Is she telling the truth?

My question is valid. I have never said we all must get to a "normal" BMI. I do believe the normal range is flawed, but I do believe we should all strive to get to 30. 

Here are some sobering facts:

The researchers found that the higher the BMI, the higher the risk of death. Study participants with a BMI of 30.0 to 34.9 had a 44% increase in risk compared to those in the 22.5 to 24.9 range. The risk increased as BMI increased. Compared to participants in the normal weight range, those with a BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 had an 88% increase in risk, and those with a BMI over 40 had a 250% increase in risk. For every 5 unit increase in BMI, the researchers observed a 31% increase in risk of death.

NOT saying it BUT IMPLYING it with your words is what came across as judgmental which ONLY her doctor has the knowledge to do.

Ms Batt said she lost 170, not that that is what she's at.  I think you missed that part.

  "I'm maintaining a loss of 170".

I don't think anyone missed that - someone would have to be 4ft 6 to have a BMI of 42 at 170lbs ...   I think everyone gets that Miss Batt lost 170lbs - a great achievement - not something that I think anyone is putting down or not understanding here

"I am sure Ms. Batt will not reply but good for you other DSers for standing up for her."

Laura, your original question was legitimate, and I really don't find it offensive. THIS, however I DO. Why on earth are you so sure I wouldn't answer you?

Since you've apparently studied my posting history extensively, it's a shame you missed some important facts. I was apparently born with a VERY efficient metabolism, one capable of storing 4 out of every 5 calories I ate. I went on my first medically-supervised diet at age 9, my first diet pills at 11. I think we all agree that this just made my metabolism even more efficient.

I spent the next 35 years on one diet or another, all to no avail. The best I could EVER do was just not gain. By the time I decided on WLS, I was sick and tired of dieting, and I simply will not live my life that way again.

Yes, I'm sure I could lose more weight IF I wanted to get back on that torture rack. Since I'm currently happy and healthy, I choose not to.

And I AM healthy. The only prescription meds I take are for the extensive arthritis I've suffered with since age 20. I've managed to avoid having two total knee replacements for over ten years now. (They told me I needed them before my DS, but that I was too heavy. Now they're willing to do them, but I DON'T NEED THEM.)  My cholesterol has gone from around 220 pre-DS to 112 at my latest labs. I can physically do pretty much anything I want to.

I AM HAPPY.

So I choose not to starve myself, or submit myself to extensive plastic surgery---which would take about 70 pounds off me, the docs say.

As Elizabeth Ramsey pointed out, DSers need a LOT of fat---about 150 grams a day in order to actually absorb the 30 grams every needs. That's  1350 calories a day, right there---of which I absorb only 270. As a DSer, and according to my individual lab results, I require about 140 grams of protein a day, or 560 ccalories, of which I absorb 280. That's a total of 1910 eaten calories, and 550 absorbed calories.

Yes, the other 1000 calories I eat come from carbs---mostly those found in fruits and veggies, but yes, also some potatoes, occasional rice, pasta, or bread. How many of those calories I actually absorb depends on whether they come from simple or complex carbs, and frankly, I don't care enough to figure that out.

I recommend people research the DS because it's the only form of WLS that would have given *me* a post-op lifestyle I could be happy with. I was terrified of WLS before someone told me about the DS, and it hurts me to see people come here after having WLS and are unhappy. If just one person finds a surgery that better suits them because I recommended they research the DS, then for that reason alone I AM A SUCCESS.

Ms. Batt you are a class act.  Don't ever quit being you; you're a gem.

I think your nurse was telling you the truth for as far as she possibly is post-operatively.  Many post-ops feel as she described to you but the cravings don't go away permanently - or at least they haven't for me. 

I had RNY and I still have dumping syndrome.  Yes, I'm grateful that I dump but sometimes I still eat sweets.  It doesn't work to be so rigid as to say you'll never have sweets again.  You will learn to be more selective in those sweet food choices and eat them in moderation.  One of my best friends loves Italian food and she is a long term post-op that cooks for her family. 

Having the surgery isn't as black and white as you're thinking.  After being post-op for awhile, you'll be able to eat healthy meals that both you and your family will enjoy.  My younger son is a super picky eater and I've found many WLS-friendly meals that my entire family eats and enjoys, including him! 

The head games of cravings and head hunger are in our heads and not impacted directly by having surgery.  You're right, the surgery is a tool, just as a hammer is a tool.  You can't expect the hammer to build a house just as the surgery won't have a major impact on the head/food stuff without US doing the work.  With surgery, you'll have the tool and with it you are more apt to make better food choices and enjoy the benefits of losing weight and being healthy.

Thank you all so much for your input. It really helps. I hoped the surgery would give me some freedom to eat what I want but in moderation due to the size of the stomach...I guess it depends.  After hearing about all the cravings and hunger I started getting scared as to whether or not I could handle it. And from what I was told by the nurse who had the GBP surgery 2 yrs. ago she's only dumped twice in her life and it was on tomato soup and baked beans, she got horrendously ill and has to watch what types of sugars she eats as well as giving up all sweet treats. She and the Dr. implied dumping is certain and that if you have a sweet tooth now you should choose GBP because it won't let you eat sweets again and you won't gain the weight back. I wonder if that's not true. I feel a little better and will take the advice of starting NOW to make the changes. Thank you so much!

The information on dumping is absolutely false. About 30% of people dump post RnY. It is not a certain thing, and you can still consume sweets. Weight gain could also happen from eating other things, such as chips.

Part of what you were told isn't accurate.  Dumping is NOT certain.  In fact, there are most post-ops that don't dump than do. 

I have a big sweet tooth.  I eat sweets.  I don't eat as many as I did pre-op but I do eat sweets.  What they told you that the GBP won't let you eat sweets again is NOT TRUE.

Lastly, the big wrong here that they told you is that "you won't gain the weight back" is NOT TRUE.  In fact, there is a good percentage of weight regain including GBP.

Check the surgical boards on OH.  Research and find out the best procedure for you and your behavior patterns.  Does your surgeon do any other procedures besides RNY?  If not, consider getting a second opinion to a surgeon that also does the Sleeve and DS as well as RNY.  With a surgeon that performs multiple procedures, you can get an opinion on the various surgical procedures and what is best for you.  

This is an important decision that will last you a lifetime.  Get the most information you can from another bariatric surgeon(s).  I went to three new patient seminars with three different surgeons before I decided on a surgeon.  I highly recommend the same for you (and anyone) too.