Weight Loss Surgeries... questions

[Shinjitama]

First and foremost I've been a fluffy bugger my whole life, never had a metabolism to really speak of. (i.e. as a child I ate every other day, family had to literally force me to eat, then aparantly about 2nd grade I learned to love food... oh how do i wish I hadn't)

I work where I walk for long hours over and over, I have always worked hard when I work, well til atleast my current job(hardest part is standing on concrete and walking through mud). Tried just pure exercising, never lost weight always gained... at first, but never really lost any weight, sure felt better after doing it though. Don't get me wrong I don't mind being fluffy but this far... enough is enough. In 2004 I started going to a honest to god gym, and not just here and there when I could, had to stop in 2006 due to money reasons(but again hadn't actually lost any weight... (i think it was about 10 lbs worth after thsoe 2 years, but i wasn't gaining so that was good)).

Started this kinda hobby in relations to having well no relations... kinda sucks but oh well i've meet some really cool people, made some friends, and found some really skuzzy people I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole and the threat of death if i didn't.
I swear this is getting somewhere (back story kinda leads to the questions)
2008-2010 I tried various over the counter herbal and BS speed up your metabolism crap... never worked... not even once... just made my heart race.
2010 I started a medication for weight loss Bontril - for anyone who doesn't know what it is, no metabolism booster, no placebos, all it did was control appetite, when on it I couldn't tell if i was hungry, or full... GREAT so I got to eating 900 calories for 8 out of 9 days with 1 eat wtf ever you want meal in 9 days, I was able to cut sodas over night with no caffiene withdrawl, even to the point that even today I can go without sodas no problem. After being on the medication 5 months plateaued, doc threaten to take me off drug if i plateaued again stating that It was a law they were required to follow, 3 months later I plateaued again and then voila was taken off the med that was actually helping me.(at that time i went from 424lbs, down to 378 in a total of about 6-8 months)... about 2 months after I was off the meds i was up on weight again... HARD as hell to do a 900calorie diet when your stomach feels like its going to kill you....

2012 started back to a gym,...fat man needs to loose weight full on by early 2013 i had gained all my weight back and more... 452... Was pissed off... tired of being big. I go to gym,nada... shit just wasn't happening... had been talking to people about weight loss surgeries since 2010, insurance wouldn't touch it until i had been with company for 5 years... YAEY thanks so much.... thats this july... 5 years... and I'm contemplating surgery....
I know of 3 types...

Lapband -pretty much not a chance as my metabolism makes this an issue of being non effective (it intails a tub going around the stomach that has some sort of silicone gel... more gell tube contracts more, don't argue with me on this one, got a co worker to proove my quims against this one... seen too many people and don't want to add to this statistic that get this surgery loose weight and just eat more....)

Sleeving - was told this is basicly 1/2 of gastric bypassing, that they do this primarily leading up to a GB by fact that people wouldn't survive the full surgery for being too big... (sectioning off the stomach and physically applying a plastic tube around the stomach to where it won't expand beyond a certain point, Dunno how true this is... was what it was described to me)

then there is full on gastric bypass - as described to me sectioning off part of the stomache and taking out UP TO 2feet of your intestinal tract... (have had some argue they had 18 taken out... not a chance in hell you would die)

as my metabolism issues go I know once I've lost some weight my metabolism SHOULD speed up a little, Oh I know it won't be super fricken quick...

Any thoughts quim, quips, gripes, issues, complications, I'm trying to make an educated guess about this before i just go and do it... I'm figuring with a lower metabolism that I have the GB would be better for me than the other 2 options... but still... thats permanent... once you take out that "up to 2 feet" of your intestines ... there is no getting it back... any vitamin deficiencies will be compounded(can solve those with just suppliments taken once a day hell even twice a day... )

I figure i'm down to around 440ish....I'm big but i'm Mobile...

Any suggestions... NOT BULLSHIT suggestions of try this try that....
HCG - NO Family Blood pressure issues eliminates this...
Prescription Speed or whatever to loose weight... (50/50 this works on me, but docs wont let me try it.... )

And gym alone isn't working... some think trying to stop smoking is hard... try to remind yourself every second of every day ... Don't go eating random shit... don't drink that soda, don't munch down on a sandwich.... drink water drink water drink water....

so thoughts?

and yeah i know this is not your normal every day general thread question

[Pink Floyd]

The only thing that ever worked for me was to eat carefully through the day and have Romaine Lettuce and Spinach for supper with no dressing. I also walked 6 miles a day at a good pace. My highest weight was 256 and I felt miserable. I dropped down to 165, and then I had to go off the diet because of medication I was put on. I got back to 227 and decided oh hell no. I am no longer on that medication so I have started back on my diet, and I have lost 12 lbs. in 4 weeks. My goal is 2 lbs. a week, and to be down to 165 by 12/31/13. I did a lot of weight training when I was young so 180 is actually my fighting weight, but I want to get lower since I am approaching retirement. I consume 1200 calories/day and track this on FitDay http://www.fitday.com/

Some interesting websites:
http://www.crsociety.org/
http://www.youngernextyear.com/
http://www.pmri.org/dean_ornish.html

You cannot possibly burn off enough calories in the gym to make up for what you eat unless you are a competitive athlete. Other than walking I was doing no other physical activity. My concept was to begin the gym after I reached my goal of 165 but I was blindsided by a diagnosis which through me off, but has now been resolved.

I have a friend at work who had bypass, lost a lot of weight and gained it right back because he didn't change his habits. I saw him yesterday and he has lost a lot of weight because he has changed his eating habits. I am lucky in that I don't have a love for food so I don't experience cravings. My problem is that I was eating the wrong things.

