The Decision to Have Weight Loss Surgery

Having surgery - any kind of surgery - is a very, VERY tough decision. Deciding to have Bariatric surgery can be an even tougher decision. The statistics on bariatric surgery, the information, both good and bad, that is out there, on the Internet and in the news generally, sometimes isn't reliable. And God forbid you should have unsupportive relatives and loved ones. That can be the straw the broke the camel's back.

However, what happens when you walk into a doctor's office AGAIN and the doctor, who has been concerned about your weight for some time says to you AGAIN that you must do something about your weight. She's told you AGAIN that you should try Weight Watchers or one of the other myriad programs out there, or my all-time favorite, just cutting back. She's also told you that you must, absolutely MUST exercise, if this is at all to be effective. Then YOU tell HER that (1) you've tried Weight Watchers and the only thing you watched was your weight go up. That despite Victoria Principal and Kirstie Allie's success, Jenny Craig was disgusting and those portions just weren't cutting it. And as far as exercise is concerned, how do you exercise when your knees and back hurt to the point of tears?

And then your doctor suggest the ultimate: Well, she says, have you ever thought about weight loss surgery? Yeah, you retort. As a form of suicide. You've seen the articles in the newspaper, the reports on the TV. You tell her you'll stick to death by cheesecake. However, she's insistent. Nothing else has worked for you she says. So. Why not at least look into it? What's the harm? I'm not saying I'm making a surgical appointment for you for tomorrow! Just think about it and do a bit of research. Sure, I think. Why not.