At my old job, I worked with a bunch of obese people--- I had never even heard of gastric bypass surgery before. Then one person had the surgery--- through the company health plan BTW (since anyone can find a doctor to state that it is medically necessary). Then one by one, all sorts of people had it. One co-worker who was well over 300 lbs, lost over half his body weight. Granted, he can barely eat more than a few bites of food these days.

Anyway--- he is extremely proud of his weight loss and talks about it all the time. He was a bit frustrated that his boss wasn't more supportive (especially since she had all sorts of "other work" done). Now, frankly, I am getting tired of all his talk about weight loss. It is like having some sort of wasting disease--- he has no problem at all losing weight-- but at what expense? There was no willpower or dedication and focus on a goal--- it was all done through a medical procedure. It is just one step away from a massive liposuction.

Should I be more enthusiastic? I probably would feel more open if he wasn't so obsessed with it. Or is this the dieting equivalent of "doping?" Is it like cheating?






I would not go up to someone who I knew was on chemo (or meth) and say, "damn you look good! Lost a bit of weight, have we?"

At my old job, I worked with a bunch of obese people--- I had never even heard of gastric bypass surgery before. Then one person had the surgery--- through the company health plan BTW (since anyone can find a doctor to state that it is medically necessary). Then one by one, all sorts of people had it. One co-worker who was well over 300 lbs, lost over half his body weight. Granted, he can barely eat more than a few bites of food these days.

Anyway--- he is extremely proud of his weight loss and talks about it all the time. He was a bit frustrated that his boss wasn't more supportive (especially since she had all sorts of "other work" done). Now, frankly, I am getting tired of all his talk about weight loss. It is like having some sort of wasting disease--- he has no problem at all losing weight-- but at what expense? There was no willpower or dedication and focus on a goal--- it was all done through a medical procedure. It is just one step away from a massive liposuction.

Should I be more enthusiastic? I probably would feel more open if he wasn't so obsessed with it. Or is this the dieting equivalent of "doping?" Is it like cheating?






I would not go up to someone who I knew was on chemo (or meth) and say, "damn you look good! Lost a bit of weight, have we?"

whatever works...for some this is the last option before they die from some obesity-related illness. Be happy for them.

For most obese people, being obese is a 24/7 obsession with something, possibly their weight, their self-esteem, anxiety, stress, etc. I am no psychologist, but my guess is that his "obsession" with his weight loss has replaced one of these feelings.

My mom lost 80 pounds last year at the age of 60 by simply eating healthier and exercising. She wasn't eating poorly, but she let is hang there for years, making her life hellish. She did not want the surgery, as she felt she could do it alone. Every person is different. Also, the boss response is interesting. Most people see obesity as weakness. Having an "enhancement" is generally not.

I agree. Congratulate them, then ask, "O.K., now what??"

He has no problem at all losing weight-- but at what expense? There was no willpower or dedication and focus on a goal--- it was all done through a medical procedure. It is just one step away from a massive liposuction.


I see where you coming from, the talk about some sort of achievement would get old with me as well, but you have to be pretty 'dedicated' to actually want to go through that surgery due to the complication that can arise from it. It's not exactly a quick fix.

Excluding the obvious digestive issues, due to the the rapid weight loss, he probably has issue with excess skin. I'm guessing he has some very large cosmetic issues under his cloths.

Sound like he's just very excited about it and doesn't realize when to chill out with the constant discussion.

Should you be enthusiastic? I'd put it more the 'meh' category and just give him a brief pat on the back for trying to be a bit healthier. (granted weight loss does not necessarily mean he's healthier, but it's a start)

From my understanding Gastric Bypass sugery is a last resort for the morbidly obese. I've also heard that it is a pretty complicated and risky procedure and requires a lot of major life-style changes for those who get it.

A co-worker at my old job got the surgery and lost 100lbs pretty quickly. 2 years later he's gained it back plus another 75bs and probably won't live until he's 50.

Be supportive, he's not out of the woods yet.

Guy at work went from 500 to 250. Probably has gone up to 275, but is still alive.

I know of at least ten people who have had it. It is rather common these days if someone knows how to doctor shop. It should be a last resort, but it is not. I won't disagree about the lifestyle change, or that fact that there are complications. Everyone I know who has had it has gained some if not all the weight back, and one ended up with some chronic pain issues. This guy is still losing. The bottom line- if it is not medically necessary, then it is cosmetic.

When I was a kid, some doctor prescribed a bunch of speed for my father to lose some weight. He managed to do a lot of work around the house, but it caused a bunch of other issues. There is no quick fix.

From my understanding Gastric Bypass sugery is a last resort for the morbidly obese. I've also heard that it is a pretty complicated and risky procedure and requires a lot of major life-style changes for those who get it.

A co-worker at my old job got the surgery and lost 100lbs pretty quickly. 2 years later he's gained it back plus another 75bs and probably won't live until he's 50.

Be supportive, he's not out of the woods yet.

The malnutrition from the inability to absorb enough micronutrients may be more unhealthy than the excess weight was.

I agree. One day at work a woman out on the line was telling me how proud she was of her brother, who also works there, for losing weight through GB. It struck me later....what exactly is there to be proud of? The fact that he survived the surgery?

Now I don't know all of the details beforehand, but as far as I know, he didn't try to lose weight himself beforehand.

My sil had it as well as one of my employees. I really don't have an opinion, other than it worked more for my employee. It seems, regaining the weight is always in the possibilities, and sometimes it happens. I have no clue what my SIL weighed before, but my wife says she has regained a lot. My employee, OTH, lost much more, and is still keeping most of it off, but it is definatley not easy for him. Limited everything(and I am a type 1 diabetic)

Surgery will definitely not get rid of bad habits. Is there something to be proud of? Short term,... maybe. Long term, I don't think so. You need some therapy on top of that.

Surgery is a way to keep those people alive but it is akin to a "band aid' on a wound.

There are 2 - 3 people on my floor that have had it. One woman looked like hell for the first few months, she's finally stabilized and doesn't look like death warmed over. Another woman is losing weight really slowly in comparison, I'm thinking maybe she had a different type of procedure. She looks good, doesn't have that gaunt, drawn look. The last one is a guy, he went to Brazil for his surgery "I don't trust US doctors". He looks like death warmed over, frozen, then put throught he microwave. It's almost as if he aged 40 years in 6 months, he even walks like an old man.

Yup. I have a coworker who had it done yrs ago (she was morbidly obese). Guess what? She is now almost as big and she knows it and doesn't (apparantly) care. Constantly has back and other problems. Know what? I have NO sympathy for her.

bleh. i don't know anyone who has had it yet... but from all the TV shows i've seen (yeah yeah... I know they're not completely representative of the population... etc etc...), but in all cases i've seen, the term "last resort" has been used quite loosely.

it's not really that hard to lose weight unless it's genetic. i mean but that's only like .01% of the population, right (I really have no clue). i feel like most of the people would have done better if they went to a psychiatrist rather than a medical doctor. there are bigger issues behind THAT much weight than a little bit of self control.

The malnutrition from the inability to absorb enough micronutrients may be more unhealthy than the excess weight was.

That is a diet issue and nothing to do with volume.

One could choose to live off 10 or 100 hamburgers a month, and still probably not get enough vitamins either way.

I have to say the whole obesity thing is so interesting. I mean to food producers and retailers, obese people are great news; there is just so much more profit in them. There is also more profit for the health services which need to treat them for this or that or that obesity related illness.