Diary of a Fat Girl

You may want to check out this blog entry about the true cost of bariatric surgery, if you haven't seen it already.

http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-we-never-hear-why-people-dont-talk.html

A couple years ago, I researched WLS--both bypass and gastric banding--because I was heading toward fifty and still morbidly obese after cycles of loss/regain. These sorts of comments (as well as fear of complications, like the ones Melting Mama, among others, has displayed) scared me off. I don't write it totally off (after all, being MO has its own issues), but reading about regains--and seeing regain among a few people in the media and among friends--made me say "nay" to WLS.

I really don't want to have my insides rejiggered and then get fat again.

However, for folks who only regain PARTIALLY, I think the surgery has to be considered still successful. Carnie Wilson has regained, but she's not 300 lbs. She's more like 200. And that's still a healthier weight than where she was. For those who regain it all, it's gotta be amazingly depressing. For those who regain some, it's worrisome and disappointing. But to still be way below original weight is something to focus on and be glad (as long as life is not crippled by complications.)

I think that eating VLC for so long (ie 500 to 700) the way WLS people do for extended periods does set the metabolism up to slowing down, so that when folks start eating a bit more normally (1000 ir 1200 calories plus), weight will rebound. Starvation mode affects metabolism.

But there must be something wonderful about not having that insane, gnawing appetite that we MO's have. I have never been not hungry. Not flu, not surgery, not nothing takes my appetite away, except for ONCE--when I fell in love. I lost about 5 pounds the first few weeks from not eating as much and being nutty. But I soon gained that back. :)


I think there needs to be support and follow-up to help those who feel lost with regaining. WLS docs really, really need to address this. It's too much to risk one's life on an operating table only to find out later maybe it was a waste of time, maybe.

I hope you regain your joy and your weight goes down again.

The Princess

@Angel, I followed your advice. I put the link under the cartoon in my blog today! Thanks for directing me to that great blog post. I hadn't followed JunkFoodScience since she trashed raw milk but I'm glad you sent me to her once again. WLS is a tragedy for some and the WLS community can be cruel. I appreciate the link!....... @Princess Thanks so much for understanding. I was over 400 and now I'm under 300 so I am happy about that. BUT the hunger? It's back and it's bad. Even Melting Mama reports feeling hungry every 90 minutes. WLS is too risky and unpredictable. Very Low Calorie leads to weight gain eventually. Very Low Carb? I'll let you know how that goes for me. You've always been an excellent blogger. Wishing you well!!

very good ..
it's interesting for me, thank you .There should be right balance between energy intake and energy loss.It depends on the body mechanism .