Question:
is it a hassel?
I'm not sure how to best word my question but I'll try to be clear. I just turned 20 and I am in college, have an amazing fiance and supportive family and friends. Everything in my life is so great but I am worried about my health (i'm 5'4, 300 lbs). I know that WLS is a major life change and it changes the way you eat and work out and there are things you cant eat and so on, but I guess what i would like to know is if it is a hassel. After the initial getting used to the changes in eating and all that, does your life revolve around it? I guess I'm thinking about the fact i just turned 20 and i want to live my life and have the changes become natural and not have to have it something i need to be concerned about every minute, i dont wanna have to run to the doctors every week to have him explain an ache or pain.. i hope this makes sense.... any input would be appreciated! — emilena (posted on April 11, 2006)
April 10, 2006
Emily, that's actually a great question.........I wouldn't necissarily
lable it a "hassle" but it definately is something that is ALWAYS
there!!! Your life does somewhat revolve around it, but mainly just what
you can and can't eat. I haven't had to run back and fourth to the doctor
for anything. It takes you a good 6-9 months to get adjusted fully
(sometimes longer) to your new life, but once your adjusted it's just
little minor things.
With that being said, the FACT that you are 20 is a GREAT reason to do it
NOW if it's fesible for you!! I have been living life to its FULLEST for
the last two years BECAUSE I had the WLS. Yes it's a bit annoying to
always have to watch what I eat when going out with friends, or having to
turn down the cake at a friends birthday party, but you know, all of the
benefits are WORTH IT!!! I would have wls a hundred times over! I hope
this helps answer your question!
— cedsangel
April 10, 2006
Hi Emily- at first i just wanted to read the answers you received, but then
thought what the heck. At 20, your life is really only just beginning. If
I had been obese at 20, I would have done this in a hot minute. Great
family, great fiance notwithstanding, they still do not walk in your shoes.
If your insurance will pay for the procedure, then take the chance on the
ride of your lifetime. Sure, you think about it, just like you would think
about a toothache, but it goes away when you have adjusted to the new
rules. Sure you think about what you are eating, because you have had your
insides rearranged, and know your protocol calls for certain foods, and
sure you get tired of them sometimes, but I say " get into the kitchen
and experiment and keep it exciting" just like a love/sex life- you
always have to keep it exciting. Being obese isn't just going to go away,
no matter how much someone loves us or supports us- we have to make the
decisions for ourselves. you are one lucky lady to have the support, and I
am hoping that support stretches to WLS too. Take the chance on a great
life Emily, you will never regret it. In the 2 years since I have had my
surgery, the last time I saw the surgeon was at my 6 month check up. Do
your homework, learn everything, ask the right questions, and I bet you
rarely have to make tracks to the surgeons office. Life is a wonderful
trade off for this surgery, its very worth living at the correct weight,
rather than being obese and just getting by. Good luck Hon
Cindi - 223#
— DollyDoodles
April 10, 2006
No, it is completely our way of life. Both my husband and I have had RNY.
You do make a conscious effort to eat right and choose the correct foods.
Our exercise is one of our top priorities now,; it just is part of our
everyday lives. It is right in our daytimers with all the other
appointments that we have. And if you mean are we sitting there counting
calories, carbs, fat etc we do not. That is something that you eventually
have a mental list of how much protein is in certain foods and so on. You
will get into a routine that is just right for your lifestyle. What you
need to do now is educate yourself about the human body. What it is capible
of, what to expect after surgery and so on. I can say with all honesty that
I did not call my surgeon's office after I went home from the hospital. I
was given a complete list of things to expect, drink, meds to take, taking
my temp and what to do if it got above 100. Plus I had printouts and mental
notes of things I had read on this site of what to expect. I am your basic
self sufficient person. I do a lot of thinking before acting on every
aspect of my life. You will do fine.
— ChristineB
April 10, 2006
I think most people here have one thing in common....they wish they would
have had WLS sooner. WLS is life altering and something that you must
think about daily, but it's not any different than the way it was pre-op.
Let me explain, after about 3 months I felt as if I had never had surgery
and everything came naturally. Certain things MUST change, but you adapt
and it's second nature. I'm 4.5 years out and I do not think about the
fact that I had WLS every day, however, I do not eat or live my life the
way I did before. I guess you can say that you evolve. Just as you did
when you entered college. Your life is vastly different than it was 3
years ago, yet do you view it as a hassle? Good luck.
— RebeccaP
April 10, 2006
For me Emily it has not been a hassel but it is a major major lifestyle
change and it is one that you can only make after you fully accept and
understand what you need to do. Like many other posters, I would have done
this years ago... best decesion of my life for sure.. I guess what I am
really trying to say is remember.. wls is only an aid ..or.. if you will a
tool. The real work,the compliance, the hard stuff has to come from you.
Good luck in whatever you do!
Kim
— KimY
April 10, 2006
Hi Emily,
That's a wonderful question. I am 15, now 16 days pre-op, and I too thought
the same things you are now.
However, I decided that every day now, at my current weight, I think about
my weight. I think about how fat I look, if I will fit into this booth, or
if I will get made fun of at this restaurant or bar, or if I will be able
to get through tight space, etc. You get the picture.
