Obsessing with weight can cause an early death, something we witnessed here on FR. A FReeper recently died as a result from gastric bypass surgery. This Freeper always seemed so mad and was particularly venomous regarding tall, thin women, like Princess Diana and Ann Coulter. I never understood why she hated them so much, then a family member of hers posted that she died after gastric bypass. Sure explained the hatred and venom aimed at slim, pretty women. So sad. Had she sought the help of a therapist instead of a surgeon, she might still be alive.
My whole world/career is about food, weight, sanity etc.
GBP is very risky. I don't recommend it, but I've seen cases where it was one foot in the grave and no other choice. But there are so many mental factors that go in with weight issues that they can't be ignored.
As for me, I'm not skinny, nor am I obese. The best thing I ever did was get rid of the scales and just not worry anymore. Boy! Talk about all the free time I have now! :)
We don't know that she didn't try other routes first, without success, before resorting to surgery. And statistically, gastric bypass has a very small death rate. I still don't think it's a great idea for most obese people, but often makes medical sense, when obesity has reached a level where it poses a pretty immediate threat to survival, and also poses a huge obstacle to the exercise which is really needed to maintain cardiovascular fitness and to lose weight.