[sue4491]

There is an interesting article on Weight Loss surgery in the August edition of "SELF Magazine" on page 146.

[ruiz4747]

big difference

[Queenofthenile]

I read that article. It kind of freaked me out. I haven't had surgery yet and it definately made me think.

[DocSanae]

Keep in mind, writers will usually pick up and concentrate on one side or another, never the middle, and they have a ways of taking your word out of your mouth and putting them in a context that gives an entirely different meaning, not what the speaker intended.
There will always be pros and cons about weight loss surgery.
I don't have access to the exact article, but what I can say is that, quite often, what can be remedied with least damage becomes irreversible damage because all the parties involved are not fully aware, or neglect to take the precautions when they are aware. This goes for both the patients and the drs. This also goes for any medical issue, not just weight loss.
The point is, are you very much aware of what the worst case scenario can be, as well as the best case scenario?
Awareness is a big tool, as it will help you to keep yourself and your drs on yours and their toes to check everything out that should be checked.
Even on this board, whatever Qs you have, you MUST go to YOUR surgeon or dr to verify whether things are going well or not, no matter what other members say.

[genmel]

hey Doc, here is the link to the article...
The weight loss miracle that isn't: Living Well Articles: self.com

[BreeChick]

bariatric beriberi? what the? is that?

[DocSanae]

Thanks genmel.
Okay, I have read it.
I will honestly say, it is a good article, very balanced, and includes everything I would say if someone asked me about weight loss surgery. Dr. Higa--though I have never met him, I know some surgeons who trained under him, or know him well--is a highly respected surgeon in the medical community, and his comments are very straightforward. At a glance, the article may seem negative, but it contains everything that anyone considering surgery should know.
The complications listed may seem scary, but we all know that someone or another of the members here have experienced one thing or another that is mentioned in the article. Whether it is debiliating or not, whether it is something you feel not worth experiencing in exchange of what you feel have improved, is what YOU and only YOU can decide.

There is one thing not discussed in the article, and that is that many obese people have various vitamin and nutrient deficiencies already pre op, and that some of these deficiencies are not discernible with the standard blood tests, and so the levels of substrates normaly not checked needs to be checked. If these deficiencies are not corrected pre op, the possiblity that it will get worse post op is always present, even if the patient thinks that he/she is supplementing sufficiently.

P.S. Beriberi is VB1 deficiency, and there have been reports of this in bariatric patients. When diagnosed early, the damages can be reversed with sufficient VB1 supplementation, but if not, then the damage can become irreversible.

[Spikey1341]

Even though this article is about the negative side effects of WLS, after reading it all the way through I have a different opinion that I did when I only read the first paragraph. What they really should have stressed more is research and know both the good and bad.

I can honestly say that those of us on this board that have had complications, requiring additional surgery would still do it all over again for the health benefits we have received. And as the article did point out, there are quacks everywhere. After researching and contemplating this surgery for 5 years I made an appt with a surgery center. The first question I asked in my initial consult was, "How many surgeries have you done and what were the complications your patients had?" If they hem and haw about the answer run. If they are a competent center they will not hesitate to answer those questions.

There are two sides to every coin, just as there are two sides to every story. The key is to be informed.

[A new me]

I agree with Jeanne. I read it quickly at work but then printed the article and then reread it again at home and I agree there are two sides to every coin. I wouldnt change a thing about what I have done with my life. right now its for the better and I am a new person. If something should arise like a problem then I will deal with that. But this surgery for me has been wonderful.

[DocSanae]

I agree with Jeanne and A new me, it isn't an article to be just scanned through and judged, it's best to read it in print, and get the facts straight. It is all about being well informed and awareness of the good and the bad of having weight loss surgery. In the end, it's the receipient of the surgery who is the ONLY person who can decided whether it helped you or not.