Question:
Are there alternatives to surgery?

I registered my brother Gerald with this site to get more information on surgery as well as moral support. Since I've been viewing the questions and responses I have grown fearful for his safety. I haven't really looked into any of the surgerie that are available. I wanted to get some feedback before I pursued the issue. I read responses ranging from lifestyle changes to reversing a surgery. My brother is only 21 years old and I am afraid that he won't be able to adjust to any drastic changes in his lifestyle. Because is young, are there alternatives to surgery for somone his age. Are there any diets or programs out there that he could do to help him get the weight down? Where can I get more information on the details of what surgery entails? Thanks for the information. Jacqueline P.    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 9, 1999)

August 9, 1999
I know a girl also 21 who was recently turned down for RNY. THey told her she was too young and had not tried to lose it other ways. I personally think they thought she was too immature to adhere to the diet afterwards. In answer to your question, it is a mute point unless this man wants to lose weight more than anything else in life. If this is so, he needs to research the surgery and try to loose weight by dieting if he has not tried before. I was 37 when Ihad my surgery and was not ready until then. Sort of like AA you have to "hit bottom" You should be commended for trying to help him... good luck..
   — JAN C.

August 9, 1999
There are many alternatives to bariatric surgery. In fact, the majority of surgeons will not do surgery unless many other weight loss programs have been tried. There are many programs that use behavior modification and other modalities. If your brother has been morbidly obese for many years, surgery is an option. Most insurance companies require documentation of all attempts at diets. There are many web sites that have information regarding this surgery. Please e-mail me if I can help. Good Luck. Jackye Ogles
   — Jackye O.

August 9, 1999
It's wonderful that you want to help your brother, however, unless he makes the decision that he doesn't want to carry the excess baggage around anymore, just like alcohol or drugs, there's nothing you personally can do. You cannot control his eating for him. It's sad but true. He has to want to choose life rather than a life of killing himself slowly with food. If he makes that decision, the stats are less than 1% that someone would die from this surgery, the stats however are seriously higher, that a person would die from weight related issues! I will keep him in my thoughts, I was huge at 21, well over 400 lbs ... but I didn't hit my bottom until I was 36! The surgery changed my life! Once he's ready, the lifestyle changes are worth it!!! Best of Luck!!!
   — Sherrie G.

August 9, 1999
No matter which strategy your brother chooses (and HE must choose it, not you), it will require major lifestyle changes in order to succeed. He has to decide that he truly wants to lose weight; then , whatever he chooses to do will likely succeed.
   — charlene M.

August 9, 1999
Unfortunately there really isn't. According to all major sources for healthcare, surgery is the most sucessful and only tried and true method for "curing" a morbidly obese person. He is still very young and if williing to make this move, he will certainly not regret it. I am 25 and wish I had gotten to this when i was 18. As far as him being young. my doctor has done patients as young at 16 approved by insurance and they have done very very well. Speak to them at group therapy and they are very happy. They get to lead a "normal" life early on and don't miss out on all the wonderful things in life all of us that are obese have missed out on in one form or another. Yes, there are complications, but what are the complications of yo-yo dieting or continuing to be morbidly obese. These are much greater. Be supportive and allow him to opportunity to meet with a physician and decide for himself if he is ready. Best of luck
   — Diane D.

August 9, 1999
I know this is going to sound harsh and I don't really mean to be blunt. But if there was another diet or anything else that I could lose this weight and keep it off, I would do it in a heartbeat. Surgery is not the first step, but the last step. When all else fails. And unfortunately most diets fail. I don't know how old your brother is or if he is really considering it or not. It is his decision and one not to take lightly. If he is considering it, do him a big favor and support him in whatever decision he decides to do whether you like it or not. Sorry I didn't mean to sound harsh but it's people with the ideas that we could really diet and lose if we tried we don't need to have the surgery that starts the discrimination process to begin with. We really aren't fat because we are lazy. I hope I have been some help at least. I'm sure you meant everything you said in the kindest and sincerest way.
   — bperrin

August 10, 1999
hello... i agree with everyone else diets do not work...i had my surgery a week before my 19th birthday, about 14 months ago, and i am doing excellent...i have lost 151#...this surgery is a big deal but it is soooo worth it...i now can look foward to living like a 20 year old should...if your brother has tried many other diets i would suggest he look into surgery...he is more than welcome to email me at [email protected] good luck, michelle
   — michelle N.