Question:
Will this surgery work to facilitate weight loss for everyone that has it?
My arthritis doctor said it was a good idea to get the surgery... "if it works". What did he mean by that? — Eleanore Davis (posted on May 12, 2003)
May 12, 2003
WHile the surgery will help you take it off in the short run. How you keep
it off is up to you. I was very strict at first. Too strict and I DID NOT
follow the rules. You have to do what the dr says. Take vitamins. I
developed ulcers on the staple line and am now scheduled for a revision.
Hopefully with the new plan I have I will be successful this time. You
have to work it. Good Luck to you.
— snicklefritz
May 12, 2003
The surgery is a tool. I had it and it is working very well. However, I
know of a woman who had it, who has failed to lose. I don't know if there
is a physical or psychological reason for it. I am lucky and hope to
continue to be so fortunate. Most people I know have been successful.
Keep a good attitude. You are in charge of your destiny.
— Rhonda V.
May 12, 2003
Maybe your doctor meant, you really have to figure out how you're going to
keep the weight off, once you lose it (no matter how much you lose), in
order for the surgery to really work. It's easier to eat
"around" the pouch than you'd think, once all the healing is done
and the initial big weight loss period (first six months or so) is over,
when your appetite and eating capacity start returning. As long as you
keep focused on what you'll do to keep it off, and make that a primary goal
from the very beginning (even before you have the surgery, be thinking
about how to use the tool to keep the weight *off*), I think you have a
better chance of succeeding. I wish more docs would emphasize this,
instead of the fantastic weight loss amounts that occur in the early months
and first year. I'm much more impressed when I hear that somebody kept
their weight off for five, eight, or more years (and even went up a little,
but battled it back down or kept it from going up more), than I am to hear
about anything else, as wonderful as the fast weight loss is for most of
us. It's the folks who trudge along doggedly and keep on working at
staying healthy who are the really successful ones, from what I can see
(not that they can't have fun in the meantime, though!). Good luck!
— Suzy C.
May 12, 2003
Yes, it can work. Yes, it can work only to reverse itself, mechanically or
because the victim has not been given the right tools. When you go
forward, try to actually lay eyes on as many 5+ year patients as you can.
How is their weight? Their skin tone & color? What is your impression
of their general health? Is "diet" still the focus or is life,
with reference to diet only? That will tell you that yeah, this doc is a
great cutter, but his after care is broken or that his type of surgeries
are subject to mechanical flaw. OR that his type of surgery is good, his
aftercare actually works. Another clue would be if that aftercare has
continued to evolve as time & information goes on.
— vitalady
May 12, 2003
I replied to your other question about arthritis.....osteoarthritis damage
is permanent....the pain will ease and walking will be easier with weight
loss but losing weight wont fix the damamge that has been done....maybe
that is what he was referring to??
— cherokey55
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