20 yr old college student WLS

I had RNY 5 months ago, love it. My daughter is 20, college student & pres of her sorority also 247lbs and only 5'3 she wants rny, what do you all think being 20 somethings-how does it affect school work, friends, relationships and parties at a young age and do you follow the rules or do you slack a bit like alot of 20 yr olds? I know how it has affected me, but I'm 45 and it's different. I do want her to lose, like most of us-she's got a pretty face (heard that a million times) and I want her to feel better about herself & be healthy-she's got insulin resistance, hypothyroid, and asthma. What do your Doctors say-do they mainly recommend band or RNY at this age? Thanks all!

 I might not be able to give the best answer to what exactly your looking for because I had my RNY at 27, already married, a mom and have been out of college for 6 years.    However, I'll do my best because I don't consider myself so out of the loop.  

I don't think my RNY has negatively affected me in any of the areas you described.  I know at 20, I'm sure it would have been harder just trying to fit in and having to do things differently but I'm sure I would have done fine.  I don't really think that slacking has anything to do with age....I've seen young and old do well or extremely horrible with WLS, so it's not so much the age but the commitment to it.  

Either surgery is going to pose challenges, neither one being more "safe" or "fool proof" than the other, like I said and as you well know having surgery yourself, it takes dedication.  If she understands that and realizes that life will be a bit different but is ok with it, than I say go for surgery.  If she doesn't think she can handle not going out for pizza and ice cream with her friends (I did all the time in college) or drinking a lot at parties, then maybe she should wait until after she's finished with school so she can more fully dedicate to it.  

Either way, I wish you both the best.  She's lucky to have such a supportive mom. 

~Emily~

Hello, I had my surgery when I was 21. It has been the best decision I have ever made. Granted I had the realize band (similar to lapband). I follow the rules about 90% of the time. It can affect you socially because you eating requirements are different but you can always do your research before going out to find things at the resturant that you can eat. As for drinking you just drink a lot less or none at all. It hasn't really affected me but it does a little but the 110lbs I have lost since surgery has been work the changes in my social life. Hope that helps

I had RNY recently and I am a 20 Year old college student. My mother had RNY about 8 years ago and i used her as my inspiration. I was out of school for only one week. So school did not suffer at all. It is an adj and i am sure it will get easier as time goes on. Friends want to go out and eat dinner and you cant do that right away but it still though I just had surgery the best decision i have made. I know that i will be a much healthier happier person.

I have three daughters, so I can understand your concerns.  I do not see any problem with someone that age having the surgery as long as she fully understands the commitment.  If it were my daughter, I would recommend the sleeve.  During my consult, my surgeon reminded me that  the sleeve is the first step in the DS, but with RNY what's done is done.  A sleeve can later be converted to the DS.  Since she is young and will one day face child birth and all that goes into the aging process, the sleeve may offer her the added benefit of knowing  there is another option down the road if  things happen in her life.  Hopefully she would not need it, and it certainly is not meant to be a crutch.  That was one of my thoughts when considering the sleeve.  But I figured at 54 this was it for me.

Hopefully she has witnessed your journey enough to get a first hand view of what is required.  Nothing is more painful than watching our kids struggle.

 I just thought I'd add that they can also convert a sleeve into a RNY, the only difference is that the stomach is no longer in the body rather than just sitting there not being utilized. But I will say that was one of the huge factors I used to make my decision when I had surgery. (at age 21)

 i had my RNY when i was 21, about to turned 22. i will do it over and over again! my mom was a lil scare tho lol.
If she had tried everything to lose weight i think you should let her do it!!! its the best thing i´ve done for myself. it gave me my confidence back, n the control of my life!! i love love my RNY. 
i was fat since i was 7 years old so i didnt know how was to feel confortable in my own skin till now n i love it!!. n for a young woman this is very importatn.
If i had a daugher  who was that age, i would never want  her to go through everything i went trough and i will def support her to have a life style change. 

          LET  HER   DO IT       IM        22 AND IF I HAD DONE   IT THEN  WHEN I WAS 20 I WOULD NOT BE 400 POUNDS TODAY