Posted by Bobbie | Posted in Weight Loss | Posted on Wed February 17, 2010
After reading over at The Anti-Jared (the topic was gastric bypass), it made me think back to my experiences in attempting to have gastric bypass surgery back in 2002.
After I had my first son at the age of 22 in 2000, I never lost the weight I gained throughout the pregnancy. I felt miserable and was looking for a quick fix. I had never really “dieted” at that point. Even though I had gained lots of weight from my late teens up until that point, I hadn’t been successful at losing anything substantial. I didn’t know what to do to get the weight off. I wanted a magic pill.
At that time, I worked at a doctor’s office as an office assistant and the other assistant there had a twin sister that had had gastric bypass. She was very thin and gaunt, and always looked so sickly – just her complexion and hair, and well everything. That didn’t deter me at all because all I could focus on was the fact I needed to get the weight off NOW. What was my urgency? I have no idea. It had taken me several years to put on the weight, and now I wanted it off in the snap of a finger.
Here I am after delivering my third child.
Lots of weight gain through three pregnancies.
I called a local doctor’s office that performed gastric bypass and went through a phone screening with the nurse. The types of questions she asked me were kind of silly. For instance, “Have I tried everything possible to lose the weight?” and “Have I tried x amount of diets up until this point?” Since I wanted the surgery (and a QUICK FIX), I of course stated my case the best I could and told some white lies.
Then it got to the point where she asked my height and weight. I’m 5′ 9″ and at the time was around 265 lbs. It seemed I was right on the cusp or a few pounds less from where I needed to be to get approved for the surgery. It was slyly suggested to me that I “gain a few pounds” so that I could set up a face to face consult with the doctor. Of course the nurse didn’t come right out and say “gain weight!” but it was very clear that I needed to put on 5-10 more pounds to have a green light for my insurance company to cover the costs, and they weren’t interested in meeting with me unless they were going to be paid.
I didn’t follow through with the surgery or gaining the extra weight for that cause. It just didn’t feel right. I ended up getting pregnant with my second son shortly after – and with his pregnancy I got up to my highest weight ever – 300 lbs. (Eventually I lost over 80 lbs on the low carb diet, but gained it all back.)
Here’s a picture of my husband and I back in
2004 after I lost 80 lbs on my own.
I’m glad I didn’t do the surgery. I’ve known a few people that have done it. While they’ve seen great results weight loss wise, there are other issues. There is one gal I know that had it done that constantly has potassium issues and non-stop menstrual bleeding and is in the ER or at the doctor all of the time because of this. Another person I know has trouble with lots of extra hanging skin and still can’t eat or drink ANYTHING without it coming out one of two ends immediately. My Aunt Karen, a diabetic, had the surgery and died from complications.
I also think about Carnie Wilson. That poor gal has gained a ton of her weight back (after gastric bypass surgery and two pregnancies) and is STILL STRUGGLING.
Carnie recently appeared on the Dr. Oz show
where he notified her that she’s MORBIDLY OBESE.
While I think that gastric bypass probably saves lives and should be used as a last resort, I’m glad I never got to the point where I had no other option.
There are lots and lots of obese people that have lost weight the good old fashioned way – hard work, sweat, perseverance and patience – and I’m proud to be in that club. It’s as much about the weight loss journey for me as it is about actually LOSING the weight. I don’t subscribe to the “quick fix club” or “magic pill theory” anymore.
Do you know anyone that has had gastric bypass? What are your thoughts on the surgery?
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 9:07 AM
i don’t judge anyone for having surgery. and please don’t think i thought (follow that?) you were judging, my impression is you are starting a dialogue. everyone has their own path to follow and only you know what that path is like. that said, i don’t think weight loss surgery is the path for me. the reason being i know i can lose the weight if i apply myself.
but for full disclosure here, i had breast augmentation several years ago, when i had been at my goal weight for over 2 years. i researched it after reaching my goal, and waited that long to see if i still wanted to do it. because it’s a big decision, no pun intended. ok, maybe the pun was intended.
but to answer your question, i have known a few people who had weight loss surgery. i knew a woman who had it in her late teens; she was in her mid-30’s when i knew her. she said her entire family had a history of obesity. she was not thin or fit but she did not appear to be obese, to me. she said she had stretched out her stomach over the years and now she could eat an entire hotpocket at one sitting. that says to me, big life changes were made and you have to really want it to do it. and i knew of another woman who was in a coma because of complications from the surgery. i believe everything ended up ok for her but how scary. and i guess that says you likely would be in a situation where the risks of not doing the surgery outweigh (ok, no pun intended this time, really) the risks of the actual procedure.
just some random thoughts.
