It is time for us to be Weight Loss Surgery Activists!

**ncubed03** · 06-14-2014 01:58 PM

I replied today to a post about a Fatty Liver disease article in the New York Times. No one else has replied yet and I have posted a comment on the article which hasn't gone live yet but what I wrote is that I think we need to all be discussing WLS as a cure for these diseases. It is so safe now and the side effects are minimal compared to the costs, side effects and even death that comes from treating this liver disease or type 2 diabetes. I know a lot of people who have WLS don't want to tell anyone because of the perception that you are lazy or gave up on traditional weight loss and exercise. However, the facts and studies have shown that 98% of people who lose weight without surgery will gain it back within 5 years! It is crazy that no one discusses this surgery as an alternative to a liver transplant!! What is there to be ashamed about? We work hard even after the surgery but it gives people a fighting chance to save their own lives. We have to be at the forefront of this discussion to change the perception that WLS is a last resort, etc... Please let me know what you think. If we don't do it then a lot of lives could be lost that would have been saved!

**Ann2** · 06-14-2014 02:31 PM

I appreciate your enthusiasm. And you are certainly welcome to your activism.

But as someone who is a member of other message boards on different topics, I've observed that when a message board becomes an "activist board," it ceases pretty quickly to become a source of support.

Just sayin'.

Ann2

**Grace** · 06-14-2014 03:45 PM

Not for me. I don't care to proselytize...it's against my nature and my belief system.
Anyway, I'm on the other side of those statistics. Sleeve surgery left me disabled.
This is too major a surgery to be done for a disease that can be cured with something as safe as silmarin (milk thistle). I had fatty liver diagnosed a year before surgery, took milk thistle for 6 months and ended up with a clean as a whistle liver.

As an aside, I felt the same way about this surgery when I was about 7 months out as well....thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I hope you continue to feel that way and it's all smooth sailing for you

**sociologist** · 06-14-2014 05:30 PM

Not to burst your bubble but wls is not for everyone. Just read through the forums for stories from others that have struggled tremendously. I just know it was best for me and my situation. While I believe all insurance cos should be required to cover the surgery and make it more available to those who need it, I dont need to wave any banner about it. I was a sekf pay and very fortunate to be able to pay for my surgery, not everyone has that option, including folks that desparately need it. I applaud your enthusiam:-)

**christine53** · 06-14-2014 05:47 PM

WOW! That was something to read. Weight loss surgery is hard but its a choice. If the over weight people out in the world want help and do something about it they can, if they don't they can. But that's there problem just like it was mine. I got so sick of people telling I had a pretty face if only I lost a little weigh. Screw them. It was my choice if I wanted to do something about it. Didn't need there advice. But I did it cause I wanted to. Was it easy. Yes for me it was. But it is something that also changed my life and was I ready for that, yes I was. And I thank the good Lord above I did

**lil_lisa** · 06-15-2014 12:15 AM

I think it is definately a very personal decision for each person and they will find it when they search for it. I found out about the sleeve from a friend who was having it, and still it was a very scary thought. But I felt it was my only chance to do something that might work and so far I'm over 80 pounds down at 7 months. I think we are all advertizements for the surgery and if asked can share with whoever wants to know.