Question:
What is up with this site: http://gastricbypass.netfirms.com/. Why does it scare me?
They state the average life expectany of a WLS patient w/out complications is 10-15 yrs? — heathercross (posted on June 9, 2002)
June 9, 2002
I went on to read question #4. Responses to your question are there, I
guess the other web site had the same article and was read by other obesity
help people.
— Vickie S.
June 9, 2002
I keep hearing the same old story about how life expectancy is only a few
years after WLS. I had my original WLS in 1983 - nearly 20 years ago.
Last time I looked I was still kicking. I recently had a revision to RNY.
No, I didn't lose much weight at all with the first WLS. Yes, I regretted
having it done because it failed. Yes, I did 3 years of intensive research
and soul searching before deciding to go under the knife again. Believe me,
it wasn't an easy decision. I'm a little over a month out and have lost 25
pounds. That's only 10 pounds less than I lost with the original WLS. The
nay-sayers always have the same old story. My feelings are that they have
every right to express their opinions and, as long as they don't try to
force those opinions on me, I'm OK. This is why I take all the info from
sites like the one mentioned with a grain of salt. Sounds like sour grapes
to me. Of course that's just my opinion and it's no more important or
noteworthy than theirs. Good luck on your decision. Make it on what is
absolutely right for you.
— Vicki H.
June 9, 2002
I just read a few of the postings and some of the information on that
website. What a bunch of crap! I had rny last August and am down 130
pounds - it's a miracle!! It's the best thing I've ever done (besides
having my daughter).
I noticed that many of the postings in one area of that site were from the
same person (Trish). Boy has she got a chip on her shoulder!!
Happy, thin and LOVING IT!!
— Angela L.
June 9, 2002
Hi, I'm pre-op and haven't read the article yet. I may not read it at all.
But my thinking is I'll take the 10 - 15 years, over what I've got now,
anyday. My quality of life right now sucks (pardon my language). I have
severe obstructive sleep apnea and an exhausted allllll the time no matter
how much sleep I try to get. I can't walk very far without suffering
shortness of breath so I'm not even able to enjoy window shopping like I
used to. I only leave my house basically to go to work or grocery shopping.
I have very few friends because I never do anything to meet people. So if
this surgery will give me 10 to 15 years of a more productive active life
I'll take it.
— Elva C.
June 9, 2002
I've only had mine for 8 yrs. But that's about 6 longer than I coulda made
it as I was. I'm pretty happy about that, actually. Life is not perfect
now. Whose is? I've got a fatal disease and left untreated, it is gonna
kill me for sure, and not fast. Now I must deal with the treatment I chose,
which is a LOT easier than dealing with the disease. I don't have the
choice of going back and not having the disease. That makes it sound as if
I regret my choice. I hate that I have this disease--don't we all? But I
do not regret my choice. Not even remotely.
— vitalady
June 9, 2002
Hi Heather, I know this must have scared you. I came across this site too.
What a bunch of BS! Facts mixed in with biased opinion! Don't worry its
just a scare tactic used by someone who is against WLS. Just take it with a
BIG shaker of salt! LOL Best Wishes, Cinda :)
— Cinda R.
June 9, 2002
If that were true, wouldn't the surgeon be obligated to inform you of that
when explaining the "risks"?
— Peggy D.
June 9, 2002
Here's an amusing website that puts this woman's claims neatly into a
nutshell (so to speak! LOL): <a
href="http://www.geocities.com/suewidemarksucks/">The World
According to Sue Widemark</a>. I thought it was a hoot. :-)
— mmagruder
June 9, 2002
My 2 cents on the media. If you are discussing say peanuts and only
interview people who are alergic to peanuts, You have one story. If you
only interview peanut farmers, well that's another story. But if you
interview people who love peanuts, farmers who grow peanuts, and people
alergic to peanuts, followed by scientifically compiled statistics on
peanuts, you finally have a good story. Unfortunately media is about
ratings and bias. So as usual we all have to do our own due diligence on
any subject. Done my rantings. Have a good weight loss day.
— faybay
June 9, 2002
Ya know, I have to say that yes, some people are alittle more fanatical
than others about telling you the "down" side of this surgery
just as there are those that will never tell you anything bad about it.
I'm on this site to try and keep alittle balance to this at times. I have
NEVER told anyone not to have WLS but "have" many times, told
them to research very well and know exactly what they are getting into.
It's not always as rosey as this site makes it sound. Most times it is.
Most people are thrilled but, there are the minority of us, who have had
devastating problems.
I so resent Melanie and others giving out that disgusting site about Sue
Widemark. I realize that many don't like her. It's also understandable
and it's also understandable to not want to hear from a person who has
never even had the surgery. What I don't understand, are the personal
insults and horrible things that the people have to say about her. It's
just her opinion and, for heavens sake, there are so many pro site out
here. Her little opinion shouldn't matter. She honestly does give some
real info and some good info on the pitfalls but, yes, she does go alittle
far at times. what she also does though, is give those of us, who have had
problems, a forum to speak and be understood without judgement which is
what i usually get from this site. It's important that we have somewhere
to talk this out and get understanding instead of hate mail. This site
that Melanie gave you, so personally attacks the person herself. I can't
understand people who do this. I so try and stay neutral in my
recommendations for WLS. I have to admit, that I am proud of myself for
that because there are so many times that i want to shout "don't do
it"! But, I also look at all the success stories and see that most
people have a good outcome from what they say.
