I remember this… it’s nice to hear it’s off the market! That’s a little bit of good news.
It’s like the inventor read about bulimia and thought “what a great idea! Let’s surgically force it on fat people!”
My heart breaks for everyone who got the device. Everything about it sounds BARBARIC, but “After device removal, there may be a risk of persistent fistula, an abnormal passageway between the stomach and the abdominal wall” is an especially hellish cruelty.
My brain usually reads “bariatric” in any context as “barbaric.” It’s extra true in the case of this device.
Omg!!! What torture device horror! I’m appalled this was ever approved, and sorry for every patient counseled to explore this horrifying “treatment!” I’m shocked and disgusted beyond words. Thanks Ragen for continuing to expose the realities of weight torture in this world!
These comments are all ignorant, made by people who know nothing about the device. I was in that study and was very successful. I still have it after 12 years. See my comment below.
Horrific! On all counts -- the gizmo, the "study", the fatphobia. I'm glad that this is both the first and the last time I will hear of this instrument of torture.
Annilyn if you’re here I’m so sorry you had this shitty experience with your doctor and that switching is not going to be too difficult. You deserve respectful, knowledgeable healthcare and it sounds like the appointment you had where this was mentioned was severely lacking on both counts x
I actually have the Aspire Assist and have had it for 12 years, so let me put in my 2 cents.
I was part of the study run by Weill/Cornell, so I had no expenses for this device. It was fully reversible, something, in addition to the expense, that had scared me off weight-loss surgery in the past.
Like so many people, I had struggled with my weight for decades, always losing some and gaining it back. At just over 5 feet tall, I weighed over 200 lbs, and I was miserable. I hated myself for constantly failing. I didn't want to see anyone who had known me in my thinner days. I actually speak several languages pretty fluently, but no one cared because all there was that far-person invisibility.
I can't say that anyone pushed me into this. It was my decision. I lost about 75 lbs. While aspirating twice a day is annoying, being obese is far more annoying. I exercise, I travel, I have a social life, I am confident and comfortable in my own (somewhat loose) skin. I eat normally, do not binge, but I still have to remind myself to chew thoroughly, which is OK.
This device was not for everybody, but it has immeasurably changed my life for the better.
I remember this… it’s nice to hear it’s off the market! That’s a little bit of good news.
It’s like the inventor read about bulimia and thought “what a great idea! Let’s surgically force it on fat people!”
My heart breaks for everyone who got the device. Everything about it sounds BARBARIC, but “After device removal, there may be a risk of persistent fistula, an abnormal passageway between the stomach and the abdominal wall” is an especially hellish cruelty.
My brain usually reads “bariatric” in any context as “barbaric.” It’s extra true in the case of this device.
Surgical bulimia. I'd say "now I've seen everything" but I'm sure there's always something more horrifying around the corner.
I'm sad how unsurprised I am that anyone thought prescribing surgically enabled bulimia was a good or helpful idea. Good riddance.
OMFG! Thank you, as always, for your work.
This is horrifying. Thank you for breaking this down.
Omg!!! What torture device horror! I’m appalled this was ever approved, and sorry for every patient counseled to explore this horrifying “treatment!” I’m shocked and disgusted beyond words. Thanks Ragen for continuing to expose the realities of weight torture in this world!
Wow. What a way to find out you need a new doctor.
"Would you like to reschedule your appointment?"
"No, this was my last visit. I’m changing doctors."
"Oh, do you need a referral for a specialist?"
"No. Literally any other doctor will do."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
".…"
".…"
"Okay."
"Yeah."
Ditto every one of these comments. Frankenstein meets bulimia. Disgusting greedy humans will prey on anyone.
These comments are all ignorant, made by people who know nothing about the device. I was in that study and was very successful. I still have it after 12 years. See my comment below.
I'd never heard of the AspireAssist. It sounds like an utterly horrifying device.
Same
Horrific! On all counts -- the gizmo, the "study", the fatphobia. I'm glad that this is both the first and the last time I will hear of this instrument of torture.
I have the Aspire and was successful in the study. It has improved my life, maybe even saved it. See my comment below.
Annilyn if you’re here I’m so sorry you had this shitty experience with your doctor and that switching is not going to be too difficult. You deserve respectful, knowledgeable healthcare and it sounds like the appointment you had where this was mentioned was severely lacking on both counts x
Good fucking riddance.
This is horrific.
No, it isn't. See my comment.
I actually have the Aspire Assist and have had it for 12 years, so let me put in my 2 cents.
I was part of the study run by Weill/Cornell, so I had no expenses for this device. It was fully reversible, something, in addition to the expense, that had scared me off weight-loss surgery in the past.
Like so many people, I had struggled with my weight for decades, always losing some and gaining it back. At just over 5 feet tall, I weighed over 200 lbs, and I was miserable. I hated myself for constantly failing. I didn't want to see anyone who had known me in my thinner days. I actually speak several languages pretty fluently, but no one cared because all there was that far-person invisibility.
I can't say that anyone pushed me into this. It was my decision. I lost about 75 lbs. While aspirating twice a day is annoying, being obese is far more annoying. I exercise, I travel, I have a social life, I am confident and comfortable in my own (somewhat loose) skin. I eat normally, do not binge, but I still have to remind myself to chew thoroughly, which is OK.
This device was not for everybody, but it has immeasurably changed my life for the better.