NEW HERE NEED ADVICE...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-07-2006
NEW HERE NEED ADVICE...
5
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 12:34am
Hi Everyone, I was reading through the post Ahh I'm Freaking Out and it was very similar to things I have been thinking about lately and you all seem like a great supportive bunch. I have about 130 pounds to lose to be my perfect size 10 (at 5'10) and I'm seriously considering gastric bypass surgery. I am in my early 30's and have just about tried everything and failed.
Here is a question: Is it possible to lose weight without the surgey by just mimicking the fact that you eat alot less food and shrink the stomache? In the other post where the woman is fasting and taking in a very strict amount but losing rapid weight, is that similar/ My doctor put me on Topomax for back pain and it helped cut my appetite down but it's starting to become immume and I need another supplement if I am to "fast" or lose weight drasically. I would appreciate anyones information thoughts and experiences, Thanks, Butters
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 11:17am
I would say do not get surgery. There can be complications and you could even die . I know someone who lost their mother cause her complications were so bad. The best thing to do is drink water. I prefer icy water. also to pray I know that it is hard to lose weight it will take a long time believe me I have been over 300 since January 2002 I think. It's very hard I am only 5 foot 3 but I never gave up . I am only now losing a little once a year ago I got to 298 but went up to 322. over time that is. If you look in my profile I AM very big but I would never get surgery. That is my opinion though. But I spent money on everything diet books . work out vhs tapes and weight weight watchers program I had them all. Well I hope the best for you .
Maryanne
322/317/250
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 11:33am
Hi and welcome, I don't know a ton about gastric by-pass, but the last time I visited my doc we did discuss it. I have a particularly slow metabolism (but a normal thyroid) and while I don't eat like a bird, I am not a big eater nor a compulsive eater. He has been involved in a number of research studies and told me that they found that people who eat the same amount without the surgery don't lose the same weight. The link is to the digestive fluids being reduced in patients who have had the surgery. They believe the weight loss has more to do with this than the reduced amount of food. People who eat the same without surgery lose some weight, but not at the same rate as their bodies think they are starving and conserve even more. He said the good news is that this research will eventually lead to a solution (vaccine or medication) that corrects the chemical imbalance and will make gastric by-pass a thing of the past for many people. Of course the bad news is that it's a long way off. For people who are compulsive eaters, one of the biggest problems is that unless the excessive eating is corrected people can gain back the weight they've lost. (Even the tiny post-surgery stomach can be stretched over time.) Good luck figuring out where you'll go next! Annie
A
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2004
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 12:15pm

Welcome to the board! Although in theory you should achieve the same results if you ate dramatically less, in reality it's nearly impossible to accomplish this (and not healthy anyway). The key to losing the weight and keeping it off is going to be lifestyle changes. Even if you have the surgery, if you don't change what and how you eat, you will eventually stop losing and start regaining. It does help in that you can't overeat in the beginning, but after a wihle you find ways around those blocks and people start gaining. It's hard losing the weight and changing your lifestyle, but it is possible. I'm the same height as you and I've lost over 50 lbs in the past 16 month and had a baby to boot! I've done it by changing what I eat and monitoring my portions. You will see that most of us here who have been successful have done it by eating healthier foods but stlil eating what we love in moderation. Check out the journals for some more ideas :). One suggestion I have for you before you consider the surgery is to journal EVERYTHING you eat (portions, too) for a month and really try to cut back. If you still aren't losing, you can take your journal to your doctor with you and ask for recommendations or if they think the surgery is the best option. You never know, you may just surprise yourself and see a nice loss that first month that motivates you to keep going! Welcome and good luck no matter what you decide!

Staci


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2006
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 5:10pm

Hi There - My name is Jena. Welcome to our board. I also looked into gastric bypass surgery. Some of my docs wanted me to get it done. For me, it was way too drastic and permanent. One of my friends had it done and she did lose about 150 lbs, but she was sick constantly....throwing up after meals and such which is why she lost the weight in the first place. When she finally got down to her goal she looked sickly. I have also heard of people figuring out how to binge even though they have had gastric bypass surgery (Rosanne Arnold and Carnie Wilson for example) and ended up gaining almost all the weight they lost. Then I have also heard of people losing the weight too quickly and ending up with sagging skin and having to have plastic surgery to correct it. Another thing is that most insurance companies do not cover it and it ends up being about $23,000. One of my Grandmother's aquaintences had lap band surgery and paid about $16,000 to have it done and ended up only losing 10 lbs. In the long run, I decided to try and do it myself. For me, getting the surgery is a quick fix and does not fix my eating problems. On my weightloss journey, I have lost about 85 lbs so far with about 135 lbs more to go (Yes, I have ALOT to lose). I just try and look at it in 10 lb increments. I just want to encourage you that you can do it too. It is very hard and a lot of work, but whatever you set your mind to I am confident that you can do it too. Please come back and chat for support anytime. The ladies on this board are great! Good luck in your weightloss journey and come back often.

Take Care,
Jena
395-312-175

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 7:58am

Hi Butters.. welcome to the board... I so understand where you're coming from.

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