Considering WLS

I'm considering WLS but I'm scared of complications that can occur. Is it worth it. I'm 22 years old, adn 260 pounds. I have aches and pains and most diets fail, but I also have a one year old. He's the main reason I want to do the surgery and he's the main reason I don't want to do the surgery. Can anyone give me advice or help?

HI, I had just about every possible complication that you can have postop except 1. I was a light weight like you...started at 241 lbs. Read my profile for details.......and would I do it again? Yes in a heartbeat, I survived and I am now living my life to the fullest! Not trying to scare you....because only 2-5% of patients have serious complications but it is better to know what you could possibly face if something does go wrong! If you have any other questions....please feel free to contact me! Hugs, Dawn

If there is one thing I could change I would not have waited until almost 30 to have surgery. But it is a very personall decision and you must do all the research you can on the procedure and the Doctor. Of course that doesn't guarantee success or your chances with complications but it will help you to know what you are getting into pre op and post op. I still consider myself VERY lucky to survive and survive without one complication 13months later. My self esteem has changed I am active and I definitely smile a lot more. But no one can tell you to do it or not unfortunately that decision is soley up to you.

Christen, I had RNY on 4/7/04 (20 months ago) and I've lost about 100 lbs. I would say to you: please be sure to enter this decision with open eyes! It is not a magic solution or an easy solution and can have long lasting consequences. All that being said, I'm really glad I did it. However, I wasn't honest with myself about the fact that this surgery wasn't going to "fix" my problem. After you've lost your initial weight (around 12 months), you STILL have to watch what you eat and excercise just like you should be doing now or you WILL gain your weight back. The only difference is, you now weight a lot less and excercising is easier. However, the surgery doesn't change our emotions. Just be honest with yourself. Good luck to you in your journey! Ronda

The least serious complications are with the lap-band, then the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The RNY and DS have similar rates of serious complications and mortality. You mention "most diets fail"...if there's any way whatsoever you can lose weight without surgery, do it. Surgery should be an absolute last resort. Have you worked with a good nutritionist? Are you absolutely sure you already mentally know what healthy eating is (whether or not you can stick to it is a separate issue, but you'd be shocked at how many post-ops have never learned the first thing about healthy eating which leads one to suspect they really hadn't tried everything)? Do you have an honest idea of why you're overweight? Are you a grazer? a hardcore overeater? a junkfood junkie? metabolic disorder? PCOS? etc. It's important to know why you're obese...will help you chose the right WLS procedure if you decide to go forward...each surgery has strengths and weaknesses and you need to know what you're trying to fix before choosing the tool to fix it with. Tried everything would include (but not limited to): Formal diet programs (WW, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, LA Weightloss, etc.) Dr supervised program Book diets Medications Nutritionist/personal trainer Are you someone who can lose the weight but not maintain that loss? Can you not lose at all even when you stick to a diet religiously? Can you not stick to a diet due to overwhelming physical hunger? All important things to know in this decision process... Nancy

Hi Christen, I just read your post, if you haven't checked out the VSG forum please do. My daughter who is 22 had the VSG last Sept. and is doing great. There are less complications with the VSG because the intestine are not touched and the stomach is a fully functioning stomach not a pouch. Priscilla