Question:
I'm wondering if WLS will work for ME...please read!

I am a 5'10" female weighing 277 lbs. My current BMI is about a 40-41, depending upon a few lbs. lost or gained. I have been in the WLS "loop" in Boston, MA with a clinic since January 2001. I, with my doctors, have decided to pursue WLS. HOWEVER...I was once 400+ lbs. Nine years ago I lost 180 lbs. by eating well and exercising A LOT. I still eat very healthily (about 1200 calories/day) and exercise 1-2 hours/day. I even teach fitness classes like Spinning and cardio-boxing. When I had to cut my exercise time down from 4 hours/day to 1-2 hours/day two years ago, I gained 50 lbs. So...I'm still down 130 lbs., but really need to lose an additional 120 lbs. My doctors believe this surgery will help me...I just wonder...I ALREADY eat a limited amount of HEALTHY food, take in a limited number of calories, and exercise (HARD) 1-2 hours/day, 5-6 days/week. Has anyone else been in this situation and lost the weight they needed to lose? I do not want to have major surgery only to find that because of some "freak" thing with my metabolism, the bypass won't help me to reduce my weight. Thanks in advance for any advice/comments!    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 9, 2001)

August 9, 2001
The malabsorbtion portion of the RNY will help you a lot. Eating the same number of calories your body will not absorb as much. Be sure to make your surgeon very clear on how much you work at maintaining your existing weight so the right amount of intestines is bypassed.
   — bob-haller

August 9, 2001
I had WLS in Boston 10 months ago. Email me if yo9u want to chat. [email protected]
   — enjo4

August 9, 2001
Are you taking beta-blockers? I've read that whatever it is they do to stop you from having a heart attack, also inhibits the fat-burning process.
   — [Anonymous]

August 9, 2001
Certainly, this surgery can assist you in losing excess weight (as Bob said). Maybe not "all of it", but then again, maybe you will. However, personally, if I would have had your "capacity for life", I would not have opted for any WLS surgery. But by the time I chose to have surgery, just "brushing my teeth" or "putting on a pair of socks" had become an aerobic exercise. So FOR ME, all the risks and change of life-style were reasonable, because the alternative was to sink deeper and deeper into my "non-life". I feel (I don't claim to be any authority) WLS is best suited emotionally for those who feel they have "no other way out" of their despair. Good luck to you - I wish you success in whatever path you take !!! Kevin
   — meilankev

August 10, 2001
I had WLS because I did indeed have a "freak" thing with my metabolism! The year before my surgery, I worked with my doctor to try and determine where my metabolism worked best. We discovered that eating 1200 calories a day would result in my gaining weight! In order to maintain weight, I had to eat between 900 - 1000 calories a day, and exercise vigorously and regularly. To lose weight, I needed to eat below 800 calories and exercise an hour a more a day. I was simply unable to maintain that lifestyle successfully to enable a loss and maintenance. Knowing my metabolism, I intentionally chose a highly malabsorptive procedure. I had no doubts that simply restricting intake and calories would not be enough for me. I have been quite happy with my surgery and my weight loss (DS surgery on 6/19/00, loss to date of 98 lbs.) -Kate-
   — kateseidel