Age When You Got the DS

A recent post made me start thinking....look out world....a blond thinking! At what age did you get your DS and how long have you had it? Of course ladies, that will reveal your age. Sorry. But I figure if we can all talk about poo, age is nothin'.

Do any of you foresee issues with getting the DS the younger you are? I've heard that some surgeons actually treat it as a last resort, resulting in more "seasoned" people having the DS.

Also, this might be opening a can or worms. But given the younger age, pregnancy might come with that. Any issues there?

I hate, absolutely hate, to say this but I'm always honest....there seems to be a difference between a lovely lady in her mid 50s having DS vs someone in their 20s or 30s.

What are your thoughts or experiences specific to age or the life changes that come with it?

Straight forward - if most of the vets on here are 50+ (which I'm not sure they are), should I be seeking out younger vets elsewhere to ensure there isn't a difference in experiences? Again, relying on ALL vets to answer that. Touché.

52 when I had the DS.

Several DSrs here, or on other sites now, have had perfectly normal healthy babies post-DS. If you are supplementing correctly, pregnancy shouldn't be a problem.  Just keep in mind that OB/GYNs know diddly about nutrition for malabsorbers.

--gina

I was 56 when I got mine...but I haven't had baby making equipment since the early 40's.

I WISH I had been much younger but I suspect I would have ended up with the RNY so the timing was best for me.

I was 42 when I got my DS and that was only 8 months ago.  I wish I had known about this surgery years ago as I believe my life would have been very different.  I feel like the battle of the bulge I fought for 30 years before that robbed me of many choices in life, made me waste countless hours not to mention money.

Obesity is not a character flaw, its a disease and it should be treated as such at any age.  IMO. 

 

Good luck in your fact finding.

 

 

I totally agree, Renee!

I was 51.  I hope to live until I'm 80.  So that is 29 years I expect to live with the DS and that does not concern me at all.  Pregnancy is the reason many people get the DS.  So I hope you can find some folks who have had babies post DS.

~Becky

54!

I am considered young to have the DS, though I know quite a few people who were younger than I when they got the DS. I was 25 when I decided I need WLS and 26 when I got the DS. I just turned 28 and I am 15 1/2 months out from surgery. I have lost all the weight I wanted! I finally got my life back! I was lost for about 6 years. I know of many women who were far more unhappy for quite a bit longer.

Reasons I chose the DS at a young age:

1) BEST RESULTS -  I wanted this to be my ONLY WLS! Think twice, cut once!

2) TO BECOME MOMMY - Yes, I did this surgery to be able to have healthy babies. If you supplement correctly I see no problem. I have seen several ladies around the boards have uneventful and happy babies post op. Sad thing is my PCOS did not go away after losing all the weight :( Very sad about this but I had a 50/50 chance to 'cure' it with weight loss.

3) TO LIVE LONGER - I knew that there would be supplementing and juggling my health but it is far better than being completely immobile and slowly deteriorating until I die.

4) TO EAT NORMALLY - I didn't want to have dumping from a birthday cake or gain weight after indulging in my favorite foods once in awhile. I can drink while I eat, I have the freedom of a regular person. Granted some stuff will make me bloated but since time has gone by I can tolerate more and I take probiotics which have seriously done some amazing things for my guts. I cannot preach probiotics enough!

5) I DID THIS FOR MY FUTURE CHILDREN - It is proven that your children will be healthier children from a WLS mom than from a morbidly obese mom. The chances of me having diabetes while I was pregnant was VERY high. My mother had gestational diabetes and I was already on metformin for my blood sugar levels. What if my child was born diabetic or unhealthy because of me!? I could never forgive myself.

6) I DID THIS TO BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY - I am happy when I am active and now that I am skinny and active, I am healthier! My whole emotional life has changed for the better! To list the things the DS has done for me besides the physical is beyond words!

 

I am young and I am so glad I did this while young, I am sure long term there will be different hurdles but I know that when they come I will be healthy and ready for them. I plan to have this for 50+ years, I plan to always share my experience through out my days :) So I will let you know in about 20 years lol

You're response gave me some much needed positivity! Renewed my reasonwhy I got this surgery in the first place. I was healthy besides being overweight but knew it would catch up with me. Thanks!