I am 3 1/2 years post GBS. My insurance paid for the surgery. Requirements for surgery at this time are getting more stringent, however the basics are a BMI of 40 or over (thats apporoximately 100lbs overweight, also called morbidly obese) or a BMI of 35 with certain comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart conditions, etc. The part that is getting more difficult to please the insurance companies is a comprehensive list of medically supervised weight loss programs. Usually for at least 1 year. I would like to point out that Christie certainly was eligible for GBS. I would also like to point out that those patients that suffer from malnutrition are in one of two groups most likely
1) non-compliant with vitamin and protein supplementation
2) had a surgeon that was a cut and run type of guy. Has no knowledge and/or interest in the requirements of the post gastric bypass patients nutritional needs.

Very very few nutritionists have a clue. They are taught about "normies" However you would think any reasonably intelligent human being that was required to learn the anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract to acquire their license to practice, would not have a great deal of trouble figuring out that when you bypass the duodenum and jejunum of the digestive system, along with about 5 feet MORE of intestine, that very little nutrients are absorbed from the food we eat.

Not so.........they tell you to take 2 tums for calcium and a multivitamin and eat protein. There is no way on God's green earth a gastric bypass patient could possibly eat enough protein with a stomach that holds one ounce. And they are not going to absorb the nutrients anyway. I will NOT go into the 40 various vitamins and minerals I take daily to remain healthy, along with the 3 protein shakes. Even so, I got the word too late about the tums for calcium and am now the proud recipient of osteoporosis.

Also there is inevitably a 10-20 lb rebound weight gain. Not everyone will get to a "goal" weight. The heavier you are, the heavier you will remain. But 200lbs is much much healthier then 350 or 400.

Also, I must disagree, the surgeries do fail! If you are a real heavy weight, you may have needed more intestine bypassed. The suture line between the pouch and remnant stomach can open, so you have no restriction. The stoma from the pouch to the intestine can stretch, also resulting in no restriction. So you can't always blame the patient

Do patients out eat the surgery? of course. Genetics is only one risk factor for MO. There are emotional and defensive reasons for being MO. Many of us were victims of sexual abuse. Many of us have no ability to deal with stress or feelings. We stuff it with food to keep the anger down and under "control".

I am now off my soap box. but I get so tired of people judging others for being "fat" and having no control. We are not stupid or lazy slovenly. We just deal with life a bit differently then others. And yes, it does not surprise me that Christie has abused alcohol and pills. It is trading one addiction (food) or another.