ObesityHelp UK and Ireland
UK / US attitudes
WLS seems so much more prevalent in the US. And not just in simple numbers of there being more Americans than there are Brits as it is a larger country! But in terms of the acceptance of it. So many have several family members who have surgery, or talk about work colleagues who had it. But, of course, the fact that many insurers in the US cover it helps.
That just isn't the case over here! My doc asked if i would speak at a seminar for those thinking of the band and I agreed. He posted ads in all the local papers, spoke on local radio,put fliers in every local doctors' surgery. And not one single person contacted him!
Interesting!
I do worry a bit as to whether it is becoming a "simple" alternative - I can't be bothered to diet so i will have WLS. We all know that that doesn't work! We still need to put effort in, but there are so many people who expect miracles!
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Hi Kate,
Having lived in the US my whole life-until last January, I would say that WLS is becoming more common and I also do believe that there are a larger number of folks out there using this as their first options. Not all, of course-but MANY more than when these surgeries first came out.
A good example I have seen of this "I will just have WLS, because I don't feel like doing any work"-would be those reality shows where they show teenagers going through this process.
First-there is a SERIOUS misconception that any type of WLS is easy. Many WLS types have lifelong impacts to the body. Second-most of us having gone through any type of WLS know that we MUST create a new relationship with food and with our feelings or we will NOT be successful.
I believe the health care industry must take more care in deciding whether the person REALLY meets the criteria for WLS. There are too many "clinics" out there that seem to be pushing people through that we can CLEARLY see are not prepared.
Good topic! Thanks for posting.
Therese
Having lived in the US my whole life-until last January, I would say that WLS is becoming more common and I also do believe that there are a larger number of folks out there using this as their first options. Not all, of course-but MANY more than when these surgeries first came out.
A good example I have seen of this "I will just have WLS, because I don't feel like doing any work"-would be those reality shows where they show teenagers going through this process.
First-there is a SERIOUS misconception that any type of WLS is easy. Many WLS types have lifelong impacts to the body. Second-most of us having gone through any type of WLS know that we MUST create a new relationship with food and with our feelings or we will NOT be successful.
I believe the health care industry must take more care in deciding whether the person REALLY meets the criteria for WLS. There are too many "clinics" out there that seem to be pushing people through that we can CLEARLY see are not prepared.
Good topic! Thanks for posting.
Therese
I was brought up in the Lake District and my family still live there. We go not too far from Blackburn when we visit - we could arrange to meet for coffee en route next time DH and I head up the M6!? Won't be until the Autumn, prob not until Nov as going to the US in October.
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
New England. A big loop round up North from Boston, then westwards, then droppping down to get back to Boston from slightly to the south of it.
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Beautiful area of the US, it really is. There are many gorgeous places in the US and you are visiting one that would make my top 10. I was lucky and my dad was a pilot for USair which means I got to fly for free til age 25. He actually worked for a company called Mohawk when I was a baby and that was purchased by Allegheny who then changed their name to USair.....LOL! Allegheny was known as "Agony Airlines" so they changed the name and repainted all the planes (just fun facts there)
Anyway, this gave me a wonderful oppurtunity in my life to travel the US and I took full advantage of it. I love to travel so even when I had to start paying, I kept doing as much of it as I could. Of course not nearly as much and not always by plane anymore. Now I am in europe so I really want to travel all over this area but yep......I have let my weight stop me. Its one thing I look forward to doing after I lose the weight. I am definitely going to do the dutch coffee shop trip and smoke
lots of the devils lettuce
Anyway, this gave me a wonderful oppurtunity in my life to travel the US and I took full advantage of it. I love to travel so even when I had to start paying, I kept doing as much of it as I could. Of course not nearly as much and not always by plane anymore. Now I am in europe so I really want to travel all over this area but yep......I have let my weight stop me. Its one thing I look forward to doing after I lose the weight. I am definitely going to do the dutch coffee shop trip and smoke
lots of the devils lettuce 'would rather get gunned down than dumbed down...K'naan
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Miss Redd
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Kate -True
Group Leader