Help for a college class

Hey Everyone.. I need your help so that I can do a short report on Gastric Bypass. My teacher said to pick a controversial topic, and I could not think of one that was better than this one. There is always so much negative stuff in the news about WLS. Anyway I would like for you all to help me out by replying with your answers to a few short survey questions. 1. Do you feel that you could have acheived the same results through diet and exercise? 2. Do you feel healthier now than you did prior to WLS? 3. Do you feel that WLS has helped or hurt your marriage/family life? 4. Would you recommend WLS to other people? 5. Do you feel support groups are important to your long term WLS Success, and why? 6. How do you feel about the negative publicity on the news about WLS? Thank you all so much for helping me with this. If you don't want to answer these questions on this site, you can email me with your answers at [email protected] Thanks again! Rhonda Lap RNY 03/01/05 240/130/125 (5 lbs from goal)

1. Do you feel that you could have achieved the same results through diet and exercise? - I have tried multiple times throughout my life and have never been able to accomplish the weight loss that I've achieved with WLS. 2. Do you feel healthier now than you did prior to WLS? - I do feel healthier, I don't have as much pain in my knees and hips. I have more energy and just overall feel better. 3. Do you feel that WLS has helped or hurt your marriage/family life? - WLS has helped my family life by allowing me to participate so much more than I did before. I can do things that were rather difficult or impossible with the additional 100 lbs that I was carrying around. 4. Would you recommend WLS to other people? - Not only would I but I have. I've passed out my surgeon's card to several who asked what I've done to lose the weight and did I think they could do it too. 5. Do you feel support groups are important to your long term WLS Success, and why? - Support groups are very important, both the online and especially the live groups. They help to keep me on track when I get tempted to eat things I know I shouldn't. The offer suggestions and solutions that I may not have thought of myself. Also, they help remind you that you're not in this alone. There are others who've experienced what you have and know what you're feeling. They are there to congratulate you on your successes and lift you up through your challenges. 6. How do you feel about the negative publicity on the news about WLS? - I feel that it will keep some people from pursuing this life saving procedure. One of the problems with the news is that often you don't get fair and unbiased reporting. You hear one side of the story and if you're lucky you can hear a rebuttal several days later after whatever damage has been done. On the other hand, without some of the controversy, there may be people who never hear of WLS and miss out on an opportunity to get healthy. I hope you do well on your paper. Please feel free to email if you need any clarification or have any follow-up questions. Toni

Toni, Thank you so much for your reply. I agree totally with your responses. This surgery was a life saver for me as well. Thanks again, Rhonda

Rhonda, 1) I considered wls as a last resort. I have lost weight so many times before but this surgery has given me confidence that I will succeed. 2****rtainly feel healthier. I was miserable before and not able to walk for any length of time without having to stop and rest. 3) It has certainly helped - I now have more confidence in being around others, it has helped in my job as well. 4) I would recommend wls but would want that person to do it for the right reasons and do a lot of research beforehand. 5) I do think they are important. I don't attend a support group but get a great deal of information and support here on OH. 6. I think the negative publicity is just par for the course with today's media. It's all about sensationalism. good luck. corgimom 306/188/135