WLS in the news

I've seen stuff a few times lately that were interesting.

In the last few days, maybe yesterday, there was something on ABC evening news about alcoholism and WLS.  It wasn't talking about transfer additions which was where I thought it was going to go, but rather about how alcohol enters the bloodstream and that it is different because of our pouch.  I haven't had more than an ounce or 2 of wine since surgery but it made me think about if and when I will drink.

Then I saw something about a new surgery that was incision free.  They go down the throat and remove sections of the stomach to reduce the size of it.  Kind of a sleeve but not really.  It was not covered by insurance and was for folks with around 50 lbs to lose. 

The other article was on WLS and teens.  It was talking about 11-18yr olds and RNY.  Basically it said it was now accepted as a means to treat obsesity in teens and had been successful and not harmful.  I don't know how long they followed the teens.  I would hope that the vit/min thing would be ok long term.  I wonder about long term maintainance with teens knowing the issues some of us are having.  I would hope they are addressing the head issues as well and the stomach issues.

It does seem like there is more and more in the news about WLS.

Price, I also heard about the no surgery procedure that goes down the throat and want to read more about it. I hate how the news (and people in general) are so flippant about obesity and often make it a vanity thing. Obesity is a multi-layered issue as is why people choose WLS. It is also a life long battle (in my opinion) even with surgery.

I am glad though that there is more coverage on WLS....I know the further out I get, the more comfortable I am talking about it. I am proud of the choice I made....took some bravery to get here.

~~Jennifer

 Reading that bout kids is a little frightening. I would think that it would mean changes and education for the entire family.  When I see a morbidly obese adult with a shopping cart filled with sugar, fat and flour, then see a handful of obese children hanging on the cart, I know it spells trouble.  Without education an RNY could seriously hurt a child. We all know how important long term vitamin care is.

One of our friends here on the LW board had a sleeve.  Her daughter came to all of our support groups for over a year.  Kaiser would not give her a RNY until she turned 18?, or maybe it was 19? She has been wildly successful.  I think that all f the education via support groups and family support made a big difference towards her long term success.

I think the kid thing is scarey too.  I look on the lack of information on the RNY board (the only other one I visit) and that is scarey.  Forever is a long time when you are 61 to follow the rules but it is even longer if you are 18.  And kids are notorious for rebelling.

 I agree with Lee.  While I would love to think there's something out there to help obese children, I'm not sure WLS is the solution.  There's just too many things that they won't follow up on long-term.  Heck  how many educated about WLS adults are there that stop taking their vitamins because they think they'll absorb everything they need?  

I've heard about the "down your throat" surgery.  Interesting to find out the long term success with that.  

I definitely can tell how alcohol affects me after WLS.  I also know how it will affect me and how soon it will and what I can/can't do while drinking (like drive).  

i love liqures, ameretta, irish cream kinds of stuff.  I have had to really stay away because it would be way to easy to replace me evening shake with a drink.  Sweet, feel good, yeah, it would be way too easy to abuse it.

Price,
My sister was telling me about the show about WLS and alcoholism.  She said in the end the program did say even with the risk WLS was worth it for the majority of those who have it.
I know that for me I can't touch alcohol because I have a very strong family history of it on both sides.
Linda