Looking for some one who has been there ....

Hi Everyone,  I am interested in talking to someone one who I can relate to. Someone that has already had wls. I am 21 and I weight 250 at 5'6. I have a BMI of 40. I am doing my 6mnth supervised diet and have 5 more months to go. So I just wanted some one young that could let me know that in's and out's and what to really expect.  Thanks

I am a few years older than you being 28... I had surgery last year when I was 27... am 5'7" and at the time of surgery was 252lbs (highest 288).  WLS is definately a life changing experience... it will improve your life and open up so many opturnities. As for what to expect... you can read a little more on my blog. The surgery is in no way "the easy way out" it is a LIFE committment. You have to take your vitamins and suppliments everyday for life! You have to make a committment to yourself that you are going to follow your program... start exercising and eating healthy so you can keep the weight off. The first 6 months post-op were the hardest... especially the first 3. Its a struggle to move thru the different food phases and *you* have to take the time and put in the effort to re-learn how to eat properly. After 6 months things were much easier for me... I could eat easier and whatever I wanted... so now came the part of making sure I was meeting (and staying in) all my nutritional goals... at almost 11 months out I am still a work in progress!!!  Also expect stalls and plateaus in your weightloss... we sometimes lose inches, not pounds. The scale will NOT move every day, not every week... sometimes a few weeks in a row - its normal. It took time to put the weight on, it takes time to get it off. I charted all my weekly weight loss so you can get a good idea of what to expect. Being a "lightweight" my surgeon said to expect 10-15lbs loss the first 6 months... I averaged a little over 9... after 6 months 5lbs a month... I am averaging that now... currently I am just 16lbs from goal!! Accepting your post WLS body can be tough for some... theres the issue of the mind being behind the body because of the rapid weight loss... some have it worse than others. As for lose skin... sagging... all that... you will have loose skin, you will have sag... nobodies body snaps back 100%... as for what will and what wont... there are too many factors to figure. I will be honest and say I NEVER thought at 171lbs my body would look the way it does. I am EXTREMELY happy with the weight Ive lost... just wish I could look more "normal". After losing more weight my only hope is plastic surgery... I dont *need* it, but being a young single woman who has been overweight since 8th grade... I *want* it.  Anyways, I already typed so much... hopefully this will give you a good start if you have any questions feel free to send me a message!

Thanks for the info very helpful! I was also want ing know why you chose Gastric instead of Lapband. I came in to this thing thinking I wanted lapband but now I am leaning towards the RNY. Have you had any complications? Did you go thru your insurance and have to do the 6 month diet? Did your doctor's talk to you about complications that might arise like 20 years down the road. That is one reason I am weary becasue I have no medical problems right expect being the size of a house..lol but I don't want to condem myself to a life of medical complications and problems. I know if I stay thie weight I am sure to face problems as well though. Thanks!

At the time I had surgery BCBS did not cover the lapband... made my decision easy! I havent had any complications... no dumping, no throwing up, no food intolerances... perfect bloodwork... worse Ive had was low energy from months 6-9. My insurance did not require a 6 month diet.  The Drs really cant discuss complications that may arise in 20 years because they do not know what they would be... WLS has been around a long time but how it is done now is different than how it was done then. The people who had surgery in the past 5-10 years are really the guinea pigs for what may happen in the long run. Way I figure biggest issue would be the long term effects of bypassing part of the intestines... but its about the quality of life, not quantity... if I live 10 years as a healthy normal person... Id take that any day over 20 years of being overweight, unhealthy and miserable. I also had no-cormbs... I was a "healthy fat person"... pretty much every medical condition runs in my family... I looked at it as more of a preventative measure than anything... I didnt want to get to the point where I was suffering when I could do something about it!

