Question:
bashing WLS?
I went online to read up on info and there was a sight that totally bashed WLS saying that you age faster, you'll never absorb calcium, you'll end up with lupus, and on and on. My question is, is this warranted? I am pretty nervous after I've read that. They had nothing positive to say. — Allison G. (posted on August 17, 2002)
August 17, 2002
Read here for information there's over 60,000 members so there is a lot of
experience. Try the library for specific subjects to learn as much as you
can.
— Candace F.
August 17, 2002
Allison, I would also like to find out if there are truths to that site.
Are the people who are doing the "bashing" actual WLS patients?
Is there testimony from medical experts? I must say, and I hope no one
takes offense to this, but people on this site never really do answer these
sorts of questions. They just tell you to "read this site...stick to
this site, don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain". Well, I
for one would like to know the WHOLE truth, not just the good stuff. Of
course the people on here are thrilled, they've lost hundreds of pounds! I
for one will never stop researching all sides of this debate, and everyone
else should do the same.
— Kelly C.
August 17, 2002
Allison, I know what website you are talking about and the owner of it is
constantly bashing wls- tho' she never had it herself. We all know that
some people have problems after their surgeries- you read that here. It all
comes down to choosing a surgeon who has extensive experience in the WLS
you want to have- a great WLS doctor does a thorough history and exam to
ensure that you are ready for surgery. You can also tell you have a great
surgeon if he offers a support group. Talk with people who have had surgery
through the surgeon you have choosen to find out how he/she is with
aftercare. And let's not forget that YOU have to do your part to eat right,
get your water and protein in and take your vitamins!! Some things are of
course out of your control, but for the most part, your long term health
after WLS is in your hands. As long as you are dedicated, you will do just
fine. Read and read as much as you can prior to surgery, but please don't
read her site. She uses scare tactics and for the most part, they are
unwarranted. Best of luck!!
— karmiausnic
August 17, 2002
Hello...I am a little over 5 months post-op (down 71 pounds), and am
feeling very, very good! The reason I feel compelled to respond to your
question is this: how healthy are you right now and in your current trend?
Yes, you are absorbing calcium better now, but that DOES NOT mean that you
will NEVER absorb calcium! You will need to take supplements for the rest
of your life...the strange thing is that you should take supplements
anyway! I have had my first blood work done (and will have regular blood
work done to make sure I'm doing well), and I'm doing GREAT! I have cut my
heart attack risk in half (and then some!), I have added years to my life
instead of subtracting because I was so unhealthy. As far as lupus...I
have never ever heard of that? I am not a doctor (obviously), but I am
sure that if lupus or other diseases were a "side effect" of this
surgery, we would be informed of it. As it stands right now, the
"side effects" are greater risk of osteoporosis, anemia, and
other vitamin-defeciency-related illnesses, all of which are preventable if
you are committed to taking your vitamins and getting regular blood work
done to monitor your levels. That, in my opinion, is a small price to pay
for better health, better confidence and self-esteem. There are several
long-term post-ops who regularly post to this board, some who are 10 years
or more post-op...I'm sure they would be happy to answer your question, and
of course, ASK YOUR SURGEON!!! Don't let the myths scare you away from a
healthier, happier life...Good Luck to you!!!
— LaRayne H.
August 17, 2002
all i know is that iam 7 months postop and down 170 pounds with no
problems. blood wook has been great.best thing i ever did.dont listen to
anyone but yourself best thing is read up on everything
— Pat H.
August 17, 2002
Allison, What is the website address you're talking about? Thanks!
Karen
— Karen K.
August 17, 2002
Kelly,Yes, the people on that site are real people. I am one of them. I
know the others personally also. I had the BPD/DS, one guy had the RNY who
is now actually paralyed in the legs and came out of surgery that way and
most of the others had the JIB which is an old surgery. There are many
more than 5 or 6 of us also. We are just a sampling. People like to put
that site down, and true, the owner has never had WLS surgery, but those of
us on the site have mostly. You need to take all info and weigh it's value
for you. I kindof wish now that I had known about that site before going
into this..maybe I wouldn't be having the reversal now. Hugs and best
wishes, Barb
— Barbara H.
August 17, 2002
I am 16months post op down 125 pounds and still loosing. I feel great and
my labs are great. I was healthy before the surgery, but I am more so now.
Will that be the same way in 10 years? I don't know. Would it be any
different had I not had WLS? I don't know. Bottom line is that no one can
predict the future. Each and every person seems to have different
reactions to the surgery. Some do amazing.. others okay and some not so
good at all. The best advice that I can give is to explore BOTH sides, not
just the positive which is most always represented here. That way you have
all the facts and can accept all the risks.
— Virginia N.
August 18, 2002
I'm aware of Sue's website and I agree with the other posters that YOU have
to make peace with your decision. The risks are very real.
