Obesity

A girl at work just had her stomach stapled. She does not have any medical condition, a thyroid problem, etc. She is just an over eater and does not excercise or eat right.

This may be a controversial subject. I have added a poll to maybe lessen the drama.

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I can't see subjecting oneself to such a thing unless it's medically necessary. And I'm surprised a doctor went for it. Is she seriously overweight? If that's the case, I could understand it.

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She is seriously overweight, but only because of over eating, and I think it is a real cop out on her part. That really is just my opinion, and I may get flamed for it. But, to go through surgery just to avoid diet and excercise, is just obsurd.

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I'm in favor of it if you have already tried all the non-invasive measures.

However, it is not a substitute for self-control and will not ultimately solve the problem.

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I have to say I do not agree with her having surgery. I do not think it will solve her problem. Although at first she will only be able to eat a small amount, over time her stomach will stretch (I read this somewhere) and she will be able to gain back the weight.

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I think it depends...if all else has failed, I'd say go for it. However, I do know of 3 people that had this done and for 2 of them, it seemed they did it for an 'easy way' to lose weight. They were told by their doctor to gain some more weight (about 40 lbs. for one) to be classified as obese in order to be covered by insurance for the procedure

Message edited 5/2/2006 7:33:41 PM.

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I dont agree with it...I think its laziness on ocassion, BUT I do know for some people eating is an addiction and the surgery is their choice and may help cut down their eating and therefore I support anyone who wants to do it, not my choice.

I know someone who was not morbidly obses and had it done, shes a stick figure now and looks awful..but I also know my uncles godson has a mental disability and part of his issue is not tasting food and so he eats and eats and eats , all bad foods, and he had the surgery done as his last option.

Theres so many reasons out there.

I know that losing weight is hard. Im overweight and if it were easy, I would NOT be...so I cant judge I guess........

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Someone I know is obese and is considering the surgery.

She dosent attempt to diet- let alone even just cut portions or give up junk....

I believe she once made a comment..... Shes not dieting because she's not giving up her bagels or chinese food...


For someone like this: I believe the surgery is in fact a cop, because they are to lazy to diet and excercise...


Then I look at another friend who in fact had the surgery- he was on and off ww for years, and eventually just when in and had the surgery done...

Now- from what he's told me.... having the procedure done was alot like being on wieght watchers (for him at least) you really cant eat junk, and no matter what you have to cut your portions- the only difference is- after the surgery- you feel full-so you only want to eat the small portion...

He eats sooo much healthier, and he excercises as well....

He's lost soooooooo much weight, and in his situation all he needed was this- to get him in the right direction... (and his surgery was covered by ins.)



SO basically for some- I totally believe its a cop out, and for others- i believe its very helpful!

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It's a huge, major operation, so it probably wasn't to avoid diet and exercise. If someone's that obsese, it's got to be hard to walk up a flight of stairs.

I feel for anyone who puts themselves through it, it's got to be a last resort. I think that overeating's a hugely complex thing. Having my own issues with weight (though thankfully not to that extent) I have some idea of what it's like to struggle with food constantly.

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I think for some they think it will be an easy fix, or their last option. However, if you don't change your eating habits and make lifestyle changes you will in time gain the weight back. My mom's friend had the surgery done in the early 90s and lost a ton of weight, now she is back to being obese again. For example, look at Al Roker, he isn't obese again but he is gaining weight back slowly. He even had a segment on the Today show "Lose 20lbs with Al Roker" He just had the surgery what maybe 3 years ago and now he is back to needing to lose 20lbs.

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Like it has been said before, that is such a major surgery. I cannot believe people would take such a risk rather than putting the fork down and going for a walk a few times a week.

I think that for a lot of people, their eating problems stem from emotional issues that they have not yet dealt with.

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First, I don't consider having your stomach stapled a "cosmetic surgery". It is a medical surgery. Ultimately the goal is to help get control of their weight before they encounter all of the issues that come along with obesity. If this stops your co-worker from getting diabetes & having toes, fingers, legs amputated as someone else I know did before ultimately dying from it, more power to her. Yes, without a doubt the results are absolutely life-altering for these people - and yes cosmetic. But make no mistake that the obese people have many, many health problems.

I had both a friend and a co-worker who had gastric bypass surgeries. It's not something any person undergoing that surgery would take lightly - nor would the doctor who performs the surgery. Both had to undergo one full year of a support groups, psychological evaluation and couseling & to lose weight on their own. They can't gorge themselves on food - or they'll get sick. Just as your co-worker can no longer gorge on food or she will cause severe damage to her stomach. Since both have lost over 150lbs each, they can now go for long walks & excercise as they couldn't before. It is a tremendous amount of pressure on their hearts, legs, etc that - as someone who has never had their issues - can't understand.

My co-worker & a friend both lead healthier lives because of these surgeries. I don't care what it takes for someone to feel better about themselves and live healthier lives - to each his/her own.

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my fmil wanted to have the band surgery. but b.c her ins didnt cover it, she could not have it. she is majorly overweight and does not know what the word diet means.

i'm not a fan of stomach surgery, stapeling, band, remove, what have you. b/c in the majority of cases, its people that can lose the weight on their own, they just lack the motivation. and why should they if some dr nick hack can cut them open and cut their stomach in half. problem solved, right?

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If someone is 100+ overweight and insurance would pay for it who cares if its a cop out?
Thats that persons descion to take that risk but the outcome for most of those patients is being thin or much thinner then they are forever..
There are TONS of procedures that woman get done that probably arent " medically neccasary" but to each his own.
Im all for anything that makes a person have a better quality of life

Message edited 5/2/2006 7:59:51 PM.

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My SIL is attempting to qualify for the surgery. She NEEDS something. A trainer, dietician, something. She is hoping to have the surgery in the next few months. Whatever makes her happy I guess. Its not my life where I will never be able to eat more than a Dixie cup for the rest of my life. The only part that bugs me is that her insurance will pay for plastic surgery after all is said and done. Now I have 2 kids and would LOVE some lipo but can I get that for free... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Message edited 5/2/2006 8:13:36 PM.

Re: Obesity

I think that if someone has the money and they are willing to accept the risks, then by all means, it's there business.

I see it a little differently because I have been dealing with tremendous weight gain and struggles over the past two years. Mine is also due mostly to medical issues, but it's still something I struggle with all the time.
Because of my medical issues, I will never lose a ton of weight, and I will always struggle to lose it.
I have become so desperate lately that the thought of surgery has crossed my mind.
I diet most of the time - no carbs, nothing. Which can make someone pretty miserable too, so when someone sees this overweight girl eating pizza or something "bad" believe you me, the other 99% of the time I'm seriously dieting - but you just need a break sometimes.
Exercise has become more difficult for me (always exhausted - also due to medical stuff).

I'm not looking for sympathy, just trying to give a different perspective. No matter how someone becomes obese, if they are medically approved for the surgery, I say go for it. They are making a decision that will more than likely help them avoid developing seriously health issues in the future like diabetes and cardiac problems.

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i see what you are saying michal. and i can sympathize. everyone is different. but my fmil has problems b/c of the weight. she doesn't realize that its something she can control somewhat. she won't admit that she has a problem and will just continue to stuff her face b/c she figures why not. drives me nuts

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I really don't think any of those surgeries are cop-outs because it is a tremendous life change and takes a lot of work to adjust. and, after you get surgery, you have to LEARN how to eat right and exercise...those things become necessary.

Edited for bad spelling and to say: And, if people go into it thinking it is a short cut, they will have a rude awakening!

Message edited 5/2/2006 8:47:33 PM.