But I know AFTER surgery, my thoughts will no longer be negative. YEs I may
obsess over what I eat, what I drink but I won't be thinking the thoughts
on being made fun of, not being able to fit, feeling terrible abuot
myself.
It's all a trade off. And to me, the best part is to start to think freely.
Not even so much the moving freely, but, thinking freely. I have dealt with
major major anxiety due to my weight for years. It's a prison.
I am SO LOOKING FORWARD to my life change. Take the ride with all of us!
WE DESERVE IT!!
— Meghan R.
April 10, 2006
Sorry, I am not 15, but I am 25.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! GOod morning laughs for every one.
— Meghan R.
April 11, 2006
2o yrs old ,sweetie u have your whole life ahead of you.at 20 i did'nt hurt
but i did'nt do alot with my hubby it was because of my size . then i had 2
daughters 1 at 22 and the other at 27 by then i was 400 pounds the biggest
i ve ever been i could'nt run and play with my daughters ,i missed alot.at
around the age of 36 it started to hit the hurting in my back ,my legs u
name it it hurt .now i'm 44soon to be 45 and look back on my life and i
wish to god i would of had this tool when i was a young girl .so i guess
i'm saying to go for it ,it well not get better as you get older,the hassel
well be living with obesty......god bless you hun in what ever you do .
Brenda in tx
— brenda F.
April 11, 2006
For what it's worth, for me, my morbid obesity and the way I let food
control my life, was the hassle. When I think of how involved most tasks
were--- couldn't casually walk into a restaurant unless I knew that there
were chairs without arms, always stressed about having someone else drive
because it was tough fitting in small cars and having to remember to take
daily high blood pressure medications was the biggest hassle of them all.
Now, admittedly, you're young and your weight hasn't yet caused you to
constantly need medical treatment for the co-morbidities that come with
long-term obesity. But, to evaluate the hassles of living a morbidly obese
life with the new rules for living a post RNY life, I would side with the
post RNY life any day. You need to understand that for the most part the
life we lead post-operatively is simply one that involves a healthier
relationship with food-- and long term the health benefits are tremendous.
Good luck in making the decision that is best for you.
— SteveColarossi
April 11, 2006
Hi Emily
I was morbidly obese at 20. The hassle was not to be able to fit in the
movise thatre chair like everyone else. The hassle was not to fit in the
airplane chair comfortable like normal people. The hassle was to sweat
like a pig for no apparent reason. The hassle was to not have a date for
my prome at my hish school graduatio and worh than that not to be able to
fit to any prome/graduation dress because I was too fat. the hassle was
when everyone tells me and I quote: what a beutifule face have some will
power loose some weight you will not find a husband being ugly and fat''
And the list goes on and on and on.
I had my surgery when I was 39 years old. I wish I had it at 20 my choices
in life would have been very different.
I don't think you are ready for it at this time. please seek some
counseling before you take any decision about any WLS.
I hope I am able to help you
Dani
— Dani96
April 11, 2006
If I could have done this 32 years ago at age 20, I wouldn't have years of
"obese" memories and experiences. It may have helped to erase
the "fat mental image" and certainly would have contributed to a
healthier lifestyle and life experience.
Being 5'4" and 288 high weight, I can relate to you and your size
and believe me when I say that life in a morbidly obese body is a huge
hassle. Life after wls is different and almost always better. Learning to
eat properly is do-able and the benefits far outweigh the hassles, imo.
Good luck!
— LauraA
April 11, 2006
Hi Emily! In my opinion, everything has ups and downs, including this
surgery. For me, the good from the surgery definitely outweighs the bad.
If I had it to do over, I would change nothing... I am now 3 years post-op
and down 165 lbs now weighing 160 lbs. Being obese was always more of a
burden/hassle than the surgery or my change in life has been. I wish you
the best of luck and happiness in whatever you decide!!
— dl_roark
April 11, 2006
all i can tell you is my opinion and experience. i had surgery in 2001,
and, at first it is quite a bit to get use to, but for the most part you
get use to it. The watching what you eat and how you eat and all should
always be continued, because after a few years, if your habits fall into
the way you use to eat, then you will gain weight back. its just that
simple. my changes have all become part of daily activity, i dont,
however, do what everyone else should, i dont drink protien drinks, never
did, and i no longer concern myself with when to eat and drink and all
that. I try to stay away from anything that sends me dumping or something
like that, eating too many carbs sends my sugar into a spiral, so i try not
to do that, but all in all, my life is basically normal. I started out at
397 lbs, and am at 215 right now, but have had my daughter too since, but i
have no complaints. i am tall so i still wear a size 14.
— Kimberly Felan
April 11, 2006
Emily my mom had the surgery in 2003 and has had no problems other than
routine foolow-up and lab work to assure that she is getting the
appropriate nutrients. I myself am obese and have been approved to have
surgery which will be in about a month. i look at it as anything worth
having is worth sacrificing for. Take in mind that the surgery is tool to
aid in weight loss not a magic pill. Why don't you attend a seminar and get
more information about the different types of surgery and it wouldn't be a
bad idea to attend a support group meeting to here as well as see the
testimonies for people that have also had the procedure. You will be amazed
I know I was.
