Question:
Surgery, or keep trying other things?

I've had problems with being overweight for many years. About five years ago I had become obese. I don't over-eat, my diet has always been healthy and I rarely eat junk foods. I have also been exercising much more over the past two years (aerobics/biking/walking) and recently started weight training. In the distant past I also tried diets, I'm sure you all know how unsuccessful that was. Despite all my effort I haven't lost any weight and I'm getting very frustrated. My doctor suggested putting me on a low calorie diet, and since I know diets won't work (and my diet is healthy to begin with) I don't see the point. I never thought of surgery as an option before, but I'm wondering if I'd be approved. My bmi is 40.9, but I don't have any apparent health problems as a result. My thyroid checked out ok, and I get the feeling that my doctor wouldn't want me to consider surgery, but opt for a diet instead. Obesity seems to run on my father's side of the family. Anyhow, I'm wondering if I would be a candidate for surgery. I don't know what else I can do.    — Natalka S. (posted on August 10, 1999)

August 10, 1999
You and I sound a lot alike. I say go for the surgery. I recieved a free video from the Bariatric Treatment Centers in Ann Arbor, MI. Here is the number 1-800-282-0066. I found for myself that the only way that I can lose weight is to nearly starve myself (we know that this isn't healthy). But, I have heard that you will slowly weed out the foods that make you feel bad or sick. Thus, you will also cut down on the amount of fats and processed sugars you eat. Good Luck to you in what ever you decide. I'm sure you will enjoy the short video.
   — Heather A.

August 10, 1999
Your BMI will qualify you for the surgery. Some insurance companies require co-morbidities and some do not. A surgeon can help you with that. You probably have some and may not even know it. I don't feel like I ate that much either, but in any case, I obviously ate too much for my caloric needs. I am not losing as fast as everyone else, probably because as I suspected, my metabolism is slow. You may have the same problem, but as long as it comes off, that is the important thing. Regards, Diane Price-Nizza, RN- Brooksville, Florida Empire BCBS Lap RNY 4-9-99 Dr. Champion - Atlanta Beginning weight - 310 BMI 55.0 Pre-op weight - 5' 4" 263 BMI 46.7 Currently 214 BMI 36.8 41% of Excess Weight Lost (\O/) / \
   — Diane N.

August 11, 1999
I consider myself to be pretty healthy. I am 35 260lbs and BMI 41 and I qualified for surgery, my date is 8/19/99. I do suffer from heart burn and jiont pain. I also have breathing problems not asthma. I have heart disease and obesity in my family along with diabetes. I was like you I tried every diet in the book, exercised, etc. I would lose some weight and then it would all come back to matter how hard I tried. I hope I have been some help, if you are considering it check into it and talk to a baratric surgeon. They will let you know whether or not you are a candidate. Good Luck in your endeavor.
   — bperrin

August 13, 1999
Your story sounds a lot like me. I ate healthy. I was not a junk eater. Never touched potato chips or cake or pie....I loved vegetables and 'dip'....Bread with butter... real food - mashed potatoes, meat.... It really wasn't what I ate. It was how much and when I ate it. I had my surgery in Jan 99. I maxed out a 465+/- and I am now 341#. I had no thyroid prlobems. I did have sugar, high blood pressure and asthma active problems. THey are all under control now. Meaning I don't have to take any drugs for them on a regular basis. I will alway be diabeteic ~ but one that can utilize diet control, and since I am moving better my asthma doesn't require daily intervention with drugs...just when I have symptoms. Life is looking beter. Surgery is a last resort. If you can truely say that you cannot control you diet intake and that your health is comprimised, then you could think about surgery. It is a MAJOR life style change. It affects your life everywhere. Get lots of opinions. See how they relate to you. If they are good for you, keep them, if you don't feel they will be good for you, throw them away. You are the only one who knows your truth. Good luck. Feel free to contact me directly...I will be happy to chat.
   — Wendy Sue D.

August 16, 1999
The National Institutes of Health say diets don't work. Less than 3% cure rate and some of THEM are putting it back on! They call morbid obesity an incurable disease. The cure rate of cancer is more like 20%! So, can you win with dieting? My opinion of dieting now is that it is a great way to gain weight. NO ONE keeps it off indefinetely. I starved it off for 7 years, but eventually, it came back and each pound brought a friend. The only permanent solution, again in my opinion, was to do this surgery. I have held steady 112-117 for 4 years now, surgery 5 years ago. My husband has held steady for 3 years at 175 or so. NONE of us has "no co-morbidities". At the very least, we're short of breath, probably have high cholesterol and other "hidden" things. The problem is, most doctors don't bother to actually diagnose our probelms. They just sum it up with "push away from the table". We're afflicted with an incurable physical disease. We're not stupid.
   — vitalady

September 11, 1999
Everyone here knows that "dieting" doesn't work. Sometimes eating healthy doesn't even stop a person from becoming obese. However, surgery is a very serious decision that only you can make. I plan to have surgery as soon as possible but believe me it is after years of thinking about it and hours of research. My advice is think about it, research all of your options, make up your mind, then think about it some more! Good luck.
   — Tina H.

March 4, 2006

   — jellybean1

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