Weight-loss Surgery: Not a Magic Bullet By Cheryl Koch, M.S., R.D. - Posted Tue, Aug 01, 2006, 4:09 pm PDT

1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Aug 02, 2006, 5:57 am PDT

what can ido to reduce my tummy it is the only ploblem. thanks hope

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2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Aug 02, 2006, 5:59 am PDT

My sister lost 60 pounds with the lonestart now program and has kept it off for almost 2 years now. I lost the 25 I needed, my brother lost 20 and my 82 year old mother lost the 30 she needed to lose. No surgery, no suppliments, just good nutrional practices and increased levels of physical activity--easy practical things to incorporate into everyday life. Everyone has to find what works for them but it has to become a lifestyle choice that you can maintain and if the goal is to get healthy--and--if losing weight is the way to do it, seems like it's hard to go wrong with old-fashioned common sense.

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3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Aug 07, 2006, 12:46 pm PDT

twenty five years ago I had my stomach stapled. I would do it all over again if I had to. It save my life I was 220 lbs and 5'4" had tried every diet I could and was wasting my early youth trying to become either comfortable with my weight or dieting. I have had fewer problems health wise than I would have heavy. I still watch what I eat and stay active. But have been very happy to date.

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4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Aug 08, 2006, 5:56 am PDT

HI! My daughter and I have been researching bariatric surgery for over a year now. We've got a blog, questions on Yahoo!Answers, etc. I have attended a seminar in OKC on this. We are currently researching clinics in other countries that preform these surgeries. They cost about 1/3 of what the US clinics cost. India, Sweden, Austrailia, Kuwait, many more countries have 5 starr hospitals that would put many of our better ones to shame. Their health care is free or close to it. Their doctors are trained in our colleges and other notable colleges around the world. For the $24,000 it would cost to do a RNY here in OKC at a very formidable clinic, my daughter, grandchildren and I could fly to Austrailia, I could have the SAME RNY surgery, spend a month in the best hotel while I recover. AND...still have monies left over to sight see. Crying shame that not even our insurance companies recognize obesity as a disease.

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5. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Aug 10, 2006, 8:14 am PDT

i'm seriously thinking about having the weight loss surgery, Is there a diet that follows afterwards? If so what diet would you recommend?

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6. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Aug 13, 2006, 10:27 am PDT

More and more doctors are recommending post-op fruits and vegetables to heal faster. I eat 6 servings a day, and according to the government this is not enough, so I supplement with Juice plus - 17 fruits and vegetables in capsule form. More at http://www.juiceplus.com/ zp36202 Definitely worth a look for an easy alternative to get your health intake.

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7. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Oct 27, 2006, 7:39 am PDT

I am now 5 months post op from having the surgery. WOW I am absolutely delighted with the results, 2 weeks post op I was eating chili, 3 weeks post op I sat and drank 2 scotches celebrating a friends victory over cancer. I am down 70 pounds, yep I do take vitimins every day, but I took them before the surgery, no big deal! Had an excellent sugren, Dr. George Eid, McGee Hospital, over 1000 procedures with only 2 that had complications. It appears I will NOT need follow up surgery for excessive skin removal. Yep I do understand this is a tool and one can blow this as well, but I am determined to lead by example. It is great to go to a store and buy clothing off the rack! See you there! :-)

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8. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Oct 27, 2006, 8:02 am PDT

Lovechild: The doctor i went to had his progran down to a science, I actually got a spiral bound book covering EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know. I mean everything from Pre op, what to expect post op, at X week you will be doing Y, all the way out to almost a year. The book discussed Gastric banding, and Bypass, it was my choice to have either and the physican did both procedures, I opted for the bypass. It covered what to eat, when, everything I needed to know and there were absolutely no surprises post op. Just about everything he said and covered in the book about recovery occured almost on cue.