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Liz,
Good points. I want everyone to understand that I’m not judging either. I know some people have to do it or they make the choice that it’s right for them. That’s okay.
And I’d love to have a breast augmentation. I’m not anti-surgery by any means.
I still think that there’s a mental component to this beast I refer to as obesity. You can have the surgery or lose the weight in another method, but if you don’t fix what’s mental or emotionally inside you that caused you to get big in the first place, losing the weight probably will be temporary.
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 9:08 AM
I don’t know anyone personally who has had the surgery, but from what I’ve read about the side effects, I find it to be a last resort. You hear these horror stories about these poor people having to vomit if they eat more than a few bites of food.
I did see Carnie Wilson on a talk show shortly after her procedure and what she described was not pretty. How sad that she went through all of that and is still struggling.
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I really feel bad for Carnie. I actually bought and read her book way back when and I related to her. i hate to see someone suffering so much about their weight, especially after having a difficult procedure. :(
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 9:08 AM
and i’m so sorry to hear about your aunt.
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Oh, thanks Liz. I didn’t really know her too well and we were not close. But I felt bad for her because she struggled her whole life with diabetes and obesity. She was really hoping to have a fix with the surgery and things obviously didn’t workout. :(
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 9:56 AM
I don’t know anyone who has had it, but I really do think it would be at last resort, and thats even if it has to absolutely be on the table at all. There are SO MANY risks and it really doesn’t teach you how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Steve´s last blog ..Status Report (Hindenburg Style): Week 19
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Thank you for reading and posting a comment. :)
I like your attitude. Having the surgery doesn’t necessarily cure the problem so it should be a last resort IMO.
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 10:18 AM
interesting post. i can certainly understand how people would want a quick fix for their weight, i mean really, who wants to wait for months or years to get to the weight they are aiming for? however, any kind of elective surgery is scary and can have complications, as you sadly know with your aunt.
as you said, it takes a long time to put the weight on. i personally feel that the best way is to take it off slowly,safely and healthily (is that even a word?)
getting the surgery does not help you to deal with the emotional issues that got you to be overweight in the first place. that is truly the first step in losing weight – dealing with what got you there in the first place, then taking steps to get mentally and physically healthy.
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
You are so right love2eatinpa. I believe most of my eating problems are mental/emotional. No surgery would have cured me had I even qualified. I’m so glad I didn’t go that route. I was meant to go down this path.
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love2eatinpa Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
and oh, just to clarify, i didn’t mean you, as in talking to you about dealing with emotional issues, i meant “you” in the general sense, as in everybody. :)
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Oh, yep – I knew what you meant. :)
Wed February 17, 2010 at 12:08 PM
This is a great post! I didn’t know that you had lost 80lbs before! I did the low carb thing in the past as well- def not a realistic solution. I think that gastric bypass should be used as a last case resort, but I guess I can’t blame someone for wanting to have the surgery before the reach 400lbs- I don’t know- I mean when is it really a “last case resort” unless you can’t excercise or can’t eat right for some crazy reason. I just don’t know…
Tiffany´s last blog ..Day #48: Silencing the Voices
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Yep, the 80 lbs was fantastic and all, but then I gained it all back which really sucked!!!! LOL I have to do it right this time, so I NEVER EVER gain it back.
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 1:14 PM
I think having gastric surgery shows a lack of mental fortitude. It won’t make you lose weight any faster than old-fashioned diet and exercise, but it does divorce your brain from the whole process.
Perhaps that’s what some people need. I feel sorry for anyone who has to rearrange their internal organs, rather than be able to maintain a diet/exercise routine.
