Younger = greater success with WLS?

What do you guys think about age and success with WLS?   It seems reasonable to believe that the younger a reasonably healthy person is the better their body would heal and respond to the drastic changes. Lose skin seems like it would be less of a problem (though obviously no matter how young some will have lose skin) than if you were say 40 and up.  What are your thoughts about age and WLS?  I know when I made the decision to have surgery well over a year ago, even though I knew it would be a struggle to afford it, one of my reasons for going ahead with surgery was that by the time I can truly afford the surgery I'll have a harder time rebounding from surgery and the drastic changes I'll under go. Well, of course unless I won the lottery or something....lol.  Anyone else care to share?

Hi, Holly... I agree that people younger in age will probably have an easier time with the surgery but I don't think that's always going to be the case.  I think the person's starting health has a tremendous amount to do with how well they rebound or heal, reguardless of their age.  My husband keeps telling me that his goal is for me to get as healthy as possible before surgery so it won't be near as hard on me after I have it.   I must say... I am VERY concerned about excess skin after my surgery next month.  My tummy already droops.  I know that it's something I can deal with when it happens, but I'm honestly scared of what I will look like when the weight is gone but my tummy is drooping to my knees.  I fear what my husband will think, too, even though he assures me it won't be an issue.  Is that a common fear for everyone?

I think it's definitely something that many people worry about. I know you are not alone there. However I think you will be surprised at how much shrinks too. Yes, you will probably have extra skin, but I don't think it will be nearly as bad as you think.

I've lost 83 pounds at this point, and I have the spare tire gut. But it's shrinking upwards as I lose weight, not sagging downwards. I know I'll have extra skin when I'm done but it will not hang as low as my old spare tire before surgery.

Exercising helps with that as well. Keeping your skin hydrated, especially after surgery when it's a struggle to get in your liquids. Dry sky has less elasticity, so keep the lotion handy and keep everything moiste as you lose.

You are definitely right about over all health being a factor as to how you rebound from surgery and heal as you lose weight. Good points!

That is one of my big worries too.  Besides the obvious concerns, I have three others: 1. having a ton of excess skin 2. looking really old after I lose weight (I look really young for my age now) 3. losing too much or not being able to stop losing I have OCD so worry is just second nature to me anyway.  LOL I've been told by many people that the best way to fight excess skin is by a LOT of exercise, so that's my plan.

I don't have an opinion on this I guess, but just wanted to say to Stacey that I have the same concerns she does regarding my "baby ponch" but friends who have had WLS keep telling me that it will shrink - probably not get rid of it completely, but all the things Holley mentioned they too have said will help.  I've also heard of WLS nurse's telling their patients to wear spandex/Spanx/etc. to help keep things tight and aid in the skin rebounding. Any thoughts or experience on if that actually helps???

Great thread Holley.

I have heard of people wearing the spandex.. infact, I have a friend who had the surgery back in the 80's... when it was much, much different than it is now... and she STILL wears spandex every day.  To see her in her clothes and then in a bathing suit, you can definitely tell it holds her in a lot, too.  Something to think about.  I guess that's for use after a large amount of weight loss, huh?  Because I have a hard time finding control panties to fit me now.  I'm right about 370 (ughhh).    Good point in keeping moisturized, too, Holley... I'm SO bad about not keeping lotion on as I should now and my hands are showing the signs of it, too! 

Well it seems to me everything is easier when you are younger, I however do have the same concerns about the excess skin. I have a friend at work, who has lost the weight and has the excess and insurance won't cover to have the plastics and he waers the spandex to help conceal the problem...I guess we'll all know in time..Good luck to you 

Yes, I've heard the same about spandex type underwear helping out with extra skin as well.

On that topic, I found great panties at wal-mart to help with this. They are called Vassarette UnderShapers. I like this brand because you can get them in Hi-cut as well as full cut bloomer type. They really help smooth things out under your clothes and give you good clean lines. You wont find these in pastels, but there are several colors to chose from, like, Red, Black, Tan, and light pink. They do have the cotton crotch, which as most of you girls know is oh-so-important for us ladies.

I've gotten very used to wearing this type of underwear to the point that wearing non-control underwear feels very weird to me.

And just FYI, thsi brand also makes full body control garments for anyone needing thigh through chest control. I know weaning certain formalwear having the smoth lines from check to knee is important in how it looks.  Sorry to turn into a commercial here...lol. Thanks for everyone's imput and thoughts. :)

Both my PCP and my surgeon mentioned my age and said that because I am relatively young (34), I should do very well with the surgery.  So I definitely think it makes a difference. 

also, if you can afford to do it. the mineral body wrap is excellent!  it'd better to do it while your losing the weight. it totally takes the inches off, and thightens the skin and it stays that way until you lose more weight and need anougher wrap. i have done it several times when i feel fatter then normal. i lost 46 inches in one wrap. you guessed it i was thight as a cheapskate after that i went down 2 pant sizes, and it wasn'****er weight. i plan on treating my self to 1 a month after the WLS to help with tone and firmness of my skin as i drop the pounds of fustration.