WLS: Is The Sickness Worse Than The Cure? (Continued)

The idea of having surgery, that "cripples" the digestive tract is supposed to be that the sickness (in this case, obesity) is worse than the cure (also a type of sickness). Much of this is based on the oft stated quote "Obesity kills 300,000 people a year". However, Robert Pool in his book, FAT - EXPLODING THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC (NY, 2001) wrote that this is a false quote. The results of the famous study stated that LACK OF EXERCISE (not obesity!) contributed to 300,000 deaths a year. Another study, one year later repeated those results but when the scientist reported it, he assumed that everyone who didn't exercise was obese so he STATED his results as "Obesity kills 300,000 people a year". Whereas the press (and the diet industry) had ignored the main study completed the year before, they picked up the figure of 300,000 quickly and have been hawking it to sell diets ever since.

This suggests that there MAY BE LITTLE-TO-NO MEDICAL justification for surgery which destroys parts of the digestive tract!

Of course, those marketing the procedures hope the American citizens will ever discover the facts. Weight Loss surgery has become a cash cow for some. Dr. Elliot R. Goodman, who does bariatric surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, said many hospitals were eager to tap into the market. "It's a moneymaking venture for them if you can do it safely and get a length of stay of four to five days," Dr. Goodman said.

To sell a promise, and make a good buck sounds like the American dream.

Unfortunately, for increasing numbers of gastric bypass patients, this dream turns into a nightmare after a few years.

SueW

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Russell WilliamsRussell's Corner
By Russell Williams





People keep telling me of weight loss surgery (WLS) success stories as proof that WLS is safe and effective overall. I have suggested that Weight Watchers has success stories.

This is the link to Weight Watchers:
http://www.weightwatchers.com/r_vg_index.asp

Follow the leads to success stories.

I personally believe that Weight Watchers success stories do not prove the overall effectiveness of the program any more then WLS success stories prove the overall effectiveness of WLS.

However those who keep referring to success stories to prove that WLS works should surely also be willing to point to success stories for Weight Watchers to prove that Weight Watchers works.

So, for those who refer me to WLS success stories why would you suggest that people use WLS when Weight Watchers is available?

Russell Williams

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