What happens 50years from now???

This is my first post :) I am hopefully having surgery this summer and am addicted to this site.  Everyone is so supportive and helpful- that is why I am posting this question.  I am 26 years old and am concerned about what will happen to my organs in say 50 years.  Will everything still function the way it will after surgery? Will the old stomach be fine only containing the juices?   I know malabsorption can present a problem if you dont take care of yourself and monitor vitamin levels. I've tried to search this numerous times, but cant seem to find an answer.  Has anyone thought or worried about this??? Also, how do I get a primary profile photo up???? Cant figure it out. argh. Thanks! ~Jen~

You arnt finding much because there are not any long term studies. WLS has been around a while.. there are people 25+ years out but the surgery has changed over the years. I talked to my surgeon about this and basically he said "we really dont know". Since the surgery because much more popular about 5-7 years ago Im sure the people who are having it now will be the ones to "figure out" what the long term effects are.  I thought about it and figured this... would I rather live to be a 100 years old the way I was.... or live to be, lets say, only 70 and be healthy and happy?? For me the benefits of the surgery in the present outweigh what may happen 50 years from now. If I stayed on the path I was my life in 50 years wouldnt have been that great... if I was even around!!

Yeah, thats pretty much what I figured.  It scares me when I do asks doctors these questions (in seminars) they seem to bru**** under the rug.  I also figure that since science and doctors have come this far, then they will most likely know what to do about those kinds of long term complications should they arise- which we all hope they dont.  I also agree with you about the fact of living happliy and healty now.  I'm only 26 and know I cannot go on like this for much longer.  The physical advantages of WLS are not top on my priority list, but I am sure excited for that when it does come.   Thanks for the reply!!! Jen

Jen, I thought I should reply since I am in the same boat as you. I am also 26 and plan on having the surgery in the summer. Here is the thing. I'm afraid that if I stay on the current path I won't live to see old age. So really this is still a better option. I have asked the doctor about pregnancy though and they say they have had many patients who were still able to have children after the pregnancy. Keep in touch. It sounds like we will be going through this together. - deedlit

Hi there!  I'm kind of new to this particular board, but I've been on the RNY site for a while. I'm 27 and 2 weeks post op.

Actually, the Gastric By Pass surgery has been around since the 1950s. It was originally used for Stomach and Pancratic cancers.  If you do a search for "Stomach or Pancreas cancer treatment History" it will give you all the info you never wanted!

From what I understand everything SHOULD work just fine so long as you follow your doc's instructions.  A good thing to do though is to get a medical ID bracelet. Because that way if something should happen WAY in the future it will allow medical professions to understand and know before hand, the limits your body has, with things like nasogastric tubes and what have you. 

Hope that helps!