weight loss surgery?

[Aysha]

Hey all.I have popped in on this board a couple times way back.
I am not only a drug addict but a food addict too.
The only crack smoker to gain over 100lbs using daily. Unbelievable.
Anyway..I really have packed it on even more since I stopped smoking. My stomach is huge. I look like I am having twins. And the pain in my joints and my feet is excruciating daily. My knees and back are constantly giving me problems. I almost colapsed the other day because my back gave out for a second when I was walking.
I hav a seminar for bariatric surgery Thurs. And am possibly going to have the procedure done. If they think I am a good candidate.
I need to do something before I end up with chronic problems or a disease of some kind.
Exercise and diet are only good for 25 lbs and then I just get stuck. So I get discouraged and stop.
Anyone have bariatric surgery?

What are your thoughts on it?
Thx

[WLDKATZ]

Honestly? It may not be needed.......Sis, I know you have heard of stinkin thinking, try something else first work on you and watch the pounds come off......how can I say it? In 2002 I was 579 pounds, dead serious.......I lost it all without surgery, ok I did some stupid things but when I started taking care of me I lost the weight and am still losing, in fact I have lost so much I now have to have surgery for the excess skin to be removed!!!!!!!


Seriously think about it there are two sides and pay very close attention because sometimes these things CAN go bad, my Aunt B had it and is now like 68 pounds I believe and she is almost dead living off of IV's......It can be a harsh lesson to learn......




Hugs and Prayers,
Pamm

[best]

I know two people who have had surgery. Not sure what kind but both had lost over 100 lbs. What their Dr required was for them to show they could be a good candidate by having them stick to a proper diet for a certain amount of time.
Just as in anything else... commitment gets the job done.

[juliee]

Chy, My daughter, sister & niece have all had either lap-ban or gastric by-pass. ALL have done beautifully. I would suggest lap-ban over gastric-by-pass. It is reversible (should you have trouble) It is less hard on your body and while it takes a little longer the results are very good. I don't know how old you are.... but in my opinion lap-ban is the way to go! Why keep fighting the DIET-WAR when there is an alternative. If I was over weight I would do it in a heartbeat!!!

[Gambaru]

I can understand why you want to have surgery, but I hope you've also worked on the psychological/emotional issues behind what is going on. I work in a hospital and the number of patients I've seen have the operation without even really trying to do much to help themselves is really sad.

It is a very drastic operation and I can't help but think they've managed to get through the counselling just to have the operation. Sadly enough, I know a lot that hadn't deal with their problems had the same problems when they'd lost the weight much to their surprise. They realised the weight really wasn't the cause of their problems but a symptom and for those that were addicted to food, quite a few then turned to another addiction to cover what they didn't want to face.

[barb dwyer]

I'm jeqalous that you people can afford it.

I know someone who had the 'ban' thing - thanksgiving - she's lost 50#.

[Aysha]

I wouldnt really say I am a food addict I guess. I just like too eat. I dont eat too make myself feel better. I guess I should have worded that better. My family is Irish and Italian so you can imagine why we like to eat. Plus I live with my grams and she cooks country style. I have tried eating right and exercising for many months at a time and I just cant lose more than 25 lbs. Thats in the first 2 mos. Then I will continue the same routine for a few more months and not lose anything more.
It's like I get stuck. I couldnt imaguine starving myself or making myself sick to lose weight.
My main concern is why cant I lose more than 25lbs?
I never weighed more than 125lbs until I lost a pregnancy in 96. Then I just started gaining. And when I started using real bad I really blew up.
Mind boggling.
Anyway thx guys. Appreciate your responces.

[historyteach]

Here's some important information to add to the discussion:

Diabetes Remission In Obese Patients More Likely With Weight Loss Surgery
Featured Article
Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness; GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 23 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PST

Gastric banding surgery appeared to be more effective than conventional weight loss and diabetes control at helping obese patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight and achieve remission of diabetes, revealed the results of a preliminary study by researchers in Australia.

