I gotta ask:

[Hamhock]

Hi guys. Hamhock is back -- at least in part, I'm wondering, what exactly is WLS? If I'm reading the titles, is it some reference to de-fatting torture?:(

[Blackjack]

WLS = weight loss surgery.

And I'm pretty sure that this "de-fatting torture" that you seem to hate has, in fact, helped quite a few people. I know that there's several here.

[SamanthaNY]

Hi guys. Hamhock is back -- at least in part, I'm wondering, what exactly is WLS? If I'm reading the titles, is it some reference to de-fatting torture?:(
If you're "back", as you say, and this is your first post as "hamhock", then you were obviously here under another name. What was it?

And while WLS may be torturous to some, it is a medical procedure intended to save lives. And as a tool of last resort, it has done that many times.

[Hamhock]

:doh:

No, I've always been at Dimensions under the user name of Hamhock. But something went wrong some time ago and I have been loked out of the site for over a year. I still have no aces to the CHAT areas.

The system always says No Hotmail accounts!

So this first post of mine isn't really the first first. My earlier posting by now have apparently been droped from the system.

[Hamhock]

WLS = weight loss surgery.

And I'm pretty sure that this "de-fatting torture" that you seem to hate has, in fact, helped quite a few people. I know that there's several here.
There were 212 in-hospital deaths who underwent obesity surgery in 2003.

[SamanthaNY]

By 'loked out', do you mean 'banned'? Generally, accounts aren't dropped from the system unless you've... done something bad. Even then, it's tough to get deleted.

Weird. Well maybe a moderator will weigh in (heh!) and enlighten us to what's going on.

Most free email accounts are disallowed in chat because that's what trolls used to use to harrass people. so just use an email that comes with your ISP, or something like that.

[SamanthaNY]

There were 212 in-hospital deaths who underwent obesity surgery in 2003.
So? No one has ever said it wasn't risky and extremely dangerous.

Coincidentally, heart surgery, kidney surgery, lung surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery. All have associated deaths.

And what's the corresponding number of those who has WLS and didn't die?

If you're gonna use the "people die" argument, we can move right on to banning cars on the road and grounding planes.

[Tina]

While WLS isn't something AT ALL that this site advocates, making your first posts about a controversial subject isn't generally the best way to introduce, or re-introduce, as it were, yourself here.

What Sam says here: By 'loked out', do you mean 'banned'? Generally, accounts aren't dropped from the system unless you've... done something bad. Even then, it's tough to get deleted is a very good question and I would like you to answer it, please.

[AnnMarie]

I don't know who you are or when you think you've been here, but you can't have a name that previously existed on the boards unless the account was "removed" from the system by Conrad, and I know of only ONE instance of that happening under extreme circumstances, having nothing to do with banning.

If you were banned, you'd not be able to rejoin or post, certainly not under the same name.

So, I don't know about what your past here at the boards was, but I can say with about 99% certainty that you never posted before under this name - it wouldn't be possible. It doesn't matter to me either way... you're new, you're old under a new name, etc. If you were someone banned, then we'll figure it out, if not and you just made a new name after a long absence... whatever.

If you're referring to the old BBS system, that's an entirely different matter.

/mod

[Miss Vickie]

There were 212 in-hospital deaths who underwent obesity surgery in 2003.

Please cite your source, please. And kindly tell us what risk factors for surgery these souls had before going in for surgery. Did they have preexisting lung disease? Diabetes? Heart disease? Sleep apnea? How experienced were their surgeons? And did they die immediately post-op, or later after re-admission to the hospital?

[Hamhock]

By 'loked out', do you mean 'banned'? Generally, accounts aren't dropped from the system unless you've... done something bad. Even then, it's tough to get deleted.

Weird. Well maybe a moderator will weigh in (heh!) and enlighten us to what's going on.

Most free email accounts are disallowed in chat because that's what trolls used to use to harrass people. so just use an email that comes with your ISP, or something like that.

By 'loked', I ment to type locked -- I'm not a good typist. I wasn't (to my knowledge) banned. It was just that for some unknown reason, I was not able to get in anymore. It was possible a sofware issue. My earlier computer was a 2000 MAC. It's eithernet port was destroyed during a lightning storm surge that broke through my protectors. The MAC was up there in years.

But I still do not yet have access to the chat areas.


As for the risks you speak of in regards to WLS, that is why I call it WLT.:eat1:

[TheSadeianLinguist]

Please. Losing weight is easy. All you have to do is eat a baby. Then you'll feel CRAZY guilty and won't be able to eat again for months. Repeat as desired; no surgery necessary.

