Am I too young to "give up"?
Hi everyone... I am 22 years old (almost 23), and considering lap band surgery in the near future. I am brand new to the board 
My mom had the procedure done 4 years ago and my younger brother had it done a little over 1 year ago.
I currently weigh 206 and have a BMI of 37. I have struggled with weight my entire life, and lately, I have felt like I have hit a BRICK WALL. I have no confidence in my ability to do it "on my own," and I think I have finally given in, and decided to go for the surgery to help me along.
The only thing I am struggling with at this point is being so young and "giving up" on doing it on my own. Did anyone else have similar concerns?
Since my BMI is below 40, I would be paying out of pocket, and I don't want to throw my money away on something that isn't going to change my life FOREVER.
If anyone has any advice -- or words of encouragement -- I would appreciate it!!
My mom had the procedure done 4 years ago and my younger brother had it done a little over 1 year ago. I currently weigh 206 and have a BMI of 37. I have struggled with weight my entire life, and lately, I have felt like I have hit a BRICK WALL. I have no confidence in my ability to do it "on my own," and I think I have finally given in, and decided to go for the surgery to help me along.
The only thing I am struggling with at this point is being so young and "giving up" on doing it on my own. Did anyone else have similar concerns?
Since my BMI is below 40, I would be paying out of pocket, and I don't want to throw my money away on something that isn't going to change my life FOREVER.
If anyone has any advice -- or words of encouragement -- I would appreciate it!!
Hi. I am 22, and I am one year out of surgery (gastric bypass). I know exactly how you feel about being young and feeling hopeless of getting the weight off the all natural way. Don't let your age get in the way.
The surgery hasn't changed me forever (except for how my insides are wired. LMAO). I have to work hard everyday to keep the weight off, but I know damn well it was impossible for me before surgery. Whether you choose surgery or not, I wish you all the best.
The surgery hasn't changed me forever (except for how my insides are wired. LMAO). I have to work hard everyday to keep the weight off, but I know damn well it was impossible for me before surgery. Whether you choose surgery or not, I wish you all the best.
I wouldn't look at it as giving up. You are just open minded enough to look into all the options. You're not a failure if you need the help. I wish you the best of luck in what ever path you choose.
I did the band at age 25 which was a good place to be. I'm glad I didn't do it younger but glad I didn't wait any longer either. My little cousin had it done at 19 and it's been hard for her (also self pay.) With a BMI of 37 you may be able to get insurance to do it if you have any comorbities like exercised induced arthritis, high BP, Polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and so on. Or you could gain some weight and have it covered (not suggesting this but it is an option.) Most of all, I hear you saying that you don't want to admit defeat. The thing is, this is a disease like any other. My family didn't realize that and tried to keep me from seeking surgery when I was younger - you're lucky yours does. You've clearly got a family history of obesity and genetics are not on your side. If you're serious about making the lifestyle changes the band (or another surgery of your choosing) can help you. If you're going to be self paying, perhaps look into the sleeve as it works similar to the band but you won't have to worry about the longevity of an implanted device. Having it put in so young, I feel it will not be with me for life the way it may for someone in their 40s or 50s who gets one.
Highest Wt: 274 / LAP-Band Low: 180 / Sleeved at 233 / Goal: 160!
Have your mother and brother done well with the band? On the board that I frequent we tend to get people who are having revisions and so opinions of the band have a tendency to be lower.
You wouldn't be giving up, however. And you wouldn't be taking the easy way out . . . seriously . . . whoever decided taking a knife to the gut or doing anything resembling surgery was the "easy" thing to do should have some sense beaten into him or her 0.~ This isn't a surrender. In life we will all face our own personal monsters, obesity being the one that we share here. In life we all have a choice of fighting our monsters or playing the sordid damsel in distress. LOL . . . wls is just picking a weapon. You can go it alone and try to bludgeon your obesity to death under a myriad of miserable diets, or you can choose a weapon to vanqui**** for what we hope will be forever.
The DS was my weapon of choice . . . I like the malabsorptive part of the surgery and the fact that it has the best long term results . . . meaning my monster is less likely to have another chance to drag me down :P I love that I can still indulge in bacon because I don't absorb fat . . . I take comfort in the fact that it has served me well so far and I don't seem to be doing anything but living. That is what surgery is about: vanquishing obesity so that we can live.
