Too young..Not fat enough?

I keep hearing the same things from people when I tell them about my upcoming surgery.... They say I am too young because I am only 22 or that I am not fat enough.. I am 4'11" and weight 219. I have diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, skin issues.....on and on....I have been working on getting WLS for years.. here I am so close and all these negative people seem to be jumping out to scare me. Even the woman from GNC was rude to me when I was trying to buy vitamins. She actually spent time trying to talk me out of the surgery instead of selling me the products, I am embarassed when people do this. I just want to be healthy. I want to wake up and not feel 100 years old and tired and watch life pass me by. I am sorry... I rant.. however I have my preop testing on thursday, I want this tool with all my heart, I want this oppertunity. I am scared of going under though, I have never had a surgery before..I have no idea what being knocked out is like. I hope that everything works out.

Only you can make the decision for yourself. I faced this at a few places too before surgery. Wish I had the oppurtunity at a younger age. Would not have all this skin damage. I had never had surgery or gone under either. A positive attitude will bring you a long way. I woke up ready to get out the bed and was in a chair after an hour of being in my room. I dont remember this from the drugs but my Mother told me. Pray and follow you heart. Walk as soon as you can and use the spirometer. Best wishes, Shannon

Sweetie , You must realize that this is your life . Your time to regain your life . You are to be respected for your choice to get back your health . Many people may not understand , but it is not up to them to understand , only you are to understand what you are to do with this surgery and your new life . The surgery as we all know is to be taken very seriously , and there are risk, But if you follow your doctors protocol , you will be just fine . As far as your age ... you are lucky to be the age your are and getting this chance .. rejoice in it !!! Look at how many years you will get ... back . Your weight and height has obviously met your surgeon and insurances criteria ... YEA !! For me . I stood up to the nay sayers and told them my life .. my decision ... and you have no idea what it is to walk in my shoes... Best of luck to you ... know that you have the support here ... go regain your life .. you only get one chance at it .. Many hugs and love , Natalie

Oh how I wish I had this opportunity when I was your age!!! - you probably will not even have loose skin if you exercise and tone as well as lose it! The surgery is so perfected now that at your age you will breeze through it! I dealt with naysayers by simply not telling anyone - I tell more people now that I am almost 70lbs down.... and if they still give me a negative opinion I just say they are entitled to their opinion. You are way too young to have all the co-morbidities that you have and the sooner you can get rid of them the better off you will be. I had never had surgery before and was scared stiff but looking back it really was not a big deal. You are getting a wonderful opportunity - grab it with both hands and ignore those who speak out against it - thank them for their opinion but tell them that they are not in your shoes so they do not know what you go through.... Hang tight! Jackie

Hey, Spazzle! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was 23 when I started researching the surgery and actually had it when I was 24. If you feel this is right for you, do NOT put it off. I have to say one of my blessings was deciding to have this surgery young. We have our whole lives ahead of us and we get to live them healthy! I had many people tell me I did not need surgery. Even one person who had the surgery....the first thing out of his/her mouth when I met them was "Why are you even having surgery." I'm sure most people mean it as a compliment. But you know your body best...no matter how old you are or how thin you look. First of all, the GNC employees for the most part are ******** They're over-juiced work out junkies who think they're better than you, no matter who you are. So, don't let those people talk you out of something you've decided for yourself. Don't stress over the anestisia. I understand it can be scary for the first time. Here's how it goes: They give you a shot of some sweetass drug in your IV that makes you feel drunk. You'll say the darndest things. I told my anestisioligist how cute he was. Go figure, I was flirting all the way to the operating table. Then, once the drunk feeling dissapates, you really won't remember much of anything. Its like being VERY drunk, you know the nights you can only remember bits and pieces of. Then you're out and its like you're sleeping. The next thing you know you're waking up and it feels like the hangover from HELL! I'm not gonna lie. I hate waking up from anestisia, but its a hellofa lot better than not waking up. ;) When you start to wake up, you'll probably have a family member in the room and a nurse in your face asking what your pain level is on a scale from 1-10 (I've had three surgeries, that has always happened). When I woke up from my RNY I was in a lot of pain so I started yelling 10...and crying (I'm a crier, its what I do)...they gave me a massive dose of morphine and I woke up several hours later, much more comfortable. Don't be scared, its not easy. But nothing worth having is ever easy. I want to give you a quick disclaimer, that was just my experience, its not for sure that's how yours will be, but it will probably be similar. Finally (I know, I know...shut up. ha!) don't let other people make a decision that is for you. That was the hardest thing I had to learn. In the end I have to live with it, so I'm making the damn decision!!! You can do it, chica. Much love, LB

