Interesting WLS Article on MSNBC site

Check out this article I just read on the MSNBC web site:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26076054/

Your thoughts?

I believe it.  I do have intestinal discomfort issues and the scariest part of it all is that I don't know when it's going to hit me.

I had a small little episode yesterday afternoon.  I did not have to go to ER but it just reminded me that I had WLS and that I have to be careful what I eat. In fact, I have not been able to identify what foods make me sick....There's good days and there are other days that I don't feel like eating...but I have to.

I don't regret WLS.  I often think about the complications that may come up in the future.  Like with any abdominal surgery, I think about  bowel obstructions (just because my surgeon believes I may have that but can't see it through a CT scan). This is my personal experience and it's true that everyone is different and will experience different things.  

Anyhow, I think that anyone going to have WLS really has to talk to others, research, and do their homework. 

Also, I don't know the stats but I believe that major complications such as in the article are very low?

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth.  Any surgery is risky, this may be risk-ier than most.  That's why it's imperative that you have a reputable surgeon who has been doing this a while, who knows the vitamins/minerals/suppliments that you need to take for the rest of your life.  I was fortunate to be able to choose who I wanted, I didn't have to take someone who had only done 200 of  these surgeries, I chose someone who was tops in the field, who had done (along with his practice, over 10,000 surgeries. And once again the media is zeroing in on ONE person who had a negative experience with WLS.  Plus, if the person in that story hadn't had WLS, chances are she would've developed more weight related illnesses.  I'm not discounting what she's going thru, I just feel that it's being used to discourage people from WLS.  Kim

Interesting...as it was pointed out every surgery is risky; however, it everyones responsibility to be informed.  It was one of the things I liked about this website when I found it over 4 years ago.  You'll rarely, if ever, find an article that can walk that narrow line between two polar opposite positions and with this article they took one angle and ran with it.  I think it is good for those contemplating surgery to know what this article points out.  Sure it's not everyone's story...just one in many.

Thanks Steve-O!

Very interesting and easy to relate to.  Tummy issues are a common problem with me but I too have learned to live with them.

I found this part particularly interesting.  Some of us are stuck and this may be one of the causes.......

"But a new theory might provide some answers about post-op weight gain, and prove that willpower has little to do with it. Researchers are now theorizing that the reason patients lose a certain amount of weight in the first place is because gastric bypass, in part by toying with hormones, somehow lowers the body’s natural set point, the weight your system is most comfortable maintaining. A patient’s hunger returns, because the body has achieved that lower set point. “The surgery changes our physiology, the way the body responds to food. It makes heavy people more like people who are naturally thin,” enthuses Dr. Kaplan, who is conducting cutting-edge research on the topic. “Understanding this as a set-point issue allows us to stop blaming the patient who doesn’t do as well, because they were just built that way. What they lose is what they lose, and they can’t expect to lose any more.”

Thanks again

XOXOXOXO

Sheryl

Hey there.....Yes, I do have to agree with you....I too have learned to live with my issues.

I rather enjoyed the article.  Yes that person had problems, and I think we all wll honestly.  HOw bad they will be who knows.  But without the surgery some of us would be dead for other health reasons associated wtih being overweight.  I am so new to this only 18 days actually.  So far I have had very few complications at all.  Do I think I will have some in the future, I believe I will, but I pray that I will not.  I have lost apx. 28 lbs. so far in this whole process and I am glad of that.  I am feeling pretty good, not 100%, but I my goal is to get there within the next 6 weeks.  That is my opinon.  HOpe it helps someone.  Rhonda

I'm very blessed and grateful that I have had no problems whatsoever with my surgery, the only thing I "sometimes" can't tolerate is the skin on beans, otherwise, I can eat any and everything.....difference is now I make healthier choices, opt for sugar free everything when available, (even though I don't dump on sugar) but I have to say this surgery has changed my outlook on food if you will.  I no longer live to eat, I now eat to live, and it's changed my life and is something I will never, ever regret.  And I'm 16 months out, not a really long time, but long enough to know what I can and cannot do.  And I don't pu**** ever.  I feel bad for those who have had complications, I really do.  I am just so thankful that I so far, haven't been one of them.  *knocks on wood*

P.S. Steve you look AMAZING!

A VERY depressing article!  It basically claims that weight loss is temporary, even with surgery!!!  I wonder what percentage of RNYers actually keep the weight off?  What percentage of people really have severe complications?

I found it interesting that they focused on surgeries performed 3-4 years ago and none of the doctors were mentioned.  I would find it interesting to know their stats on complications.

I researched thoroughly the doctor I chose and he is outstanding in his field, has performed many, many WLS surgeries with no deaths and few complications.  I had an excellent hospital as well.  I made sure I was in the best shape I could be before surgery.  I attended 3 support groups before surgery, getting input from patients of his, some of whom are 7 years out.  My doctor insists on 3 years follow-up care as part of the surgery, I wouldn't accept anything less.  All of these thing slant the odds in my favor for less complications, IMO.

Including dumping and diarrhea in the complications list makes it seem as though the complications are overwhelming.  I think this addition slants the information unfairly.

My odds of survival are better now without the additional weight and diabetes than I would have been without the surgery.

Having said this, I understand I'm at risk.  I'm ever vigilant and am grateful to other OHers for sharing their stories and being available at all hours.

---jan---