So . . . you are not to young [I was 19 when I began my researching] and you will not be giving up. You will simply be giving yourself a better and less miserable way of fighting with your obesity. I say go for it! [as if you couldn't tell]
You wouldn't be giving up, however. And you wouldn't be taking the easy way out . . . seriously . . . whoever decided taking a knife to the gut or doing anything resembling surgery was the "easy" thing to do should have some sense beaten into him or her 0.~ This isn't a surrender. In life we will all face our own personal monsters, obesity being the one that we share here. In life we all have a choice of fighting our monsters or playing the sordid damsel in distress. LOL . . . wls is just picking a weapon. You can go it alone and try to bludgeon your obesity to death under a myriad of miserable diets, or you can choose a weapon to vanqui**** for what we hope will be forever.
The DS was my weapon of choice . . . I like the malabsorptive part of the surgery and the fact that it has the best long term results . . . meaning my monster is less likely to have another chance to drag me down :P I love that I can still indulge in bacon because I don't absorb fat . . . I take comfort in the fact that it has served me well so far and I don't seem to be doing anything but living. That is what surgery is about: vanquishing obesity so that we can live.
So . . . you are not to young [I was 19 when I began my researching] and you will not be giving up. You will simply be giving yourself a better and less miserable way of fighting with your obesity. I say go for it! [as if you couldn't tell]
Live out loud! How many people's lives have you touched recently? Pay it forward
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! It is hard to admit "defeat" and ask for help. I am such an independent person that I rarely have to ask for help. At this point, I really want to combat my obesity for once and for all, which is why I am looking into WLS.
My mom and brother did FANTASTIC with the band. My mom cheated a little too much - she got fills frequently and didn't eat enough protein on most days, but she went from an 18 to a 2/4 in a little over a year. She looks fantastic. My brother was 19 when he had the surgery also, and while he had never really combated weight loss the way I have [he never really dieted or worked out], he looks incredibly healthy and happy now. He went from having absolutely no self-esteem and hating himself to a really confident kid. I'm really proud of both of them for taking this into their own hands and doing something about it.
My father died when he was 39 from a massive heart attack suddenly. He was obese and smoked a pack a day. I do NOT want that to happen to me or anyone else in my family, if we can help it. I have been trying so hard to do it au natural, but I don't want to spend my entire life fighting this battle only to be defeated in the end, like my dad was.
It's time to take control of MY weight and live a happy, healthy life. After all - we all deserve to feel good about ourselves when living our lives, right??
My mom and brother did FANTASTIC with the band. My mom cheated a little too much - she got fills frequently and didn't eat enough protein on most days, but she went from an 18 to a 2/4 in a little over a year. She looks fantastic. My brother was 19 when he had the surgery also, and while he had never really combated weight loss the way I have [he never really dieted or worked out], he looks incredibly healthy and happy now. He went from having absolutely no self-esteem and hating himself to a really confident kid. I'm really proud of both of them for taking this into their own hands and doing something about it.
My father died when he was 39 from a massive heart attack suddenly. He was obese and smoked a pack a day. I do NOT want that to happen to me or anyone else in my family, if we can help it. I have been trying so hard to do it au natural, but I don't want to spend my entire life fighting this battle only to be defeated in the end, like my dad was.
It's time to take control of MY weight and live a happy, healthy life. After all - we all deserve to feel good about ourselves when living our lives, right??
I am 24 and am having RNY done on 12-15 and CAN'T WAIT. I have dealt with weight all my life and nothing other than not eatting ever helped. so once again like you i felt like i was giving up on my self. seeing shows like the biggest losser didnt help. (if they can do it why can't i) but after my girlfriend got it done and i saw the change and talked to her doctor and got more info on this board, i found that i am GIVING UP ON MY SELF IF I DONT DO IT.
I have a 16 month old son and I WANT TO BE THERE FOR HIM. I want to be able to play with his kids. And right now the only way i can 100% get my self on the right path to do so is with WLS .
Surgery is only TOOL, but if used correctly it will change your life for the better for a life time and that is what i want. I want to be healthy and happy!
I hope this helps. There is a ton of great people on this site that are more than welling to help you out with what ever you need.
I have a 16 month old son and I WANT TO BE THERE FOR HIM. I want to be able to play with his kids. And right now the only way i can 100% get my self on the right path to do so is with WLS .
Surgery is only TOOL, but if used correctly it will change your life for the better for a life time and that is what i want. I want to be healthy and happy!
I hope this helps. There is a ton of great people on this site that are more than welling to help you out with what ever you need.
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