What do y’all think about weight loss surgery?

[Anonymous]

So. I’m getting WLS (gastric sleeve) in May. I have a small tumor in my adrenal glands which cause my body to release too much cortisol. Which has caused me to gain a LOT of weight. I’m currently 80 pounds overweight. The surgeon is going to remove the tumor AND do a gastric sleeve on me.

My parents keep saying that I’m taking the “easy” way out and I can do this with diet and exercise. But they don’t realize that I have Cushing syndrome and it’s causing me to gain weight even when I do eat right and workout.

Do y'all really think this is the easy way out? If I get this procedure, I won’t be able to eat red meat or bread again. For the rest of my life. And this is coming from someone who enjoys steaks.

I’ve been eating right and working out for 2 years now and never knew I had Cushing’s syndrome.

[MORPHEUS_12]

Question for you, they say that roughly 15% of cushing's disease is caused by adrenal gland tumors. Why doesn't your Endocrinologist refer you to a surgeon to have that tumor removed or to have your adrenal gland removed? I don't necessarily feel like bariactric surgery is wrong it's just there are so many variables. Another thing to consider is whether or not you decide to get pregnant. They say after bariactric surgery you should wait 2 years before trying to conceive. Immediately after surgery women become highly fertile. I also thing that bariactric surgery is just one tool at one's disposal to use to lose weight. I believe that a person should also include regular visits with a psychologist in addition to a registered dietian for optimal success. I wish you all the best at whatever you choose.

[Asker]

You do realize they make us go to a psychiatrist for an evaluation and regular visits to a dietician right?

Also. I don’t want kids. And surgery does not make you more fertile. It actually does the opposite.

And you can’t live without your adrenal glands. 🤦‍♀️ and the surgeon I went to can remove the tumor with good margins. He has multiple specialties. I chose this route because this tumor caused me to gain too much weight that it would be incredibly difficult to do on my own.

I’d do some research if I were you tho. You have some conflicting information.

[Asker]

I’m still not sure where you heard that women become extremely fertile after surgery. Fertility has nothing to do with surgery. It actually causes you to miss your ovulation (which is the only time you can get pregnant) because of the stress on your body from the surgery. It actually makes you LESS fertile

[NathanDavis]

WLS can't be easy, it takes a toll on the body like most surgeries will do, it will change your life and will require lots of work to get back to a healthier condition, so is not easy, it's just a different challenge with it's own risks and sacrifices, so.

Listen to your doctor, your surgeon, talk to a nutritionist if you can or a dietician, they are the ones who know better about these things and your particular condition, I assume they're the ones that will evaluate you and clear you as a candidate for it.

Even if it were easier indeed? so what? this is about your health we're talking about. Talk to your doctors and prioritize your health, care not for what others say,, not on this.

[Asker]

Thank you.

[NathanDavis]

take care and good luck

[slatyb]

I know people that have been very much helped by bariatric surgery. Is there any treatment available for your glandular condition?

[Asker]

The only treatment is that my tumor be removed. It’s not malignant.

[slatyb]

is the surgery complex? what does your physician recommend?

[slatyb]

that seems simpler than bariatric surgery but I'm not a physician.

[Asker]

The tumor caused me to gain a large amount of weight. That’s why I want to get it done. The surgery for bariatric is simple also. It’s done in 30 mins and they don’t make a large incision. It’s 3 mall 1 inch incisions where they put long rods in to do the surgery so recovery time is faster. I can drive after 3 days. And I go home the next day