To answer your question, I really don't know about the life span post
surgery but I really don't think anyone knows and I think that those
numbers are most likely abitrary. On the other hand, I would rather think
about the quality of those years if it's true and decide whether WLS is
worth it for me personally. That's what you have to do. Think that yes, I
can develop problems but, will they be worse than what I am going through
now? If the answer is no, the go for it. In my case, the problems
actually far outweigh my preop problems and so, ONLY IN MY CASE, I wouldn't
do this again. Most would. Just think long and hard and make the best
decision for YOU. It's all you can do. Don't ignore the other site.
Don't ignore this site. Just take it all in and think about it. It's the
best advice that I can give to you. Good luck
— Barbara H.
June 9, 2002
Heather: Just like the AMOS site is mostly pro-surgery, you have come
across a site that is mostly anti-surgery. I would be careful about
reading so much that you scare yourself out of one of the best decisions
you could have ever made for yourself.
— Terissa R.
June 10, 2002
Sue Widemark poses herself as an expert when she is not. Her websites
reflect the height of arrogance, and as such she is prime fodder for a
skewering. Every item on that list is based on Sue Widemark's own claims,
Barb. Yes, they are satirized, but nothing is there that hasn't been said
by that woman! She deserves every bit of that site and more, in my opinion.
My feelings about her have nothing to do with my feelings about people who
do indeed have problems with WLS. I think you should have a forum to speak
freely without being treated badly. I hate to see you being exploited by
her, and I do feel that's exactly what she's doing with every "bad
outcome" that she takes it upon herself to publicize.
— mmagruder
June 10, 2002
My surgeon said it will ADD 15 to 20 years on your life expectancy.
Meaning, if you are M.O. and do NOT have the surgery , you MAY have an
early death, say, in your late 50's, due to heart disease or what not.
Having this surgery will add 15 to 20 years to the age of the formerly
early death (late 50's).Making your life expectancy to the mid 70's to
early 80's. Does that make any sence? LOL!!
— Stacy C.
June 10, 2002
I went and read this site and to be hoinest it scared to poopie out of
me...BUT I had my lap RNY in Jan of this year, I am off the blood pressure
meds, no longer have GERD and thats just the medical stuff. There is the
ability to walk here there and yon and not run out of breath, to sometimes
even run with my dogs or my kids! My back doesnt ache, my knees dont creak
and I can finally buy clothes that look like something. Not too much to
expect at the age of 30. I researched for 2 years before I had my surgery
and made the desicion. I started out at 339(pre xmas weight) And am down to
256 today, in almost 5 months...83 pounds..and I feel great. I met a lady
today at the pool who had an open RNY 9 years ago and she looked very much
alive and kicking to me with no ill health side effects..It seems even if
you read all the stories that there are FAR more good ones than these bad
ones they were able to find. Yes its a risk we take when we have this
surgery but with proper preparation and follow up the risks decrease. I can
also drive to the gorcery store tomorrow and and be killed in a car
accident, its probably more likely than the RNY doing me in anytime soon...
— kittycat
June 10, 2002
Okay, this will sound very strange... but here goes... If people are
extremely unhappy, and ill.. Shunned by society.. Then have a surgery that
gives them the quality of life that they never dreamed possible.. they are
happy beyond words.. why do people try to scare them.. are they jealous?
Are they ignorant? Are they just so lacking in thier own lives that they
have to find away to tear every shred of happiness away from others? I
read that article. It was from the fat acceptance people.. You know... we
have all accepted that we are fat.. There is nothing that they can do to
create a perfect world where people who are overweight can ever be accepted
in society... NEVER.. there can be some progress, sure.. but, there will
never be total acceptance. The people in search of surgery want 1. Normal
lives that we have only seen others enjoy 2. Health 3. Freedom from
ridicule for making the choice to persue numbers 1 & 2. So in short,
go ahead and read articles like that.. but remember, they are like the
"non-supportive family member".. they want what's best for you as
long as they are in control of your decisions.. my opinion... My response:
I would gladly take 10 years of happiness over 20 years of misery....
— Angela G.
June 11, 2002
I went to this site last night. BIG MISTAKE. It scared me half to death. I
am not scheduled for surgery until Sept but I am very seriously thinking of
cancelling. Im on the verge of tears now, I thought that I finally found
something to help me to live and along comes the ideas that this might be
the thing that actually kills me.
— Tina C.
June 11, 2002
Well, here is my 1.5 cents on the matter: I know what is right and true
for and to me. No one can dictate that to me. No one has the right to
dictate that to me. No one can decide that for me. Science is about
finding out what is correct about certain things and events in life.
