Christians and Weight Loss Procedures

[LaylaMonroe]

Ok, so I know weight is always a sensitive subject, so I'm going to approach this as carefully as a tactless, NYer can. LOL.  If anything goes wrong, it's Wolfie's fault for bringing it up in the first place. 

My SIL called me and a family friend over about a month ago to tell us that she was seriously considering having "the surgery" (as it's commonly called), and wanted to know what we thought.  Both of us were opposed to it, and she, being diabetic and well over 350 lbs. just didn't understand why.  Personally, I really just don't get it.  I know so many people (about 15-20) who have had the surgery, and all of them report having to make DRASTIC lifestyle changes. You have to eat differently, you have to exercise, they recommend you do a support group, etc... so, if she'll have to do that POST-surgery, why can't she do it now???  I just don't get it.  She NEVER wants to exercise and she eats like a pig (some of it is emotional eating).  Plus, many of the folks I know who've done it, she also knows.  Many had great success, and a few did not.    If I were mean, I could show two FB profiles of acquaintances we know that ended up looking really bad after all their weight loss.  I asked my SIL, what would she do if her body ended up all jacked up and she had no answer.

I know we've discussed plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures from a Christian perspective, but what are the thoughts on the saints doing stuff like this to their temples?

[under13]

I wouldnt do it. I'd rather do it the natural way before I'd go under the knife. And I agree with what you said:

 

if she'll have to do that POST-surgery, why can't she do it now??? 

[SisterCM]

My SIL is currently seeing doctors and getting ready for the surgery.  I'm with you on this one I JUST DON"T GET IT!  I am trying to get her to have some self-control and start exercising now.  I am not getting no where with her.

[nessalynn77]

Everybody at my job is doing it.  That or the lapband.... I'm trying to follow in the footsteps of the one girl who did it all on her own... like you said, you have to make changes anyway, might as well just do it and leave off the major trauma to your body.

[emusicme28]

    I am in agreement with everyone else so far. It's only so far that the surgery will take you and after that the rest on you..I know at least 7 people who've had the surgery and at least 4 have gained weight back.
   The reason they've gained it back is not because the surgery doesn't work, but because at the end of the day, the surgery was a quick fix.
   I myself used to be very obese and I chose to lose the weight by prayer, diet and exercise. There are instances where the surgery could be a matter of life and death, but the vast majority of the people I know didn't have it done for that reason.
  I always say stayed prayed up and get out there and try to do it on your own. That way one can gain self motivation and that goes a very long way in life.

But that's just by my personal experience and opinion.

[MissMusic04]

People that have procedures always look weird to me. Its not natural or something. IDK. They just don't look right, IMHO.

I would never do it. I couldn't.

[Fenix]

Not advisable IMO. Considering the post-surgery work you have to do, you might as well do it now and save yourself stress and money.

Thing is you are just looking for a drastic way to cut your weight down and you are not dealing with the root cause.

[cordney]

Currently I'm teaching a class that deals with "the Surgery."  As far as your friend, she needs to seek medical help...she has medical issue where "The Surgery" might actually help her.  I would never recommend it to anyone...exercise and proper nutrition is always the best route.

[katstrat]

I know I need to loose weight,but I don't want to do that unless it's the last option. I know people who done it and I agree they don't look right. Only one person I know looks normal. What gets me is that the ones who had sugery brag on their weight loss,like they done it themselves. I know one woman who refused to have the surgery,changed her diet,joined a gym and lost 125 lbs.I'm trying to change my diet and eating healthier,it's tough,but I know what I need to do.Have any of you read the book,"What Did Jesus Eat"? It's great book,a good  starting point.

[THE WOLFMAN]

man, that hits a sore spot for me, My good friend and music partner had that done, right when we were finishing his album. We did the last vocal tracking to complete the album, he went in, had the procedure, was in recovery for a week, then died the following week.

still mad about that. we did alotta work only for it to go *poof*.

 

[kodacolor]

Ok, so I know weight is always a sensitive subject, so I'm going to approach this as carefully as a tactless, NYer can. LOL.  If anything goes wrong, it's Wolfie's fault for bringing it up in the first place. 

