Question:
I was told,

I was at a sport and health vitamin store looking for liquid iron. The lady, who was over weight, suggested iron molassis. I told her there was too much sugar in that. She seemed to not understand so I told her I was having Gastric Bypass surgery. After asking me why I chose the surgery and my answer, she replied with, "Everyone I have know who has had the surgery has ended up back with all their pre-surgery weight." I have not told hardly anyone about surgery and have had no negativity so this was a surprise. All I could think to say was, "It took them a long time to regain it." She said that was true. Well, I was upset all day and night and am still thinking about it. I never read or hear from people who have had the surgery 8, 10, 12 years ago. One lady in my church had surgery and gained everything back. I do not know how long ago. I read a post on this site that said she had to do something now and worry about regain later. She felt a pill would be invented within 10 years. I had so much confidence that this would be IT. No more co-morbidies from obesity. No more 300 pounds. I do not want to be normal only to go back in 10 years. LisaMarie Surgery on Oct. 31st    — Lisa Marie D. (posted on October 5, 2001)

October 5, 2001
LisaMarie, don't fret. We have ALL heard stories about people who gained all the weight back. At our classes, this was discussed. Almost always they are talking about people who had the old operation back in the 70s or early 80s. They didn't transsect the stomach, just did the stapling, which led to more staple-line breakdown that the modern surgery prevents. It also didn't do the malabsorptive part of the procedure by bypassing part of the small intestine. It was a flawed operation and many people had to have theirs reversed or had ongoing problems. THIS IS NOT THE SAME OPERATION. It isn't worth the effort to try to re-educate everyone that this isn't the same thing, is far superior and has a nearly 80% success rate, so don't bother. Just know in your heart that it is so. If you do a bit of research, you will find out that is true. On my webpage I give a listing of how to order a WLS book that talks about the old operation and the new one and how they differ and why today's procedures are infinitely more effects and with far less complications. I also give a name listing of a liquid iron you can use. That and other helpful WLS info can be found at http://www.lkdobson.homestead.com and I wish you all the luck in the world !!!
   — Lisa D.

October 5, 2001
The previous posters are right. The surgery has changed with the times and they have learned from the failures of the past how to create the successes of the future. Above all remember to factor in human nature. If a person hears of one person, whether someone they know or someone they heard a 20 second sound byte about on TV that failed at the surgery, they will tell you "EVERYONE I know that had the surgery . . . fill in the blank (died, lost too much weight, gained it all back, other drastic consequence). Do what is best for you and don't worry about people who tell the horror stories. Use your wls as a tool the way you are supposed to and you will be much better off than the lady hawking iron molasses who will still be in the same size clothes (or bigger) and telling the same stories this time next year while you are shrinking! :)
   — ctyst

October 5, 2001
I have spoken to a few people who had older procedures and gained a lot of weight again. And EVERYONE I talked to had complete failures of the surgery. They didn't fail, the stomach overcame the surgery by growing back together. I feel so badly for these people who worked so hard, made it through the surgery and did all the right things, and now they are looking at having surgery again. But I still say, THEY didn't fail, the surgery did. Now I know that some percentage of people do fail. However, somebody in a store has no idea what the realities of this surgery are today. And by the way, my old PCP told me that she knew someone who "had the surgery and still managed to get herself to 300 pounds" Look at that wording, THE surgery, like there's only one, managed to get herself, like it was something she wanted and worked hard to do. Needless to say, she's no longer my PCP. Find good hard statistics, and ignore all the anecdotes.
   — kcanges

October 5, 2001
I have heard of people gaining all their weight back as well. However my theory is....this WLS is just a tool, its what we choose to do with that tool that means being a success or failing with this surgery. I feel as if I was blessed to be able to have this surgery, I feel like this is magic. However, I go to the gym 5x a week and eating healthy everyday. I know I need to do this forever in order to keep losing and maintain my final weight. So like I said before...this is a tool and we need to use it wisely! All the best...GOOD LUCK you will do great!
   — Melissa S.

October 5, 2001
hi lisa marie. first of all i would like to say that i cant stand when people comment on something they have no experience with whatsoever & cause anxiety in the other person. my personal motto is 'until u walk in my shoes, u dont know what i am going thru so keep ur opinions & advice to urself!' anyway, i want to try to put ur mind at rest about weight regain. i went to a support group & met 4 different people who r more than 10 years post op but less than 15 years. they have lost to their goal weight & have remained there. when i asked each of them what their secret is they all had the same answer. they still eat according to their surgeons instructions. limited fats, sugars & yes protein protein protein. a post op woman was there with her husband & he asked a question that had us all laffing. he wanted to know if there was an operation that could slow his wife down enuf so that he could keep up with her. i believe that the surgeon who can perform this surgeon has received a very special gift from god & we in turn have received a very special gift from the dr, namely, a wonderful diet TOOL that if we follow the enclosed instructions, will remain shiny & new for many years to come.
   — sheryl titone