Extreme option only for extreme situations
Personally I think this is a last resort option and it's mainly for people who need a physical means of self control. I know a person who chose to have gastric bypass (it was actually the less invasive lap band version, I think) and another person who in the same timeframe switched to a very healthy diet which focused on vegetables, no (or very limited processed foods), reduced sugar intake, and less meat (with much protein from vegetable sources). It turned out that over the long term (like 2-4 years), the person who switched to the healthy diet (lifelong eating healthy) lost more weight. The person who had the surgery lives a life of getting sick whenever she doesn't eat the way the surgery enforces. I believe her weight loss leveled out at about 80 lbs whereas the other person lost about 110 lbs. Obviously both struggle to keep it off. The person who had the surgery has in a way, a forced bulimia which sounds very unhealthy to me (she literally gets sick if she eats the wrong things or too much, and is sick quite often.) If you know much about this surgery, you know that you can only eat very very small meals and you get sick of you eat too much or the wrong things. It's a tough way of life so you have to really need it in order to get it. I would try to seriously motivate myself to learn a new lifestyle of healthy eating before I go this route. I think the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to learn to eat healthy and live healthy. More veggies, less meat, no processed foods, no (or limited sugar), and good exercise. This option is for people who need something drastic because absolutely nothing else has worked.
viewpoints09
Saint Louis, MO