Question:
Did anybody see the Discovery Chanel show about WLS?

I just watched it. It featured Cindy Levy (who had the lap-band) and David Smith (RNY). It was quite interesting. Wondering if they are members of this site, and what others think about some of the new technologies the special discussed, such as something to control the "hunger nerve" and genetic therapy, etc.? Could there be other medical sollutions besides WLS to control obesity in the future?    — rebeccamayhew (posted on March 23, 2002)

March 23, 2002
Hi Rebecca. Yes, saw the program too. It was interesting. I watched it with my family but found that since they were uninformed viewers that the program wasn't as accurately informative as it should have been. I had to sit and explain how there are proximal & distal bypasses (and everything in between). How that in itself affects loss and maintained loss. We discussed hypertrophy and long term affects. I had to point out that some of the information about post-op dieting wasn't totally accurate. Like the dumping causing everyone who ever tries to eat anything with sugar or too much food to dump. We all know that isn't a 100% and that tolerances to sweets, etc can be built up. I also felt like I had to rejustify my decision that the LAP band wasn't for me. To them it looked like a new wonderful miracle. They of course didn't know that this new marvel has been done outside the US for years. So I really did have information to base my decision on. As far as the other hopes on the horizon. I know what you're saying. Even before the show, my mom had to point out the genetic mice experiment from an online news article (AOL). Why have a drastic surgery if there is other hope? Well, like I pointed out to her the new genetic information is in an infantile state still. IF it can even ever be applied to humans we're probably at least a decade away from the first trials. Look at lap banding, it took the US at least 15 years to catch up with other nations who accepted it. And from what I understood about the vegas nerve stimulator, is that its still experimental and not ready at all for implimentation. I know ... I would love for them to be able to modify my genes and make it so I could eat anything and constantly burn fat! I don't have, and I doubt many other morbidly obese people have, 10 or 20 or more years to wait for the research on something that may not even be feasible for humans. Its a very long stretch to go from mice to humans. And longer still before FDA approval. Right now I honestly believe the only real hope for for a long term solution to obesity is surgical treatment. If I thought hope was a year away I'd wait. After all WLS carries a lot of risks, it isn't perfect, and it isn't fool-proof. We still have to remember its just a tool and will have to not only still watch what we eat, but also supplement for the rest of our lives. Sorry to carry on so long, but while I enjoyed watching the show and it was a good tool in that it opened the subject up for more detailed discussion. I just felt that it left a lot out and did somewhat a disservice in that they did not fully inform viewers or even make it clear that there is a lot more they would need to know before making a decision (or understanding anyone else's!)
   — Shelly S.

March 23, 2002
I watched it and taped it ( so my mother could see it) I am almost 4 weeks post op, but still very interested in the drug they are testing for obesity. I am a true beleiver that obesity is genetic as well as environmental. Even if that drug is 10 years down the road I will be one of the first to sign up for it. I figure hand in hand with my surgery it can only improve my chances for long term sucess. It was interesting to actually watch the RNY procedure. Sure did explain to me why I was so sore.. giggle giggle If any of you missed it go to www.discovery.com/health and you can look up when they are playing it again. Half way through it I realized my mom would like to see it so I taped it for her today at noon.
   — Diane Rhoads

October 4, 2002
I sure did. Boy was I excited. I want to see it again. After watching it I felt there was hope for me after all. next day I looked up the meaning of WLS and have been searching ever since. I got in touch with my ins.co to make sure it's covered. then called a surgeon and has a appt soon and oh yes went to my primary care dr. and got a referral right then and there. so now I wait for my appt to com 10/16/02 I pray I can have the surgery.
   — Naes Wls J.