Harry´s last blog ..“Another 5 minutes for the blog”
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Me too Harry. Do you watch The Biggest Loser? Do you remember last season (or maybe 2 seasons ago) they had on a father that had the surgery and he gained everything back and then some? Wouldn’t that be the worst? To know that you went through major surgery, jacked up your organs and then it didn’t really fix the issue? :(
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Hi there,
I ran across your post and wanted to share some thoughts. In 2001, I had gastric bypass surgery. I had a LOT of weight to lose and the idea of a diet was laughable to me, and I was only 21 years old at the time. My life pretty much consisted of eating and going to work. Going to wal-mart was an effort comparable to running a marathon for normal people. I had the surgery and lost around 200 pounds in about two years. I felt great and was living the life I had been unable to live in my teens. I could go shopping anywhere, go out to clubs, have dates and relationships, it was great.
Luckily, I was able to keep my weight off for about 8 years. I think it’s because I was so weight obsessed that as soon as I put on 10 pounds, I would immediately diet/exercise it back off and get back on track. I had several family members have the surgery (which led me to the decision of having it in the first place) and 2 out of 3 of them gained all their weight back–and then some–which kept me scared enough to keep my weight in check.
Until 2009. The year of happiness and laziness and lots of food. My 10 pounds became 40 pounds. And it was just all of a sudden it seemed like. So I started my lifestyle change and have gotten 30 of it off over the past 6 months or so.
I don’t really know why I replied except to share my story. The surgery was the best thing I have ever done (it gave me my life back) but I had no complications because I followed the rules (for the most part) and took my B12 and such. It allowed me to lose a ton of weight and keep it off (ahem until last year, lol…) and in NO way is it an “easy way out” or a “quick fix” It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever been through, and it was a lifestyle change in its own right. However, it didn’t fix my life forever and I still have to watch what I eat like everyone else…moreso as of late. I still have to diet and exercise, and count calories and keep a weight loss blog…blah. I guess it’ll be a lifelong struggle with weight control for me! :)
And I think it’s kinda offensive that someone said it showed a “lack of mental fortitude”. I completely disagree. Perhaps we (I) could have lost the same amount of weight if I had hardcore dieted and exercised, but I took a loooonnng time to debate the pros and cons of what I was doing before I chose surgery, and for me, it was the right decision at the time. I think if people aren’t ready to change their lives along with doing the surgery, they are bound to lose the battle with weight no matter what they decide.
Craig´s last blog ..Week 23 Progress/Perfect 10 Update
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Craig, Thank you for visiting my blog and posting your story. I really mean that. :)
I do want to make it clear that in NO WAY do I think that surgery is an easy alternative. I know some people absolutely have to do this as a last resort or only option.
I can understand where you found it offensive about the comment about the mental fortitude, but as you know we are all entitled to our opinions and I really appreciate you sharing yours. I can see both sides of the coin here and I hope that you can understand another point of view as well and not let it upset you.
It sounds like you’ve come so far and even now you’re doing it, so you should be really proud of yourself.
Thanks again for visiting, I hope you’ll continue to comment and share your experience and insight with us.
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Craig Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Absolutely! I’m not upset or anything, it just bothers me when people act like people that have gastric bypass had it easy or a quick fix. It sucked and the first 6 months or so were awwwwwful with all the jello and broth to eat, the postop pain, learning how to eat without getting sick, the bleeding scar, ugh! I would not want to do it again–but at the same time, I WOULD do it again for the results. I always joke around with my surgeon when he’d have me come to support groups for people that wanted to have the surgery that I scared his customers away, because I always told the ugly truth about the surgery, how horrible it was for a while afterwards. I did that to scare off the people that didn’t need it. There were a lot in there that were not morbidly obese in any way. I felt they COULD do it with a good diet program. Then, I’d see someone barely able to walk from their car into the building and I’d connect with them because I know how it felt to be that big. And keep in mind I was like 21 at the time. I so desperately just wanted a near-normal life.
No doubt about it, I’d already be dead if I hadn’t had the surgery. At least now I can gripe and go on diets to lose weight…but when I had over 200 pounds to lose it seemed impossible. Of course, nowadays with shows like “Biggest Loser” on, I might have had more motivation to do it the natural way, lol.
