Teen scheduled for Gastric Bypass

Hi everyone. So I am a 19 y/o female. I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. I have tried pretty much everything, and have finally convinced myself that surgery is definately an option. My highest weight was 296, and I am currently at 266. I need some words of encouragement maybe? My parents are both health care providers. They are not to found on the surgery however they are going to support my decision supposidly. :argue: It is a life time change and its important for your family to be there and be supportive and I guess I just want them to be 100% supportive and not just 50%. I understand where they are coming from about the risks and the long term effects they are looking at. However, I am tired of being overweight. I dont think they completely understand that because neither of them are overweight and my brother and sister are both at a healthy weight. :angel: I know the surgery isn't going to be easy, but I am willing to make the changes and live with the outcome. Are there any younger people that have had the surgery. Fill me in and give me some words of encouragment. Thanks!

I'm not a younger person, but I wanted to give you my support in your endeavor to have a healthier life. I just had surgery 1 week ago and have to say that it is the best thing that I have done for myself in a very, very long time. I feel so much healthier already with just the 20 pounds that I have lost. I am walking everyday and making the right choices for weight loss and healthy living. If you are committed to making the lifelong changes necessary for this tool to work, you will succeed! You will also have all the support of the fabulous people here on this board. They have been a wonderful resource and source of friendship for me! I have a former student who is 21 who had the surgery almost 1 year ago. She has lost way over 100 pounds (and still losing!), looks and feels at least 100 times better, and is finally able to live the life that a 21 year old is supposed to be living - dating, going to parties, working out with her girlfriends, shopping for all the cute clothes, etc. I wish you nothing but the best! Hugs, Robin

Nicole, I, too, just had the surgery but I am much older than you. Surgery may be just the answer for you but you might want to get some counseling to insure you are prepared for all of the changes that will come. If you talk with your parents about wanting the counseling to "prepare" for the possibility of surgery they may well respect your decision and become more supportive. As health care providers they should appreciate your doing the necessary "head" work before any surgery. Good Luck!

Hi Nicole. I am a little bit older than you, I had surgery in November of 05, right after I turned 28. I too was in a position where my mother didn't want me to have surgery but was supportive of whatever I decided. I made sure to share my research with her in hopes that she would understand better. I don't think she ever completely came around to my decision but she is one of my biggest supporters. Definietly do some research, maybe seek some counseling, check out some support groups in your area and get all the information you can so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. Courtney

Hi. I too am young. I am 21 and had the surgery a month ago. I believe now that I have made the right decision and am happy. At first I was so upset that I had actually did it. I was so hungry and I live with my parents and they were still bringing home pizza and whoppers and crap. And i was like, what in the hell have i done? But i am seriously over the whole wanting fast food now. Ive lost 35 lbs already and its been a month!!! Ive been on this site for a while also. I posted something about being too young to have RNY and everyone said they'd wish they could have dont it earlier. I was at 260lbs, which ive always been 180ish. Then i got pregnant and gained like 80lbs. But I KNOW i made the right decision. And ive already got to buy new pants and its sooooooooooo great hearing people say "oh my god, look at you, you look great!" i love it! cuz im sooo not used to it. but good luck in deciding what to do. Feel free to ask me any questions, and people on this site are so wonderful and they'll help you too! Jorden

Gosh I wish I'd had the surgery when was your age. It would have changed my entire life. I'm 48 and had it 9 months ago. I'm as happy as a clam and had a fantastic recovery. As long as you have a good surgeon that you trust, you won't be sorry. Your life is just about to begin !! Rock on !! Love, Jennifer

Congrats on your decision, its a tough one to make. Its really all about you and what you want. I had the surgery when I was 29 and I'm so glad that I did. I wish I could've done it earlier, but I did not have the insurance or money then. There is a lot to weigh in on with the decision. One of the best things is that you're young and you probably won't have as many skin issues as most and you'll probably recover a lot faster. Everyone's cases are different. My only negative thought is about drinking alcohol. I know you're not of age yet, but that doesn't mean that you are not. Drinking after surgery is different. Thankfully I was in recovery before I had the surgery, because I have an addictive personality. I watched my best friend go from a social drinker to full blown alcoholic after she had the surgery. Her body just couldn't handle the amount she was drinking. I'm not blaming the surgery, just saying its different. The best thing to do is to go to seminars, talk to others that have had the surgery and make the best decision based on your history and needs. Good luck! Amber

Fortunately I can say that as of now I cant stand the taste of alcohol. I can hold some malt beverages, but they are all so full of sugar that I hate to drink them. I guess being in college, I thought I would go out more and party and do a lot more drinking, but when I got here I had a major reality check. I cant manage to go out and try to make good grades, therefore I do more studying than anything. I have never really been big on drinking so hopefully after surgery that wont change. Thanks for the advice, look forward to keeping in touch!

You know I am so envious of you! I wish I had been able to have the surgery when I was your age - my whole life would have been totally different. I would not change it now but it took me such a long time to get here from your age. If I had not been so overweight all my life I may have had kids when I was young - instead of one surprise one when I was 46 - and been at the age now where they were grown up and I was out having fun. I would not change my son for anything but you have a wonderful opportunity to be healthy and as long as you can commit to the lifestyle, you have a wonderful future ahead. If you have any doubts you could always have the lapband and that may work just fine for you - or if you know you could eat your way through the lapband, RNY may be better - but RNY may not be too drastic for you at your age unless you know that it is the only way for you to commit properly. They are improving these surgeries all the time. Please remember though that once you have this surgery you still have to committ to a healthy life style otherwise you CAN put all the weight back on! Good luck in whatever path you choose..... Jackie