21 too young?

Hello All! 

So I'm probably getting ahead of myself but hey, I like to be prepared. Anyway I've been leaning towards Vsg but my PCP is encouraging me to explore RNY because I get acid reflux. In general I'm much more comfortable with the idea of getting VSG, but I know reflux can lead to cancer. Not good. However my fear is that being only  21, the malabsorption of RNY could have really nasty side effects 30 or 40 years out. If I were older I would be less concerned about the malabsorbton but since I'm pretty young, I'm scared having it for so long could cause major problems with health such as osteoporosis. 

What do you guys think?

Ultimately my surgeon will have the say, but I want to be well informed when we discuss.

RNY calorie malabsorption only lasts about 18 months.  Vitamin malabsorption lasts for life. 

It would be a lot healthier to have take vitamins at 30 than to have to deal with the torture of GERD.   GERD causes cancer in the long run in some people.  It can lead to full time misery with reflux.  The PPI's used to treat GERD are now being suspected of leading to complications like kidney damage and Alzheimer's.

RNY has been around long enough that there are now senior citizens in nursing homes who had RNY when they were younger adults.  My sister is a dietitian at a senior care facility.  She told me that her patients who had RNY earlier in life are healthier, insist on their protein requirements and vitamins being met, and live longer and more active lives than patients who are obese.

I cannot like this reply enough.

I agree!

I so agree. I just needed some affirmation and convincing to get 'er done. I planned on Vsg from the beginning so I just have to accept that it's not right for me and adjust my mind set! Thanks for the advice 

GERD was absolutely miserable when I had the band. I literally woke at night with acid spewing from my nose and mouth. I couldn't get comfortable and couldn't sleep at times, except sitting up. PPI's didn't work, nothing worked. If I already had a GERD diagnosis, I certainly wouldn't go for VSG. Just my 2 cents worth.

I had RNY at 42. I plan on rocking it for another 50 years. No way i would make it that long while Super Morbidly Obese.  

If you are compliant with your vitamins,  there is no reason that you won't live a normal healthy life.  

I don't have any experience with GERD, but i have heard from others that it is really miserable.  

Yeah GERD sucks. I started experiencing it when I got on new medication and even after I switched, it never went away. 

Deep down I know Rny is the best option for me, but since the beginning I assumed I would go down the VSG tract. I think I needed some convincing to do what I already know what it is best. 

I appreciate your advice.

When i started researching i was really wanting VSG as well. I thought that RNY was less invasive.   It was my PCP *****commended RNY,  because i had type 2 diabetes.  My surgeon agreed,  so i went with the RNY. 

In the end,  it's up to you,  but there are serious medical reasons that point to the RNY as being the best choice for you.  

I wish you the very best.  Making this choice young is a huge advantage for you.  I know that being obese through my 20s and 30s wad hard on my body.  I wish i had made the choice to do this 10 years ago.  

I agree with the others *****plied.  GERD is far more dangerous than living with malabsorption.  If you keep up with labs, get your required protein and fluid, and take your vitamins you will be fine.   I suffered with Gerd for many years and developed Barrett's Esophagus.  I had 6 pre cancerous tumors removed .  RNY surgery cured the GERD.

At age 21, I am more worried about you being diligent in taking the required vitamins and keeping up with your lab work.  You can't EVER let that slide.  It takes commitment to stay healthy after surgery.  At your young age I worry that you don't fully understand how much work you will have to do to change your eating habits.  The surgery is the easy part.  Getting the head stuff figured out is hard work.