The study is published in the January 23rd issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and is the work of Dr John B Dixon, of Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues.

Recent studies have shown that weight loss plays a strong factor in improvement in glucose control in type 2 diabetes, which with obesity will be the greatest public health challenge of the next ten or twenty years, wrote the authors. Increasing rates of obesity are strongly linked to increasing prevalence of diabetes.

Conventional methods of weight loss that rely on drugs and lifestyle changes tend to achieve only modest weight loss, a problem made even more difficult for type 2 diabetics because they have greater difficulty losing weight than people without diabetes.

Some observational studies have suggested that surgically induced ways of losing weight, such as gastric banding, achieve sustained weight loss and may be an effective way to treat type 2 diabetes. Dixon and colleagues decided to investigate this using a randomized controlled trial.

The trial, which took place at the Monash University Obesity Research Center in Australia and involved 60 obese patients, started in December 2002 and finished in December 2006. The patients had been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (within the previous two years). Obesity was defined as having a body mass index (BMI) above 30 and below 40. A person's BMI is their weight in kilos divided by the square of their height in metres.

The patients were randomized to two treatment groups: a surgical group and a conventional therapy group. In the surgical group patients received laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with conventional diabetes care. In the conventional group patients had conventional diabetes therapy, with a focus on weight loss through changes in lifestyle.

The researchers used glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels to measure blood glucose, monitored the patients' weight loss and measures of metabolic syndrome.

Remission was defined as having a fasting glucose level below 126 mg/dL and value of less than 5.2 per cent, while not receiving glycemic therapy.

The results showed that:
55 of the 60 patients completed the two year follow up.

There were no serious complications among the patients in either group.

22 (72 per cent) of the surgical group patients and 4 (13 per cent) of the conventional therapy group achieved remission of type 2 diabetes.

This represented a remission rate of 76 per cent for the surgery group and 15 per cent for the conventional therapy group.

The surgical group lost 21 per cent of their weight on average, compared with under 2 per cent in the conventional therapy group after 2 years.

This translates to an over 60 per cent excess weight loss in the surgical group (based on BMI of 25 as ideal) compared with just over 4 per cent in the conventional therapy group.

After 2 years follow up, the surgical group displayed a 5 times higher remission rate and 4 times greater reduction in blood glucose (glycated hemoglobin) than the convention therapy group.

Greater weight loss after 2 years and a lower level of blood glucose at the start of the study were independently linked with remission, but weight loss accounted for most of the variance.

The authors concluded that:

"Participants randomized to surgical therapy were more likely to achieve remission of type 2 diabetes through greater weight loss."

However, they said a larger study in a more diverse population, that takes into account longer term outcomes, is needed to confirm these preliminary results.

The researchers also wrote that these results pointed to the degree of weight loss, and not necessarily the way it was achieved, as the major driver of glycemic improvement and diabetes remission among the obese patients.

The implication of this is that it may be more important to aim for intensive weight loss than simple lifestyle change when treating type 2 diabetes, they wrote.

"This study shows that few participants achieved remission with a body weight loss of less than 10 percent, a level expected to produce important health benefits," added the researchers.

Commenting in an accompanying editorial, Drs David E Cummings and David R Flum, of the University of Washington, Seattle, wrote " ... there is much to learn about surgical treatments for diabetes."

"Researchers are striving to elucidate surgical mechanisms of diabetes improvement, hoping ultimately to harness the effects of 'surgery in a pill'; i.e. a formulation providing the desired effects without operative risks," they added.

They suggested the future looks "brighter" for patients and that the results coming out of studies of surgical ways of treating diabetes may be "the most profound since the discovery of insulin".

In the face of an expanding epidemic, "policy and health care leaders are grappling with the costs and risks of surgical interventions, which must be balanced against the costs and risks of not taking advantage of surgically induced diabetes remission", they wrote.

