I'm the research specialist in my office, it's a large part of my job... That being said most people I've chatted with on the boards know how to do correct research.

The thing is I don't think you're listening. A good percentage of the people on the boards already track their food, exercise, and have done the emotional and mental work to keep the weight off. Some of us go to regular support groups, see our nutritionist, and get our vitamin levels checked. I would even go a far as to say about 30% or more have done a program similar to yours.

For some people, such as myself, I did the same type of program run by a major university that had fantastic results. 85 pounds down I got extremely sick and couldn't move much, put a lot of the weight back on over the course of 18 months. Once they diagnosed my heath issues and I got better and could move. I went back to the program, but my BMR was messed up from different diets and exercise I done to lose weight. Even eating less then 1,200 cal a day I would gain weight. I had other weight related issues and needed the weight off fast BUT how to do that when my BMR was basically broken? Well, I researched the problem and found out is was more common then I or my doctors realized. If I had the correct weight loss surgery, one that is actually used in Europe to treat Type 2 Diabetes, I would lose the most of the weight, the other health issues would decrease, and I would never become Diabetic.

I wasn't looking for a quick fix, this has been just as much work if not more then when I did the other program. I still track everything I eat, plan my meals out a few weeks in advanced, watch my micro, and exercise DAILY! When I go out to eat, I search online to see what I can have, I might even call ahead to see if they will let me order off the children's menu (not often because it's normally not very healthy). I eat no bread, pasta, rice, or high carb fruit. My meals are protein and vegetable based. I don't drink soda, only coffee, tea, and water.

I'm sure you've learned that not everyone doing your program is successful because they don't don't do the work? Well, it's the same with weight loss surgery. You have to do the hard work and keep at it. It's not a free ride, HELL it's not easy BUT if you put the work in both physically and mentally it will help you get to your goal. It's a tool, like anything else.

You came here judging us for taking "the easy" way out instead of doing the hard work. We just need more will power, better doctors, etc... What you don't know is we've (most of us) know what your saying can work sometimes, it failed us and yes, we put the work in too. Things break (BMR), people get to a point where surgery is the only option. You're judging them/me/us for doing what we feel is BEST for US. Get off your ******g high horse and realize that we are all on the same side, the one trying to get healthy and have some grace to realize WLS has saved lives. IF you can't understand this, I feel sorry for you.

Liz,

Our nutritionist got her MS in Nutrition just two years ago from Baylor University. Our fitness trainer graduated last year from IU with a degree in Kinesiology and two professional training certificates, our office manager was himself a patient who had surgery, and the other two medical professional on the staff have a combined 40 years specializing in weight loss. I have individual appointments regularly with all four and not once have they ever contradicted each other. As for the "research" you do, University studies have shown that 71% of the content on the internet is complete BS and that was BEFORE social media became a deal. Here's some additional statistic, that percentage increases dramatically when it comes to weight loss and proper nutrition, and personal experience has taught me that. Their teaching also rings true with what I learned in college. Fact is, the body hasn't changed how it processes food, and the foundation to weight loss will ALWAYS be calories consumed vs. calories burned. To be completely honest, there is only one number I pay attention to from our clinic's "fancy scales" and it's called "body weight". Other wise I track my food intake and my exercise on myfitnesspal.com. I really don't need any other tools, and it's my opinion that you really don't either. I appreciate your input though.

At this point in my journey I don't NEED exact numbers, and likely never will. My BMR and fat percentage are doing exactly what they are supposed to do as my weight decreases. My ideal weight range today is only a couple of pounds different than when it was measured 35 years ago so I'm not too worried. I suppose your scan is a good thing if it helps you, but as one on a medically managed program I don't see then need for it, especially right now.

I really don't understand the obsession with bone density (what DEXA actually measures according to a variety of web sites) vs. the machines we use at our clinic that actually measure BMR and a variety of other significant measurements, including BMI, fat mass and muscle mass. I don't get my numbers from an internet source. In fact I get very little information from the internet, instead relying on the professionals with expertise in the area of weight loss, and even though my "team" includes 5 different individuals involving 4 different aspects of weight loss their recommendations complement each other. I'm confident in the program I'm on and on the information I've received. I have ALL of the information I need to be successful and NONE of it comes from the internet.

I was never disparaging. That is your own insecurities working against you.

I say,you go.