Bariatric medicine? Stomach stapling surgery…gastric by-pass surgery? Safe?

Steve F
#1. January 17th, 2008, at 3:10 PM.

It is not safe. Iron malabsorption is one of the most common bariatric surgery issues, assuming the surgery itself goes well. There are also increased mental health issues in those who have undergone the surgery. Not necessarily because of the surgery, but losing huge amounts of weight can release a lot of emotions that are hard to deal with.
The question is if the benefit of not weighing as much offsets the risks. That must be on a case to case basis.

jayydoggs
#2. January 17th, 2008, at 4:25 PM.

I myself am against diets, and definitely against surgery. However, there are some people in the world that through genetics or some type of abnormality have no way of combating their weight gain and have very serious, life threatening issues that may only be helped by having surgery. In those cases I am all for it. Not everyone is over weight or obese because of lack of self control. Be Kind To All!

suzypjs2000
#3. January 18th, 2008, at 7:35 PM.

hey i had it done 7 1/2 years ago i went from256lbs now i am at 95 lbs. i take my vitamin supplements everyday and i have had problems with gastric ulcers and twice they burst and i almost died now on top of all my vitamins i take protonix twice a day however i would do it again.in a second

C K
#4. January 21st, 2008, at 11:17 AM.

You must live in Texas ? I think I heard something about it being the fattest state…We have a lot of chubby people in CA, too!

Funny this would come up…my sister went to a meeting yesterday at Kaiser, because she is considering doing this.
I took a look at the diet she is to follow before having surgery, (a very sensible diet!) and also after. OMG !! You can’t have anything “good” or “fun” to eat after surgery…forever !!! The procedure it not reversible, either! She SHOULD be eating like she will have the surgery, and not have it.
But my sister…cannot get into a mind set to lose weight. She has tried everything and she can’t stay with it. She is always hungry, and gets free doughnuts and cake at work, and she can’t pass up free food. I told her to go to a therapist, and she said she already tried it. She just wants to not be hungry. It’s so sad. I am hoping that she won’t have the surgery done, (I have to say I disapprove of it, too as a “quick fix”) but then again, this might make her happy, and she is so unhappy in her body ! I just don’t know. But then, I am not obese, I just watch what I eat and exercise a few times a week. I think they overeat because they are bored. They need to find something else to do.
You are right, though, about people needing to eat better food, and get moving and not be a couch potato !
Especially kids.
C’mon, parents, set a good example!

Willow
#5. January 22nd, 2008, at 6:55 PM.

No, it is not safe, I had a friend that died from it at age 41

Spacewizard
#6. January 23rd, 2008, at 10:39 AM.

It sounds dodgy as all hell to me. Unless there is imminent danger arising from morbid obesity, I can’t see that this is a viable strategy. It would place tremendous stress on the body. If someone has a pesky extra 100 lbs. that won’t budge, then there is a lifestyle or hormonal reason for this. The healthier way is to regulate the hormone imbalance or change the lifestyle. But everyone wants shortcuts in this fast-paced modern world, and no one seems to really consider the consequences until it is too late…