Question:
Anyone ever been told they were too young for WLS?
I saw a bariatric surgeon when I was 18 about having WLS. He told me I was too young. I was also diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri that same year. Now I am 25 years old and I recently started seeing a neurologist again for the pseudotumor cerebri. He of course suggested I lose weight as weight loss is known to help and even cure the symptoms. I have found myself considering WLS again and have been the last year researching and educating myself about WLS. One of my major concerns now is that I will once again be told I am too young. Has anyone my age or younger had any form of WLS? If so..which procedures and who was your surgeon? Thanks! — Stephanie S. (posted on August 17, 2000)
August 16, 2000
Stephanie, please don't let anyone tell you that you are too young for
weightloss surgery. In my opinion, this is the best thing I've ever done
for me. I wish this life saving procedure hadn't been so dangerous so many
years ago when I first started researching about it. Of course this was 20
plus years ago. Do your homework, research all your options and make the
best decision you can for your health. Oh!! Where did you get a last name
like SALAS! Just asking because that just happens to be my aunt's last
name too and she is from GUAM. Love, Hugs & Blessings ...........
— TERRY L.
August 16, 2000
Do you remember (or have you seen) the 48 hrs episode of the mom and
daughter who had WLS (Dr Fobi was the surgeon)? The daughter was 18 or
19...and lives about a half hour from me. Her friend, whose father is a
close friend of mine, had the surgery as well...she was 18 and a senior in
high school when she had the surgery. She did it over spring break and was
out of school for about 1.5 wks following that. My point is, no, you're
not too young...in fact, it will change your quality of life so drastically
for the better...run, don't walk!! Follow up on this....it's important to
you.
Linda
— Lucky B.
August 16, 2000
I was 16 when I had my first wls. I only wish I had known the high failure
rate of VBG in 1984. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to be revising to RNY at
age 32. Younger patients have an easier time of recovery and adjustment in
my personal opinion. Good luck.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 16, 2000
No, you're not too young EVER to hope for and have a new chance for a
better life! My daughter was 26 yrs. old when she had her lap RNY, and
there were two 18 yr. olds in our surgeon's office having their post-op
checks when we went for our initial consultation. Our surgeon is Dr. J.Ken
Champion of Atlanta, GA...web site: www.drchampion.com. Good luck!
— Diana T.
August 17, 2000
I am 22 and recently had open RNY on June 19th. It has been very successful
for me and they were glad to see me taking this initiative at this young of
an age instead of living a life of being obese and having more troubles
then I was. I wish you luck in your quest to get your surgery. My surgeon
was an Army Dr in San Antonio Texas. Dr Fiala. She was wonderful. If you
have any questions I can help you with feel free to email me at
[email protected] . Again,Good luck. Carrie LaFleur 6/19/00 -55# and
feeling good!
— jodysgirl
August 17, 2000
I was at the doctors office earlier this month, there was a father in his
late 40's who is post op, he was taking his 19 year old post op daughter
in to have her staples removed and also tagging along was his 16 year old
daughter for her consultation. He is a very proud dad doing what he can to
help his daughters live long healthy lives and not wait till they were his
age before doing something about their weight.
— Mary A.
August 17, 2000
I just had a Roux-en-Y three months ago. I am 29. 25 is not much younger.
WLS can be a solution to a serious health problem, and I don't think any
adult should be told that she/he is too young. I'd find a different doctor
if you're told this again. You've carried extra weight for many years
now.
— jenroberts
August 17, 2000
Hi! My daughter had WLS in June. She is 16 years old. Fact is, she
needed it. There was no other way around it.
She had the open duodenal switch... same as her mommy and mommaw! She is
doing so great! Her weight loss is super and
she is eating all types of food. She came thru this like a trooper and is
going
to be able to enjoy a normal life. This type of surgery gives her the
freedom with
food that she deserves. I made her suffer for so many years by making sure
she was
dieting. This will never be an issue in our lives again. My daughter
and I had Dr. Aniceto Baltasar in Spain. My mother had Dr. Donald Booth in
Ocean Springs, MS.
Take your life back, dear. You deserve to have a normal life, especially
with being so you.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
— Kris S.
August 20, 2000
The youngest one done by our doc that I know was 13. He's 20 now. We
recently had a 15 yr old girl done here, then her dad, then her 18 year old
sister. Find another doc. You're old enough to make this decision for
yourself if you've had a few diets in your past. Dr S R Fox in Tacoma, WA
did these young folks who got to finish high school with a normal life!
— vitalady
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