— Sheronda L.
April 11, 2006
I am 27 and 5 mos postop and weigh 102lbs less than I weighed this time
last year. I too wish I would have done it sooner in retrospect. At 20 my
health was still pretty good except for the weight. By the time I had
surgery I had sleep apnea, GERD, multiple knee operations, arthritis, and a
ruptured lumbar disc. I was old before my time and my weight was doing it.
Was all that a hassle ah YES way more than the changes surgery has brought.
I feel SO much better. Only you can decide what is right for you and at
what cost. If you have any specific questions email me at
[email protected]
— tazthewiz23
April 12, 2006
Hi Emily - I'm 24 and had the surgery 6 months ago. I, too, stand at 5'4
and weighed 303 at my highest. Currently, I'm down to 203 and have found
the outcome of surgery to be amazing. I don't think you'll have issues
running to the doctor every week post-op, I think you'll find you'll have
more health issues by not having the surgery than you will if you did. At
22 I was diagnosed as diabetic, had high blood pressure and Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome (an onset from obesity). Today, post-op I show no symptoms
of anything other than that of a healthy 24 year old. You will always think
about your diet after surgery, but only so you can stay in control of it.
It will not rule your life and you will only benefit from it every day. I
considered this surgery when I was younger and am so thankful I didn't wait
any longer. I can now start having fond memories and great pictures of
being young and healthy. If you have any questions, feel free to email me!
Good luck!
— SJSlesnick
April 13, 2006
You and your finace will need to discuss having children. How soon are you
wanting them? You have to wait at least 2 years POST surgery before
getting pregnant!
— tweazee
April 14, 2006
I think you just develop a new "normal" and don't even think
about it much anymore, to be honest. That would be my Reader's Digest
condensed version of the answer. -- Jennifer
— j_coulter
April 17, 2006
I will be five years post op (May 8th). I'm 5 '3 1/2 and weighed 319. I was
43 when I had wls in 2001. I waited for years dieting hoping to avoid wls.
I had the open and it was VERY hard. (But everyone is different). I've had
16 surgeries and it was the third hardest. HOWEVER, if I was 20 now (not
back 28 years ago, but NOW but the better wls surgeries), boy I'd jump on
having wls at 20! Why? You are younger and stronger. And have so much of
your life ahead. GO FOR IT!
I was totally mentally ready for wls as I knew the changes would be hard.
Actually, the hardest is birthdays and holidays when we all get with family
and pig out. THat can't be anymore. Phychologically, that is still
difficult. Funny though, that after about two years, the life revolving
around food did come back. I wish it was'nt but it is. The wls takes care
of that for a few years, but we heal. You just need to be honest with
yourself on YOUR weakness' and do your best to antisipate what 'may' give
you problems afterwards. Me, I knew candy, ice cream, and donuts. It would
be better if you could resign yourself NEVER to eat another of your problem
foods. But I'm not sure most of us can. For years a "bite would
satisfy" then I could leave it alone. Not now. WLS does'nt cure our
tastes..... it lets us eat less of them... but it is still up to
"us" to control what we shove into that "big hole in our
head". lol Anyway, getting wls at 20 sounds like about the best age
for it. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU! :)
— Danmark
April 22, 2006
hi, im 22 and just got approved for my surgery. I find out my date on
monday. i have been working at getting this surgery since i was 18. I
know that I can lead a full healthy life and I am out to do so. Plain and
simple I am 22 and I cannot even get out of bed without pain on some days.
I quit smoking and sodas and all that crap. I still know I will miss my
sodas and my cheeseburgers and stuff, but I want children one day and if
mom isnt ok kids wont be ok ya know? I am moving just to have a yard and
neighborhood to exercise in (living in an apartment right now) I want this
so bad, i want to have fun and love being young while i can, I am sure you
do to. I want to feel as good as I want to look lol. We are at the age
where if we dont have fun now we will regret it totally. I cannot wait to
get my surgery and go outside and work out, actually watch the weight come
off! I want to drink my little bottle of water like i am now and see a
difference. I want to not have to take pills everyday for diabetes and
etc. I want to sleep without my cpap machine! I want to be able to have
sex! I know it sounds bad but sex is very difficult and we are almost at
our primes! I want to play with my dogs and go shopping without pain. I
want my major outings to be elsewhere besides to my doctors offices. I
just wanna live, so if you are like me, you will be willing to do anything
to live life to its fullest right now. Think of all the amazing things we
are missing out on. We owe it to ourselves to do this. Look up more info,
talk to your doc, look at yourself, be honest with yourself, is that food
and soda really worth what you see? I know my fiance has agreed to diet
and work out with me, he also quit smoking with me. He has picked up the
water habit already and he is making the move with me. Ask your fiance how
he feels. is he willing to help you? Do yall live together? is he willing
to not have problem food around the house? Be sure to know your situation
before you decide too. I hope you have the best of luck
— Shelly M.
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