Please help me tell NAAFA to update its WLS information!

It is well known that NAAFA does not support WLS; however, I was very disturbed to find its official policy as posted on the web to be inaccurate and archaeic. In fact, the policy hasn't been changed since 1993! To wit: "Currently, the most frequently performed procedure, vertical banded gastroplasty, results in weight loss of about 20% within 18-24 months. Because weight regain is common within two to five years after operation, doctors plan "staged surgery". Second and third operations are performed as the weight is regained, despite evidence that mortality and morbidity rates associated with reoperation are higher than those with primary operations...The scientific community has not provided convincing evidence that gastrointestinal surgery increases life expectancy or improves overall health. Until such evidence exists, theories about the economic benefits of weight-loss surgery are meaningless. The economic cost of multiple surgeries, repeated hospitalizations, and medical treatment for life long iatrogenic complications has never been systematically compared to non-surgical treatments..." And this is there 'Official Position': "There is no conclusive evidence that gastrointestinal surgery for weight loss increases longevity or improves overall health. There are a tremendous number of deaths and severe complications associated with weight-loss surgeries. Since non-invasive treatments for comorbidity factors exist, the presence of comorbidity factors is not a valid justification for surgery. Therefore, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance condemns gastrointestinal surgery for weight loss under any circumstances. Until all weight loss surgeries are discontinued, NAAFA urges that such surgeries be restricted to controlled studies conducted by trained medical researchers. Further, NAAFA believes that the psychosocial suffering that fat people face is more appropriately relieved by social and political reform than by surgery." (Revised and issued May, 1993.) Certainly I don't expect to change the policy, but such information is erroneous and doesn't accurately reflect the thousands of success stories we see on a daily basis. Worse yet, if this policy succeeds in keeping people from a healthier life, it is down right dangerous. Here is her email address: [email protected]

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