If you take a close look at that website, there are times when Sue
contradicts her own statements of "fact". She's not just against
wls, she actually says it should be illegal! LOL! What a wacko. I respect
people who decide against wls, so long as they respect my decision to have
wls, and Sue is not one of those people. Thank you for trying to control me
Sue, but I'm a big girl now and I think I can make my own decisions.
Studies have shown that on average, when a person is happy with a product
or a service, they will tell one other person. When they are unhappy
they'll tell 11! If unhappy people are so vocal, where are they? Shouldn't
Sue have hundreds, if not thousands or horror stories to share????
— trouble5
August 18, 2002
Hi Allison. I understand being nervous. I can say I never thought I would
have gotten to the point where I would have had the surgery myself, and it
isn't always easy to deal with after the surgery too. However, I would do
it again if I was in the condition I was in too. You have to look at the
pro's and con's and realize if you want to do this or not. Everything has
negative sides to it. Yes, there are people who went in to have the
surgery and came out worse. And there are those who have no problems. You
have to realize this is a major surgery, not just something small, but
really major, and there are risks with everything. People die all the time
in car accidents, but millions of us get in our cars and drive everyday.
There is always a flip side to everything. Before I was convinced about
things, I read up on this for a year, it wasn't something I said, Okay now
I am obese and I want the surgery since it is the easy way out, cause it
really isn't. it is worth reading everyone's story. Also, like the
previous person said, make sure you have a surgeon in mind who has done
this many many times. I went to a surgeon who only does this type of
surgery. He has meetings once a month and I went to a few of them before I
had the surgery. That really opened up my eyes. Nothing was sugar coated
there. They talked about all the problems and good things associated.
Things I really didn't hear about and stuff. I would help anyone interested
in getting the surgery, but I don't go out there and tell everyone who is
obese to go and get it, it is their decision and they have to get to the
point where they feel it is necessary for them. I went to weight watchers
5x's and it didn't work for me, do I bash it? NO because it may work for
the next person. I wish you the best on any decision you make whether or
not to have the surgery. It is a very hard decision, and it sounds like
you may just need more time to evaluate your needs. Good Luck!
— stacey1273
August 18, 2002
I don't know why people keep saying that AMOS is biased to the positive. I
have been reading some awful hoor stories for the last year I have been
here. The reason there are more happy endings here is because there are
more happy endings. Many people have been sorry they had their surgery
because, the negatives outweighed the positives. But in life, things
happen. People have died from dental work when bacteria in their mouths
attack a vital orgran. Blod clots are an everyday part in this world with
or without surgery. The one thing I do know for sure, is that if I never
leave the house I will not be injured in an auto wreck. That's not true
either, I remember hearing about someone getting injured when a car ran
though their house. But no one should make this decision without thorough
reasearch, pros and cons.
— faybay
August 18, 2002
Allison, there are both good and bad stories about WLS. I have a friend
who was post-op that I met online who asked me tons of questions before her
surgery-she was so excited to be having the surgery-well, she almost died
from the surgery because of a blood clot in her lungs. Totally unexpected,
but after a month, she is just getting out of the hospital. So, things do
and can happen that are unexpected from this surgery-as with all surgeries.
For those, like Barb Henson that have had such rough times and even have
to undergo reversals, I can understand that they speak from personal
experience. However, what we do know (or should I say do not know) is the
long term effects of WLS on us as a population. Yes, we have some long
term post-ops like Michelle Curran that are doing really well, but most of
us are less than 5 years out from the RNY and there just aren't any long
term studies done by the medical profession, so in a way we are the guinea
pigs. However, what we do know is that if we stayed obese,there are plenty
of studies to show that we would have died young from obesity related
diseases. I, for one, am glad to have had this surgery and will gladly
take my vitamins for the rest of my life and get my blood checked
regularly. However, you must make the decision for yourself..it is a risk,
but weigh the pro's and con's and then make your decision.
— Cindy R.
August 18, 2002
They had nothing positive to say because the webmaster for that site wants
to get her biased viewpoint across. Yes, there are bad outcomes to *any*
surgery. I almost died when I was 6 years old from an attempted T&A
when the anesthiologist gave me ether (a no-no for an asthmatic). If Sue
wanted to be truthful about WLS, she would include the entire range of
outcomes - the extremely positive to the extremely negative. Instead, she
is including only the latter. The best thing to do is be informed, but be
sure that the people that you are reading know what they are talking about.
There are several good books out there on WLS. There are many sites out
there on WLS run by the doctors or the hospitals. THOSE are the sites that
you should be using in your research.
— John Rushton
August 19, 2002
There is a lady in my support group, in which I go to every month run by
the doctor. She works for the hospital and she is 15 years post op for the
open RNY. There were many that didn't even know that the surgery had been
around for that long. She doesn't have any problems with her vitamins,
with her calcium, or eating. she is 50 years old now. She looks great.
She gives us hope everytime I see her face to know that you can live a
healthy life even after 5 years. Its helpful to know both sides of the
story. There are good and there bad you cant have one without the other.
Good Luck.
— Chris9672
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