"Adjustable Gastric Banding and Conventional Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial."
John B. Dixon; Paul E. O'Brien; Julie Playfair; Leon Chapman; Linda M. Schachter; Stewart Skinner; Joseph Proietto; Michael Bailey; Margaret Anderson.
JAMA. 2008;299(3):316-323.
Vol. 299 No. 3, January 23, 2008
Written by: Catharine Paddock

I thought this was an important addition, since type 2 diabetes - formerly known as "adult onset" - is becoming epidemic in this country. Now, very young children are diagnosed with it, largely due to obesity and under activity.

I've been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic." I got it under control with diet and exercise. But, now, I can't exercise. So, I'm very concerned, naturally.

I hope this article is interesting to some of you too.

Shalom!

[splendra]

The surgery is dangerous my mom nearly died from it and my sil is having a very hard time as well. I know some people do well with the surgery but it is still drastic a measure. General anesthesia is also quite dangerous and it is very hard on the liver and kidneys. Also you want to consider that many people do gain the weight back. I personally know about 20 people who have had the surgery and over half of them have gained back most of the weight...

Of course those of you who know me know how against surgery and other stuff I am. I feel that many surgeries are unnecessary and that there are other ways of dealing with many conditions that surgery is used for. Of course I know that some times surgery is life saving and necessary. I found this alternative on the net a few years ago I know a couple of people who have done well using it. I bought it for my sister and she did loose weight while using it she just did not keep using it but still I think she would rather use a chemical solution. If you are interested in reading about it follow the link below:

How Zetacap Zeta Cap Works

[Aysha]

Well I am going to go ahead. My consult is Tuesday. If my insurance covers and The surgeon thinks I am a good candidate. I am moving forward with this. Little nervous now. Nervous I will be turned down. And nervous I will have complications.
I will have to talk more with the surgeon.

[JPat]

Chi - I applaude you! you are doing what you need to do to get healthy! And I think it's smart that you're getting information and educating yourself. Even if your Dr. feels you are not a candidate for the surgery, maybe he/she can provide you with other options. Keep us updated!

[sugarssweetpea]

I am sorry, but I have to agree with Splendra. I think the surgery is dangerous. The reason that you only lose 25 lbs & then not anymoe is b/c that is called a plateau. You have to increase your exercise & lower your calories by just a little bit. You never need to starve yourself to lose weight. That is actually one of the worst ways to do it. I will pray for you & I hope everything works out for you.

[Aysha]

I havent stepped on a scale in months. I did a little while ago and wanted to cry.
I have gained 50 lbs since December.
I feel like every part of my body is asleep. I am bustin out of my clothes and I have so much joint pain it isnt funny.
Even in my fingers and toes.
I am getting depressed and have zero energy.
I cant even tie my shoes anymore.
I am going to see my Dr Monday.
I cant take the pain or the sadness anymore.
I go to see the surgeon Tuesday.
I hope it is a go.

[Aysha]

Well..I was told I cant do the surgery because of my addiction and an incident that happened last May.
I was very upset and thought this to be very unfair.
Alot of life changes is what he told me.
Well I think being in recovery is the biggest life change I will ever have to endure.
I feel like my addiciton is going to haunt me forever no matter how long I have in recovery.
I dont think it is right.

[splendra]

(((((chyinita))))


I hate to hear the despair over surgery. The link I posted is about something that works very similar to the surgery except is is not permanent.

If you get it in your head that there is only one solution then you might stop looking for answers. I am glad that your doctor is following the guide lines for this surgery. The potiental to gain the weight back is very real so are the dangers. My mom and SIL both have gained their weight back.

Do give up on yourself. You can do this.

