Non-financial ethical question

[aida2003]

I would be honest and tell about the surgery. That woman is a liar .

[nanamom]

I think it depends on who is asking the questions. No I don't advocate lying but there are some people who don't need to know. My answer then would be I've tried lots of things or bypass the question and thank them for the compliment. You could even smile and say oh I'm waiting to see if it stays off before I tell. Then the people you feel close to can get the full story if she so chooses. I don't feel anyone needs to know (except my husband) everything about me.

[SnoopyCool]

I'm inclined to say "hey... why don't you just tell the truth, you big fat liar!" Which would no longer be totally true

But she doesn't have to share her secrets. She's getting/is healthy and going to the gym and eating right so that isn't a lie. Good for her for the lifestyle changes.

An aside - does anyone know what % of bypass patients keep their weight off? I know 2 people who have had it done (approx. 4 years ago) and they are both gaining significant amounts of weight back. I assume the stomach stretches out, allowing more food to be consumed, allowing someone who hasn't really committed to change to put weight back on?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by SnoopyCool

An aside - does anyone know what % of bypass patients keep their weight off?

In multiple studies, the success rate runs at least 80%. That means at least 80% of patients lose at least 50% of their excess weight. One study in Annals of Surgery, 2000, had a 93% success rate among those obese and morbidly obese and 57% among those super-obese.

[cooliemae]

In the case of Star Jones, I think she should have come right out and talked about the surgery and the effects. Celebrities like Star Jones can do alot of harm by not talking about the surgery. We are not all as fortunate to have the personal trainers and money to spend on any nip/tucks that are needed.

My best friend had gastric bypass and while they lost over 100 lbs and have kept it off for going on 3.5 years, they have been left with a lot of excess skin and an abdominal hernia.

Alot of folks will look to Star Jones as the "typical" outcome of the surgery not knowing what other things she had done to look the way she does. So in her case I think she would have been doing a public service by talking about the surgery and not trying to hide it.

However, having first hand experience with my friend having the surgery, it is difficult to explain to people why you had to go through the surgery. So trying to put this question into a right or wrong category will be difficult to say the least.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

In multiple studies, the success rate runs at least 80%. That means at least 80% of patients lose at least 50% of their excess weight. One study in Annals of Surgery, 2000, had a 93% success rate among those obese and morbidly obese and 57% among those super-obese.

I'm almost afraid to ask but what's the difference between morbidly obese and super-obese?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

I'm almost afraid to ask but what's the difference between morbidly obese and super-obese?

From the study:

Obese: BMI of 36-39
Morbidly obese: BMI of 40-49
Super obese: BMI of 50 or above

By definition, obese is a BMI of 30 or above, but in the study, it was at least 36 because, I assume, that's who underwent the surgery. Folks with a BMI of 30 weren't being operated on.

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

In multiple studies, the success rate runs at least 80%.

I'm curious about the longest range of time that has been studied. I'm sure there's a great deal of initial success, but it's not that hard to put the weight back on.

The pouch can easily stretch, and the person can also still effectively overeat, even post-op. It's easy to put on weight again, either by eating calorie-dense foods or by eating more or less continually.

If you want to look at another celebrity example, take a look at Randy Jackson. He never lost all of his excess weight, and has been steadily regaining. It's not fool-proof.

Weight loss surgery is one tool, but it's by no means a panacea for obesity. It's much more complicated than that.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I know a woman who had gastric bypass surgery last year. She has lost a substantial amount of weight, of course, and looks much better than before the surgery. Obviously, people notice the change and comment about it to her. They ask what she did to lose the weight and she doesn't mention the surgery. She just says that she joined a gym and has been working out and watching her diet.

No one's business but hers. I'm not sure how else she could respond without seeming like a jerk.

[cschin4]

So what say you? Should she answer honestly or is it okay for her to continue to lie about how she was able to drop the weight?

I don't think the fact that she had surgery is anybody else's business. She has no obligation to disclose her personal details to anyone just because they ask. I think her answer is fine and she is not going around "lying". She is merely deflecting questions that are nobody's business. Most people are merely just complimenting her and making conversation. And, she is not promoting herself as a health professional so it really isn't her job to "promote and encourage the fight against obesity".
While you may feel comfortable discussing your personal life with others she may not.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

I'm curious about the longest range of time that has been studied.

I believe that was a 5-year study.

[LuxLiving]

I liked the 'medically supervised' answer - said as one who likes my privacy!

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by Spud

.... I might tell people I was on a "medically supervised program that included major diet & exercise changes."

I think I like that answer best, as a rule I dislike lying, but then as a rule I dislike telling all the facts...so a simple rephrasing leaves some privacy without ruining your honesty.

And unless the person asking is as overweight as she was (among other things), they don't need bypass, but do need support in working out and eating right.

In the case of that celebrity ..who cares? sorry but I hate how everyone hangs on celebrities.... If we stop extending their 15 minutes of fame, maybe there might be something worth watching at 3 am....remember back when celebrities were folk who worked hard or helped out? (Curie, Clara Barton, Ben Franklin, George Washington, Sequoya, etc)

Now a days you hear about 'drunk celeb girl' 100 times a day, but nary a mention of anyone doing decent work. (aside from the politicos, and they will shush up soon as elections are over, next year no one will know who did what up in Washington, too busy finding out 'prissy celebs' new beau.)

[poundcakes]

I think she has the choice to answer any way she wants. If you had a nose job, and someone commented that you look different, are you lying if you don't tell them all about your surgery? Honestly, people are so nosy nowdays anyway,and ask the most personal of questions.Let your fiancee answer any way she chooses. it is her body.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by poundcakes

Honestly, people are so nosy nowdays anyway,and ask the most personal of questions.Let your fiancee answer any way she chooses. it is her body.

Just to be clear, I'm happily married. The woman I was referring to is just a friend, not my fiancee.

[GoodBuyGirl]

I don't see how losing weight so quickly you are left with hanging skin looks great on anyone. It may help as far as over all health but it won't help with their self image.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by GoodBuyGirl

I don't see how losing weight so quickly you are left with hanging skin looks great on anyone. It may help as far as over all health but it won't help with their self image.

It depends on the person's body. Several of my patients who have had surgery went back later to have excess skin removed. Others really didn't need to or want to. I guess some people have more elastic skin than others. I think it also varies with how much weight was lost. My patients who have had revision surgery lost well over 200 pounds. Others who didn't have surgery didn't have that much to lose.

[Angio333]

Even after the surgery she has to eat right and excercise or she will eventually gain weight again and become heavy. It is up to her if she wants to tell strangers about the surgery.