Age range of WLS patients.
I'm not sure I have a point to this post (lol) but I noticed any time I go to support groups or have an appointment at the WLS center ...I seem to be the youngest one. I am 28 which isn't that young but it makes me wonder a few things.
1. Do younger people not know such wonderful surgeries exist?
2. Do people wait until they are older to do something about their obesity?
or...
3. Do people not gain the weight until after 30+??
My program recently started a Bariatric Ambassador program. They have selected 10 post-ops to receive phone calls from patients, visit them in the hospital, and be there to answer questions. I noticed they are all at least 40 or older. I've been requesting to be part of this and think my age could help the younger folks that actually do come into the program. It's the whole "I can relate to you" thing. Other times I feel like people don't take me seriously because of my age. Who knows. Just blabbing at this point.
1. Do younger people not know such wonderful surgeries exist?
2. Do people wait until they are older to do something about their obesity?
or...
3. Do people not gain the weight until after 30+??
My program recently started a Bariatric Ambassador program. They have selected 10 post-ops to receive phone calls from patients, visit them in the hospital, and be there to answer questions. I noticed they are all at least 40 or older. I've been requesting to be part of this and think my age could help the younger folks that actually do come into the program. It's the whole "I can relate to you" thing. Other times I feel like people don't take me seriously because of my age. Who knows. Just blabbing at this point.
I saw a show recently on DiscoveryHealth about a 17 year old boy having the surgery done and I've heard of younger.
I know when I was going to AA meetings I was usually the youngest. I think the older you are, the more you realize that you may not know everything and that going to a support group might be a good idea, but that's just my two cents.
I know for me, when i was 30 and going for the surgery then, I don't think I had my head wrapped around the major change that i was going to have to do. I'm glad i waited until I was 36 because I was so ready for the change then. I've been big all my life.....and I was healthy until I turned 30 LOL then my body decided to go kaput on me
That' so odd I was just thinking that today. I had my "Lifestyles" class today and there were only two of us who were under 30. I haven't formulated any theories yet- but I suspect you're on the right track. I think it's probably a combo matter- including all those co-morbidity's that don't usually arise until after 30/40 yrs.
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
Hmm... Interesting, I haven't really had anyone tell me I'm young (or too young) but I haven't noticed myself, reading the message boards and such that I guess I am pretty young. (24 to be exact). My surgery is 3 weeks from today!! OMG!
"Today is gone, today was fun. From here to there, there to here, funny things are everywhere!"
- Dr. Suess SW - 252, CW - 213, GW - 140/150. (25 lbs lost pre-op) Banded - 5/27/09
I was definately the youngest person in the office when I went for my consult but the two people I know from work who had the surgery one was in her 20's and the other was in her 40's. But I definitely think the trend is older rather than younger.
I was definitely thinking about this when I was sitting in the office.
I really think you should do the ambassador program. You're such a great help here and I think you'd be great for people in our age group. Plus, I really like the way you put things into perspective.
I was definitely thinking about this when I was sitting in the office.
I really think you should do the ambassador program. You're such a great help here and I think you'd be great for people in our age group. Plus, I really like the way you put things into perspective.
Well...being of the older set...LOL...I can say that when I was in my late twenties I knew there was a surgery...at that time it was more invasive and a longer recovery, so it wasn't really an option. But, I also kept thinking I'll work on it and lose my weight by the time I'm 35...then I was 34.11 and I realized that well...I'll lose it by the time I'm 40...LOL...you can see how this is going. I finally went to my doctor when I turned 39 and started the process...hehehe. I had surgery at 40.3, so not too bad. Anyway, that's why it took me so long. And, I'm glad I waited. I wasn't in the right mind set when I was younger.
I now find myself looking at others and thinking oh you should learn about gastric bypass, but then I think...how rude of me. Everyone has to decide if their weight is an issue for them and then decide if they want to do something about it. I think with age we realize we have to make life changes and then learn about our options. I didn't start to seriously think about my options until I was approaching 40 and discovered that things other than my boobs were going to start heading south
...and I didn't want my health to one of them so I made my decision to get more information and then to proceed with the surgery. Volunteering for your surgeon's support system is a great idea...good luck with it!
Brid
I now find myself looking at others and thinking oh you should learn about gastric bypass, but then I think...how rude of me. Everyone has to decide if their weight is an issue for them and then decide if they want to do something about it. I think with age we realize we have to make life changes and then learn about our options. I didn't start to seriously think about my options until I was approaching 40 and discovered that things other than my boobs were going to start heading south
...and I didn't want my health to one of them so I made my decision to get more information and then to proceed with the surgery. Volunteering for your surgeon's support system is a great idea...good luck with it!Brid
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