Hi, I am new here, and I have some questions?

So, I have been reading this forum for awhile, but I have never posted, so I decided I would now . A little bit about me, I am 22 years old, 5ft and 7/8" (which my surgeon's office says rounds me down to 5ft tall so that my BMI is higher for insurance purposes) 233 lbs with a BMI of 45.5 .  I have been overweight /obeese most of my life, since I was about 5 years old. I don't really know what it is to be thin, because I have pretty much never had the experience. I am tired of being overweight and it is now starting to affect my health. At only 22 years old I am battling high blood pressure and I am probably on the verge of diabetes. I don't feel as young as I am, which is pretty sad. I have been looking into weight loss surgery for a few years now. I had originally wanted the lapband, but after doing some more research I decided that it was not the surgery for me. So i started looking into the DS and the VSG. Unfortunatley my insurance ONLY covers the lapband and the RNY, and there is no way that I can cash pay, so I am now in the process of getting the RNY. I think that it is also a good surgery choice for me, and I do think that I will be siccessful. I have a few questions because I would like to get the opinion and voice of experience from people who are around my age. 1) Having the surgery so young, is there anything that you regret or miss? 2) Do you have any worries about the future and your health because of WLS? 3) How have things changed for you such as going out to restaurants and places and not being able to eat like you did before? And, I guess anything else that you would like to add that you think I should know. Thanks! ~Ali

I had surgery when I was 22, and the only thing I regret is that I didnt/coudlnt get it done when I was younger.  I wanted to have WLS since 2000 when I had it in 06, so it was a long emotional wait for me.  I dont miss anything and eat everything I want including lots of sugary foods. I have no concerns about my future health. Certainly there are things that can occur and vitamin deficincies are very common with WLS patients, but remember if you had a DS, the defencies would be even worse because you would have more of a distal bypass.  Taking vitamins is important, and especially calcium. The first few months after surgery your pouch is so small its incrediblly dificult to swallow pills, at least all the pills you need to take. I stoped taking calcium because it they were large and hard to swallow and made me queasy. Well after about a month of that, my joints got so painfull and squeaky I had to start taking calcium again. Within a few days of starting back the excessive popping and pain was mostly gone.  Calcium, as well as sublingual [under tongue] b-12 and a multivitamin is very important to take.  Just make sure you get your calcium in.  On the resturants, as I hinted on earlier, I can eat alot of food. I have to moderate what I eat and actually work on "dieting" and avoiding certain foods. I can go out to a resturant and eat a plate of food if I wish.  Going out to a resturant and not being neverous about fitting in a booth, or a chair is a lot better than being concerned I wont finnish a meal. Lastly, you seem heartset on having the DS. When I first started coming to this website [nearly 5 years ago now] and learned of the DS, it seemed like the perfect procedure for someone of my size who was over 50 BMI and had been SMO for quite some time. Even after I had surgery, during those plateau stretches I would panic and think, "is this the end of my weightloss" or "maybe if I had DS I would still be losing, or skinnier by now, etc" I continued to question my weightloss until agot under 250lbs [im 6'00]. Once I got to 250, it was like I could just faintly see a light at the end of the tunnel. I now weigh about 235, but still need to lose a good 20 minimum and I would hope to get down to 200 or lower. If I got to 200 with lose skin removal I would probably be 185. Anyway I hope I answered some of your questions. If you have any more you can email or pm me.

I am a little older than you so my POV is different - once you hit 25 its a whole different world than when you are under 25. 1) I had the surgery when I was 27 so I wasnt 'that' young. However, there isnt anything to regret and miss. The surgery doesnt take anything away from you, except the physical ability to abuse food - which is a good thing because it will allow you to focus on the mental aspect. 2) Most definately. Since the long term effects of WLS arnt known its something in the back of my mind - however you cant live your life worrying about 'what ifs'. The way I figured Id rather have 30 healthy years post-WLS versus 40 years as an unhealthy obese person. Its *extremely* important to remember WLS is FOR LIFE - you HAVE to take your vitamins/supps EVERY day no matter what. 3) I pretty much eat 'normal' now. The first 6 months there are more rules and restrictions and eating out isnt really the best choice - you are relearning how to eat and proper nutrition and most restruant food is HORRIBLE (even the so-called 'healthy' stuff). I still enjoy many of the foods I use to just in moderation... many times Ive found healthier versions or ask the resturant to modify - like no mayo, hold the cheese, salad as the side etc.

ummm i got the surgery when i was 21....i was actually scheduled for it when i was 18 but i got sick the day before surgery and it was cancelled. um wls at this age is not as easy as it seems.  well i have the lap band so its a lot of adjusting and getting used to.  adn the pounds dont come off over night the way they do with rny.  it actually gets very discouraging. going to restaurants is no big deal.  i dont do it that often, so when i do, i sort of treat myself.  the key is moderation.  you will definitely not be able to eat the same.  i go to restaurants, order an appetizer (even if i am sharing with the table) and by the time my meal comes i cant eat.  i've learned to just order the smallest and cheapest thing because that is all i will most likely eat.   but i have a lot of restriction right now, which i didnt have for the first 6 months after my surgery.  for before now, i could eat much more (but it still wasnt as much as pre op). i miss going out and partying the way i did before surgery.  i used to drink and party with my friends, but now i'm limited.  beer doesnt feel as great, but hey if i want it i got for it.  and now i feel guilty when i do it because i know those are empty calories.  but, i dont drink as much, but a part of me still wishes i could get wild again with my friends. i'd say do it, its a long process and its rough at times, but you will feel so much better about yourself.  i dont reget it ever, and like everyone else, i wish i did it sooner, like 10 years old sooner