Is it worth it? WLS vs TT only for lightweight

 I am almost 30. I'm 5'9 and have maintained the same weight (235) for probably 10 years (BMI 34.7), not counting pregnancy gains. My last pregnancy, I got up to 270, and a year later back down to 235. I eat fairly healthy, am aware of what I am putting into my body, try for "real food" 80% of the time. I am not very active. I have to severely restrict and work out to lose weight beyond my settled point. 

I've been seriously considering WLS (VSG) for about 6 months now. For a variety of reasons, it would be next spring before I could do it, and I'd be going to Mexico self-pay. After losing weight, I would need a tummy tuck. 

Here's the thing. I AM fairly healthy, and other than pregnancy, my weight has NOT creeped up through the years. I'd love to have less thigh fat, less arm fat, less neck fat... but really my big issue is my stomach. I have a bulging, flabby, flappy stomach after 3 kids and 1 c-section. And honestly, I can't remember ever NOT having this. I'm about a size 16 right now, but a lot of that is space for my belly fat. 

So my thing is this. 2 major surgeries (in mexico) and recoveries, at least 20k, and probably 3 years of process to lose the weight, maintain, get tucked, etc. Or just get a big ol' tummy tuck, flatten my abdomen, lose a pant size or two, and live my life as a Hawt plus-sized gal? 

Is the extra time/expense/surgery worth it? 

Do you have any co-morbids that affect your health? If so, the WLS surgery is SO worth it.

And welcome to the lightweight board.

Liz

 Thanks for the reply and very apt question (and the welcome!). I do not have any cormorbidities. I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy and it scared the crap out of me, and that's when I started looking into WLS seriously. My blood sugars returned to normal after delivery, but I know GD increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. 

However, I'll admit that my *primary* consideration for surgery/surgeries is cosmetic. I'd love to avoid all of the potential problems that come with being overweight, especially as I get older, of course, but like I said, I'm pretty healthy so far and have decent control of my eating habits. 

So that's where I'm at, trying to figure out whether the extra time & effort (and MONEY) is worth it as a preventative/cosmetic procedure. 

I know it sounds like I've made up my mind but I absolutely have not. I've been researching/thinking/planning for a VSG for 6 months, and only recently saw a picture of someone overweight who had a TT to improve stomach contour and thought, "huh, maybe that would be enough." I like to think around all sides of an issue for awhile before making a conclusion!

On thing to test for if you haven't already is sleep apnea. It sneaks up on most people. And yes, GD does usually end up as full blown diabetes. A premptive strike should keep it at bay!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Liz

Most of us used the surgery to cure co-morbidities caused or effected by the extra weight.  The side effect of cosmetic benefits was secondary but certainly fun.  Many of us could lose weigh, just gained it back pre surgery.  My major gain was actually after 30 when my kids were small.  I lost 60 lbs in the late 80s only to gain it back when I had to stop running because my hips broke down.

It's a decision only you can make.  I'm not sure i would have done it just to lose my tummy.  But with all I gained from WLS, I just wish I had done it sooner.

I think you need to consider what the long term effects are on your health living as an obese person.  I am your height and was your weight when I first began considering WLS.  By the time my surgery was scheduled, my weight  was around 250.  My thyroid began failing. 

Like you, I always considered myself to be a healthy person.  I never went to the doctor, so in my mind that meant I was healthy.  What I did not know was I had high blood pressure and apparently had it for quite some time.  Little by little I began developing the typical co-morbid conditions that often develop with obesity.  Little by little I began feeling sub par but blamed it on menopause.  I blamed everything on menopause.  My brother 6'2" weighed 50 pounds less than I  but already had partial amputations on both feet due to type II diabetes.That concerned me. 

At your height, you are not at a healthy weight.  We get away with it for awhile, possible years, but eventually it takes a toll, or can take a toll,  on our bodies.  You are young...as you age it becomes more difficult to maintain and lose.  You mentioned that is the case for you even now when it comes to losing weight.

It sounds like you must have a larger frame  - wearing a 16 at your weight.  You can obviously carry more weight and it not be a problem.  When I was 235 I wore a size 24.  I needed to wear a 26 but refused, so I bought 24s no matter how it looked on me.  At our height we should weigh between 129 to 170 depending.  I know that is only a range.  That is only 65 pound to lose if you wanted to be at the upper end.  That is not a lot to lose.

So...I said all that to say this....because you are healthy, eat well and are young and  are okay with how you  feel, you might consider the TT.  Just be aware you are in a place where you really cannot afford to gain any more weight as far as your health is concerned.

I'm not a health care professional...that is simply my opinion.  WLS is a very big decision.  It impacts pretty much every area of your life for a period of time.  I have the feeling you are okay with your weight at this time and are looking towards correcting the excess skin on your stomach.  Good luck with your decision.

 Thanks for this, it is very helpful. My BP has always been ok during pregnancies, though it started to creep some with this last one. And it is definitely good to keep in mind the way the body slows down nearing and following middle age. I've maintained pretty much the same weight my entire adult life, but that doesn't mean I won't start gaining soon!

I do have a large frame in addition to being tall. I bounce between a 16-18 but usually closer to 16 when I'm actually at 235. I have never ever been a "normal" weight, so I have no idea what normal is for me. I'm guessing you're right, probably 165 or so would be a healthy weight for me. I just don't know how realistic it is.

I have never had yoyo weights, I never lost weight easily, especially beyond my settled weight (I lose ok with effort after pregnancies, but rarely below 235). So I wonder whether WLS will truly work for me, in the long term. It may well be worth a shot, though. I wish I could get a portion of the cost covered by insurance, because that would definitely make the decision easier. 

The thing you have in your favor that I did not have  is you keep your weight stable.  I was up and down and up and down my entire adult life.  I lost 70 pounds in 1997, again in 2002, almost as much in 2004, 40 in 2007...not to mention the zillion other times I lost 20, 30 or more throughout my life.  I destroyed my metabolism.  You on the other hand are stable.  It is definitely a hard decision. 

I had a tummy tuck before I gained all of my weight.  It doesn't really change your size drastically, just tightens everything up.  Plus if you don't get liposuction on your butt and your back you will probably stay in the same size pants.  I dont know for sure.  I know I didn't change any sizes after my TT, I just looked better naked. (I didn't have lipo.  I was pretty thin back then.)

You are very young yet.  While your weight has maintained throughout your 20's you may experience significant weight gain during your late 30's and early 40's as you enter perimenopause.  That is also the time the comorbidities might start showing up.  Just something to think about.

Good luck and welcome.

Tonya

Tonya, I don't expect a TT would change my size too much (maybe a size or two), but my belly skin/flappy fat takes up a lot of room. When I wear a boned corset, which hides my tummy, I am quite happy with the way I look and I fit into a smaller size (except the fat that squeezes out the top and bottom!). When I suck in my gut, I can see where my body would contour without the excess skin and wobbly fat. I am ok with that. 

But like you said, there is a lot more to think about. Having maintained the same weight most of my adult life does by no means guarantee it won't start to creep up as I get older. It would be nice to head that off at the pass. I am so paranoid about WLS actually working and sticking for me, but I guess even if I got down to the 160s and gained it all back over 5-10 years, I'd be better off than slowly gaining 10 lbs here and there from my current weight as I go through my 30s and 40s.