I’m very proud of the journey I’ve had. Not quite as proud of the fact I had put on the 40 pounds last year, LOL! But I’m glad I’ve gotten most of it off. Without a doubt I’ll always have to watch what I eat and exercise–forever. I’ve just accepted that. Now, if only I didn’t like food and love to eat as much as I do…haha =)
Craig´s last blog ..Week 23 Progress/Perfect 10 Update
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
It sounds like you’ve been through a lot and come out on top. :)
My uncle died over 2 yrs ago and he weighed in somewhere between 400-600 lbs. I think he would have been a good candidate for the surgery, someone that has no hope or chance to lose the weight that is more than morbidly obese. You can see the post I wrote about here: http://www.anonymousfatgirl.com/?p=139
The Biggest Loser is quite motivating, isn’t it? :)
Craig Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Yes, it’s very motivating! I wish it had been on back when I was that weight..or even on my way to that weight. I would go on big diet programs and drop 50 pounds or so and of course gain it all back and then some!
Craig´s last blog ..Week 23 Progress/Perfect 10 Update
Wed February 17, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Wow, what a story you have! I am glad you choose to lose your weight on your own. Yes, I can see how this surgery may be a last resort but many don’t do that.. they use it as a quick fix. I have a friend that tells me of her friend that had it & the lady is so obsessed with food still She never really learned the lifestyle changes & she basically got approved for it by giving them the answers they wanted.
Like others, I am not anti surgery, Jeez, I would have a boob job & some face work done if I had the money! :-)
Really interesting post & thx for sharing!
Hope you are feeling better!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Leg/Butt Move; You are Worth It!
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I would TOTALLY have a boob job if I could afford it too!!!! LOL
Yes, my whole reason in posting this today was to tell my experience with this and how easy it would be to manipulate the situation so you could have surgery. All I had to do was gain a few lbs & tell the nurse I’ve tried everything – when I hadn’t tried EVERYTHING by any stretch of the imagination.
I think the biggest thing to learn from Craig’s post is that you still have to get past the mental part of eating. It’s something I know that I will personally struggle with always.
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 3:20 PM
Nice. This is great fuel for my next post AFG! Thank you.
Emergefit´s last blog ..State Of The Art Starts With Smarts…
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Glad I could help Roy!!! :)
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 4:49 PM
I have never thought gastric bypass as an easy way out… I have read about the complications and the struggles one who has the surgery goes thru..
Altho I wanted it in the past, I (according to all I read) was not a candidate for it…..
The difference I see in the surgery & good old fashioned dieting/exercising is that if you have the surgery you HAVE to follow the rules to the letter or suffer the consequences. (sickness/complications)
Dieting/exercising there is no one (really) pushing you but YOU!. No vomiting if you eat more than a couple of bites…. no recourse if you don’t workout… you are your only cheerleader whereas with the surgery your whole body will rebel if you don’t eat right…….
Just my 2 cents…
and BTW: when they start handing out boob jobs… I will be fighting yall for 1st in line… not sure I can take yall but I can give it a good effort.. :)
(Thanks for thought provoking blogs)
Tina´s last blog ..A little about me……
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Tina, when I get down to my goal weight I will seriously consider the boobs. My husband swears up and down that I don’t need to do that (I’ve trained him well), but that’s one area I’ve always wanted to improve on. Not necessarily size, but just overall appearance. If I do it, don’t you know I’ll be videoing. LOL
And you’re very welcome for the posts. Thanks so much for being active and giving your thoughts. I appreciate that. :)
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 5:56 PM
I would never judge anyone for choosing to have surgery, but I’m glad for your sake that you chose not to. I made the same choice and I’m so happy I lost weight the regular way.
By the way – you look beautiful in all those pictures!
Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..My Trip To Meet Dr. Oz
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 7:34 PM
I have mixed feelings about weight loss surgeries. Most people I know *personally* who have had surgery had it years ago and have mostly managed to keep the weight off. (One friend is now re-gaining, 10 years after her surgery, but she’s trying to get back on top of it.) Another friend had lap-band surgery about 5 years ago, suffered horrible complications, and is now thousands of dollars poorer. She never lost a pound. :(
My primary objection to surgery is that it has become an industry, and many unscrupulous doctors are cashing in on the trend, using a screening process that is, at best, laughable. They’ll do the surgery, but the additional work needed in nutrition and counseling is a hit-and-miss affair. (Having said that, I’m sure there are plenty of doctors who do it the right way.)