[splendra]

To my horror I wrote do give up... that is not what I meant.... Please do not give up on yourself

[sugarssweetpea]

I agree once again with Splendra. There are obviously some underlying issues for having the weight gain in the first place. I believe unless those are dealt with, the weight gain will return. My brother in law had liposuction & regained all of the weight & then some in a very short time. How I look at it is ... I have to change my lifestyle from the one that I am currently in that causes me to gain weight & need to change it to one that is healthy that in turn will cause me to lose weight & gain muscle. Any time I have ever tried to use any kind of instant gratification fast weight loss plan, I have always gained the weight back. It takes time to change your eating habits. Like Splendra said, please do not give up on yourself.

[Aysha]

Yea...I have jumped off the pity pot. Didnt take long either.
Life changes...Sure makes me think alot.
If I can make good efforts in my recovery with addiciton. Then this should be no different.
You guys are right. I need to keep in mind nothing good comes easy.
And I am on an everything happens for a reason kick lately. So maybe this could have saved me alot of who knows what later down the road.

[Jwife22]

Hi chy-

So sorry to hear that about the surgery being a no go. I am on my own weight loss journey without the help of surgery, pills or anything else. Just clean eating and some exercise (which I got into after I lost a few pounds).

I've lost 21 lbs since Christmas and am slowly but surely losing a little each day. The trick is to lose weight safely. We didn't get into the shape we are in overnight, so we aren't going to lose it overnight. Its safe to lose 1-2 lbs a week. If you lose to much to fast your body can start doing some terrible things to itself (ie cannibalizing your organs for nutrients)

It also doesn't do any good to make a bunch of drastic changes at once. That almost never works because we don't stick to our plans.

What I found works best for me was to start out by changing a few things at a time. For instance, I absolutely MADE myself drink a glass of water everyday and I built on that, I increased the amount of water by 1 glass every few days. I also purchased some fiber supplements because I found out that I eat NOWHERE NEAR the daily recommendation for fiber intake for a woman. (No less than 20 grams but more like 30, I try for 35). Fiber is how (maybe tmi) fat leaves your body, ya know, when you go.

Then I cut out fried foods. No more fried foods, no fries, no chips or anything like that. Those are now a special treat to be had once every few months and now I find that I don't even like it. It makes me feel run down and bloated.

Then I started making sure I had one piece of fruit with breakfast. I also started making sure that before I ate anything else on my plates, I ate all my vegetables first. Veggies are FULL of fiber and are very very filling.

Small steps can lead to BIG changes. Losing weight takes plenty of discipline and motivation. My motivation wanes, sure but then I think of how much more healthy I feel than I used to. I also don't say I must weigh 135 lbs by July 1 or else. I know it takes time, I know some weeks I'll lose a couple lbs and some weeks I won't lose at all. Its a struggle somedays to eat right.

I allow myself to indulge every now and again (like I will for Easter dinner sunday) and I'm okay with it. I don't guilt myself into feeling horrible. When I did that in the past, it would make me binge. I'd have the thought process of well, I already screwed up, I might as well do it all the way and then eat everything in sight.

I also figured out just how many calories I was burning every day (BMR) by just living and then added in my exercise and then figuring out the number of calories I should be eating everyday to maintain. Then I subtracted between 500-1000 calories per day to equal a 1-2 lb weight loss per week. (I can help you figure this if you'd like, just PM me)

Its never okay to drop below 1,200 calories per day unless you are under a doctors supervision.

If you'd like to talk more, just PM me.

[Aysha]

