Question:
How to handle Dr. friend who is against WLS?

I have a friend who is a doctor (internal medicine) who has many reservations against wls. She cites a recent JAMA (Journal of American Medical Assoc) article that talks about the many complications and failures of wls, that many post-ops are gaining all the weight back. This site has been so helpful to me in deciding whether to go ahead and do the RNY, but I do wonder if I am not hearing from the ones who regret the surgery, either due to complications or eventual regain of the weight. I will read the JAMA article when she gives it to me, because it is important to be informed. I just wantred to know if anyone has read it or has any input.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on December 25, 2002)

December 25, 2002
Igna, with any surgery you stand the chance of any complications or risks involved. We do what we have to to have a better life, and in the process may encounter problems or we may have a perfect out come. There are several people out there who DID NOT benefit from this surgery and or had major complications, however, I beleive the vast majority of people gained alot from the surgery and that is what is wonderful about this gift we are givin and this site, you might hear more about the good and thats to be expected but there have been some people that have come forward and stated the bad of the surgery and still have stated they would do this surgery again in a heart beat, there is very few people that wouldnt do this surgery and considering the numbers of possitive vs negative, i would say this surgery is a god sent! Good luck with your decision, please make the right one for you and dont let anyone else make it for you ...
   — Deanna Wise

December 25, 2002
Hi Inga. Urge your physician friend to go to http://www.asbs.org and have a look around. Its the site for the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. It has lots of good info - both good and bad - but really does present a balanced view of the surgery if you look at the site thoroughly. Happy Holidays!
   — ronascott

December 25, 2002
Inga - I am always open to new information, positive or negative. Would you please share that JAMA article when you receive it? It would be much appreciated...
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 25, 2002
You have to do what you believe is right for you. My PCP was skeptical about the surgery but is now a believer since I've lost 150 pounds. There are risks anytime you go under a surgeon's knife.
   — dolphins94

December 25, 2002
There are complications with this surgery just like there are complications with any surgery. There are also a small percentage of people who die from this surgery, as there are a small percent of people who die from other surgeries. Its called risk and no major surgery is without risk. As for weight regain,that too is a reality. Thats why most on this board and the doctors keep reminding you that this surgery is a tool and you have to learn how to use the tool. If you misuse your tool, you can regain some or all of the weight. Long term post-op'ers will tell you that they continue to struggle with the weight gain, and have to watch what they eat or they will regain. I think this surgery does wonders for getting the weight off initially, but that not enough emphasis is being placed on warning those considering the surgery that they can gain the weight back if they don't use the tool properly. Even if I had known I would still have had the surgery, but when I see people post things like "100 pounds gone forever", I wonder if that is really the case and if they know that they will have to work to ensure that is the case. In the beginning of our post-op journey, its easy and the weight flies off, but after the inital loss is done, then the work begins to either continue to lose weight or to keep it off-how many of us were warned/told that this would be the case? So as a pre-op, read all the articles and know that it can happen, know the risks and then make your decision. As I said, I am still glad I had the surgery and am willing to put in the work to maintain the loss, but would have like more info up front about the weight regain issue.
   — Cindy R.

December 26, 2002
Choosing one article professing the failure of the surgery does not counter the many, many positive results that have been documented in countless articles. Try looking on MedLine yourself for an unbiased view of the research that is going on out there. You will find that most of the time problems are due to one of three things: 1) problems that the patient already had 2) the inexperience or ineptitude of the dr or 3) noncompliance by the patient after surgery. All you can do is try to counter those things by staying as healthy as possible before surgery, choosing an experienced and trustworthy surgeon, and following the drs plan for eating and care afterward. There is nothing you can do about the surgical risk. It is there no matter what surgery you have. But you are also at risk being obese. Read the article but also read some others. Anybody with a certain point of view can find a study somewhere to back up their position.
   — ctyst

December 26, 2002
Its all about our health. Some regain, see barb thompsons great book.<P>http://www.wlscenter.com/<P> but even those who regain 1/2 of what they lost are likely healthier than they would of been. I mean we usually diet and get heavier? :( I hope and believe that within 10 years a pill will be found for MOs. thats safe and effective. So I had the RNY, which could be reversed, since ALL of my parts are still there. I needed a solution NOW, and dont regret my surgery at all. Now 10 years from now, hopefully if I need too I will be taking a pill to truly curb my appetite and if the RNY caused trouble it could be reversed. But I doubt that will happen. <P> I did what was needed today and will let tomorerow take care of itself. Your normal fearful of surgery but for most it works safely and effectively.
   — bob-haller

December 27, 2002
My surgeon has also mentioned the failure rate and he sees it as a failure on the part of the health systems to provide appropriate after-care support. It is crucial to have a good support system to encourage the post-op WLS patient to continue to eat right and exercise. As you will hear again and again on this site, WLS is only a tool - you must use the "honeymoon" period to change your eating and exercise habits. You must remain vigilant and make sure you get in all your protein, vitamins and water. As with any lifestyle change, having a support group (like obesityhelp) can make all the difference in the world!
   — JoAnn B.