Question:
when 1st surgery done and how long can you live with this

I am curous to when the first wls was done and can a person live the rest of their life with this    — Theresa B. (posted on May 5, 2005)

May 5, 2005
These links on the ASBS site chronicle the history of bariatric surgery: http://www.asbs.org/html/table.html
   — Ali M

May 6, 2005
Surgeries comparable to the RNY have been done for decades. From the surgeries performed to remove stomach cancers to the early versions of the RNY in the 1960's, people have lived long and healthy lives with relatively small stomachs.
   — SteveColarossi

May 6, 2005
I have no idea when the first WLS surgery was performed. Know that the procedure has improved immensely in the last few years. Select your surgeon for experience. Put more time into it than you would buying a new home. I had my surgery in December 2004, and can tell you that the first month is pretty rough going. Not because you are hungry, but just getting over the trama done to your body (nothing you will not be able to handle). The hardest part is not centering your life around food. I am able to try a tiny bit of most everything. I get nausaus and jettery if I east too much, too fast, or something really greasy or sugary. Your tummy tells you. I have gone from a size 18 to a 12, and am still losing. My health is much better. I actually bought an elleptical machine and use it (something I would have NEVER done before). I, too, was afraid before having this surgery. Sometimes wondered if I was crazy doing this to myself. The last is a line I have read over and over, but is, oh so true. "No food tastes better than thin".
   — lindarodham6

May 6, 2005
My mother had the Mason shunt performed in 1976. The procedure is very similar to the transected RNY, she is perfectly fine and believes that the surgery prolonged her life, not shortened it.
   — RebeccaP

May 6, 2005
My doc did his first in 1963. NOt all of them were a great idea, and his ppl are revised, as needed. I've met several from the 70's that are OK, EXCEPT for some nutritional problems that no one knew about then and, at least, his office knows today. Since I had no actual surgical complication, all I can say is what I see is nutritional issues. Ones that can largely be headed off up front. My surgery was only 1994, so not long in the scheme of things.
   — vitalady