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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Weight loss

51 replies

Lalaladedah · 15/04/2023 16:11

Right just a little rant really. I have two folk on my Facebook who in the past year have went to Turkey for a gastric band or whatever the operation is.
Well months down the line, yes both have lost a lot of weight. Look great. But I’m sick of reading the amount of messages along with their selfies, well done! You have worked hard! How do you do it! Can I have some of your motivation!! Are some off the comments. Wtf!! You went to turkey to get it done! You never lost weight through diet and fitness. You didn’t work hard!! One is actually blending McDonald’s so she can eat in that way. When she posts it, folk actually laugh. No that’s not funny! Rant over

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/04/2023 18:25

Makewayforsummer · 15/04/2023 18:10

Bollocks. Blending McDonalds is not going to make
it take up less volume so it would be completely pointless.

It makes it a slider food - high calorie, but easier to get in without those inconvenient lumps or chewing that slow people down and give time for the full signal to reach the brain.

Like how even if somebody can feel stuffed, they may find that there's always room for some ice cream.

There are a lot of people who sabotage their weightloss by doing their best to find a means of getting maximum fat/sugar/calories in as possible because the emotional and psychological pull of those tastes and sensations outweighs even the surgery that's been designed to prevent them getting pleasure from eating as they had done up to that point. And others are sabotaging it because their original overeating was a deliberate act of self harm for such reasons as a reaction to historical or current abuse, violence or other psychological damage. Some even have to deal with partners still trying to keep them consuming excessive calories by presenting them with blended 'freakshakes' saying 'look, aren't I kind? I've found a way for you to still have things that make you happy' (and therefore damaging the person's self esteem and leading them to potentially give up).

Without intensive support for the emotional issues and trauma that may have led to them being there in the first place and to deal with the consequences of a) not being able to self soothe with food and b) loose skin, scarring, pain, nausea, malnutrition, etc, success is certainly not guaranteed by any stretch.

I don't think it's an easy option at all, even if that is how it can be presented 'Do this and you'll be slim by magic and never need to worry about being fat again' - it's brutal surgery that carries significant risks both in the operating theatre and afterwards and requires the person to always be aware of harm, pain and unpleasant sensations when they eat.

bellac11 · 15/04/2023 18:27

Whisper23 · 15/04/2023 18:22

Certain people seem to think weight loss surgery etc is "cheating". I'm convinced some think overweight people shouldn't be allowed to lose weight this way, they should have to do it the hard way, they must suffer for the crime of being overweight.

I saw a clip of the Lorraine show recently where they were talking about Ozempic. She was so sneery about it. Pulling her face about some of the possible side effects and saying people should just work hard at it instead. It almost sounds like some people would prefer fat people to stay fat.

Absolutely this

And the naivety of suggesting therapy as some posters often do, not just on this thread, shows the ignorance of why and how people are overweight. Not everyone who is overweight is so due to disordered eating or MH issues, and theres a lack of understanding of the fluctuations i peoples eating patterns over the years

The main issue for people who are hugely overweight is that its imperative that the weight comes off as soon as it can. For every month (or more likely years) that one is in therapy, the joints are getting worse, the blood pressure is going up, the cholesterol is going up, the pre diabetes is tipping over into diabetes. Therapy (for all sorts of issues) is often touted as a miracle cure when its no such thing, someone could be hammering away at therapy for years without success.

There are interesting statistics about the success rates of weight loss for different groups of people. WLS is the best option for those who are at a certain point, certain age etc. The likelihood of doing it and maintaining it over the long term for those people by eating programme alone is very slim (haha)

DrManhattan · 15/04/2023 18:30

It does seem a bit like cheating but having to have part of your actual stomach physically removed or cut off from the rest of your body doesnt sound like a walk in the park. It's sad that it has to come to that.

BeretRaspberry · 15/04/2023 18:30

bellac11 · 15/04/2023 18:27

Absolutely this

And the naivety of suggesting therapy as some posters often do, not just on this thread, shows the ignorance of why and how people are overweight. Not everyone who is overweight is so due to disordered eating or MH issues, and theres a lack of understanding of the fluctuations i peoples eating patterns over the years

The main issue for people who are hugely overweight is that its imperative that the weight comes off as soon as it can. For every month (or more likely years) that one is in therapy, the joints are getting worse, the blood pressure is going up, the cholesterol is going up, the pre diabetes is tipping over into diabetes. Therapy (for all sorts of issues) is often touted as a miracle cure when its no such thing, someone could be hammering away at therapy for years without success.

