I believe by pass is not an easy way out. It is just a tool. even with the weight loss there are still psycological issues to deal with.It is not just the weight but the stigma that is diffisult to deal with.I believe most over weight people are glad if you have found a remedy no matter what that might be.

Thanks, I agree. I have a friend who lost all her weight and when she goes anywhere she finds the big person in the room and she told me that in her head she tells herself "I am the same size as you" it is like even after you leave the prison of obesity... you are still there in a way. I wonder how I will feel when I lose all the weight and I walk into a room and no longer can have a knowing glance from another big person. I wonder if the loss of kinship will bother me... or will I never accept that I am not that anymore...

Hi Amelia. I agree with gene2. Gastric Bypass is simply a means to an end...and a way for people to begin to change their lifestyle. It is a lifestyle change. I just finished a 6 month class leading up to bariatric surgery, and, I've learned so much. It is a very rigourous change, your eating habits change, your exercise habits change, your mental state changes, and your friends and family around you sometimes change, some for the better, some, not so...but remember, get all of the information you can get, maybe see if your healthcare provider offers classes in some sort of Living and Aging Well course, and make sure you're well informed, prior to surgery. Good luck, and welcome to this forum...Mari

Hi I think to each his own. If that is what you thought would help you than good for you. Any way you look at it diet and a healthy lifestyle is not easy. good Luck to you in your weight loss journey. Hugs Denise

Nothing about bypass surgery sounds easy to me. I have thought about it for myself and still hold on to it as a if all else fails sort of thing but I am frightened of it. What I feel most towards those who took that route is a respect for the courage that it takes.

With a lot of big ppl they have tried the exersise and the diets and just need that extra help if you are changing your life for the better you should never think of yourself as a traitor you are doing what you think is right for you if I could afford it I would do it too lol

You definitely didn't take the easy way out, and whoever says you doesn't understand what you've been through. I'm actually going to have my surgery in a few months, and I can't wait for it. That's one of the main scares I have about it though, losing my sense of self, since right now my weight is such a big (no pun) part of me. It changes everything I think to do, and I always had to work my plans around it. Oh well.

Grats on your surgery, and to anywho who thinks you took the easy way out, screw em ;)

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this site and thought I would jump in and be a part. I have a sister who had bypass about 20 yrs. ago. She ended up with a staph infection in the incision and it didn't heal for about 6 months. And I just talked to her daughter and found out that she is going to have surgery for the scar tissue causing her problems now. This is just a case of what can go wrong and shouldn't be taken as a negative. It's totally up to everyone to make up their own minds about this surgery.

I think anyone who has done the slightest amount of research would know that surgery is not the easy way out. Two of my friends have had GBS, but only after YEARS of struggling to lose weight and trying everything under the sun. They both are doing well and are still the same friendly gals they were when they were overweight. They remain my friends and are very supportive of me in my efforts. I think once you've been through a challenge, you are more sympathetic to those in the same boat. God bless!

I don't think you're a traitor at all. You've made some HUGE changes that will affect you for the rest of your life. Not everyone can do that, me included! You're personality may changes a bit with the new self confidence, but your values, morals, ethics, etc. will still be the same. You'll be a confident woman rather than one who is always self-conscious.
I used to think it was an easy way out until I explored it. You definately have healthy life ahead of you. I'm happy for your new found freedom!!!

definately NOT a traitor. :) i'm sure i'm echoing what everyone else here has said already, but there is no easy way out of this kind of thing. heck, i just had my gall bladder out and i thought i was going to die. does anyone know how big it is? it's TINY! and i was crying like a baby. any surgery, no matter what it's for, is a big decision.

about being a traitor, i think we all have very personal issues attached to our weight. i've had experiences where a friend of mine will lose weight and i'll start feeling bad about myself. then i have skinny friends who gain weight and i think in my head, "now you KNOW!" i think i might be going to hell for that one, but that's really how i feel.

i'm definatley concerned to how people will relate to me if i lose weight. it changes you. any change is hard. heck, just getting a job is hard sometimes. i'm just trying to look at things with out judgement right now. what is real? what is true? it looks like what's real for you is that you feel this is the right desicion for you and that's really all that matters.

I have thought about having the surgery. But I think I wouldn't benefit from it. I don't eat regular now. IF my stomach were smaller I would be of ill health. Something is screwy with my body. I have to eat a balanced routine diet to lose weight. I think a person has to learn to do that before the surgery , right?

Hi Amelia, I don't think you're a traitor at all. From what I've heard about this surgery it's not very easy and can lead to a lot of complications.I think you we're brave to go through with it and it will make you sensitive to how we as obese people feel. My doctor suggested it to me too. And I can't do it, I'm too scared that something will go wrong.
So good for you. You did what you needed to do for yourself.
Everybody's different--so good luck with your journey!

my daughter had gastric bypass 2 yrs ago,she is now 110 pounds.
i think you made the decision you felt would benfit you the most.
you are not a traitor.
good luck with your weight loss.

I think anyone who has gastric bypass surgery must be at the end of their tether with trying to lose weight....they're also very brave to take the risk of surgery....Despite what some people say being obese is not easy ...so I think you're very brave...I dont think its the easy way out and I dont think you're a 'traitor' either...Love M x