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9. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Oct 27, 2006, 11:31 am PDT

It is not a cure or easy way out, but if you understand the risks and lifestyle changes needed, it can give you your life back. At 5'4 and 479 lbs, just getting through the day was very difficult. I had difficulty breathing, severe back, knee and foot pain, couldn't stand for more than a minute and walking more than 100 feet hurt.Now 10 months after surgery, I am down 180 lbs and I have my life back. Yes, I will need more surgery to remove excess skin, I can't eat anything I want or eat large quantities but I now enjoy my life instead of just struggling through each day.

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10. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Oct 27, 2006, 11:32 am PDT

It is not a cure or easy way out, but if you understand the risks and lifestyle changes needed, it can give you your life back. At 5'4 and 479 lbs, just getting through the day was very difficult. I had difficulty breathing, severe back, knee and foot pain, couldn't stand for more than a minute and walking more than 100 feet hurt.Now 10 months after surgery, I am down 180 lbs and I have my life back. Yes, I will need more surgery to remove excess skin, I can't eat anything I want or eat large quantities but I now enjoy my life instead of just struggling through each day.

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11. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Oct 27, 2006, 11:35 am PDT

It is not a cure or easy way out, but if you understand the risks and lifestyle changes needed, it can give you your life back. At 5'4 and 479 lbs, just getting through the day was very difficult. I had difficulty breathing, severe back, knee and foot pain, couldn't stand for more than a minute and walking more than 100 feet hurt.Now 10 months after surgery, I am down 180 lbs and I have my life back. Yes, I will need more surgery to remove excess skin, I can't eat anything I want or eat large quantities but I now enjoy my life instead of just struggling through each day.

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12. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 9:58 am PDT

I think that surgery is a bit of a drastic matter in order to lose weight, but if you have really given diet and exercise an honest effort, and still it doesn't happen, or if you're like mxe120 and you can't get around very well, stand for a minute at a time, etc... then I think that surgery may be the most viable option to those people. Earlier this month, I joined sparkpeople.com and it's really a great site. It's entirely free to join (vs. $24,000 drastic surgery) and there are so many resources and experts there too. They have a meal planner, and can tailor the meal to your specific needs. They give you exercises to do along with demos of how to do them. They have dozens of articles, recipes, message boards, everything. I even have an e-buddy that I share my goals, exercise for the day, struggles and setbacks. There is so much support there that it's hard not to lose the weight. I haven't lost much weight so far (I gained 2 lbs the first week due to birthday parties... mine and my cousins'), but I can say I've lost 2lbs of my starting weight, and I feel better through the day. I've also started a running program too. Ultimately, I hope to lose 40-50lbs. Anyways, check it out for yourself. It's free to do, the only thing you have to lose with it is weight. ;-) If it doesn't work out after giving it a really good hard honest try, then if what you really want to do is sugery, then by all means, be my guest.

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13. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:00 am PDT

Yes it can be a great thing. If you have the money to do it? A lot of people don't!!! Like me.

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14. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:03 am PDT

It really bothers me that the media always highlights the people that have had complications or put weight back on. I had the surgery in 2000 and no matter how cheesey it sounds and how many times it's been said it truly did save my life. I was 22 years old and weighed 343 pounds. There are many more complications with carrying that much additional weight on your body. With the U.S. struggling with weight related issues like diabetes and heart disease some overweight and obese people have to make a choice! It's not about an easy way out. Once you are that overweight statistacilly it is not likely you will ever lose that weight and keep it off on your own. Society also does not make it easy for larger people to diet...I always felt uncomfortable excercising or ordering healthy options when I was overweight. I was overweight my entire life but 6 years after the surgery I have maintained a healthy 180 lbs (I am 5 7). I have the confidence to work out and my life, work and health were all affected positively. I will likely never be a size 6 but I look awesome, feel great mentally and physically and it's easier to practice a healthy lifestyle. I suggest you talk to a few people that have actually had the surgery and a healthcare professional before making a decision. I would make the decision over again and again. I love my life and appreciate the scar the surgery left behind...it reminds me of the shy fat girl that was picked on all through grade school that I have left behind for good!

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15. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:04 am PDT

It is a drastic change, but I'd do it in flash. But not all of us can afford it.

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