There are interesting statistics about the success rates of weight loss for different groups of people. WLS is the best option for those who are at a certain point, certain age etc. The likelihood of doing it and maintaining it over the long term for those people by eating programme alone is very slim (haha)

This is completely bollocks. Contrary to what you believe, being fat doesn’t guarantee being unhealthy, just like being thin doesn’t guarantee good health.

MrsBungle · 15/04/2023 18:34

I had a sleeve 10 weeks ago. I can assure you it’s not the easy way at all. I am currently eating max 700 calories a day. I could easily eat chocolate etc but I’m not. As someone up thread said, it’s a tool. This is the strictest and hardest diet I’ve ever been on! Far from easy or lazy.

MrsDoylesDoily · 15/04/2023 18:35

DrManhattan · 15/04/2023 18:30

It does seem a bit like cheating but having to have part of your actual stomach physically removed or cut off from the rest of your body doesnt sound like a walk in the park. It's sad that it has to come to that.

Cheating who or what?

She hasn't entered a competition, she's had weight loss surgery.

bellac11 · 15/04/2023 18:37

MrsBungle · 15/04/2023 18:34

I had a sleeve 10 weeks ago. I can assure you it’s not the easy way at all. I am currently eating max 700 calories a day. I could easily eat chocolate etc but I’m not. As someone up thread said, it’s a tool. This is the strictest and hardest diet I’ve ever been on! Far from easy or lazy.

Im with you. Im at 9 weeks currently and really struggling to get above the same calories. Im informed that it will increase over time apparently.

CheezePleeze · 15/04/2023 18:37

BeretRaspberry · 15/04/2023 18:30

This is completely bollocks. Contrary to what you believe, being fat doesn’t guarantee being unhealthy, just like being thin doesn’t guarantee good health.

Well there are no guarantees in life, but staying fat is risky, given what it can do to the body.

bellac11 · 15/04/2023 18:39

CheezePleeze · 15/04/2023 18:37

Well there are no guarantees in life, but staying fat is risky, given what it can do to the body.

Obesity is a ticking timebomb.

MrsBungle · 15/04/2023 18:41

Good luck @bellac11 😊

BeretRaspberry · 15/04/2023 18:42

CheezePleeze · 15/04/2023 18:37

Well there are no guarantees in life, but staying fat is risky, given what it can do to the body.

Actually, staying fat is LESS risky than weight cycling (which is what most dieters end up doing). So it’s healthier to not diet at all and stay at a steady weight than it is to constantly go up and down, because that is proven to be risky.

Weight loss in and of itself doesn’t guarantee a change in health markers - otherwise the studies done where liposuction was the method of weight loss would show that and they don’t. Behaviours can sometimes change health markers (good diet, exercise etc) and those things can be done regardless of weight.

Skybluepinky · 15/04/2023 18:42

Do u want to get a gb?
sounds like u r jealous, even with one they will still need to get over the mental issues to do with over eating, it’s not going to be as easy as u think.

CheezePleeze · 15/04/2023 18:52

BeretRaspberry · 15/04/2023 18:42

Actually, staying fat is LESS risky than weight cycling (which is what most dieters end up doing). So it’s healthier to not diet at all and stay at a steady weight than it is to constantly go up and down, because that is proven to be risky.

Weight loss in and of itself doesn’t guarantee a change in health markers - otherwise the studies done where liposuction was the method of weight loss would show that and they don’t. Behaviours can sometimes change health markers (good diet, exercise etc) and those things can be done regardless of weight.

Actually, staying fat is LESS risky than weight cycling (which is what most dieters end up doing). So it’s healthier to not diet at all and stay at a steady weight than it is to constantly go up and down, because that is proven to be risky.

No-one's talking about weight cycling or dieting/dieting though.

You said being fat doesn’t guarantee being unhealthy, just like being thin doesn’t guarantee good health.

To which I replied Well there are no guarantees in life, but staying fat is risky, given what it can do to the body.

I mean smoking doesn't guarantee lung cancer but it's a very silly risk to take.

Jourdain11 · 15/04/2023 19:00

Being overweight causes health problems - there is no way around it. Of course people can be thin and unhealthy, but there is no sense in saying than thin people have the same associated risk of heart disease, stroke, T2 diabetes because it is simply not true.

