20yrs old about to have Gastric Byspass

I'm new to this and my main reason for joining the site is that I'm looking for someone to talk to who has gone through what I'm about to go through who is around my age.

I'm about to have my 4th of 6 months of weight loss classes, and am looking to have Gastric Bypass in February or March.

I'm a 20 year old college junior and I'm excited beyond words to start my life over and change and just be who I want to be!

I'm looking for someone who can tell me what to expect and help me through my journey because a lot of the people I've seen already are older and it's hard for me to relate. I need someone to give me some helpful hints and tips and just some advice and/or a mentor!


I'd love to hear success stories too! They make me so happy and so excited .. OH MY GOSH I CAN NOT WAIT!

Thanks so much

I am 50... way older than you... and I had RNY (gastric bypass) in may 2008.
But if I can do it again - I would chose sleeve - VSG  - only restrictive procedure... that limits the amount of food, but it does not cause malabsorption. 
As your  as you are ... please remember that the initial calories malabsorbion goes away after 1-2 years post op ... but that the malabsorbtion of vitamins and minerals - stays forever... and it feels that it gets worse as the times goes by...

Please reconsider... the long term complications like RH (reactive hypoglycemia), mineral and vitamin malabsorbtions and that fact that post op RNY we should never take any NSAIDS (like Advil, aleeve, Motrin..etc),  may make your life difficult as you get older...

Even at my age, and with no period, I needed Iron infusions. And I have to take a lot of vitamins and minerals just to stay in a "mid range level".  
No be able to take Advil when I have a headache, or sprain an ankle...  really sucks... What happens if i take one? i may get an ulcer... in fact I get ulcers even when i do not take any NSAIDS.... please research and cut once... 

That is a warning from a  veteran RNY who lost all the weight, but has to be on a low carb permanent diet if I want to maintain and limit the regain.

Have I mentioned the RH - reactive hypoglycemia - that makes me have to eat some food every 2-3 hrs... ? 

Just out of curiousity, have you compared RNY with DS?  What is your BMI?

Honestly, not many people would recommend the RNY these days. It's either sleeve, or DS. NOT saying tons aren't being done, but ... don't you want the best of the best, not old and busted...? Visit the revisions forum, and see how many RNYers and banders are getting second surgeries...

I've found many people still recommended RNY.  I don't think it's old and busted.  I'm very happy with mine and I know many other people very happy with theirs.

Hala made some good points. But with the amount of weight you have to lose I would also encourage you to research the duodenal switch www.dsfacts.com/

You are 20 and already severely obese. This suggests that you must have a broken metabolism. The DS has the metabolic affect such that you take on the metabolism of a lean person. It requires dilligence with supplements, but the permanent caloric malabsorbtion will help you keep the weight off long term. I am 23 and a RNY to DS revision. Living with a RNY in your early 20's is a nightmare as you will not tolerate a normal diet. With my DS I now fit in anywhere I go. Sure I have to make an effort to watch my carb intake, but I eat very much just like a "normie." Noone would ever guess I had surgery.

 I looked into it and that's what I'm having.. I didn't know all the different names we just have called it gastric bypass. 

I wish you all the best with your surgery. I just hope you take the time to look at other surgeries that you may not have been educated about before www.dsfacts.com/Comparison-of-DS-and-RNY.html

Hi, Im 50 now, and I did the RNY(gatric bypasss). I got tired of the up and downs of losing and gaining, so I was going to do the lap-band until I found out I had gall stones. To continue with the lapband it would have been two procedures and I didnt want that, so I opted for the gastric. Im very satisfied with my success. Ive lost over 100 pounds and now a size 14 going from a ize 26.  I can not eat everything I see or want, it does not stay down. So You do eat, but eat what works for you, everybody is different. I take vitamins and my blood level is great, I've been an anemic all my life and now my levels are all great. Keep researching and do what is best for You. Be encouraged!

I notice you deactivated. 

Just in case you're still lurking, there is a WLS message board on OH for people in their 20's.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_in_your_20s/

There's also one for single people.