What does Jesus say about WLS?

I am a Christian and really struggling with what God says about WLS. I am starting to feel like its not 'natural'. I haven't had surgery yet but will be having surgery in the first part of this year. Does anyone have any insight/scripture references? Some people believe that food addiction is a demon - do I need WLS or just deliverance? In Him, Julia

Hi Julia, Read matthew 5:29. Then read Matthew 18:9. Then perhaps you could read starting at Mark 9:43 which says(and I quote from the N.I.V.) "and if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into Hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet, and be thrown into Hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes, and be thrown into Hell, where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched"." Now the Bible is telling us that if our body part's are causing us to sin then we should cut them off, or pluck them out. Is that fair to say? Yes. We as S.O., M.O., and obese people Are using our stomach's for sin (the sin of gluttony), therefore we should cut them off. That is what we are doing through our surgeons. Right? So what I say is ~If your stomach causes you to sin ~ cut it off, It is better to enter into life with a pouch, than than have a giant stomach and be thrown into Hell. I hope this helps. God bless you, Annette

Hi Julia I am of the Catholic Faith and it is our teaching that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. It stands to reason that God wants us to be healthy in all ways, spititually, mentally, emotionally and physically. WLS will go along way to help in these areas. God Bless & Mary Christmas Randy

Julia, I struggled with the spiritual aspect of WLS. I was making a choice to "disturb" my body's structure as created by the Creator.....But I prayed a lot about my choice always asking for "open and shut doors" that He would provide. I didn't even post all of them in my profile....but I had some miraculous events and I knew that they were at the Hand of God. I pray that you will find perfect peace about your decision. luvitsunny

Dear Sunny , Thank you so much for the reply you gave Julia. I am also about to have surgery in February and am still feeling the twinge of doubt that this is the best plan for me. I do know Jesus has a plan for my life and that my addiction to food has impeded that plan. It was encouraging to hear you talk about open and shut doors. I am finding my Christian friends are very supportive and the non Christians are very critical and negative. God has encouraged me through the ones who love the Lord. I am trying to focus on that. I am so blessed that the Lord has given me this site to connect with other believers like you. I have tears in my eyes thinking about what lies ahead for me. God bless you on your journey. Would love to keep in touch... JeanMarie

I thank Jesus for you all. I too strugled wiht the thought of "messing" wiht my body and you have made me feel a little better about it. Our God is an awesome God. Kristie

Julia, It seems that many of us have struggled with this decision. I, too, prayed for open and closed doors. I had absolute peace about the surgery. I had RNY 12/21, felt NO pain--NO PAIN-- and was home for Christmas! My recovery has been speedy and I am almost up to my usual routine. I had MANY people praying for me-my sister praying that I would not go thru with it. The nurse told me on the day I was discharged the she knew just by looking at me that I had many people praying for me-that she could feel God working! What an AWESOME thing for someone that does not know anything about me other than my temp and BP to say! You will know if it is right. Just pray. You will receive your answer. I will be praying for you. Tiffany

Julia, I think most Christians struggle with this, and I feel that the Holy Spirit will give unction as to what each individual should do. I can only speak for myself. I am born again, spirit filled, tongue talking Charismatic, and that means nothing more than any other denomination, but I just wanted to give you my background. I literally was dying due to spiritual attacks, and a botched epidural injection of steroids made me gain over 100 lbs. I had pretty much given up all hope of walking again much less losing weight. One day the Lord spoke to me about a tv show I was watching "National Body Challenge" and the girl had gastric bypass. Immediately I felt a quickening in my spirit and I said Lord, if this is you, please lead me to the right people and the right way. (I had prior stomach surgery for acid reflux) I contacted the hospital, so many things were set up the right way. My husband was currently overseas for 3 months, so I was alone with the Lord, and going through discipleship at my church as well. I really felt that He wanted me healthy so I could have many days to serve Him and the Kingdom of God. I could not do that, and missed 2 mission trips I had really wanted to go on. I researched, prayed, and went on my first appointment. Everything was almost too easy. The hard part was getting back to TriCare Prime so it could be 100% paid for, and that part was easy too. I asked God to please open the doors that need to be open and close the doors that need to be closed. We were on our way back from a vacation that was sooo hard (Disney) and I had to have a wheelchair, and I asked God for a sign, and a definite decision on what I should do. Immediately a HUGE Rainbow appeared and I heard Him say that RNY was the path to my healing. Sometimes we are not healed on this earth, and some are some are not. I had so many problems, and this was His answer to me. God invented medicine, He gave us surgeons and Doctors to help our suffering and our sicknesses. He gave us this option to make our lives better so we can break the bondage of food. The devil cannot get to me through food anymore, so guess what? He is attacking my back now. Jesus is my defender, and I am believing that my back is healed in the name of Jesus. You would think losing 70lbs would help, well its worse. Food addiction is not a demon, it is a stronghold, a bondage. The bondage breaker is RNY. Pray, Fast as you can, and ask Him for His will for YOUR life. He is faithful to answer when we pray for wisdom. I know this was wordy, sorry, but I hope it helps you and others. PS, I had the surgery, and it went "better than expected, no complications, and faster than he expected". My reversal of my previous surgery was perfect, no problems, and he was able to do the RNY with no problems, even came home 1 day early!! God is Good!!!!!!!!!! God Bless Deborah

I thank you all for your uplifting words, sharing of His scripture, and openess and encouragement regarding WLS and Christian faith. I have decided to have the surgery (it will be in late March), but I still bounce back and forth with my emotions. I had decided to have surgery early this year, but insurance denied it. A week after the insurance company gave its final "NO", I ended up in the hospital with a massive kidney stone that had led to a systemic staph infection. I firmly believe that was God's way of saying "not yet...be patient". Now months later, everything is in order and I've already taken the steps needed to proceed. I know that God is now saying, "yes, now it's time". May God bless you all in your journeys, and please keep me and my family in your prayers as well. In His Love, Elizabeth