BeretRaspberry · 15/04/2023 19:01

CheezePleeze · 15/04/2023 18:52

Actually, staying fat is LESS risky than weight cycling (which is what most dieters end up doing). So it’s healthier to not diet at all and stay at a steady weight than it is to constantly go up and down, because that is proven to be risky.

No-one's talking about weight cycling or dieting/dieting though.

You said being fat doesn’t guarantee being unhealthy, just like being thin doesn’t guarantee good health.

To which I replied Well there are no guarantees in life, but staying fat is risky, given what it can do to the body.

I mean smoking doesn't guarantee lung cancer but it's a very silly risk to take.

You said being fat is risky. I pointed out that trying to be not fat is riskier. Which I think was fair comment.

Also, there is a causal link between smoking and lung cancer, but only correlation between body size and health.

WonderingWanda · 15/04/2023 19:03

Itakecreaminmycoffee · 15/04/2023 17:38

Blended mcdonalds? 🤮

This

CheezePleeze · 15/04/2023 19:04

BeretRaspberry · 15/04/2023 19:01

You said being fat is risky. I pointed out that trying to be not fat is riskier. Which I think was fair comment.

Also, there is a causal link between smoking and lung cancer, but only correlation between body size and health.

Staying fat is risky, no matter what straws you want to clutch at Confused

Corkcobain · 15/04/2023 19:08

It's not magic, it's a tool. If you have wls and continue with bad habits the weight won't stay off forever. It isn't easy even with surgery.

Stop sounding bitter/jealous, either be happy for them and scroll on, or unfriend/unfollow them. I don't see how someone's weight (and by which method they lose weight) is your business and deserves your scrutiny

5128gap · 15/04/2023 19:12

bellac11 · 15/04/2023 18:07

I think that view says more about your view of weight than the reality to be honesst.

Ive lost a lot of weight recently, both pre and post WLS. My friends and family are over the moon for me as its knocked years off my life, my mobility is improved,, my health is improved etc etc.

You may have a point when you're talking about someone just losing a few pounds for appearance sake but when someone loses stones and stones, it has a big impact on their health.

I'm not sure it does. Like you, I've lost weight fairly recently. Two stone, a lot for my height and frame, now BMI of 21, and also like you, feel much better in every respect.
As a result of my increased fitness, I did an activity I'd always wanted to, that was actually very scary, and was so proud of myself I shared the photos with friends and colleagues. Do you know what the most frequently made initial comment was? It was some variation on 'wow, wish I looked that good in a wetsuit'. My proud moment, and that was the compliment of choice.
I wish I could think that people were happy I was healthier and fitter and could do my activity. Unfortunately all evidence suggests that the thing they found most impressive was me not looking fat in a tight rubber suit.

Redrosesandsunsets · 15/04/2023 19:15

Here’s where you get to learn boundaries and do better for yourself. Unfriend and move on. Getting upset about it leaves you looking worse than them. They are doing that. You can’t stop them. If you don’t like it. Move on. Find people who don’t do that. But they’ll likely do other weird stuff. Decide what you’ll put up with and where you draw the line and move on. Don’t make your life about others.

IrregularChoiceFan · 15/04/2023 19:17

Makewayforsummer · 15/04/2023 18:10

Bollocks. Blending McDonalds is not going to make
it take up less volume so it would be completely pointless.

Can almost guarantee its not actually happening either.

boboshmobo · 15/04/2023 19:24

My sister had one a year ago and it's saved her life .. she has lost 7 stone but has worked hard for it and it's just a tool to help her lose weight..

She had it done in the uk though , does that make a difference?

I'm happy for her !

melj1213 · 15/04/2023 19:32

Makewayforsummer · 15/04/2023 18:10

Bollocks. Blending McDonalds is not going to make
it take up less volume so it would be completely pointless.

Not only that but I'd missed the part in the OP where she said the person was months post op ..
The only time I have blended anything post surgery (except smoothies) was in the puree stage straight after surgery.

Months post op and if you want a McDonalds you just eat one normally, just less of it - I can't stand McDonalds fries since surgery, they just taste greasy,

bellac11 · 15/04/2023 19:40

MrsBungle · 15/04/2023 18:41

Good luck @bellac11 😊

You too!

EastAngle · 15/04/2023 19:45

There’s a show on iPlayer about travelling to Turkey for weight loss surgery, it’s quite an eye opener and certainly not without risk. I also find the blended McDs hard to believe, can’t imagine that is appetising to anyone. Blended chocolate or ice cream more likely.

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