for the currently or formerly obese among us

This poll is for DUers who are obese or who have been obese. Please, vote ONLY if you fall into one of these two categories. Posts from all are welcome.

Would you or have you ever considered bariatric surgery? Why or why not? Or, have you had bariatric surgery? What led you to that decision? How was your experience? What have the results been? What's your life been like since the surgery?

People have asked me, "why don't you try that surgery?" I try not to bristle at the suggestion. For me, it's out of the question. I have had major, life-threatening surgery too often in my life already. What's more, I know I can lose the weight (120 lbs, for the curious) without such a grave measure.

Read this article from today's Washington Post: "As Obesity Surgeries Soar, So Do Safety, Cost Concerns."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2681-2004Apr10.html

Thanks for your voices. Again: all are welcome to post but please vote only if you are or have been obese.

I fight with my weight, but the surgery is a huge, radical step. I knew a woman who did it, and she could never have a normal "digestive" life after that.

She did lose a lot of weight, but it was like being sick a lot of the time.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

and I am happy. I will lose the weight or I won't. I have a woman that I love and who loves me for who I am. So I don't worry about it.

It is a discipline within one's self. Everyone is addicted to food. They are. Some people just have more control over it than others.

For many people, my friend, it really is not that simple. It is not.

I beg everyone: do not turn this thread into a flame war. Please.

I don't want to start any flame wars. I know what you mean.

:toast:

endocrinology. Also, many have other, as yet undiagnosed disorders. It is very difficult to understand the many factors that are involved in weight gain.

I personally spent most of my life as a "skinny" person. I then, with no changes in diet or participation in daily exercise routines, began gaining weight. I have had blood tests done, and all seems to be functioning smoothly, so conclude that some genetic "switch" has been turned on which no longer allows for efficient carbohydrate burning, and therefore increased energy calories converted into fat.

I did not vote, as I am not considered obese, but I have empathy for those going through this. Not everyone can afford blood work-ups to point out any problems in system functioning. Have you had a full work-up recently? It costs several hundred dollars.

Good luck with your will-power, and God willing, no unfortunate twists of genetic fate will cause you to unexplicably gain unwanted pounds.

I've thought that if I could just get lipo and "give back" 40 or 50 pounds, I'd be able to take it the rest of the way. Seems that lipo might be less drastic than the stomach stapling. Something tells me that you might NEED the rest of your stomach some day.

There are things I would consider (like liposuction) but stapling my stomach is not one of them.

I was a big baby (almost 11 lbs) and a big kid (in my grade-school pictures, I look at least 3 years older than everyone else -- purely because I am taller, sturdier, bigger). At age 9, I went through puberty, and I immediately started gaining weight. By age 12, I weighed 170 lbs. Part of it was diet, sure -- we ordered pizza a little too often, had grits for breakfast a little too much -- but there is no way on God's green earth that it's a purely calories in/calories out equation. I would have been a *little* overweight, not obese, if that was the case.

I went on my first diet at age 10, and stuck to it perfectly, even to the point of weighing and measuring portions. I didn't lose anything.

At 16, I was diagnosed with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, an endocrine disorder that can cause women to gain weight seemingly by breathing near food. Then I lost my gall bladder (gall bladder problems run in the family -- every woman going back five generations has lost hers) and that made gaining weight even easier.

I am also at high risk for Type 2 diabetes (family history, even if I wasn't overweight) so, until I lost my health insurance a year ago, I was treated by an endocrinologist. He diagnosed me as insulin-resistant. That basically means that it's much tougher for me to lose weight than for the average person.

Did I consider surgery? Hell, yes. One of my dearest friends had it and lost 150 pounds in 7 months. He had to have plastic surgery later to "take in" all the loose skin (he called it his "apron") but he was very, very pleased with the results. He would say, "J., you've never been thin. You have no idea how wonderful it is."

No, I haven't ever been thin. And I don't know.

I know what it's like to be walking across the library parking lot in March wearing a short-sleeved shirt (because I love to feel the breezes of that time of year) and have a group of teenage boys point and laugh. "I guess if you weren't so fucking fat, you'd need a jacket huh, bitch?"

That was just a couple of weeks ago. Incidents like that happen on average of once a week.

And by the way, I'm not monstrous-looking. I don't need a wheelchair like some of my obese friends. I'm just fat. I won't put a picture of myself online, but for those of you who have seen Bertha's picture, I'm about her size. Bertha is a beautiful, strong-looking woman. So am I.

I'm just not what America wants from a woman; ergo, I'm a fat bitch.

Anyway, sorry for ranting -- the surgery.

I was strongly considering it, but then I thought of two things:

1.) There's a 1% mortality rate for the surgery. That's too high for me.
2.) Healthcare access in this country is totally dependent on employment. What if I get the surgery and later am unemployed and need healthcare that I can't afford, due to issues related to the surgery? Happens all the time.
3.) The surgery works best for people who, for whatever reason, have a hard time controlling their eating. My problem is partly that, but much more related to hormones, endocrine issues, and insulin resistance.

On the bright side, :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

my family doctor recommended the Atkins diet to me. Some overweight women friends with similar problems went on it, and it was working for them. I talked to him about it, and he encouraged me to try it. It's working! I've lost 39 pounds since February 6, 2004. The diet is radical -- I eat almost no carbohydrates (as defined by Atkins, net carbs) and lots of fat and protein. My bloodwork is terrific, my energy is great, I don't feel deprived, and I've lost 3 jeans sizes, too. Something finally works, and I'm very happy.

No surgery for me.

Thanks for the question, Bertha. I appreciate your willingness to discuss this openly -- it helps me to get these things off my chest, too. :hug:

She lost about 75 pounds or so, but had to stop b/c of blood pressure and stress issues related to the severe illness (and subsequent death) of my step-father.

I myself have lost 40 pounds on Atkins, with all the benefits SouthernGirlWriter noted.

Just thought I'd share my 2 cents and support for you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

It has helped me so much. After a number of years spent feeling invisible and locked in a bad cycle of eating too much in order to avoid my real problems (and unlost weight from having children too)- to a woman who once again, feels not only emotionally good and is physically in great health, but I look darn good on top of it. :D

:cry:

It was never an option for me. The idea is horrid. It's not a magic wand to make one thin. The only thing that will last is a program of managing what one takes in and exercise to speed up the loss.

If I'm able to lose weight by portion control, by watching calories and fats and fiber, and by exercising regularly anyone can. Trust me, I was poster child for sedentary lifestyle. Two years later and 150 pounds lighter I still need to watch what I eat and make sure I get my butt in motion every day. I still have 40 pounds to go and it's been really tough lately but at least I'm not putting it back on.

The prolferation of "stars" having the surgery and touting its success scares me. They still have to be careful with what they eat or that weight will come right back on. Docs pushing it for kids is also frightening.

Plus, the personal satisfaction is tremendous. I am in control! :)

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

I would never consider surgery. I'm at about 245 right now and I really have a difficult time getting below 225. I can get down to 225, but I have a really difficult time maintaining that weight and I usually gain back to 250 or so rather quickly. I've been as heavy as 280 and I feel much better at 245. Maybe I was just meant to be kind of fat.