gastric bypass!!

Weight issues are generally if not most always a psychologial thing. If you have never stuggled w/your weight then you are lucky. Over eating is just like any other addiction-it's an addiction. Some smoke, drink, gamble what ever. There is a part in your brain that is activated and releases endorphines (feel good hormones) when you feed that addiction: ergo an addiction=feel good

No you don't have the self control after the surgery to eat properly after wards-you have no choice! There is NO room. They also cut a nerve that goes from the stomach and that changes how you do and do not feel hungry-that is also the part of this surgery that is NOT the bandaide part. What generally happens is the person, learns thru trial and error, what they can or can not eat. And remember it bypasses to the large intestines-so little digestion going on there (goes right thru you) that is the point. For some people this is the only option=for health reasons. I am not sure what the long term risks down the line would be from the malabsorption of nutrients but in the 'short' term-it helps with so many disease process such as HTN, diabetes, arthritis.

Psychological testing: what I meant is that you have to go to counselling generally prior basically to get at the root of why you over eat and also to show you are serious about this.

If diet and exercise were so easy then the American public would not be so overweight and look at the kids today: first generation they say will now have a life expectancy less than their parents.

 

I want to point out again i do two hours of working out a day mostly cardio but because my thyroid is not functioning correctly I cant lose weight. I am on medicine to try and stabilize it. i eat about 1500 calories a day. So it isn't always someone looking for a quick fix.

 

My sister was one of the first 100 patients to have gastric bypass. She was pushing 400lbs at the time. She tried every diet imaginable to no avail. When she was pregnant with her last child (15 years ago), she developed gestational diabetes. She had two or three major back surgeries due to her weight as well. She went under the knife back in 2001. She followed her doctors orders to a T, and still looks great. She probably only weighs 130 lbs now. I've gotten used to seeing her thin, but for the first couple years I literally wouldn't recognize her at first until she spoke.

She had to undergo the psych evals as well.

It wasn't a quick fix for her. It was exactly what she needed to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF!

 

There are so many variables thrown into the mix here on being fat and on weight loss. It is very easy for folks who have never had the problem to look down their noses at folks that do have.

Ruff, I have an idea of what you are going through, because I have seen it in my family as well. (I can't claim that for myself though.) This person had a thyroid that was unstable. Sometimes being hypo, sometimes being hyper. Eventually it lead to a thyroid storm which almost killed her. They tried medications, but could never get the dosage correct, it was either too much or too little. Then they tried to control it by radiation, got too much in her, and #### near took the thyroid out completely. She now has to take a thyroid supplement and will for the rest of her life.

She has had a battle with mental problems, particularly depression and has used every diet known to man (woman) and some that she "cooked up" herself. Her weight yo-yo'ed for over thirty years, serious swings that took her from literally being a "fat blob" to looking like she was anorexic and back again.

She has been on a weight watchers regime for about the past 10 years or so, and it has helped tremendously. She looks better, and consequently feels better about herself. Her depression is much better, although still rears its head from time to time.

 

My point exactly-there is no magic cure or quick fix and there never will be becuz it is the food industries job to sell us stuff to eat! How much of today's business in America has something to do w/food production, growth, transport, storage, advertising, cooking-what ever. There are tv shows and books and magazines--we are a county obsessed w/food. Also add the change in technology since the late 70's and early 80's with microwaves-which gave us processed and quick foods, increased frozen etc. no one cooks anymore everyone microwaves or stops at McD's or where ever. Now add the computer explosion and how this has changed our lives- we are more sedentary- jobs are done remotely on laptops or IPhones.

Anyone who thinks that this can 'fixed' by just not eating as much has got a lot to learn.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

My step mom was over 300 pounds when I was a snot-nose. She's only 5' 1". She had gastric bypass done in...I want to say 1982.... today, she is a needle-dependent diabetic with two knee replacements behind her, but she's been the same 155 since about a year after her surgery. Still a little heavy, but not nearly where she was. She's 74 now.

I don't remember whether she had psych evals or not, but I do know it's part of the program now. It's partly to help prepare the person for their life after the surgery and partly to see if the person can handle such a drastic life change.

In many cases, obesity starts as a will-power problem, but balloons so out of control that the person feels desperate to do anything to change it. Often, depression is part of obesity...along with body aches, the aforementioned high BP and diabetes. If Mrgreen09 feels that gastric bypass will help him, I say go for it, but know your life will never be the same after. At least you're trying to do something about it rather than be a victim. Sir, you have my support in this endeavor.

Regarding a DOT physical...I've seen nothing to prevent a post-operative, formerly obese person from obtaining a CDL. There are people out here driving who have heart shunts, plastic knees and hips, plates in their heads, amputated feet, lung parts removed and appendices that have been removed. Shoot, there are even some of us who had our wisdom teeth removed surgically. Gastric bypass is no different. Good luck to you.

 

I am overweight and am struggling to lose 40 lb. No, I've never been more overweight than that. Sorry i'm not fat. I noticed the problem at an early stage and fixed it. Something a lot of people could do.

I love how you read all this #### into my post. I never said anything like that. I even told big rigger he should do somethign to lose the weight. But noo, you just try to make me look like a bad fat bashing #######. #### you.

I'm just pointing out the flaw with it. It requires a diet change. You can change your diet without surgery too.

That said i am very interested in trying out the FULL BAR. You eat it before you eat and it fills you up so you dont eat as much. Interesting idea. I dont need it but i'd like to try it anyway..

 

I had my wisdom teeth removed surgically, Maybe i should have mentioned that on my physical? LOL.

I had a girlfriend that was over 300lb. I can see why it would be rough. But even 300lb isnt *that* fat. She wasn't even half the size of some of these guys you see walking out of pilot....

I swear, she had to be so obnoxious about it too. she'd be like, i wanna lose weight, i'd say something to support her, now shes like "ARE YOU CALLLING ME FAT?!" ...Uh, no, but you kind of implied it by the fact you wanted to lose weight...

oh, she wasnt fat, she was....curvy. Full figured. bah.

i'll never date anyone like that again lol. And no, the fat had nothing to do with the fact she's now an ex. That was the being an airhead.

 

Phroziac- I just think the whole point of this is that what ever a person has to do to lose weight -eat better more exerise or have lapband or gastric bypass-is what is ever right for them. Inherent to OTR lifestyle is TS food that is high caloric high sodium foods or what you can carry on the truck (some may be healthy but for the most part is gonna be canned or prepared) Add to that the long hours of sitting and driving or sitting at a dock or DC. I am sure for many the weight just creeps up on them they don't even realize it. With CSA2010 or '11 or '12 and the new BMI standards I think people are just getting nervous. No one ever thought I may lose my job cuz I'm fat before. Also you are young-it's so much easier to lose weight when you are younger as the metobolism is that much more ramped up. Wait until you are past 30. Ha then it really slows down.
BTW I thought you said you smoked? If you do and ever quit FYI talk about a way to gain weight!! you just exchange one oral addiction for another.
I wish you good luck losing your 40lbs

 

Have you ever noticed you never see a fat crackhead. I'm just saying.