[Waxwing]

Please. Losing weight is easy. All you have to do is eat a baby. Then you'll feel CRAZY guilty and won't be able to eat again for months. Repeat as desired; no surgery necessary.

OMG srsly does this work? b/c i'm hella bloated and i wanna get smallur for my boyfrienxd.

what kind of baby u eat?

thx

[TheSadeianLinguist]

OMG srsly does this work? b/c i'm hella bloated and i wanna get smallur for my boyfrienxd.

what kind of baby u eat?

thx

Srsly!!! NE baby will do; preferuably full term!!!!111oneoneone

[Hamhock]

Please cite your source, please. And kindly tell us what risk factors for surgery these souls had before going in for surgery. Did they have preexisting lung disease? Diabetes? Heart disease? Sleep apnea? How experienced were their surgeons? And did they die immediately post-op, or later after re-admission to the hospital?


I really was only curious about the meaning of the acronym WLS. Sorry, I ment no offense. My souces about the above remark I cited are:

* Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Obesity Surgery Complication Rates Higher Over Time. Press Release, July 24, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2006
* Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006; 295:1549-55. PMID 16595758

Hope they help. Looked 'em up when I did the post.

[Miss Vickie]

I really was only curious about the meaning of the acronym WLS. Sorry, I ment no offense.

Yeah I wonder why we'd find this offensive (bolded for emphasis).

Hi guys. Hamhock is back -- at least in part, I'm wondering, what exactly is WLS? If I'm reading the titles, is it some reference to de-fatting torture?:(


My souces about the above remark I cited are:

* Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Obesity Surgery Complication Rates Higher Over Time. Press Release, July 24, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2006
* Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006; 295:1549-55. PMID 16595758

Hope they help. Looked 'em up when I did the post.

No they don't help. Just because you can Google doesn't mean you actually understand the studies you're quoting. The fact that you didn't ask the questions I asked -- as well as how many people died from obesity complications that same year -- tells me you don't really look at this in any deep kind of way.

Anybody can say "WLS kills". But is that any different than saying "obesity kills"?

The results of this study (http://www.annalsofsurgery.com/pt/re/annos/abstract.00000658-200405000-00014.htm;jsessionid=G99Wdx6ygT3vs7xNn1qvCFV1m2tNJ jCp02C5ZLvJrJTHmHpglQr9!-1465501618!-949856144!8091!-1), a review of 2000 cases since 1992, actually seem to suggest the following:

Conclusions: The risk factors for perioperative death can be separated into patient characteristics and complications. The access method, open versus laparoscopic, was not independently predictive of death, but the operation type, proximal versus long limb, was predictive. The data do not suggest that superobese patients should not undergo surgery, as they are high risk for early death due to their body weight and comorbidities without surgery. Surgery should not be reserved as a desperate last measure for weight loss.

Saying 212 people died in a given year is useless. Looking at a study in context, considering all of the various factors involved, is at least somewhat useful.

[SamanthaNY]

I wonder if Hamhock is familiary with the term "bitten off more than you can chew".

:)

[Miss Vickie]

I wonder if Hamhock is familiary with the term "bitten off more than you can chew".

:)

Apropos given the subject of the thread, yes? ;)

[janie]

Don't fuel the fire, he's not worth the response.

[Santaclear]

This thread has me feeling kinda bloated and gassy. Anyone else here have symptoms like this?

[William]

It is one of these

http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?Acronym=wls&Find=find&string=exact


Hi guys. Hamhock is back -- at least in part, I'm wondering, what exactly is WLS? If I'm reading the titles, is it some reference to de-fatting torture?:(

[Waxwing]

It is one of these

http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?Acronym=wls&Find=find&string=exact

Doctors who pretend that Weather-proof Loud Speakers are a cure-all are monsters.

[Santaclear]

One ham hock per day keeps the doctor away. :eat1:

[Hamhock]

Originally Posted by SamanthaNY View Post
I wonder if Hamhock is familiary with the term "bitten off more than you can chew".

Yes, I am aware of the expression. Are you aware of the meaning of the words "Chat", Conversation", and "Forum"? :eat1:

[Marlayna]

Originally Posted by SamanthaNY View Post
I wonder if Hamhock is familiary with the term "bitten off more than you can chew".

Yes, I am aware of the expression. Are you aware of the meaning of the words "Chat", Conversation", and "Forum"? :eat1:
Hi, it's five years later, how're ya doin? Do you know anyone who has had weight loss surgery?

[Hamhock]

Hi, it's five years later, how're ya doin? Do you know anyone who has had weight loss surgery?


Hi;

I'm doing fairly ok. Yes it's been 5 years -- hard to believe. Been doing other things. As for knowing someone who actually has undergone WLS, I have only encountered one online.

And as you pointed out -- that was 5 years ago.