Hey there, I'm 21 and I had gastric bypass almost one year ago and have lost 125 pounds. I am also currently recovering from an extended tummy tuck, breast lift, and breast augmentation. I have been through the supervised diets... well actually every diet. I was at 265 pounds and 5'4 on May 30, 2006 and am now 135 pounds. If you have ANY questions please feel free to ask. Hope to hear from you soon, Karlie

Hi im 29 and had my surgery just about 4 months ago.  I went into surgery at 257 and i am at 199 pds!  You are going to go through a whirlwind of emotions both good and  bad.  I remember the first week out of surgery all i did was cry and not because of anything but food, i missed it.  I soon realized during that week that i knew my life was changing and for the better.  I got over it fast and now.... i have remind myself to eat. I am so much healthier and happier.  I have self confidence for the first time in ... jeez more than 10 years.  I must tell you i have always been overweight. I no longer shop in the plus size section. I have more energy to work my 40+ hours a week and still clean, cook, take care of my girls and do what i need to do.  I did mourn food.  It was my friend for years through good times and bad.  I think that was the worst of it.  I have to agree with one of the previous posts... your life will open up to new possibilities.  For me and my husband who also had the surgery the same day.... It was the best decision we could have ever made for ourselves.  If ya have any specific questions .. ask away... im sure we can all help you in any way that we can.  Take care... Christine

I had surgery August 31, 2006...so, 8 months, 3 weeks, and one day ago and have lost 108 pounds! I started at 253 (highest 267) and am now at 145. My only regret is that I did not have surgery sooner! I have had no complications. I did lose hair around the third month and was really tired months 3 thru 4. Other than that, nothing. I have never thrown up or gotten sick. It was the easiest thing I have ever done. Good luck~ Holli

Hi  I just recently turn 22, I was 21 when I had the surgery in feb 2007. i'm 5'3, i started this journey at 265 lbs.  I have now lost almost 70 lbs and I feel amazing.  It was truely the best thing I could have EVER done for myself.    I have had little, to no problems with eating.  The only thing i sometimes have trouble eating is chicken and steak.  They have to be well moistened with gravey or sauce for them to settle well in my pouch.  I have yet to experience dumping, i sometimes wonder if I will dump at all.  I have tested the waters in that area ( I know why would I want to) but for me i needed to know and so far nothing has happened on that end. . I find I have more self control than I ever had.  Not feeling hungry 24/7 is the BEST feeling of all.  I sometimes have to remind myself that I need to eat something.    Everyone is different and every surgeon has different rules for their patients.   I was never scared to get this surgery more excited and anxious, than scared.  It was a mental battle the first week or so out of surgery, only being able to have full liquids.. NO CARBS was very hard for me .. i was almost going through with draw symptoms, like someone who smokes and trys to quit...  If you would like to know more.. I tried to blog regularly on this site.... hope this gives you a little help  Brooke

Hi Brooke,  Thanks for the reply. Can I ask why you had the Gastric instead of the lap-band. Right now I am in a struggle on which one is right for me. What did your doctor tell you about complications that could arise 20-30 yrs down the road. Since we are so young we have a lot of lie left to live and in 20yrs well only be 40 but anyways what made you deciede to opt for the gastric? Thanks

Well the biggest reason for me chosing the RNY was that OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) I'm from canada, covererd the procedure.  The lap-band procedure being so new is yet to be covered through my health coverage.  As well as the benifits from having RNY, not necessarily having dumping b/c some of us do not dump ,but I can't jsut sit down and have a blizzard from DQ either.  With the lap band you have more freedom... I could not and still cannot have that freedom.  I get full off of a very small amount, which as far as I know is similar to lap band.  The other big thing was that it was a faster way to lose the weight.  I was sick of being overweight.  I was sick of not fitting into clothing and not fitting into autoriums for school lectures.  Not being able to do things my friends were doign because i simply did not have the energy or the will. It was a more drastic way than the lap band and maybe I need something more permanent than the lap band...  Also the fact that they did not remove any part of me or put somethig plastic into my body was another reason.  There are complications to both preceedures.  To be honest search both and read as much as you can on both.  I did months of research before I could come to any decision.  But Having RNY covered was definately a biases for myself as I could not afford to shell out $20,000 for the lap band.. I hope this has helped you in some way, I know i jumped around alot.  It is a very hard decision to make, but It is one you have to make for yourself.  Good luck Brooke :o)