Bariatric surgery or WLI

[CuriousAboutThis88]

Is anyone here who was deciding between gastric bypass (or similar) and the weightloss injections? Which one did you choose and why?

Try WLIs first. You can always stop them if you don’t get on with them and surgery will still be an option.

First post nailed it. I’m on mounjaro and 12 weeks still on 2.5 I’m 2st 1lb down. Give them a go first :)

Yep first post. Go with the injections, what have you got to lose?

I have a number of friends who’ve had bypasses/sleeves. None of them eat normally anymore, sickness heartburn etc, and a lot of regain.

Weight loss injections aren't permanent or invasive and needing weeks of recovery and a strict meal plan to follow. They also make you go to counselling sessions for 6 months before bariatric surgery. Plus the risk involved with surgery at obese size.
Weight loss injections are a no brainer.

Agree with all that’s been said. If you and WLI don’t get on, you have the surgery to fall back on. But people are having great losses with WLI and I read that in the US, clinics that offer bypass are seeing a big reduction in referrals. It makes sense to me that you’d try medication before resorting to a major surgery.

I've had WLS and the thing that it's done is make it harder for me to gain weight. I used WLI on top to lose the last bit of weight and since stopping the injections, have regained a little. Prior to the surgery, the weight I've regained would have been stones. But due to the long lasting effects of the surgery, it's a few lbs.

The reason I've regained is obviously because I have no limitations at all on my eating LOL. The strict meal plan was only during post op healing. Since that phase, I've been able to eat whatever I want. No health issues either. I was prediabetic before the surgery and also had high blood pressure. Both of those are gone.

I wish I'd had the surgery 20 years ago. It's the best thing I've ever done.

Definitely WLI first.

I had gastric sleeve surgery several years ago, before WLI were available. Lost six stone. But over time the hunger came back and I learned how to eat around the restriction, so about half the weight went back on. Started WLI 18 months ago and I’m now back to my lowest weight. Between the two, food and eating are a pain - I can only eat about three mouthfuls before I’m done. So, to your question, if WLI had been available at the time, I would definitely have started there and probably never have had the drastic, life changing surgery.

WLI. I’ve lost 3lb and know someone who’s dad surgery. It’s no picnic

I have a failed gastric bypass behind me. Lost almost three stone on it initially and then stalled and then started to put back on. Started WLI at the same weight I was on the day of surgery. I, sadly, never felt that much restriction from surgery after the initial few months and it never stopped me wanting to eat. WLI have stopped all the food (and alcohol) noise. I wish WLI had been around when I was desperate and had the surgery as now I’m left with an altered GI tract with its own issues.

I was in this position - continue waiting for wls on the NHS or pay privately for wli. Money is a huge factor in our family.,

You hear of so many people who regain after wls or have complications. It was still absolutely what I was going to do as a last hope as risks still worth taking. BUT as a pp said it's permanent. It's major surgery and will affect how you eat for life. Absorbtion of vitamins etc, and many learn to eat round it - it doesn't always moderate hunger.

So I decided to go for wli for a year "to see".

I'm 6 months in and it is life changing. I'm no longer morbidly obese (although technically, acceptable for surgery) and have lost nearly 5 stone. I wont be slim or even in the healthy zone by Xmas but I doubt at Xmas I would be eligible for wls.,

Its the best thing I've done.

Thank you all. It's so helpful to read about other people's experience.

Oops. 3 stone.

As someone has said, weight loss injections suppress appetite and food noise amd make you feel fuller quicker. Someone I know who has had gastric sleeve said they still feel hungry all the time but can only eat a small amount so it always comes back up. Eventually the stomach stretches with more food and then many people have regained weight and then use weight loss injections after all that.
I started mounjaro in October 24 and now I'm at bmi 24.8 and lost over 3 stones. I was also prediabetic before I started, which it has resolved. There is also positive results seen in reducing heart disease, cancers and reduces systemic inflammation which helps with inflammatory conditions like arthritis etc and for me I've not had a single IBS symptom since starting it. Ive had zero side effects and im on 15mg. Give it a go, you won't regret it.

To me, it’s a no-brainer! No way on earth would I have had surgery that was irreversible and has been shown to have a high failure rate.

On mounjaro, I have lost half my body weight in less than a year.

There is a reason so many people are taking GLP1s after bariatric surgery…

@Doireallywanttodothis so sorry to hear of your problems. Sending big hugs x

Wow @IReallyNeedThisToWork . I need to lose half my body weight from starting but I'm 6months in and not yet half way there so won't be happening within a year... But I fully believe it can happen. Nearly 5 stone already it's been lifechanging!!!

How did you decide where to stop? Are you on it for maintenance? How long since you reached goal? Any advice to someone else with a large amount to lose..???

I was morbidly obese for a long time and never seriously considered surgery, it just seemed too drastic a step.

WLI, still felt serious but less invasive and lower risk, something I could actually try to see if they worked for me.

I agree with @WeAllHaveWings in that despite being 22 stone with a BMI of 50, I never seriously contemplated bariatric surgery. I would have been very concerned about the complications and risks of surgery, the recovery afterwards and of permanently altering my ability to absorb nutrients. Weight loss injections were a much less risky and permanent choice, and have worked brilliantly so far, losing just over 9st so far.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden 5 stone is incredible, well done!! And yes, it will happen!!

I originally picked a goal weight (9 stone) that had a nice round bmi (23) and seemed reasonable as I had taller, slim friends that weight. As I got near, I realised that 8st 12 would mean a nice round 8 stone loss so went for that instead 😂

I’ve been at goal for 7 weeks.

I am officially in maintenance now but my weight is still creeping down and I am now 8st 5 and really cannot afford to lose any more as I reckon I’m going to start to look a bit scrawny soon!

The plan is to start moving down doses to find one where I can eat enough to keep the weight around here ish whilst still keeping the lid on the dreaded food noise that has made my life hell for 45 years!! I will be staying on forever.

I would just say be patient and stick with it. There will be ups and downs as I am sure there have been already but you will get there!

Well done ❤️❤️

I don’t understand how this is even a question. It’s an absolute no-brainer. I’ve lost 9 st 7lb on MJ in 15 months.

I’ve been thinking about this since I posted this morning. I honestly think this is one of those cases where a drug breakthrough will almost completely replace a surgical procedure except in the most complex or rare of cases, a bit like antibiotics did for amputations, for example.

I think there is a significant minority for whom the WLIs either don’t work or can’t be tolerated due to side effects. But I do agree that the number of surgeries will be reduced.

There are, but that number will reduce as more drugs come onto the market. Retatrutide will be available soon and may be even more effective than tirzepatide. We will reach the point where patients can find a GLP-1 which they can tolerate, in the same way that patients with a penicillin allergy can now be given alternative antibiotics.