Anorexia... WHAT?

I just found out that my old doctor like two PCP's ago considers the RNY weight loss surgery to be a different form of Anorexia and that's why 3 years ago she didn't recommend me for the surgery when I asked her about it.  Basically she's a Doctor and she said that people that have this form of surgery are basically starving their bodies like people that have Anorexia, 500 to 600 calories a day for 6 months or more in her opinion is considered starving the body and is another . I never thought of it that way, has anyone else thought of this?

It just sounds like your doctor isn't fully informed of RNY and WLS and is like so many PCP's out there who need to learn about the surgery and open their minds to the world out there that could possibly benefit you.  I kind of wonder if it comes down to money...if you lose weight, you feel better, get off medication, and you won't see them as much and then they lose money because you aren't into their offices every other month.  Hmmm...  My PCP was great, she saw how the weight was effecting me and was fully supportive of the surgery.  She wanted to see the quality of my life improve. 

QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!!!!!!!!!!!! That's my not so humble opinion anyway!!! I hope your current PCP is more informed.

Hmmm.... I never thought of this surgery that way. She may have been comparing the mechanics of the surgery to that of anorexia...because it is true, you are essentially starving your body...however it is being done the healthy way by focusing on foods high in protein rather than not eating at all which is what anorexia is.  I also believe, that as obese individuals, we will ALWAYS have that desire/addiction to eat food..regardless. I don't think that "switch" for food is shut off. Though I have heard of some WLS patients who become anorexic after they've met their goal. From what I have read, these individuals are those who had been skinny for most of their lives and due to some cir****tance became over weight...and didn't really have a whole lot of weight to lose to begin with (lightweights) Anorexics perceive themselves as just fat and think they need to be skinny. In my opinion, that is just complete vanity. Whereas, WLS individuals perceive themselves as unhealthy and want to become healthy, it isn't all in vain. But that is just my thought on the subject....plus too, consideration should be taken into account to the fact that you saw this PCP years ago (I'm assuming), not much information was being published or recognized then...WLS procedures during that time were just beginning to become known. So it would be fairly obvious to state that she just wasn't educated.

Yeah I saw her 3 years ago and she went on to specialize in OB/GYN she also is overweight too so I think that might be the main reason her views were (no clue what she thinks now) that way then. I just never thought of it as starving my body to lose the weight..  I have been fat since I was 16 years old and I can't function this heavy.  I want my mobility back, I want to be healthy and I'm not at this weight, that's the biggest reason I want this surgery.  If I could get to 200lbs at my hight I would be so happy because at least then I would be able to MOVE without every step hurting my knees and my back or be so sweaty and out of breath. I just never realized that some doctors hold that view on WLS. Angie

It's not a form of the psychological syndrom of anorexia but it does put your body in an anorixic state for a while post op due to the very low caloric intake. So, she may not have been fully informed but there is an element of truth to it.