Thank you..I really dont know anything about nutrition and things like that.
When I tried before changing my diet and exercising. I was doing low fat everything. Multi grain. Lots of chicken breast and tuna. Salads without all the good stuff like cheese and bacon bits. Light dressing. Low fat yogurt. I LOVE vegetables. And I hate canned ones too. So thaqts not a problem. I cut bread out and was using multi grain pita pockets. Lots of water and green tea hot and iced no sweetener.
I had the family meals on holidays. And Sundays were my little treat days. Nothing too dramatic. Maybe replace one meal with a pizza slice and eat the diet way the rest of the meals. I was walking on the treadmill for only 15 mins someitmes longer everyday. But that gets so boring just walking in place. I really want a beach cruiser and start playin volleyball. I love volleyball.
When I did all that I had lost almost 30 lbs in 3 months. I was crazy happy.
But I lost my job and went down hill with the diet and my addiciton. And I havent even tried that routine since.
I am going to start doing that again. I really liked how I felt. Even my appearance like my skin and body didnt look so beat down.
I need to quit smoking too.
I ended last year in rehab and brought the new year in that way. And I did relapse one time but you know I get stronger everyday. And now it is time to start making some healthier choices in everyday living as well. Not just with my drug use.
I am active when it warmer out.
And my family is part Italian. It is challenging. Food everywhere all the time.
So I think I am ready to disipline myself to this routine again and maybe it will help me in my addiction too.
Thanks again.

[Gambaru]

It sounds like to me C like you weren't eating enough. Depending on which website you read, 50-50% diet of your diet needs to be carbs, 15-20% needs to be protein and 30% needs to be fat. If you were eating enough, your body would have gone into starrvation mode. Also, calculate how much you need to eat by doing a search on Google for BMR. Maybe a visit to a dietician may help you? Wishing you the best!

[Jwife22]

Great Chy! It also makes us feel better to eat healthier. I agree with Gambaru- it does kinda sound like you might not be eating enough. If you'd like help figuring your BMR just let me know.

Good luck!

[ROFL]

Hi Chi! I'm a little happy for you that you are NOT getting the surgery, even though I know you're disappointed. I knew someone who DIED from it. And my friend's sister is having complications and likely to die 6 years after having the surgery.

I too have been trying to lose weight. Actually, part of the reason I decided to get sober was my health and because I had gotten so fat. That and the fact that my life had really gotten out of control with the drinking. Dropping the beer has helped with my weight problem, but I still probably need to lose 30 or 40 more pounds. "Dieting" doesn't really seem to help too much because of my metabolism. Oh yes, I have to watch every calorie that I take in, but more importantly I have to rearrange the way I eat. Eat early in the day, stop eating late, eat a variety of foods, eat smaller portions, eat more frequently...

Like my alcoholism, my "healthy eating" program is requiring a lot of work. And just like my alcoholism, I slip. In both circumstances I try not to beat myself up, but rather continue to try every day. After two months of not drinking and now three slips in just a few weeks time, I've decided I need the AA plan, not just doing it on my own. I tried shortcuts. I tried using the "My Way Out" by taking topomax to curb my alcoholism. But I now realize there are no shortcuts to getting sober and there are no shortcuts to becoming healthy. Weight loss takes a plan and a change to your core way of behaving.

I hate to use the E word, but for weight loss, exercise is mandatory. I've been walking, walking, walking. At first I took long, leisurely, slow strolls. Now I "power walk". It is good for clearing a mind that wants so badly to pick up a drink. It is my way to get away.

The other thing you need is support. I used to belong to a weight-loss forum, but decided my bigger problem was alcoholism so I now use this site instead. This site has helped you find friends that help you out of your drug addiction, and it can help you with weight loss too. I'm sending you a friend request.

[sugarssweetpea]

Strength training with light hand weights 2-3 times a week will help as well. You will not get bulky, but will tone the muscles which in turn burns the fat & makes you stronger. The little extras like parking in the parking spot which is the farthest away, taking the stairs, etc helps with raising your every day activity level. When you bend over to get something, do a squat or extend your leg behind you. Silly little things can sometimes make it fun & increase your balance & strength. I wish you all the success. You can do this.

[Aysha]

I just called a nutritionist and left a message.
My knees are really hurting today. And it gets worse as time goes by.
I really dont want to end up with health problems worse than I already have.
I am still for the most part pretty healthy for what I have done to myself over the years.
Warmer weather is soon coming so it will get me motivated to get out and do things more. Winter is awful.