Debate: Why should we limit the surgery to those MO?

We spend a lot of time sharing success stories. Here's a topic for honest contemplation: Why should this surgery be limited to those that are morbidly obese? 1. The death rate for this surgery is less than 1% - the same as any major surgery - including gall bladder, c-sections, tummy tucks and breast augmentation. Why do we call it a "life-saving" surgery and then lament about this "life-threatentening and high-risk" surgery. 2. The post-op diet is similar to most healthy eating plans - the differences being the malabsortive element and the ability to control appetite without appetite suppresants. 3. Many people (including myself) already have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) - why is "dumping" more terrible than "normal size" people with hypoglycemia. 4. Opening up the surgical option to more people will make it much easier for EVERYONE to have this life-saving surgery. 5. Normal size people have to take vitamins, watch what they eat, excercise and drink their water, limit or eliminate alchohol - just like post-ops. 6. The risk of complications is MUCH less when you weigh less - why not give people the chance to have surgery BEFORE they become super obese? It seems logical. 7. The majority of the people on the Memorial Page were Super Obese or had a blood clot, heart attack, etc. - you very rarely hear of people dying from leaks related to surgery - which would be unique to bariatric surgery. If a person has made numerous attempts to lose weight - even if it's 50 lbs - shouldn't this be a personal decision that's available to anyone? Perhaps the medical profession should open up the requirements for bariatric surgery just as they've done with cosmetic surgery for those between 50-100 lbs overweight. Why not make it a self-pay option, just as with other aforementioned surgical options? We all hear horror stories about people dying from complications relating to face-lifts, boob jobs and liposuction. Shouldn't those seeking a weight-loss option with a MUCH higher, long-term success rate than traditional weight loss/excercise programs have the option? We believe it's something to be considered.

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