Recently, my weight has been on my mind--a lot. I am very near my highest-ever weight and I need to do something about dropping some poundage very, very soon. So, within the next few weeks, I will probably be doing some sort of 'diet' or 'eating program.' yippee. If only there was an easier way...
A few years ago, our local hospital got a resident gastric bypass specialty physician. And the number of people who went through this surgery just skyrocketed. Personally, I now know of (at least) four people who have had this surgery. And, unless it was medically necessary, I don't know if I would have this done. Frankly, I haven't seen much in the way of great results.
Two or three years ago, our next door neighbor began to look like 'death warmed over.' Frankly, I was very concerned because I thought he was battling cancer--and losing the fight. I came to find out that he was losing weight because of gastric bypass surgery. Several months later, he had more surgery to remove the excess skin from his body. Finally, he leveled out and began to look much better. Today, he has gained back 1/4th to 1/2 of all the weight he had lost.
A year or so ago, I commented to The Youngest that our neighbor across the street was losing weight. I said that he must be making his move to try for another elected office and then forgot about it all. He never got to a point where I even dreamed he had surgery, but I was informed yesterday that he DID have it. Since noticing his weight loss, he too, has gained back up to 1/2 of the weight he lost.
The Oldest knows an acquaintance of mine who had this same surgery. After losing over half his body weight, he now has gained back MORE than what he lost.
Our niece-in-law also had surgery. She lost quite a bit of weight, but never got that terrible look that so many get. At least, not that I know of--we don't see her or her husband that often. I'm not sure whether she has kept her weight off, but she seemed to have leveled off before losing everything she needed to. I do remember her telling me that she was not able to eat sugar or fatty foods without getting VERY physically sick every time. She had to watch what she ate very carefully.
From everything I have read or been told, after having gastric bypass surgery, you have to be very careful about what and how much you eat. You have to exercise and change your eating habits from what they had been. You have to completely change the way you think about food and how you approach eating. You have to change your mindset. So, where does this differ from going on a 'diet' and exercise program? Other than the rate of weight loss, I see no difference. And, then you have the possible side-effects from the surgery, so why go through with it? I will never say never--we don't know what direction any of our lives will take--but I don't think I would willingly go through with this myself. It is a bit of a scary thought.
Let's Do It The 'Easy' Way
