Is surgery the best way to help lose weight especially if I'm obese?

[JozG13]

I never really made an effort to lose weight and being overweight is hereditary in my family. So when the bariatric surgeon told me that I should do it since I'm morbidly obese, I said yes. But I'm still thinking of backing out. Is this the best solution?

[Barb135]

It's entirely up to you, but surgery is, typically, a last resort type thing, after all other methods of weight loss have failed.  If you've never tried anything else. you don't know if you can succeed or not.  

While genes have some to do with it, being overweight doesn't necessarily have to be hereditary... you can try to make lifestyle changes in your diet and exercise routines and possibly lose weight without surgery.  Many people have been able to do so.

It would be to the benefit of the surgeon to tell you to go ahead with the surgery, when it might not necessarily be in your best interest.  Have you considered counseling to help make the decision?  

Living with bariatric surgery isn't easy, either, because you end up with a very small pouch for your stomach and can only eat tiny amounts at one time, or you'll stretch the pouch and regain any weight.  Many people end up in as bad or worse shape than they started out.

I'd strongly recommend counseling and perhaps a dietician/nutritionist to help you.

[JozG13]

Thank you for your answer! I greatly appreciate it. I'm going to a therapist soon so that might help.
Funny thing is I have been following the diet the surgeon told me to do and I've already lost 10 pounds in one month! That's a record! I haven't really lost weight because I don't watch what I eat.
So it is possible I might be able to do this on my own.

[gymdandee]

You can still gain weight after the surgery if you don't CHANGE YOUR DIET! and still eat the wrong foods

[JozG13]

Of course! I'm trying to eat better whether or not I do the surgery