My SIL called me and a family friend over about a month ago to tell us that she was seriously considering having "the surgery" (as it's commonly called), and wanted to know what we thought.  Both of us were opposed to it, and she, being diabetic and well over 350 lbs. just didn't understand why.  Personally, I really just don't get it.  I know so many people (about 15-20) who have had the surgery, and all of them report having to make DRASTIC lifestyle changes. You have to eat differently, you have to exercise, they recommend you do a support group, etc... so, if she'll have to do that POST-surgery, why can't she do it now???  I just don't get it.  She NEVER wants to exercise and she eats like a pig (some of it is emotional eating).  Plus, many of the folks I know who've done it, she also knows.  Many had great success, and a few did not.    If I were mean, I could show two FB profiles of acquaintances we know that ended up looking really bad after all their weight loss.  I asked my SIL, what would she do if her body ended up all jacked up and she had no answer.

I know we've discussed plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures from a Christian perspective, but what are the thoughts on the saints doing stuff like this to their temples?

Personally I wouldn't do it because I care too much about what people think.  It's unfortunate but I do.  I have a friend who will try to be subtle in telling me that I need to lose weight (as if I don't already know) but she does it in a mean way.  Ex: We were walking around the city and we saw a "Sleepy's" store and we started talking about beds.  Then she said, "Luckily I'm not fat or I'd put a dent in my bed."  Then I went into saying how my bed has been passed down.  It was my grandmother's bed and instead of buying me a new bed my parents let me have hers so any dents in it were already there and I really didn't (and still don't) notice it. 

The last thing I need is for her or anyone else to say so causally, "It's so lazy when people have surgery to lose weight.  Why not just diet and exercise.  Then if you diet and exercise you get mean comment until you start to show obvious weight loss...then more mean comments in hopes to motivate you to keep going like "She lost weight but she's still fat, ugh".  But hey, what can we expect in a world that doesn't know nor care that successful weight loss requires a positive mentality and pumping all that negativity into a person is defeating the purpose...whatever.

In regards to your SIL from what I heard stuff like that for cases like hers are supposed to be really successful.  She may like exercising more when she doesn't have as much weight to work with.  She may eat better simply because she has to due to her procedure.  It could all work out and jump start her new healthy lifestyle.

[Fenix]

The last thing I need is for her or anyone else to say so causally, "It's so lazy when people have surgery to lose weight.  Why not just diet and exercise.  Then if you diet and exercise you get mean comment until you start to show obvious weight loss...then more mean comments in hopes to motivate you to keep going like "She lost weight but she's still fat, ugh".  But hey, what can we expect in a world that doesn't know nor care that successful weight loss requires a positive mentality and pumping all that negativity into a person is defeating the purpose...whatever.

Good stuff girl!

I never saw it from that perspective. Its so easy for me to sit around with my skinny behind and tell people not to do surgery and diet and exercise and not realize that there is a psychological element to it.

Thanks K-Bear.
 

[dingster1]

Another thing to consider is the post surgical complications. I have done patients who have had the "Surgery" and have had issues with bowel obstructions, leaks, etc. I lean more towards diet control and exercise in all but the most severe cases (the 900 lb guy in Mexico).

[nessalynn77]

Another thing to consider is the post surgical complications. I have done patients who have had the "Surgery" and have had issues with bowel obstructions, leaks, etc. I lean more towards diet control and exercise in all but the most severe cases (the 900 lb guy in Mexico).

Yeah, and those complications are another serious consideration... you have to decide whether you're willing to live with that.

[OleJ]

I think the reason why some folks who lose weight using gastric bypass surgery don't look as natural after they lose weight is because they lose the weight so fast, and the skin doesn't have time to shrink back. I also heard that the gastric bypass results in nutritional deficiencies. It's something about the stomach not being able to absorb nutrients as it did in the past. Instead, folks who've had the surgery have to take vitamins and supplements to get those nutrients in them.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

I see gastric bypass as a waste of money.  I know 2 people who had the surgery, lost a bunch of weight, then gained it all back.  I recently saw a cousin that had gotten super small from the surgery a few years back.  Now she's bigger than she was before she got the surgery.  I'm thinking why did she even bother.  Even that woman on ER that had the surgery has gained the weight back.  I am a big man myself, and I have never considered that surgery.  For one, I do not want that sagging skin.  I have lost weight successfully by watching my diet and exercising, and just through the natural motions of my line of work.  I've also done the diet pills, which do work, but when you stop taking them, you literally crash from the energy rush they gave you.  I got tired of the feeling.  I just need to get back into the exercise mode and I will be good.

