I really like that this will get googled by someone considering this.

My big problem with it isn't the puritanical one (that they should
"suffer" the way we had to suffer) but that it isn't really a cure.

We got fat because we didn't do the basic maintenance required by owners
of human bodies.  Maybe we didn't know how, or maybe we chose not to,
but for whatever reason, we need to fix our impediments and start doing
it.  I just think this is best done WHILE you lose the weight, in fits
and starts, not all at once after you lose the weight.  There are too
many skills to pick up along the way.

I mean, you STILL have to do the same exact work in changing your
lifestyle.  Why put yourself through surgery and force yourself to know
everyting about being thin all at once?

Dally

The woman on the tv show I mentioned in the other post will spend ~$125,000
for all her surgeries.  But for her at 525 pounds, it was do or die to lose
the weight.  She lost the weight on a diet similar to Atkins they said but
w/o stomach stapling or other bariatic surgery.

Tonia

That is about the 3rd time I read something like this.

Do you think your friend's refusal to exericise is just a matter of her
tastes or do you think it is a lack of energy as a result of her
depleted condition?

Its hard to fathom someone being willing to go through surgery, those
kind of after effects and not being willing to go to a gym a few times a
week.

Steve

I know two women who had WLS a few years ago.  Both were able to lose the
weight in the beginning but neither started an exercise program.  Both have
gained back all their weight and suffer from health problems associated
with the surgery.  For me personally, WLS would never be an option - I'm a
big chicken when it comes to any type of surgery.
I had surgery on a finger about 20 years ago and the doctor told me I would
probably require additional surgery sometime in the future to remove scar
tissue if it developed.  Well, I have this nice little bump of scar tissue
on the finger and I'm still debating about getting it removed<g>
Someday........maybe.

Beverly

Not to mention that she originally said that she was even less overweight,
but had to GAIN weight on purpose to qualify.  This would almost qualify as
an eating disorder, how different is it from someone who hurts themself by
throwing up after eating or starving oneself?

But my goodness, are they just passing out this surgery like candy?  We're
talking about a rather dangerous procedure, and in this case at least it
looks as if it was just handed to someone who really didn't need it.
Aren't these doctors bound to some sort of laws, if not ethical standards?

Hear hear.  I'm in the same camp, after reading that obesity site most of
the people I read were people who had bona fide need for bariatric surgery.
This person on the other hand seemed to be scamming and conniving to get
what she wanted. People wonder why health insurance premiums are so costly,
it's because we're paying for frivolous scams like this.  Susan Sherrill,
get on a damned treadmill like the rest of us.

FWIW the site seems to be put together by the dr or group of drs who
performs the surgery. So either this person did have the surgery, or this
Dave went to great length to impersonate her and post to a members only
site to fabricate this all.  I'd wager the former, and would bet the house
and lot also that she's now discovered that perhaps it wasn't all its
cracked up to be, and doesn't want people to know.

I echo that I hope this person is out of the said relationship, there are
much better people out there.

That would be me.  And yes, I do realize that now, although it took me
quite a while.  Your post really woke me up ... when you mentioned the
friend whom you watched turn into a complete stranger before your eyes, we
could be talking about the same person.  For all intents and purposes,
it's as if the person I knew died on the operating table.  The only
difference is, at least then I would have had the fond memories.  As it
stands, all I have now are the memories of the two-faced stranger who did
everything imaginable to try to hurt me.

To the others in the thread, yes, the person in question indeed had the
surgery.  And she was not obese...she simply gained weight until she met
the bare minimum for her insurance company to cover the surgery, just as
was said here.  The doctor knew this was what she was doing, and also I
suspect knew that it was being done out of vanity and not for any
legitimate health need.  He did waive a (much needed, in this case)
psychiatric exam just as was said here.  But hey, I guess that fancy car
doesn't pay for itself unless you get your quota of people on that table.
(With so many people in our country unable to find adequate health care,
it's so nice to see how it's being exercised by the people who are
fortunate enough to have it.)

To people who have friends or SO's considering the surgery, my advice
would be to cut yourself loose right now.  This surgery changes who you
are, and from what I've both heard and personally experienced it's not a
change for the better.  The person who you get back from the hospital will
be a stranger.  Then you'll cling to the hope that the person you knew is
still in there somewhere, but trust me, they are gone.

To people considering this surgery, my advice is don't.  Unless you have
absolutely no other shot at a normal and healthy life.  If it's just
because you're unhappy about yourself, then do like someone else said and
go to the gym, start an exercise program, a diet etc. and set goals for
yourself.  And take it from me, most guys don't really go for the "swizzle
stick" look anyway, contrary to what gets thrown at you by magazine
models.  Take example from "the Real Susan" posting here, in her sig line
are numbers which I assume reflect her progress and her goals...someone
who felt like she wanted to improve something about herself, set goals to
that end and then WORKED to achieve them.  To me, that's much more
honorable than someone checking into a hospital for a quick fix.

Dave
--who lost a loved one to bariatric surgery