Part 3 is the first one of this series I have read but I am looking forward to going back to read 1 and 2. I practice as a weight-neutral dietitian using IE and HAES principles a foundation in my work. I have had clients come to me wanting to get weight loss surgery and I often find it difficult to convert them to an anti-surgery approach. They want to believe that my way is the right way but they are filled with empty promises by the people that are promoting weight loss surgery. This article is perfect and I'd love to share but I think non-believers would loose interest quickly and stop reading. Would you consider creating something shorter, maybe a 1-pager, with key points that could be shared with clients considering bariatric surgery? Thank you for sharing!!!
Hello. I'd appreciate your insight into some claims about BS. Trigger warning for talk about IWL and potential anti-fatness.
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I'm confused because of the conflicting info I've read and feel pressure myself to pursue IWL as a super fat person, even if that means getting surgery, though I've no plans to do it -- still not convinced it's a good idea overall.
The first claim is that about 50% of people regain the weight, which means around 50% are able to keep it off.
What I've read from other people who have had it (or known those who have had it) is that, in order to have success, one must change their mental and emotional framework and get to the root cause of their bad relationship with food. Tammy Slaton is being touted as proof of success when mindset is changed.
A woman whose comment I read said that she and/or some of her friends (sorry -- can't remember) all got bariatric surgery and the only friend who gained the weight back was the one who "didn't take care of herself."
The implication is that, if you do what you're supposed to, you will maintain the loss.
What do you think? I've read about multiple supposed success stories from the surgery, with quite a few 10+ years out and maintaining the loss (or most of it). I ask myself if someone can hang on for a decade -- longer, even -- and still eventually experience regain.
The research around weight loss surgery is really problematic. It's almost always funded and/or conducted by people whose career is based on performing the surgeries and/or by organizations that represent them.
The research is characterized by high dropout rates, a complete near-complete failure to track adverse events long-term (often they don't track past the first 30 days post-surgery) and questionable methods. There is also a tendency for doctors and others to blame patients who experience adverse events or weight regain in ways that are not supported in the research. There are people who do the exact same things as the "successes" and end up regaining the weight and/or having horrific life-altering side effects.
The statistic about weight regain is a good example. They are often talking about people who experience total weight regain - I've seen the 50% figure and I've seen up to 80%. In those cases it doesn't mean that the rest kept all or even a majority of it off though, it just means they didn't gain all of it back. Often the statistic counts people as "successes" if they are at all below their baseline weight and they are still alive. Meaning that people undergo a life-altering surgery with many side effects to lose, for example, just 5% or 10% of their body weight. It also means that people who say things like "This surgery is the worst decision I've eve made, it's ruined my life, I would do anything to not have had it" are counted as "successes" in the research.
Certainly there are some people who maintain their weight loss and are happy with the results of their surgery. My concern is that they are often the only ones who are given a platform to tell their story, and/or who aren't (unfairly) blamed/ashamed to tell their story. Also, given the poor quality of the research, whether a patient is happy with their surgery, deeply regrets their surgery, or passes away from short or long-term side effects is, from my perspective, way too much of a crapshoot. But again, that's just me and of course I respect people's bodily autonomy.
I'm desperate for my beloved brother. He's 54, on SSI/Medicaid, 650+ pounds, and being held hostage for hip surgery: No one will operate on him unless he gets below 400 pounds. His mobility is severely limited now, and no nursing home will take him. The only answer he's given is bariatric surgery. But I know he'll never be able to afford the supplements unless they're covered under Medicaid; moreover, I have zero confidence people will take the time to teach him how he will have to eat. He suffers from bingeing disorder already, and consequently suffers from gastric distress on the regular. I am so afraid he'll be plagued with dumping syndrome. What can I do? Is there a doc in the world who will operate on his hip as he is? An eating disorder clinic that might help him with disordered eating for its own sake? Is there a PT center in the world who would rehab him? And even if there were, how would he get there--would transport involve a lot of pain?
Hi Sherry, I'm so sorry that your brother is dealing with this. I want to start by saying that I'm giving advice based on the idea that you are conveying what your brother wants. It's important that he be centered in this conversation. You/he are welcome to email me at weightandhealthcare@substack.com and I'll be happy to try to help find resources and navigate this situation.
