[Elspode]

My wife had biliary bypass surgery last December. She has lost over 150 pounds since then and is much more active and positive about herself. There are some difficulties, to be sure, but none as extreme as the eventual stroke or heart attack she was certain to have had she remained at her original weight.

*Everything* in medicine is a tradeoff. Virtually nothing is 100% beneficial. There are no guarantees when you screw with the machine that is the human body. You look at the big picture, consider the cost/benefits analysis, and then act based upon careful evaluation of all factors. It took my wife over a year to get everything put together to do this. The insurance requirements alone were staggering. They don't pay for this procedure unless they think it will save them money over the lifetime of the client. Her doctor wouldn't do the surgery unless she met very strict criteria, and unless she agreed to participate in an ongoing study of the procedure.

She has excess skin, yes. She has some frustrations and issues over her eating habits before and since the surgery. She experiences some bouts of pain and gastric distress for various reasons. It isn't all roses for sure.

However, she is going to be around for a lot longer, she looks more like the person she always envisioned herself to be, and she has a vastly increased wardrobe potential. Those things make her very happy, and I am happy for her.