Hi Marisol,
I almost didn't post, only because I wasn't sure I should butt in, but......
I have a very dear friend, who weighed 315lbs at the same time I was weighing 375lbs. My friend decided to check out a "Bariatric Institute" and see what it would cost her to have the surgery to make her stomach smaller, and cut away several pounds of fat. She had the surgery, and went from 315lbs to about 225lbs initially, then she was so incredibly sick after the procedure, she got down as far as 180lbs. However, this was exactly 2 years and 6 months ago, and I tell you she has NEVER been the same since the surgery! She has consistently been in and out of the hospital every 2-3 months because her body goes through weeks it will not accept food, so she has to go on an IV. She's had one stomach ailment after another, including forming reoccuring stomach ulcers. She has not been able to enjoy her weightloss for more than 30 days at a time before she gets sick again for another 2-3 months! My heart goes out to her, and the saddest part of it all is that I was heavier than she, but now, through just eating well and exercising, I'm maybe 10lbs heavier than her, and without all the sickness and physical changes. Her doctors believe this will be a lifelong condition for her. She has affected her entire future, her health and general well being just because she wanted to take an easier way out. Weightloss isn't easy, but I was one of the weakest people I knew when it came to eating healthy, let alone I never exercised a day in my life until last April, but if of all the people on the planet, I could lose 180lbs in 1 year, ABSOLUTELY ANYONE can! No one loves McDonalds or Ben & Jerry's as much as me!
Tell your friend for what it's worth, the journey really isn't as long as she may think, and when you're not traveling alone, it's even a more pleasant trip! I thank God that I did not opt for the surgery! My friend suffers daily, she has a special diet because her stomach can tolerate very little. She has no social life because she's ill so much of the time. Her life sucks! She lost the weight, but at too high a price! She can't even enjoy it!
In my opinion, no pill or surgery is worth possible side effects or permanent damage!
Not when the same results can be achieved without it! I'm still on my journey at 195lbs, but I can enjoy my journey drug free and illness free, and with the best support system in the world~ ALL OF YOU!
At least ask your friend to research carefully everything about this pill/surgery. Maybe if my friend had thought about side effects, she might not have done it!
Donna
