okay, im not sure how to explain or put this out there, but anyone ever afraid this is like being brainwashed...lol. I mean, of course the doctors and staff are going to say great things and promote the surgery, after all its their busniness right? am i just paranoid?

And that's why you do your research by talking to people who have actually done this to their bodies, not just people who make money at it.

Seriously tho, bariatric surgery isn't new. This procedure (sleeve gastrectomy) is newer but having weight loss surgery is not a new thing and has been saving people's lives for years.

Also find the surgeon that you feel is talking to you honestly. My first seminar was with a surgeon reccomended by my future mother in law, He was very qualified but it felt like he was being paid by the lap band to promote it. When I found my surgeon she told you all the good and all the bad of all three procedures (band, sleeve and RNY) and I really felt like she cared about what was best for her individual patients.

Yes, surgery is your surgeon's business. They are in the business of making money - and they make a lot of money. Intervening to make their patients healthier is an obvious bonus of course. Since it sounds like you are pre-op, I recommend you looking through the clinical research that has been done on bariatric surgery outcomes if you want balanced information. This is the very first thing I did when I looked into WLS because I have a health sciences background. This link will show you published articles on Pubmed. Quite a few of these articles you should be able to read in full for free.The consensus, in a nutshell, is that WLS patients generally lose more weight and keep it off in greater numbers than the general dieting population. It doesn't work for everyone and it is only a tool, but a very powerful one if you use it wisely.

I was a skeptic for years. As a nurse, I had seen the "early" days and the doctors who rushed into the practice to make a buck. 2 years ago, while at a medical conference, I heard a surgeon present a meta analysis of long term bariatric surgery. The DATA sold me. No other diet is statistically as good as this procedure. Long term success is higher in WLS than any other. It also reverses obesity related illnesses, like hypertension and sleep apnea. I am certain there are still money makers out there. I chose a "Center of Excellence" which means they have to meet higher criteria within the medical community. If you are seeing a "song and dance" kinda surgeon and you are suspicious, look around. This has become a valid medical procedure. My doc doesn't sell anything outbid his office. He's not pushing shakes or other services. But he is well researched and well published and I truly think he believes in what this can do for people. I see your point. You do end up "drinking the Koolaid". But it's a lifestyle and a game changer. Variance might mean failure whereas sticking to a program might mean better success. I do see your point though!

Edited March 19, 201412 yr by CrazyJaney