21 too young?

Thanks! Honestly this post was less about about choosing the right surgery, more about convincing myself to do what I already knew I needed to. It's always helpful to hear others encouraging you in the right direction. I appreciate your perspective!

During my RNY surgery, they also fixed a hiatal hernia that was causing mucho heartburn. No heartburn since - that is almost as good as losing 150 pounds.  Let the RNY begin. 

I had VSG in May, 2014.  In May, 2015 I developed GERD that got progressively worse, caused damage to my esophagus and generally made my life a living hell.  I revised to RNY on 7/1/16.  If I had a history of reflux or a diagnosis of GERD prior to my first surgery I never would have gone with VSG.  I know others will disagree with me, and many will say that the surgery cured their GERD, but I did not have that experience.  VSG creates a closed, high pressure system which can cause the acid to back up into your esophagus.  I would be much less concerned with the need to take vitamins for life (and become an expert in reading and understanding lab results), which by the way, a VSGer should do anyway, than the damage caused by acid hitting your esophagus or the need to stay on PPIs long term.  It's definitely a decision you should make with your surgeon, but I would urge to you consider your choice carefully, be honest with your surgeon concerning the frequency and severity of your reflux and make an informed decision.  Good luck!

Either choice is a lifetime. Do you like to go out drinking with friends? Do you have the financial means to buy your vitamins?

Personally I would not have had the maturity to do this at 21.  I barely have it now!

Good luck..keep asking questions.

Deb T

Thanks! I stay staunchly away from alcohol actually, because my birth parents were alcoholics and my adoptive dad's dad was an alcoholic and ruined their family. Too many bad consequences, not enough good. That being said, I love getting coffee and dinner with my friends. The fact that I will have to drastically change what I do for fun is a hard pill to swallow, but I'm trying to implement good habits now before surgery rather than later.

There are moments where it's scary to think about, but I'm glad I'm being realistic and realizing there will be hard changes. But I know they will be for the better. I would rather give up my coffee than my future. 

I gave up coffee for 6 months as required by my surgeon. I've drank coffee ever since. I also often go out with friends. Those things you won't have to give up. You just will usually be the one who eats less or that has leftovers.

My honest opinion...what are you waiting for?!?! At 21 I was not as heavy as I was at the time of my RNY but I was 31 and that is still young in the RNY world and I recovered quickly, my skin still looks great, and I can still shop in the hipper stores. RNY will, at 21 years old, teach you better eating habits for the rest of your life, be a helpful tool to keep you from drinking too much, and put you in better health to begin a new career or start a family. I know we can all tell you about the amount of confidence we've all gained since our surgeries and a lot of that has to do with the many new things we've been able to experience. If you are at a point that your doctor is suggesting it, than I wouldn't waste too much time continuing down the unhealthy path you started on. Best of luck to you :-) 

Thanks so much! 

I brought up the potential of weight loss surgery with my doc. I was SO nervous that he would shut it down. But he was actually super supportive and very eager to be my advocate. 

Then I told my mom since I'm still on her insurance. Once again I was very hesitant to mention it, once agains SUPER supportive.

i was actually almost a little offended, like "wow am I really THAT fat?!?l" haha yes, yes I am. :) 

( but seriously, so thankful for their support)

That's awsome! All roads seem to be leading to YES for you! LOL I wont lie to you, its difficult as much as it is fantastic. I have hit every bump in my journey that you will read about here and I am still going but the benefits and overall great feeling I live every day far out weighs the small hiccups. What I mean by hiccups are things like stalls without weight loss, hair loss, and a totally different relationship with food. I now eat to stay alive, not because I'm always starving or craving something. Trust me I still get hungry once in a while for pizza but it makes me nauseous so 2 bites and I'm good.  Every one is different, just remember that :-) A good support team is key as well. Your friends will change, some family will act differently, but that support group will be there to dry your tears and give you hugs at the finish line :-) 

I had surgery last year at age 23...here's my 2 cents: any WLS you choose will have POTENTIAL side effects and complications, but staying obese for the rest of your life will cause ACTUAL health problems.

Be proactive...take your vitamins religiously and get your labs checked frequently. As a DS patient I started out taking high doses of Vit D and calcium due to the expectation that I would need it considering the malabsorption, but I have been able to back off the supplements significantly because my levels were so good I didn't need that much! I get DEXA scans yearly to make sure I'm not getting osteoporotic bones. My bones are so much stronger now that I don't have to carry around 130 pounds of extra weight.

Don't wait 30 years for something needs to be treated now, you'll be so happy you got your life back sooner rather than later!