I read a post that got me steamed

It was about PCPs that do not approve of WLS and think the morbidly obese should just (eat less and move more to solve the problem).  I am sure you have heard this a thousand times--please don't flame me.

OK--this is my first rant!


Sometimes, I believe it is a good idea to ask PCPs-- that think you should just eat less and move more--to produce the statistics of their morbidly obese patients who have followed their advise, and compare their success (1 thru 5 years) with WLS patients.  I don't think they can or will do that, because diet and exercise DOES NOT WORK FOR MOST MORBIDLY OBESE PEOPLE.

The failure rate is miserable.

I also do not understand insurance companies.  In the long run--the amount of money they should save on WLS patient for diabetes related issues, hypertension related issues, heart attacks, strokes, drugs, etc. etc. should more than outweigh the cost of WLS.  But like most of corporate America now--the future only reaches to the bottom line of this months profit and loss statement--not what is good long term for the corporation or the country.

End of Rant!

sorry about the cricket problem here. go to R&R and rant all you want.  we rant back.

Well said!!

You are so right. I rant about this to my husband. And of course the Insurance companies would save money so you wonder what's up with that? All companies, doctors included, only think about their profit. Most do not care about the people they treat. When you find one who does, hang onto them.

DebbieDoo

I don't disagree at all.  However, the fact is that the reason that WLS works is because you actually eat less and move around more, so the PCPs are right.  However, there is also not a lot of statistics out there that shows how many people in the long term retain their weight loss after WLS. 

Like most of the people on here, we have all experienced a weight gain from time to time following the three year mark after WLS.  You cannot return to what was "normal" eating for you prior to WLS, even though the pouch does allow that after about 3 years.  Some of us, who have never had dumping problems, can readily return to diabetes, etc. because we can tolerate sugar.

WLS is not a cure all.  It is a way to get the morbidly obese to kick start a major weight loss, but it is not successful unless they change their bad eating habits and poor exercise routines.  But, the morbidly obese have to get down to a weight that will allow them to eat less and exercise more before they can do that....so WLS is a movement in the right direction that will help the person in the weight loss direction.  WLS is an aid, it is not a solution to obesity.

If you read about the surgery and what is known, you will find that those that have been successful are those that have dramatically changed their eating lifestyle.

My "honeymoon" period is over with the WLS.  Now, I have to do what most people do....I have to watch carefully my food intake, drink lots of liquid, exercise, and follow the pouch rules...or I will be back in the same boat that I was in prior to surgery.  WLS is not the "easy way" out of obesity, and it is not a substitute for portion control and exercise.   So the PCP is correct, but you are correct in that you have to get the person down to a size where they can to the exercise and the portion control.

I am not "very far out" in this journey, but I could not agree with you more.  That is exactly what the surgeon, Nut and hospital staff stressed repeatedly--and I do not believe that WLS is the easy way out.  WLS is the tool that can allow someone with a lifetime of Yo-Yo dieting, poor eating habits, and lack of proper exercise a chance to do the right thing IMHO.

I understand from reading this website and from listening to my surgeon that you can beat this surgery--early or late.  But in many cases, mine anyway--I feel this is the last chance and my intent is to change my lifestyle and have long term success.

I do not want to be housebound, barely able to walk with a cane--with many co-mobilities and taking thirty-two pills each day again!