Question:
Who saw 48 Hours last night?

I sure wish they would have given more information on the surgery and would have interviewed Dr. Fobi more indepth. I realize they were presenting various options for the obese, (Xenical and the Fat Acceptance people were also included) but I'd really love to see a program that presents both sides of the WLS issue more completely. Does anyone know the Mom and daughter that were featured in the surgery portion? It'd be great to hear about their progress. What did everyone else think of the program? Jaye Carl    — Jaye C. (posted on January 21, 2000)

January 20, 2000
I saw the show. I thought it was good - although I would have liked more follow up info on the women operated on. One comment they made struck me - is there any long term (5-10 years post-op) studies of the effects of WLS?
   — Margaret C.

January 20, 2000
I thought the show was very informative. Yes, they probably should have done a little more on each topic but it is only an hour show. I really thought the show was put together very well! The different options and results are something I have never seen on one show at the same time. I liked the way they had the different weights of people involved (the woman that was not yet morbidly obese, but on her way and wanted the surgery before she got any larger) How many people on this web site have said the same thing, "The only regret I have, is that I did not have the surgery sooner". I have had the surgery twice now (the first surgery after 4 yrs. the VBG staple line broke) and have the RYN. I couldn't do it on my own and was smart enough to realize this! Life is too short to be miserable over your weight not to mention life gets even shorter when you are obese.
   — Renee C.

January 20, 2000
I thought the show was pretty well balanced in presenting the positives of weight loss surgery along with the negatives. They mentioned in several places, the risks involved with the different weight loss methods, and the fact that diets don't work. But, they never discussed the health risks associated with being overweight. If you're going to talk about the risks of having the surgery, you really should also talk about the risks of NOT having the surgery. I'm afraid that lots of people watching that show came away with the impression that we are willing to take the risks of surgery just because we are obsessed with being thin. I know that is not the case for most of us. I think the best statement in the whole show was when the reporter asked Dr. Fobi if surgery wasn't a radical option compared to regular diets. Dr. Fobi said, "you can't compare it with something that doesn't work!" So true!
   — Lynn K.