Plus another problem I had/have is that I mainly ate one meal a day, maybe two if time allowed.  I rarely even eat breakfast.  Or if I do eat breakfast, I don't eat anything the rest of the day.  Sometimes I even forget to eat period because I have so much on my mind.  That makes your metabolism slow down and hold on to what it has for the future which leads to gaining weight.  I'm not an emotional eater, I just don't make the right choices sometimes.  If I know I don't have time to cook, I just grab a burger or something quick and call it a day. 

I gained quite a bit of weight back when I went on the road as a truck driver because it's hard to eat right when you have to usually eat while you drive, and I would drink at least 2 sugary energy drinks or a 44-ounce caffeinated soft drink every single day to stay awake for those long trips.  But since I have been off of the road, I have lost quite a bit by not eating sweets as much, and I haven't been drinking sodas as much either and it has made a world of difference.  I can't lie, stress has burned some of this off as well.  My mother grew tomatoes this past summer and had an overabundance of them so I could eat them daily, and it helped also.  I kinda hope she grows some more this summer.   

I feel that if you really want the satisfaction of losing weight, then get out there and work your body out.  I personally got a great feeling from getting super sweaty after hitting the weights and then getting back in those pants that were a little tight around the thighs.  I had some t-shirts that had gotten a little snug.  Now they're hanging real nice.  Once I'm able to get this Jack Lalanne juicer and a new George Foreman grill(I gave mine to my son's mother because her's had fizzed out) it's on.  I also plan to try an 85% raw diet when my budget allows as it is sadly more expensive to eat healthier now.   


I would say do not do the surgery.  It is truly a lifestyle change.  You cannot eat a full meal ever again, which deprives your body.  Sure, you lose weight, but once you've lost it, you still can't eat worth a darn.

[csedwards2]

Who needs a lap band or a gastric, when theres Gospel Bird

http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,65989.0.html

[Doubles22]

Personally, I'm not down with "the surgery" for weight loss purposes.  I mean, in some cases, it may be needed to save a life and I can understand that.  But people have been losing weight by changing to healthier eating habits and exercising for years.  I think "the surgery" is a product of this microwave society that we've grown into.  And like many people have said, the weight may come off but are you really changing your lifestyle to keep it off.  It's like those people on Extreme Home Makeover.  You get a great, new, fancy house, but if you haven't learned to change your lifestyle to take care of that great, new, fancy house, I guarantee it's gonna look all jacked up a year from now just like your old house did. 

Anyway, I'm doing P90X.  I bind the bad weight loss and cast it away with the help of God and Tony Horton. 

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

Anyway, I'm doing P90X.  I bind the bad weight loss and cast it away with the help of God and Tony Horton. 

So is it really working?  Most of those people were already cut when they were cast for the commercial as with most.  I wanna see a big man and a big woman using the product since that is honestly the target audience.  Not some chick that's already in shape. 

[Doubles22]

So is it really working?  Most of those people were already cut when they were cast for the commercial as with most.  I wanna see a big man and a big woman using the product since that is honestly the target audience.  Not some chick that's already in shape. 

It's too early to tell.  I'm only on day #4.  I feel okay so far, but like you said, I'm in somewhat decent (a little cut, some size) shape due to my time playing football and being in the Marines.  However, I know I've slacked big time on my working out over the past year.  So I decided to try this thing out after noticing how early I was getting winded during a recent pickup basketball game and how thick I was getting when the scale said 230lbs (I honestly thought I was still around 215). All I can tell you about whether or not it works is how different I might look in my "before," "day-30," "day-60," and "day-90" photos.  We'll just have to wait and see if I end up REALLY cut and closer to the 210-215 range then.  My doggone hamstrings were on FIRE after day #2 though!!!