Conference rocks::weight_control

    Catherine,
    
    I don\t know what "flames" you didn\t want but I haven\t heard anything
    positive  positive about this procedure.  In order to maintain
    weightloss, you have to change your eating habits and your lifestyle. 
    There are no quick fixes.  Bypass surgery is only done on morbidly
    obese people for whom continuing at their present weight presents an
    immediate danger.
    
    Please think seriously about alternatives, Overeaters Anonymous, Weight
    Watchers, any sensible lifetime plan.
    
    There is plenty of support in this file, people who have had success
    and those of us who continue the battle.  We care.
    
    Sylvia

    Sylvia -
    
    I wouldn't even consider a bypass until it became a last resort.
    
    I _have_ tried all the other alternatives, except one, which I just
    started this week: a psychoanalyst specializing in eating disorders (I'm
    a compulsive [sometimes bulimic] overeater). It's as though I have two 
    minds:  one of them does great and wants to lose the weight,
    and the other one has accepted me as I am and doesn't want to lose the
    weight.  It's a constant battle going on in my head, and I'm going to
    try to handle it through therapy.  In the meantime, I am looking at other
    alternatives, namely, the bypass.
    
    Another thing about the bypass that interested me is that I have had
    stomach problems off and on for nearly 20 years.  When I changed my
    eating habits for the better after a hysterectomy last October, all of
    a sudden I wasn't having stomach aches on a regular basis, and I lost
    20 pounds in the two months I was off.  I don't touch chocolate any
    more (nearly 6 months) and am close to being off refined sugar
    completely.  I have replaced soft drinks with water, except every once
    in a while, and then regular ones with no caffeine (Sprite, Slice).  I
    have an intense headache reaction when I have anything with Nutrasweet
    in it, so most diet drinks are out.  After having the bypass, your
    stomach is reduced to such a small size that any excess or incorrect food 
    will cause you to become sick.  I thought about "pretending" that my
    stomach was the size it would be after the surgery and maybe try
    "dieting" like that for a while.  If it works, then I can do it without
    the surgery.  If not, then onward.
    
    I started exercising while I was on STD, and am trying my best to 
    exercise to Richard Simmons two or three times a week (I have asthma 
    and can't work out too long).
    
    Other medical problems that have come up:  a severe, continuous
    headache (seeing a neurologist, opthmalogist, and have an MRI scheduled
    for that); hypertension (under control); stomach aches several times a
    week.  There is also a history of heart disease, heart attack, and
    diabetes in my family.  According to the doctor, I'm a prime candidate
    for the surgery.  He says that the risk factor is no more than that of
    a hysterectomy, gall bladder or other regularly-performed operation.  I
    survived the hysterectomy and a carpal-tunnel surgery (1990) with
    flying colors, so I don't feel that this one would be more of a risk
    than the others.
    
    I AM going to give the psychoanalyst a chance, though.  I figure within
    six months, there should be some improvement and/or I should be on my
    way to beating the food monster within.  If not, I may still consider
    the surgery.
    
    Thanks for listening.
    
    Catherine
    

Risk aside, I think what Sylvia was getting at is that it's not worth it to
take any risks if you are not going to deal with the behavioral changes that
are required for long term control.  On the other hand, it's between you and
your doctor to decide if you are at greater risk by staying at your current
weight.  In my case, my health risks outweighted the risks involved with a
medically supervised fast.  With regards to insurance, Hancock will cover a 
lot if you are considered "clinically obese" (I forget what the % over ideal
weight was that qualifies you).  However, I found that it usually to several 
go rounds with them to make them realize that they do cover the costs that they
say they cover (the fun of dealing with bureaucracies).

I think you are doing the right thing, seeing a psychologist.  The best part 
of my weight loss plan was the weekly group sessions.  There are still a few of 
us who meet every other week with the same psychologist, and it's now 2 years
later.  I'm still learning things.  On of the topics we cover regularly is 
why people have eating disorders.  He has related an amazing number of cases
where root causes could be traced back to abuses suffered as children.  Not
to say that this is always the problem, it just amazed me how complex our 
minds and behavior patterms can be.  I guess what I'm trying to say here is
at the end of six months, don't judge your progress with your analyst by the
scale, judge it by your level of self understanding.

    No advice, just observations.  My sister was 200# overweight (at
    least--she won't say if its more) and lost 100# with this surgury.  She
    can't eat fried food and most meats, or very large amounts without
    vomiting.  She did not change the frequency in which she ate after a
    few months of behaving, and the stomach muscles started to stretch
    again.  She has not lost any more weight from this procedure, but HAS
    started to lose weight by eating high fiber foods and low fat.
    
    From observing her, if you don't change your eating habits, the surgery
    will not be a "cure all". (besides mutilating your insides)
    
    
    dh

    Catherine,
    
    I'm glad you are considering all options.  Give the therapy a while. 
    Is it strictly individual therapy?  You might want to consider some
    sort of group work as well if it is.
    
    Exercise is great for you no matter what method of weightloss you opt
    for.  And since my mom has chronic asthma, I know what you are going
    through.  Try a very extended warm-up (30 minutes), a very gradual
    ramp-up and you should be able to do a good workout.  My mom is 65
    years old and she does well with aerobics tapes designed for
    asthmatics, I can get info if you'd like.
    
    If you can accept yourself heavy, and you feel and look the way you
    want to feel and look, that is a fine choice for you.  It is a very
    personal thing.  I was fat all of my life and I wasn't happy about it. 
    Now I look and feel good (for me, even though I am 140 pounds at only 5
    foot 3 so most people would consider me heavy) and exercise and healthy
    eating are part of my lifestyle.  
    
    We can chat more, on or off-line if you are interested.
    
    Good luck with the battle...
    
    Sylvia

    Catherine,
    
    I had the Intestinal bypass done in 1978. I am 5' tall and weighted 260
    pounds.  I lost 95 pounds and have kept off 80 pounds to date.
    
    I have a very dear friend who had the Gastric Bypass as she drank and
    with the Intestinal bypass one can no longer drink liquoir as there
    is a high risk of liver damage. With no change in her eating habits or
    her looking into why she ate, she has gained back 70 of the 120+ pounds
    she lost. (IMHO)
    
    I have no regrets in having the operation.  I have been fortunate to have
    been able to have plastic surgery to remove all the excess fat/skin
    after 10 years of not gaining any weight. I am currently a member of
    Overeaters Anonymous and seeing a therapist who specializes in
    chemicaly dependencies.
    
    Take Care.
    Marie