Please see surgery as a last resort, I just want to encourage all of us not to give up and to keep on fighting! We CAN do this, and we WILL!

I had three friends over the past 12 years have this gastric bipass, we also know that Randy from American Idol had it done. What I've seen in these people is weight gain after their loss. Friend #1 had severe reaction to greasy food but after a few years, managed to stomach it and gradually stretched her newly sewn stomach out to a larger size thus gaining weight. Another of my friend is almost back up to origional weight following the bipass, though it's been several years.....
Randy, we can all see, has gained weight.
It isn't a true fix, this gastric bipass, it is a temporary fix for those that are physically unable to move around with the weight they carry....it is not for those that can move around and exercise, they are the problem. They get it done and assume they are free from the fat prison and that is so terribly wrong. They don't adjust their eating behaviors and find themselves fat again, eventually...

In some cases surgery may be reasonable option for weight loss (heck, I'm not a doctor but I can understand where a gal might need sculpting lipo, or need skin removal or a tummy tuck), but what is going to be true regardless of which surgical option you choose is that without a real change in your eating habits, diet and lifestyle (as opposed to the temporary "going on a diet" which is destine to fail) you WILL gain the weight back.

Sometimes a gastro bypass will enable someone to become active, "cure" some other health problems (cardio and diabetes come to mind) and live a healthy lifestyle, unfortunately many, many folks who opt for surgery use it as a quick fix.

The one thing that I have done that works is a class from KP. It is a weight loss class BUT it is based on why you over eat. Why we binge and what we are over eating to not feel. This class is a must before they will pay for any surgery. You must show that you can lose weight on your own as well. So word to the wise....

I agree.

I know three people who have had the surgery and both are as big as ever now.....after stretching their stomach out again. It's really a waste if you ask me.....I mean, having the surgery then taking it for granted or just straight up not appreciating it.

I'm sure it works for some, more so those who eat well balanced (in portion too), healthy meals after the surgery and for those who want to change their life.

I know two people that had serious problems after having GBS.

My closest friend, who was in his late 50's at the time, was convinced he could never lose weight without GBS. After many consultations he was finally approved for the surgery and went ahead with it. At the time we were roomates so I was an up close witness to what happened to him, let me tell you the agony suffered after the surgery was not easy for him or the other person I know. For months after even a little bit a food made him vomit, he couldn't even keep water down and had to be hospitalized. Eventually he was able to eat but certain foods became difficult to digest, including proteins.

The weight came off fast, he dropped more than 100 lbs in less than a year but he was sick every day. To this day he has problems with food "not going down" in the pouch and he throws it up. The biggest side effect is the muscle loss, he went from being a robust barrel chested man to a twig legged old man that lives on toast, jam and cheese, that's pretty much all he can keep down. After his initial loss he gained back some fat, enough that he looks heavy again. Except this time he has no muscle underneath it so he looks even more unhealthy than before, not to mention he looks much older with the saggy skin.

So yeah he weighs much less than he once did but the trade was an unhealthy one. He has digestive problems, severe reflux, so much that he wakes in the night gagging on bile that burns his throat to the point he cries. I've been witness to that.

The other person I know was my Brother's ex-GF. She had the lap-band surgery and suffered from infection. She was in and out of the hospital for nearly a year, lost her job due to being absent so much and is now heavy again because getting a quick fix did nothing to give her the tools to change.

With all the people that have trouble it doesn't seem worth it. I suppose for some it's a last resort, for the guy who has to be removed from his house by knocking out a wall because he can't fir through the door it's probably worth it. But for those in good enough health to move around and take a shot at getting fit but can't seem to regulate their calorie intake it seems like a lot of suffering, especially compared to the minimal effort living healthly takes. Besides you have to live a healthy lifestyle after the surgery, at least you're supposed to, those that don't change their eating habits put the weight back on. If all people get out of GBS is eating less they haven't taken the steps to change and they will ultimately fail, it's more than being forced to eat less it takes will power, and with time they will be able to eat more. Since you have to lead a healthy life to make the surgery be a long lasting solution it makes sense to make that change without putting yourself through all the agony. Anyone who has previously failed to take off the fat of via diet and excerise shold know going in that surgery won't magically give them willpower. My .02.

You could not be more correct!

Gastric Bypass is a lifesaving operation, (i.e. you die without it)

80% stretch that pouch back out and they are back to where they started from!

Correct!
Even with the Lap-Band if you don't use it like a tool, you are screwed!

If you drink milkshakes all day then you don't stand a chance.

Find a doctor that has a support group integrated into his practice, as this is another "tool" that will help you!

anything i can do without surgery i will do... i do however know already that I am going to need (Well, want) a tummy tuck to get rid of the extra skin on my saggy tummy... I just feel like no matter how thin i get if i have this annoying flap of skin hanging down, i will never be comfortable in my clothes..