Like I said, mixed feelings about it all. I’m immensely happy for those for whom it worked, but that’s tempered by the heartbreak I feel for those who didn’t have that experience, for whatever reason.
I’m wondering if WLS patients would opt for personal training and nutritional consultations if insurance companies paid for it.
Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..My First Lent, My Way
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Wed February 17, 2010 at 8:55 PM
I know people that have had it. For me personally it has never been an option. But if that is the path people choose I wish them success.
Merry Mary´s last blog ..Why I Became Obese – Emotional Eating
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Thu February 18, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I don’t know anyone who has had the surgery. After watching shows like the biggest loser, and reading blog where people lost the weight through diet and exercise, I have mixed feelings about it. I don’t judge anyone for having it, there is a solution for everyone, and for some that what they need to do.
Molly´s last blog ..Tricia is an Inspriation
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Thu February 18, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Hmmm… gastric bypass. Well, I would be lying if I said that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind a time or two. I was actually dating someone who was going to get it. He was in a support group for others who had gotten it/ were thinking of getting it.
I know that it saves lives for some. I believe that it saved his life. Because he did try everything and literally nothing worked.
However, I don’t believe it is something to tread in lightly.
If I look at myself today, I would say that I make a great candidate for gastric bypass because I have 100+ pounds to lose.
BUT after having three c-sections, gastric bypass absolutely scares me. My c-sections weren’t horrible, but I remember being worried that my guts were going to fall out. Or worried that they punctured or nicked something inside because I was in a lot of pain the first couple of days.
So I couldn’t imagine having gastric bypass.
There is also a link now between gastric bypass and alcoholism. Because if you can’t have food in the way you once could, and you haven’t worked on your emotional – internal issues, then you will gravitate toward something else to use a crutch. I can see it and have seen proof of it in the form of two girls I went to high school with who have had the surgery and are now alcoholics.
Man… I could go on and on about this… lol.
~Kellie
The Chubby Girl Diaries´s last blog ..Reach higher… Push harder
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 19th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Interesting Kellie! I wonder if there is a link. It makes sense that if you don’t get over the reasons that trigger you to eat, you would replace it with another destructive habit.
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Thu February 18, 2010 at 11:18 AM
[...] Bobbie over at Anonymous Fat girl, brought up a really good topic today on her blog in regards to gastric bypass surgery. [...]
Thu February 18, 2010 at 11:37 AM
I don’t know anybody who’s had gastric bypass but my sister-in-law just had LapBand. I have to admit that I have been HUGELY envious of her for being able to do it but you know what? Her thing is about losing weight. Mine is about being healthy and strong. So mine’s going to take longer but I think I’ll be better off for doing it the hard way. Maybe I’ll gain some understanding into HOW and WHY I got myself into this shape along the journey. But that’s just me.
PS My SIL is really upset because she has just gained 2 lbs.
Shelby´s last blog ..Thankful Thursday
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Thu February 18, 2010 at 12:09 PM
My cousin had the surgery in his thirties. He was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and was overweight all his life (his mom drank, he ate). He was morbidly obese. The first physician turned him away; they didn’t think he was mentally ready. Another place did the surgery. He didn’t change his lifestyle and has gained a lot of it back. Very sad.
As for me, the only area on my body that I’ve noticed losing weight is the chest. If I had the cash, I’d consider the boob-job. Then I’d feel to guilty and give the money to charity instead. :)
Gina Fit by 41, Maybe 42´s last blog ..De-cluttering
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Sat February 20, 2010 at 11:16 PM
While gastric bypass isn’t something I’m interested in for myself, I do have a friend that used this option. She was over 100 pounds overweight, and had been for probably 15 years. She had the surgery with fantastic results. She looks and feels wonderful. Her weight loss has inspired her entire family to lose weight. Her mom, sister, and husband have all lost substantial amounts of weight. In her case, its been a great option. But really, its different in every situation I guess.
Amanda´s last blog ..First Weigh In
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Anonymous Fat Girl Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 11:03 am
Amanda, thank you for commenting and reading my blog. And thanks for the gastric bypass success story. I love reading about success stories. :)
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