Is bariatric surgery worth the pain
@gaylesglimpses (164)
United States
November 2, 2015 12:33am CST
I know at least a dozen friends who have had bariatric surgery or who are going through the process. One person went to the classes, talked to the psychiatrist and attended the support groups, and then changed her mind. Everyone is talking about the procedure.
Although it is touted as being safe, I still wonder. It cost a lot to have it done. No one that I know has kept the weight off long term and it costs a lot afterwards. The body needs special protein shakes indefinitely after surgery. These are very expensive. All of my friends take vitamins which, although not very expensive, do add up.
How can bariatric surgery be worth the pain? Maybe I am missing something, but I just don't get it. What do you think?
3 people like this
4 responses
@gaylesglimpses (164)
• United States
2 Nov 15
I totally agree. You have to diet and exercise after the surgery and those are things that you can do anyway.
@rakski (125761)
• Philippines
2 Nov 15
I say probably for the really big ones who really needs help surgically. But I ope that this is not their first option. They should go on proper diet and exercise. Bariatric surgery is taking out portions of stomach so you will full empty even if you have eaten only few. You can train your stomach. All you need is more determination and willpower.
1 person likes this
@gaylesglimpses (164)
• United States
2 Nov 15
I even wonder if it's a good thing even if you're extremely heavy. Looks like a bigger size could increase complications. That's just an outsider looking in though. I don't have a medical background.
1 person likes this
@rakski (125761)
• Philippines
3 Nov 15
@gaylesglimpses I read about it before and I saw some reality tv shows before that use bariatric surgery in an extremely obese guy. I know that he weigh less after a few months after surgery but still you have to back it up with exercise and diet.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (23151)
• United Kingdom
18 Dec 15
And there's the "dumping syndrome". Who wants to experience those abdominal cramps and feeling poopy all the time.
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
2 Nov 15
I'm amazed you know so many people who've done it then I spot you are in the USA. The only people I know who've had the surgery are all over there too. I think the rest of the world is more circumspect about jumping to the surgical solution.
@gaylesglimpses (164)
• United States
2 Nov 15
It's probably wise to be leery. But yes, I sat down and counted heads to come up with that number. Doctors here are really pushing it. My surgeon isn't the exception.
@gaylesglimpses (164)
• United States
16 Nov 15
@boiboing Me too. I also wonder if the making those post-surgery goals will happen, or is it going to be like catching the brass ring on the carousel. A few manage it, the rest don't.
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
2 Nov 15
@gaylesglimpses Let's be honest. Pain or no pain, it's a fast track to losing weight and for many it will seem like an 'easy' way to put years of bad eating habits behind them. I will be interested in (say) 10 years time to see how many people have managed to keep the weight off. But I wish your friends the best of luck with their recovery.
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