[Zimmie6942]

Fuck all that. I got up to over 300 and lost 125 pounds in a year. Year before I worked out 3-4 days a week for a year and lost 7 pounds. So how did I loose over 100 pounds sitting on the couch? Started taking adderall and metformin (diabetes medication) and started to lose about 2 pounds a week.

Got down to 180 and then after they took me off metformin and on insulin I got back up to 210 and been there for over a year. going back on metformin together with insulin to see if I go back down.

[Keyhole Arc Blow]

Thing about gastric bypass and other surgeries is people think you get the procedure, drop the weight and you're done. You're skinny and that's the end of it. They don't realize your stomach stretches out again and bad eating/exercise habits mean you spent thousands of dollars on surgeries for nothing because you'll balloon up again.

Also if you're big and you drop weight fast, you'll likely need cosmetic surgery for all the loose/hanging skin that won't tighten up anytime soon. If you get fat again that's more money wasted.

If you exercise enough and watch what you eat, you should lose weight. It's as simple as burning more calories than you take in. If that's happening and you still can't drop weight, it's time to see a doctor/specialist for a better look at what's going on.

[universalenergy]

I am sure you have had test run on thyroid and etc. by a doctor that has ruled out any medical issues that cause weight gain or not being able to lose weight. The thing that has worked for me is I do alot of juicing of fresh fruit and raw vegetables. I cook very little anymore. Avoid any processed foods. If you are interested in more information just send me a pm. It has helped me and others who have followed my advice. Even my 85 year old mother on thyroid medicine lost weight and saw other improvements.

[ParisDeJour]

I think its better to lose weight the old fashion way i too thought about it and after researching to me it wasnt worth it....so i just got a coach/trainer thats helping me lose the weight ive gained...ex size 5/6 now size 16/17...Its crazy how its easy to gain weight but harder to lose it...Even though my doc checked me to be heathly at my size my worst fear is getting older and becoming a diabetic .....Just eat right,stay.focused and dont lose hope!
I have an outfit already in size 5/6 i plan on wearing again hanging on my door n Iwanna wear it by winter..motivation!
Good luck
Ps avoid fast food!

[Jewish Lawyer]

Fuck man - go for it with the surgery. I don't have to tell you that the world hates fat people, you already know that. Lots of people have lost over 100 pounds and kept it off with weight loss surgeries. Many have lost 200 pounds. You can have another operation for the sagging skin. At the least, go see a weight loss surgeon. Do you really want to waste the rest of your life being fat and hating yourself?

[Pink Floyd]

When you start tracking your calories you will be amazed at how much you mindlessly eat. Sure some medicines might help you lose, but you aren't changing what is wrong. Younger Next Year is a good book because it explains why our bodies react as they do, and why our bodies decay.

Every person I have known that has had the bypass has gained all the weight back.

[alaine]

Go for the Gastric Bypass....It will forever change your life. Some things for the better and some not. I'm not going to go into all the medical issues that can happen from obesity OR issues that occur as a result of having the surgery.
A few random things to consider related to having gastric bypass.
Your body will become smaller, but it won't fix your head.
Most relationships do not survive this process.
The divorce rate among post bypass patients is very high.
The incidence of drug and alcohol abuse seems to be a problem.
On the plus side....you will probably gain about 2-3 inches in your cock length. You will most likely come off your medications pretty quickly. You get to clothes shop frequently.
All things considered.....I'd do it all over again in a heart beat.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[westexDD]

I agree with one above on having to watch yourself CAREFULLY even after gastric bypass. My mother had it done right before she was 50, she is about 5'3" and probably 250. She had it done and lost half her weight in about 6 months. Now about 3-4 years later now I can see it coming back slowly. You have to watch what you eat very carefully from now on, its a lifestyle change, not a diet. Ive always been hefty myself too. I decided last year that it was enough and im down 70 pounds since aug 12. I walk/jog 2-5 miles a day and watch my caloric intake really close. I use an app called Myfitness, its crazy how many calories you eat when youre not accounting yourself for them. Now I try and stick to 1000-1200 calories a day. On my jogging, I started out not being able to jog a 1/2 mile without having to stop and walk. Now I can jog a 5k fairly normally. I also have a right knee that is bone on bone and ive been told it needs to be replaced but cant because of my age and in January this year I tore a tendon in my foot by stepping on a rock while jogging, but gotta fight through it. Any reason not to lose it is just an excuse is my view any more. Ive got 40 or so to go to hit my goal of 200 from 308

[Aphrodite]

My own experience...

I had the gastric bypass and am so glad that I did. Yes, I had to have a tummy tuck and breast lift afterwards...again, still glad that I did.

Did it turn me into a skinny minny? No but it saved my life.

I am a strong advocate for health over thinness. Thin comes from being healthy and not depriving yourself from calories.

I am a huge advocate of the fruit/veggie 'plant based' lifestyle. A documentary that changed my life, in so many ways, is 'Forks over Knives'.

PM me for more info if you like

Aphrodite

[Lil Oral Annie]

If you want to have weight loss surgery, stay away from gastric bypass, vertical banded gastroplasty, sleeve, and any other surgery except the duodenal switch. There's a doc in Denton, TX who does it - Dr. Daryl Stewart. He's one of the best in the country. You will be happy with what you can eat post-op and 20 years later, people are still skinny. Wish I'd done that instead of the vertical banded gastroplasty in 2002. Might not have gained most of my weight back. Right now I'm doing myfitnesspal and watching calories and eating much better. I don't deprive myself, but I'm trying. I've lost 33 lbs in a year. Good luck to ya.

[CM in Waco]

I've had success with Medifast.... www.medifast1.com..... good luck with which ever path you choose.