My August issue of SELF arrived today. I love the magazine because it's got great fitness articles, tips, and motivation ideas along with the typical beauty/relationships aids. But I am STEAMED at the article they printed this month called "The Weight Loss Miracle that Isn't." It's not on the site yet, so I can't link to it.

By and large they reference Bypass patients, but bands are mentioned numerous times. Frankly, the overall aura of disapproval and superiority over bariatric patients smacks of the same crap Oprah pulled not long ago touting people she admired to doing it the "hard way".

There are risks inherent to all bariatric surgeries, and some of them can be awful, tragic in some cases; I'm not trying to minimize that. It is not a "miracle" and is a TON of hard work. I also don't believe companies/MD's should be "advertising" weight loss surgery to those needing to lose 40 lbs, etc... However, the primary goal of this article seemed to be soley about DEMONIZING the process and those who have made the choice.

As if they're saying, "see you stupid cow, you have a surgery and you're either going to have so many issues you may die and need reversal, or you're going to gain it all back anyway. Not a wise choice."

Perhaps overly critical, but I am SO sick of this stuff. Rant over.

Edited July 18, 200818 yr by pashmina
ETA

Articles like that are soooo annoying! By-the-by, there is a similar article in "O" magazine this month (p. 116, "Beyond stomach stapling: What's new and better". Bands are lumped together with "staples". Isn't stomach "stapling" a treatment of about 1978??

Yes, we need to write to the editor(s)! We need to stand up, and educate the public that bands are a TOOL, not a quick fix. Writing weight loss with a band off as less valid is the same as writing fitness training done with a treadmill as less valid than fitness done running on a outdoor track! The principle is that correctly using the TOOL, changing one's head, and changing one's habits is the only way to lose. Weight Watchers, Atkins, LA Weight Loss, South Beach, etc. are all tools to - they just come in a different form than a band.

Also, while I am ranting (since I'm on my soap box anyway), I really get steamed when Oprah disses any form of successful weight managment. Talk about using tools to acheive her past successes - a private trainer and chef!! Usually I like her show - but she's w-a-a-y off on this topic, baby! :thumbup:

KY