Part 3 is the first one of this series I have read but I am looking forward to going back to read 1 and 2. I practice as a weight-neutral dietitian using IE and HAES principles a foundation in my work. I have had clients come to me wanting to get weight loss surgery and I often find it difficult to convert them to an anti-surgery approach. They want to believe that my way is the right way but they are filled with empty promises by the people that are promoting weight loss surgery. This article is perfect and I'd love to share but I think non-believers would loose interest quickly and stop reading. Would you consider creating something shorter, maybe a 1-pager, with key points that could be shared with clients considering bariatric surgery? Thank you for sharing!!!
Hi Gabrielle, Thank you for the work that you do. I think what you are looking for is Part 1 of this series (The Basics) Check it out at https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/weight-loss-bariatric-surgery-the?s=w and let me know if it's what you are looking for!
Great information, but I was thinking about something that was compact onto one page!
Hello. I'd appreciate your insight into some claims about BS. Trigger warning for talk about IWL and potential anti-fatness.
.
.
.
.
I'm confused because of the conflicting info I've read and feel pressure myself to pursue IWL as a super fat person, even if that means getting surgery, though I've no plans to do it -- still not convinced it's a good idea overall.
The first claim is that about 50% of people regain the weight, which means around 50% are able to keep it off.
What I've read from other people who have had it (or known those who have had it) is that, in order to have success, one must change their mental and emotional framework and get to the root cause of their bad relationship with food. Tammy Slaton is being touted as proof of success when mindset is changed.
A woman whose comment I read said that she and/or some of her friends (sorry -- can't remember) all got bariatric surgery and the only friend who gained the weight back was the one who "didn't take care of herself."
The implication is that, if you do what you're supposed to, you will maintain the loss.
What do you think? I've read about multiple supposed success stories from the surgery, with quite a few 10+ years out and maintaining the loss (or most of it). I ask myself if someone can hang on for a decade -- longer, even -- and still eventually experience regain.
The research around weight loss surgery is really problematic. It's almost always funded and/or conducted by people whose career is based on performing the surgeries and/or by organizations that represent them.
The research is characterized by high dropout rates, a complete near-complete failure to track adverse events long-term (often they don't track past the first 30 days post-surgery) and questionable methods. There is also a tendency for doctors and others to blame patients who experience adverse events or weight regain in ways that are not supported in the research. There are people who do the exact same things as the "successes" and end up regaining the weight and/or having horrific life-altering side effects.
The statistic about weight regain is a good example. They are often talking about people who experience total weight regain - I've seen the 50% figure and I've seen up to 80%. In those cases it doesn't mean that the rest kept all or even a majority of it off though, it just means they didn't gain all of it back. Often the statistic counts people as "successes" if they are at all below their baseline weight and they are still alive. Meaning that people undergo a life-altering surgery with many side effects to lose, for example, just 5% or 10% of their body weight. It also means that people who say things like "This surgery is the worst decision I've eve made, it's ruined my life, I would do anything to not have had it" are counted as "successes" in the research.
Certainly there are some people who maintain their weight loss and are happy with the results of their surgery. My concern is that they are often the only ones who are given a platform to tell their story, and/or who aren't (unfairly) blamed/ashamed to tell their story. Also, given the poor quality of the research, whether a patient is happy with their surgery, deeply regrets their surgery, or passes away from short or long-term side effects is, from my perspective, way too much of a crapshoot. But again, that's just me and of course I respect people's bodily autonomy.
I hope that helps.
I'm desperate for my beloved brother. He's 54, on SSI/Medicaid, 650+ pounds, and being held hostage for hip surgery: No one will operate on him unless he gets below 400 pounds. His mobility is severely limited now, and no nursing home will take him. The only answer he's given is bariatric surgery. But I know he'll never be able to afford the supplements unless they're covered under Medicaid; moreover, I have zero confidence people will take the time to teach him how he will have to eat. He suffers from bingeing disorder already, and consequently suffers from gastric distress on the regular. I am so afraid he'll be plagued with dumping syndrome. What can I do? Is there a doc in the world who will operate on his hip as he is? An eating disorder clinic that might help him with disordered eating for its own sake? Is there a PT center in the world who would rehab him? And even if there were, how would he get there--would transport involve a lot of pain?
Hi Sherry, I'm so sorry that your brother is dealing with this. I want to start by saying that I'm giving advice based on the idea that you are conveying what your brother wants. It's important that he be centered in this conversation. You/he are welcome to email me at weightandhealthcare@substack.com and I'll be happy to try to help find resources and navigate this situation.