost 110 pounds as of today.I guess I am not a obese, a FAT ,LAZY, OVER-EATIING, UNDER_EXCERCISING person anymore because doctors are paying attention, looking further, I have been diagnosed officially with Hyperthyroidism even though I am still not skinny skinny also, they believe I am alternating between hyper an hypo. Every blood test I get lately, several in last month is worse and worse. I am on meds heart meds to slow my heart down and valium until my appt with my Endocrinologist because the racing heart is bad. My point is this, obese people have many metabolic problems that get overlooked because everything is blamed on being fat.Doctors and people who like to comment need to look deeper and past the fat and realize that obesity is a symptom of another disease , many and most times it is not the cause.Look at me and wonder “What is wrong that is causing her obesity and weight gain”?Not just assume that the problemis that she is so fat, she eats too much.. We are people who want the same things and decencies , lets not forget good health and understanding in life. Why do people find it necessary or easy to discriminate and assume?It is now a problem that these metabolic conditions untreated and undiagnosed have and are having unpleasant and possibly serious reprocussions, causes death.. Undiagnosed metabolic problems can and more often cause death, deaths blamed (narrowmindedly) on obesity, when it should be askedd before it is too late, “What disease caused this person’s obesity and death”? You know and I know, as sure as I am sitting here typing and you are reading and maybe even smirking condascendingly, that when a fat person dies it is almost always said ”
she or he did it to themselves”. When in all actuality it may be so to a small degree, but, more than likely it is because that person was over-looked, undiagnose, mis-diagnosed, neglected or discriminated against simply because they were fat. What does that say about you or them? I will never regret spending the money and having the surgery, number one my health is far better, I lost weight, but most importantly doctors are paying attention. If you wish to write me my e-mail addy is adrift20@yahoo.com. I look forwar to educating you and changing your way of thinking or should I say your ASSUMING.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:26:12 +0000

one thing that worked for me in losing weight was cutting out soda. I lost 30 lbs from feb-june doing nothing but cutting soda.

With all the sugar in soda, I can see where that would do it.

By: Laura Preston

Laura Preston — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:01:45 +0000

They say ignorance is bliss….your life must be very blissful.

Until you have lived in a morbidly obese body, I do not understand how someone feels they can stand on a soap box. Until you wake up thinking you can’t stand living in that body one more day….until you have walked that walk…how dare you comment as if you know? Do you tell a heroin addict you understand what it is like to be high if you have never experienced it? Do you tell and alcoholic to “just have one”….

Medical articles are helpful. Ignorant opinions are not.

** 4 year Gastric Bypass patient that has perfect labs and has maintained a goal weight. I consider myself a recovering food addict that sought treatment.

Glad you’re happy with your results. But I’m curious: considering much of the post included quotes from academic studies — not to mention text lifted directly from web sites for medical facilities that sell the surgery — what specifically struck you as an ignorant opinion? Which facts cited do you dispute?

I’ve also heard from many people who have been in your shoes, underwent the procedure, and now believe it was a horrible mistake. Surely you don’t consider their opinions ignorant … ?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:56:51 +0000

Another good reason (among many) to avoid weight loss surgery. Even though I have been virtually stalled for MONTHS on a strict low carb diet (not a single cheat, no grains, no sugars, no polyunsaturated oils, carbs in the 20-50g/daily range) despite still having well over 100 pounds to lose I still can’t imagine having weight loss surgery. Though I do admit to being depressed wondering why low carb is not working now for *me*. Heck, I feel good - but when you have 100+ pounds to lose you want to see the scale dropping also.

As for fear of fat? I wish I could remember where I read it, but I remember reading once that more people said they would abort a fetus if they were told the baby would grow up to be fat than said they would abort if the child would have some serious medical complications.

They’d abort a fetus they knew would grow up to be fat?! Good lord, that’s sick. People who think like that would’ve denied the world Ben Franklin, Winston Churchill, Jackie Gleason, John Belushi, John Candy, Chris Farley, Dom DeLuise, many of the best chefs, countless opera singers, not to mention millions of ordinary, decent people who happen to be fat.