Anyone consider or have had surgery?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2004
Anyone consider or have had surgery?
35
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 1:16pm
I know people have different views on weight loss surgery, but I was just wondering if anyone has done it or is considering it?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Fri, 12-31-2004 - 11:20am

I weigh 146 lbs now, if I didn't lose another pound I would be happy, but I would like to lose another 15 or so if its possible. I think running is going to be the key for me to get these last 15 off. Although it has been 18 months since surgery and I have lost consistently the whole time, never plateued for more than a couple of weeks. So who knows.

I experienced the most amazing thing the other day. I went to buy a dress for New Years and, I really had no idea what size to try first because I know dress sizes usually run different. I was at a little boutique and the largest size I could find in one dress was a 6, I thought, "yeah, right, that will never fit." But, I tried it anyway....it fit!! In fact it was a little loose in the chest area...not so good....! I didn't end up getting that dress, I went to another boutique, tried on a 6, again, too loose, the salesgirl said, "I really think you want to go one size down." I said " a 4, are you kidding me?" She goes, look how much room you have in this dress....I said, "okay, I will try it, but I doubt it will fit." It fit! And yes, I bought it....it seems so wierd to have an item of clothing in my closet, that a) doesn't come from a plus size store, b) has a size that is in the single digits and c) is a size 4.....!!!!

These are the little things that people who have never struggled with weight take for granted.....but not me, I appreciate this gift every single day......Just had to share.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2003
Fri, 12-31-2004 - 2:43pm

Awsome!! It sounds like all that extra weight was being carried on a very tiny frame. I hear of people loosing large amount of weight and fitting into these tiny sizes, because they are pettit girls to start with.

I know that for myself even if I lost 100 lbs I would still have a Big Bust, a small waist and big hips..which of course means a big butt. I have a very curvey figure. I would NEVER be a size 4...I have a larger frame. The tiniest I have ever gotten is 135 and that was a size 8 and I looked awsome. I actually llok very good at a size 12 also. That is my personal goal.

The surgery sounds like it was the right choice for you. I have a few friends who have had the surgery who cant have any surgar, they get violently ill. I am hearing what your saying that the sugery helped you control your food intake. That is what a good eating plan does, if do the same thing without the sugery I will get the same results. You also took a very healthy amount of time to accomplish your goals...18 months to loose the weight is always recomended for permanent weight loss.

Can I ask you if your eating habits have changed? Do you eat healther, more whole foods? I see that you are also excersing, that is great. The ladies I know each eat the exact same foods, McDonalds, Jack In The Box...fast processed foods, just less of them, and neither of the excersise, they state that obviously they did not need to to loose the weight why start now?. One lady used to have a HUGE Coke every day, now she has a HUGE diet Coke everyday. For b-fast she has a bag of chips. She has lost tons of weight but I dont think she is any healthier.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Sat, 01-01-2005 - 9:00pm
I would say I eat fairly healthy. I focus on always eating protein at every meal, so I have to make conscious choices. I have never really been a fast food eater. I will probably eat a fast food meal once a month or less, and I never drink soda (unless it has alcohol in it:). I know I eat way too much processed foods though, like frozen dinners, even lean cuisines or things like that even though calorie wise they are okay, I know all those chemicals and preservatives and sodium are bad for me....they are just so convenient especially when you have to eat 6 times a day.
I still snack on junk food if I want to...like the days I am just being lazy around the house I don't usually make the best food choices, but I would say 80% of my meals are good foods. I do get a bit nautious if I eat too much sugar, or too much grease at one time, so for example if I get a hankering for chocolate, I will go to sees candies and just get one chocolate and that totally satisfies me....or I will eat one small cookie, or have a couple of bites of ice cream. A little pint of Ben and Jerrys would last me weeks if it was just me eating it.
I have always been an exerciser too. I love to exercise, over the summer I did the Body For Life challenge and really firmed up alot of areas. My next thing is going to be running.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2003
Sat, 01-01-2005 - 10:05pm

HI,
I am also considering the surgery. I have a couple of family members that had it and were very successful and very pleased. But I do have a couple questions...do you have to have health problems to qualify for the surgery? And has anyone had problems with excess skin after their weight loss? If so, what can you do about it? I already had my gall bladder out...will that effect me having the surgery, or will it cause complications after? I know that we aren't doctors, but I would rather ask someone who may have experienced it and be able to tell me what I can expect based on thier own experiences.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 1:56pm

Well my sister has a hanging apron at her waist. She also has baggy underarms etc....

She is now saving for a surgry needed to have the extra skin removed. She plans to donate the skin to a burn unit. Which is something her doctor suggested to help her cost. Appearently, the burn doctors are willing to pay for the cost or part of the cost for this surgry for her donation of her skin.

You should check that out....when the time comes.

Sussie_Q

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 1:45pm
I am considering for health reasons. I have COPD,Lung Diseace, and on Oxygen. Last winter I had phamonia, and Enfluenza on top of each other. I am very over weight, I will like to lose at least 160 pnds. I realize that I need to do something fast, or my health is going to get worst. I will like to be off the oxygen, and my lung doctor said that I lost about 50 pnds, I might be able to get of it. Its a scary situation, and I hate surgerys, but if it will help my health, I will do it.
Helen
Helen-Sig3a.jpg
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 2:03pm
What is Copd, if you dont mind me asking.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 2:16pm

I have never heard of Lap-Band surgery. I checked out the site you gave us, and it doesn't look as scary as actual by-pass. Actual by-pass and stapling seemed really extreme to me. Obviously if God had wanted us to by pass our stomach and create a pouch in our intestines, he would have designed us that way.

But this lap-band sounds better to me for some reason, maybe because it is still using all the parts that God gave us and does not skip over any. Is it as risky as by-pass?

Before I read the lap-band site, I would have said no to any type of surgery. But, now, I would have to give it a more thorough investigation before I would say absolutely not.

signed,
~ the newbie poking her nose in
KimMarie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 2:24pm

Good question and unfortunately, I cant help you answer them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2004
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 2:44pm
I know there are risks involved, but I do not think they are as high as with the full bypass.
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