I was 20 when I had my surgery. I was 5'10 263 lbs. I had a BMI of 37.5, pre-diabetic, and high blood pressure. I heard the "you're so young" lecture from everyone I told I was having the surgery. Luckily, my parents and family were really supportive, because they understood how much this would benefit my health. Trust me, you want to do this now, not later. The longer you go, the bigger you get. I could just see myself being 40 and weighing close to 400lbs, with every obesity-related problem in the book if I didn't do something. I wanted to get this done while I was young and able to handle the recovery without any likely complications. I had it done last April, and it was the best decision I ever made (aside from marrying my wonderful husband of course, lol). My recovery couldn't have been smoother, and I have little to almost no extra skin. Like you, I felt like my whole life was passing me by. I didn't feel my age... hell, I couldn't even look or dress my age or even attempt to. Every dress my size was covered in large, obnoxious flowers, and everything was cut to look like a circus tent. Now, a year and a half later, I can eat pretty much whatever I want, just in smaller portions, wear whatever I want... I didn't know it could feel so good to waltz into a store and pull anything off the rack, and look fabulous in it. My blood pressure is perfect, I am far from having diabetes now, and my menstral cycle is finally normal. Oh, and not the mention the ego-booster it is and how good it makes me feel and be totally desired when I get cat-called or eyed-down by every guy I pass (not trying to sound conceited... it's just something I never delt with pre-surgery). If I had to make the decision over again, I would do it in a heart beat. This surgery does change your life, but it changes it for the better! Don't let people that have no clue what they're talking about talk you out of it. The longer you wait, the worse your condition gets, and the more will have to be fixed. Enjoy being a thin young woman, while you have the opportunity!

Yep lots of negative people out there because they just don't understand. Be proud that you are making the decision for a new and healthy you. Making this kind of a decision at a young age shows the maturity in it. You are taking the step necessary so that you have a long enjoyable life. Remember that it is your body and you need to do what you think is best. My RNY was my first surgery also. It was definitely a unique experience. They woke me up while I was still in the emergency room. The nurse was asking my pain on a scale of 1-10 and I kept telling her a 7. She seemed surprise that I was in that much pain until I explained it was my first surgery and it hurt but wasn't unbearable. It did take me most of the day to "wake up". I was very drowsy and just slept it off. While in the hospital I don't think I used my morphine all that much. Someone gave me the advice to use it about 3 minuted before I planned to get up to walk or go to the bathroom and let me tell you it was a big help. They actually took it away from me early the last day and started me on the pain pills. I went home that night took one before I left, one before bed, and then on the next day before bed and never used it again after I got home. Remember we are all here for you. Courtney

Hey Hon...Do yourself a big favor and turn a deaf ear to those who are negative about the BEST CHOICE you will ever make in your OBESE LIFE! Obesity is tough in every aspect of it physically, socially and every way in between! Stick to your guns and tell them that if they have nothing good to say or if they can't support you to keep their comments to themselves. I like many others here wish I had this opportunity when I was 22!! Stick to your guns and forget those naysayers! We are here to support you. As far as being under anistesia it is nothing you will remember. They have you breathe some gas through and O2 mask and then you just go unconcious...they take care of you while you are under; every level of your respiration and everything else are CLOSELY monitored. When you wake up you are gassy sore *from RNY at least* and you are just real tired. You will be just fine. If you are very nervous tell the staff and they will give you a ****tail to mellow you out. A medicine ****tail that is. LOL Hugs! Shele

Hey Spazzle, There isn't a whole lot more that I can add, but I am 29 and just had it done last week. I heard the same thing. Unfortunately, everyone has an opinion. I have some awesome supportive friends, some in between, and others that don't understand it, which brings negative comments. I just do my best to let it go because I know I'm doing what is best for ME. I'm the only one who has to be me every day. My body. My life. My Choice. I'm hear if you need to talk Amber

Thank you all for being honest and supportive! Sorry it took so long to reply, I spent today relaxing..preop testing tomorrow, yall know how that is. I will take all of your advice and comments and use them to help me along the way. I am so glad for this website!