Best wishes.
:)

[moore2me]

Hello Hamhock,

Down in the South, hamhocks are a staple of many recipes - mostly involving greens or beans. The main problems with cured hamhocks are they are very salty and can aggravate high blood pressure. We can substitute hog jowl for hocks if needed (but both are too salty).

But just for your information (if you haven't figured it out already), you have "stumbled" into a whole nest of WLS past and future participants. So, my best advice is similar to Tina's . . . . tread carefully. And an even smarter move would be to dive and come back up in another Forum and try a fresh start under another less controversial subject (like WWII or upcoming US Presidential election).

[Hamhock]

:rolleyes:

Hello Hamhock,

Down in the South, hamhocks are a staple of many recipes - mostly involving greens or beans. The main problems with cured hamhocks are they are very salty and can aggravate high blood pressure. We can substitute hog jowl for hocks if needed (but both are too salty).

But just for your information (if you haven't figured it out already), you have "stumbled" into a whole nest of WLS past and future participants. So, my best advice is similar to Tina's . . . . tread carefully. And an even smarter move would be to dive and come back up in another Forum and try a fresh start under another less controversial subject (like WWII or upcoming US Presidential election).

Up here, Hamhock is the name of a family of characters in a Warner Bros cartoon short that is very famous in FA circles. And as I said -- I was only curious. As the computer said in LOGAN'S RUN: "The question has been answered."

What's wrong with that?

[imfree]

Hello Hamhock,

Down in the South, hamhocks are a staple of many recipes - mostly involving greens or beans. The main problems with cured hamhocks are they are very salty and can aggravate high blood pressure. We can substitute hog jowl for hocks if needed (but both are too salty).

But just for your information (if you haven't figured it out already), you have "stumbled" into a whole nest of WLS past and future participants. So, my best advice is similar to Tina's . . . . tread carefully. And an even smarter move would be to dive and come back up in another Forum and try a fresh start under another less controversial subject (like WWII or upcoming US Presidential election).

Regardless of one's stand on WLS, Weight Loss Surgery, it is disrespectful, if not somewhat sociopathic to harass people over WLS. For the record, I don't support WLS, but I fully respect the right of a person to make his/her own choice about their own bodies. An adult who has decided on WLS has done so, as a medically viable treatment, to save his/her own life. I really think that harassment over WLS, especially in this thread, should result in an infraction against the harassing poster..

[Hamhock]

Regardless of one's stand on WLS, Weight Loss Surgery, it is disrespectful, if not somewhat sociopathic to harass people over WLS. For the record, I don't support WLS, but I fully respect the right of a person to make his/her own choice about their own bodies. An adult who has decided on WLS has done so, as a medically viable treatment, to save his/her own life. I really think that harassment over WLS, especially in this thread, should result in an infraction against the harassing poster..

Sir;

I said this before: I was only curious about the acronym. I did NOT know what it meant. My intention was/is/will not be to harass. What ever gave that impression? :doh:

BTW: I just found out something --WLS refers to Hihifo Airport, an airport in Hihifo on Wallis Island in Wallis and Futuna. The airport is 5.6 km from Mata-Utu. :eat1:

[imfree]

Hi guys. Hamhock is back -- at least in part, I'm wondering, what exactly is WLS? If I'm reading the titles, is it some reference to de-fatting torture?:(

Simply put, WLS, weight loss surgery, is a valid medical procedure and not a de-fatting torture. I have no desire to see a shitstorm in this thread, in fact, it wouldn't displease me to see the banhammer come down really hard...walk carefully and don't forget to keep looking up!

I have nothing more to add.

[HereticFA]

I really think that harassment over WLS, especially in this thread, should result in an infraction against the harassing poster..
You do note that the name of this board is "The WLS Controversy" board, not "The WLS Support Group" board? Just because few of us who see WLS differently post here with regularity doesn't mean it's significantly changed from the original basis of "controversy". I saw nothing in this thread that could be remotely considered harassment. (Assuming something hasn't been deleted from the thread.)

One person's outspoken objection to WLS is too often taken as a personal attack since few people can differentiate between themselves and their decisions. All too often the emotional investment some fat people make in WLS as their salvation is misplaced. It's only a tool to assist them in the basics of dieting and exercise. It's not a solution by itself. This is never more obvious than five to seven years out from their surgery as most post-ops start to regain or have complications of malnutrition. I see WLS as just a way to get a new co-morbidities in addition to the ones you already have. The biggest benefit (or actually "product") of WLS is "hope". What I object to is how that hope is usually not fulfilled for the fat person but instead becomes a big let-down (or they develop significant complications) over time. I say this as someone who now has watched 16 friends have WLS.

