Gastric Bypass/Banding

[morgan]

I was just watching a British program about obese patients that undergo either gastic bypass (really major surgery - approx 3 hours) or gastric banding ('minor' surgery of approx 30 minutes).  How they cost the health system a fortune due mainly to medication for high BP, heart conditions and mostly diabetes and that this op is the solution.

I watched these people crying, being horrified and terrified they would not wake up after the event, being on a liquid diet a month before hand to clear up a fatty liver so that the surgeon could see around it to do the proceedure, then in one case (not even a month after) eating his wife's chocolates and  having ice creams when he went out. The other case a woman who moments after coming out of recovery was stating that she was hungry.

It is beyond me that these people would resort to this rather than give up their favourite foods (sugar).  It seemed that they thought that it would be a 'miracle' and they would be slim without effort afterwards.  Whilst they did lose weight it averaged at about 6 kg (14lbs) a month, which really is only 3-4 lbs a week.

It seems that the medical board is pushing these types of surgery as a solution to saving costs in the long run.  Is this what health systems now think is the go;  to do these ops, so in the long run they don't have to pay for medication.

They lost weight in the month prior on a liquid diet (which I think were protein drinks) - why would they not
continue with these drinks to loose the weight rather than the op?

I feel I am being harsh because I know it is desparation that makes them do this and they feel it is a last resort of sorts, but it seems they are ill prepared for afterwards.  They obviously still have major food issues.

[shawn116]

It is very sad    What they don't realize is how easy it is to just eat real food to accomplish the same thing.  Best of all.....not be hungry while doing it.  You would think the insurance companies would catch on to what actually saves them money with the meds and procedures.  They seem to have control over what procedures and meds. you can and can't have and still be covered.....at least here in the states.   I can actually understand the doctors and medicine companies pushing it...they make money from people being sick and over weight.  Morally wrong....yes....but I understand it.  The mighty dollar usually runs the show 

[Doug Varrieur]

I HATE the doctors that push these procedures all in the quest for profits. I can assure you they know what we know but refuse to teach their patients how to eat. This has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time.    

[Siltz]

If anyone is considering having the lap band, e-mail me and I'll tell you my story.  Needless to say, it wasn't successful!

[MarkMoxom]

In my mind, operations like this should be banned and the doctors who recommend them should be sent on compulsory  retraining courses to learn about nutrition, that there again, if they advised on nutrition, then they wouldn't be making money as doctors which if you think about it, is a very sad conclusion.

I would agree with Doug, these doctors do know much of what we know and I'm sure the fact that they receive thousands for doing an operation like this whereas they would only receive hundreds for putting a patient on a sound eating regime has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they continue to recommend the expensive operations or has it?

Cheers,

Mark

[Doug Varrieur]

If anyone is considering having the lap band, e-mail me and I'll tell you my story.  Needless to say, it wasn't successful!

I'd like to know your story, if you feel comfortable telling us could you please start a new topic "My personal lap band failure"

I think all the info we can put out their about these barbaric procedures the better