Weight loss surgery?

The thing is, even with the surgery you have to make big changes to your diet. I know two women, one had lap band, one gastric bypass. Both gained all their weight back plus some eventually.

I know how hard it is, after two fusions in my lower back I had to quit work and go on disability. I've always been a big guy and have gained probably 30lbs since quitting work 5 years ago. Hard to lose any when you can't be active due to the pain. Good luck in whatever you choose, it's a tough row for anyone.

You're likely going to have to show you can lose the weight naturally beforehand. Unless, as said, it's due to a condition that means the weight needs to come off ASAP.

Everyone I know who has had gastric bypass has had complications from it. All but one have had their gallbladder removed. I'd look into low impact exercise if you have issues with your back. You can still lose it naturally with that and changing your diet.

As others have said, try to lose weight yourself first. Find low impact exercise that doesn't hurt you, maybe a recumbent or spinner bike. You will be amazed how much weight you can lose by simple lifestyle changes, especially if you are well overweight.

I would do that before considering surgery.

I know a handful of women who have had them. 2 of them became very attractive. None of them have gained it back, and it's been at least 3 years for all of them. Don't know which particular surgery for any of them.

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Has anyone tried it? Gastric bypass? Lap band? Sleeve? Doc recommended drastic weight loss but my lower back is shot.

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I would've probably asked my doctor about it instead of the OTB

But that's just me

Watch the seminar at alabamawls.com. It's 10 minutes long but does a good job at explaining the different types. For most the gastric sleeve is probably the best option. You could still have to have the gall bladder removed, but of the different types of surgery it is probably the least invasive with the least complications.

I haven't had it, but am currently trying to get approved with insurance. If your insurance doesn't cover it, you'll pay about $12K. I know several people that have had it and most will tell you they wish they had it done a long time ago. I recommend using someone who has done tons of these surgeries just as I would do the same if you were having lasik or anything else.

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The thing is, even with the surgery you have to make big changes to your diet. I know two women, one had lap band, one gastric bypass. Both gained all their weight back plus some eventually.

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These things do happen, but not typically if the person complies with the diet and lifestyle. It's very strict, but for many people, it can save their life.

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Do you like to drink beer and eat pizza or steak in big quantities? If so, that will likely be over after the surgery.

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You get it. You'll succeed. Most people have a major problem seeing the connection between gluttony and their health.

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I have young kids and I want to be around.

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This is gold as motivation to achieve responsible eating. Good luck to you and the OP.

Don't do the band, or the new mangnetic rings. It's a foreign body that can erode, and if it does, it's a major problem. Also, it's easy to "beat it" by drinking your calories, which many do. It takes adjustments regularly (first to get it just right, almost to obstruction, then more and more as/if you lose weight.) I've seen many of these say screw it, and move to something else. Another problem is it doesn't affect grelin levels (which is one of the hormones that regulates hunger) as well as other options. So, while you can't eat as much, you never feel full.

Next, try to stay away from gastric bypass. It makes your stomach smaller, and changes the "plumbing" of your small intestines. It is both a restrictive (eat less) as well as malabsorptive (don't digest and absorb as much). This leads to
1. Problems with many necessary nutrients, especially vitamins (requiring vitamin supplements, sometimes through the IV)
2. As someone stated above, gallbladder problems. 85% of the bile that is excreted is reabsorbed. This cycle gets messed up, which leads to gall stones, thus requiring another surgery
3. The way things are hooked up, if you eat carbs, and especially ones that empty quickly (liquid), you can get dumping syndrome (sweats, heart racing, diarrhea...)
4. It creates 3 potential spots for internal hernias. This can be as simple as requiring another surgery to fix the hernia, to as bad as killing part of your intestines.
5. Like the band, it can be beat by drinking your calories.

Gastric sleeve I think is the best option in the surgery department. It only cuts out part of your stomach to make it into the shape of a banana, so just restrictive. It can't be beat by drinking liquids because the pyloris is still there to regulate stomach outflow. It doesn't cause the problems with absorption and the gallbladder like gastric bypass. There's usually no dumping syndrome. And then if it doesn't work, they can do what's called a duodenal switch (again, rerouting the intestines). Over time, the stomach will stretch some though.

Both the above surgeries do affect grelin levels, leading to satiation. Both we see an almost immediate effect on diabetes and blood pressure (many go home no longer taking meds).

Average loss is about 30% of EXCESS boys weight. Many will regain a portion of that.
Your diet is going to change no matter which way you go. It'll be very low to no carbs (especially early on) and high protein.
Likewise, it will take complete lifestyle modification.
For both, it's either you do it before or after surgery (and many insurers require a diet/exercise trial for 6 months prior to surgery approval).

So the question becomes, if it's a lifestyle modification, why not just make the change and not go through the surgery? It can be done. It's all about calories in vs calories out. And the main component of that is calories in (like 75-90%). You can do the post-bariatric diet without ever having the suregery. And for exercise, if the problem is the back (or knees, ankles, etc), there are bikes and swimming. It takes time and commitment; you're looking at a year or more depending on how much weight you want to lose.

The America way is to look for the easy way out. Those that fail aren't willing to make the changes and sacrifices. I think you'll feel better about yourself (sense of accomplishment), and it'll be easier to keep the weight off if you do it all on your own. It can be done! I have many friends and colleagues that have done it this way.

I would try the balloon first. I have a buddy who did it. He swallowed a pill, and they inflated it with saline. Said it was like walking around after eating a full meal all the time. He had no desire to eat.

Basically the first month he had to make himself drink gatorade to keep from dehydrating. He lost 20# the first month and like 10# the second month. When they took it out after something like 6 months he had lost 40#. This has been a year and he hasn't gained it back. I think it cost him $5k and no surgery. If he had troubles with it they just deflate it.