WLS will always be a political hot potato in the fat acceptance community. To make candid discussion about it off limits for fear of offending someone is equally a form of harassment as well.

[CastingPearls]

I don't have a nickle in this quarter but I wouldn't say disagreeing with it is harassment. Trolling, however is a different story. That being said, there are plenty of threads in this forum that are FTR, not pro-WLS.

[Marlayna]

You do note that the name of this board is "The WLS Controversy" board, not "The WLS Support Group" board? Just because few of us who see WLS differently post here with regularity doesn't mean it's significantly changed from the original basis of "controversy". I saw nothing in this thread that could be remotely considered harassment. (Assuming something hasn't been deleted from the thread.)

One person's outspoken objection to WLS is too often taken as a personal attack since few people can differentiate between themselves and their decisions. All too often the emotional investment some fat people make in WLS as their salvation is misplaced. It's only a tool to assist them in the basics of dieting and exercise. It's not a solution by itself. This is never more obvious than five to seven years out from their surgery as most post-ops start to regain or have complications of malnutrition. I see WLS as just a way to get a new co-morbidities in addition to the ones you already have. The biggest benefit (or actually "product") of WLS is "hope". What I object to is how that hope is usually not fulfilled for the fat person but instead becomes a big let-down (or they develop significant complications) over time. I say this as someone who now has watched 16 friends have WLS.

WLS will always be a political hot potato in the fat acceptance community. To make candid discussion about it off limits for fear of offending someone is equally a form of harassment as well.
Great post, and thank you for your opinions on this subject. I sometimes toy with the idea of surgery for weight loss, but it's not for me.
I never realized why it was such a controversial topic, until now.

[jen68]

Ok is this about WLS controversy or someone getting banned from Dimensions. I just had wls on July 25th so im only a month post op. I no there are deaths associated with this surgery as with any other surgery, but my surgery went very good. I have dropped 4 pant sizes since I started with the pre op diet until now. Physically I feel great. Emotionally on the other hand is a diff story. I miss my vices, I miss my food which brought me comfort when I was down I miss my beer and cigs too. I know it will get better as time goes on. I have to keep reminding myself of the benefits and of the rewards I plan on giving myself once I reach my goals. I look forward to hitting the open road on the Harley I plan to reward myself with. Not sure if I will get a sportster or a dyna low ride. My reasons for having the surgery were not so much due to health reasons or even because Im not confident as a BBW. I did it because there are so many things I want to do that are impossible to do being as over weight as I am. I just want to begin to live again with out physical restrictions.

[Hamhock]

Ok is this about WLS controversy or someone getting banned from Dimensions. I just had wls on July 25th so im only a month post op. I no there are deaths associated with this surgery as with any other surgery, but my surgery went very good. I have dropped 4 pant sizes since I started with the pre op diet until now. Physically I feel great. Emotionally on the other hand is a diff story. I miss my vices, I miss my food which brought me comfort when I was down I miss my beer and cigs too. I know it will get better as time goes on. I have to keep reminding myself of the benefits and of the rewards I plan on giving myself once I reach my goals. I look forward to hitting the open road on the Harley I plan to reward myself with. Not sure if I will get a sportster or a dyna low ride. My reasons for having the surgery were not so much due to health reasons or even because Im not confident as a BBW. I did it because there are so many things I want to do that are impossible to do being as over weight as I am. I just want to begin to live again with out physical restrictions.

No -- this is about me being told what the acronym WLS means. Nothing more. But some people decided to make a tempest in a tea pot about it for some unknown reason.

[Miss Vickie]

Jen, we won't get banned from the site for being pro-WLS or having had WLS. We just have to tread carefully when it comes to how and when we discuss it.

Congratulations on your surgery, and I'm glad things are going so well for you. From one WLS patient to another, my advice is to keep taking your vitamins, even when you feel "normal", and know that you will likely go through some pretty significant emotional changes.

Best of luck to you. I'm here if you need or want support.

[jen68]

Jen, we won't get banned from the site for being pro-WLS or having had WLS. We just have to tread carefully when it comes to how and when we discuss it.

Congratulations on your surgery, and I'm glad things are going so well for you. From one WLS patient to another, my advice is to keep taking your vitamins, even when you feel "normal", and know that you will likely go through some pretty significant emotional changes.

Best of luck to you. I'm here if you need or want support.

Thanks Miss Vickie,
And about the emotional changes oh yes I hear you. I started with the emotional changes 3yrs ago after my hysterectomy due to uterine cancer and I am told its only guna get worse. With all the changes I have already been going thru in my life these past few years and with the added changes now due to wls I know this next yr will be a doozey. Well Ive always liked roller coasters so hears to the ride lol