Before Columbus, most of Western Europe believed the earth was flat. Some
people still do. If Ms. Widemark chooses to believe that the average life
expectancy after WLS is 10-15 years, well, that is HER choice. MY choice
is to say give me 10 to 15 full, active, happy, healthy years. The
responsibility is mine to maximize that happening. I'm no "spring
chicken" now, at 57, but if I can have the kind of energy and
alertness I have now at 70 (and the likelihood is much greater after having
had WLS), then I think I have a good chance of beating my grandmother past
93.....
Also, to anyone else who may be listening, ALL surgeries - of whatever kind
- bear some risk! You can die from any surgery, but that does not mean
that you will! Good luck with your decisions.
— Marjorie B.
June 11, 2002
I used to be a member of a site that is run by Sue Widemark on Yahoo.com
but she is so utterly full of venom and so slanted against WLS that it was
getting on my last nerve to read the emails she was sending, NO ONE was
right, only her, if you had WLS and you were happy, you were ignorant,
stupid or "drowning in your own blind bliss", it was just too
much too take. She backs up her claims with NOTHING, she finds some obscure
doctor who quit doing WLS at a California hospital and turns it into a
major story on the pitfalls of WLS! What about the thousands of lives
saved by this surgery?? My surgeon says the claim of a shortened life span
are patently ridiculous, and why would he do a surgery on someone if it was
not going to PROLONG their life and greatly improve the quality of it??
What would be the point? To rid the world of all the formerly fat people???
DUH!! Think about it! All of the things that are making us ill, diabetes,
high blood pressure etc.. are usually gone, (true in my case) or greatly
relieved. We feel better, look better, and live life more fully. What
kind of nut equates that with shortened lifespans? All surgeries come with
risks, I told my DH before I went into the OR that if I didnt make it, it
was MY decision, MY personal, well-thought-out decision that I researched
myself, and made my OWN choice to either die young and FAT or make a chance
at having the rest of my life be better, healthier and more fulfilling. I
have lost 102 pounds in 5 months, I thank God every day for this wonderful
surgery!
— donnalawbabe
June 11, 2002
One would think this site is exclusively sponsored by insurance companies
and diet product companies. Imagine the incredible amounts of money they
stand to lose if people get on the WLS band wagon. I would really want to
know where these people that run that site are coming from, who they are,
and why it's so important to them to stop WLS. No one makes this large an
effort without there being something in it for them. I smell a rat and not
just because I am having the surgery and emotionally need to be in the
right. I've seen some extremely underhanded tricks done by insurance
companies and companies that people work for who post on the message board
at www.obesityhelp.com so I am very distrusting of businesses that have
their cashflow as first, second and third priority. hmmm, is that every
business? BUYER BEWARE
— Carmen K.
June 11, 2002
Stop and think for a second. Just how in the world can wls limit your
lifespan by so much? Don't even compare quality of life. How does wls go
about doing this? Let's see, malnourishment? No, we are highly likely to be
malnourished before wls, many wls patients monitor their vitamins and
minerals much more closely after wls. Liver damage? How? How does a liver
get fatty after wls? Renal failure? How does wls kill your kidneys? Call me
a naysayer, but I want facts to back up the threat of a shortened lifespan.
If you make the claim, back it up, I want proof that I'm gonna be dead
because of weight loss surgery in 5-10 years. Where's the proof? So, I'll
be dying sometime between 2007 and 2012. It has to be death related to
weight loss surgery. So, shall we monitor everyone who has had it? What is
you live 11 years? Or longer? Does that mean there is something wrong with
you too? GImme the proof. Anyone can spout heresay. Maybe that woman has
nothing better to do. If you cna't prove it's true, then please don't
assume it is.
— NicoleG
June 11, 2002
OK, I stand corrected. That site isn't done by some insurance lobby or the
like. It's done by a lady with tunnel vision for the darkside of WLS. I
guess poor old Sue Widemark means well but her monomania for only
unsuccessful surgeries discredits her. All I learned from her site is
things can and do go wrong for some people and Carnie Wilson is the
antichrist. Otherwise, not much else since it was so biased. It's
important to know the posible downside of anything but to blast anyone who
experienced a good outcome is a bit paranoid.....................Best luck
to everyone in making their choices for their health! :)
— Carmen K.
June 12, 2002
I cannot believe the cruelty of some people who have more than likely been
ostracized and/or teased ruthlessly as children/teens/adults because of
being fat...I went to that "The World According to Sue W."
website (mentioned below) and was astonished by what I read in the
guestbook...and you know what, I signed it 3 days ago, stating exactly that
and it still hasn't posted, which I find ironic because the home page
complains about how SHE censors posts. Anyway, my point is this: Sue W.
may have her issues but she in no way deserves the horrible treatment she
gets on this site. I used to belong to her WLS_uncensored group and found
it to be filled with compassionate, intersting people who were on both
sides of the WLS issue. Perhaps Sue gets so much flack because she is the
only one willing to report on the potential complications associated with
WLS. Anyway, people who endorse such cruelty towards any other human being
should BE ASHAMED! Okay, I am stepping off my soapbox now...
— rebeccamayhew
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