Too young for WLS?

Did anyone else hear this on their weight loss journey? I've heard it from both medical professionals I have spoken to about WLS. I'll be 28-years-old in a few weeks.

 

I guess I just don't follow their train of thought. Do they want me to wait another 20 years until my metabolism has slowed even further, and maybe I've gained another 50lbs from having children? Do they want me to wait until my knees give out or I've developed diabetes?

My view of thought is to have surgery now, and learn how to use the tool for the difficult things to come in my life, such as pregnancy (hopefully), childbirth, career changes, etc.

I have PCOS as well, and these medical professionals have the attitude, "You just need to eat less and exercise harder!" which is incredibly frustrating. I was hoping to find support from my PCP or ANY medical person and have yet to find it.

Anyone else have similar issues?

 

 

Have not heard this but at 28 my uneducated opinion is you're plenty old enough to do a VSG assuming you have the appropriate weigh issues. I am older but would've loved to have done this earlier. I also know of a few others that are near your age that have done it already.

My assumption about the message you're getting is they would like to see exercise/diet be given a chance. Not sure if that happened or not. However, I do know for personal experience that can be a hard path to follow if you're not able to stay on it for a long while. Surgery definitely helps there.

Also, you may be seeing some of the prejudices that exists between surgeons and other medical disciplines. Each specialty sometimes comes at the problem from their own point of view. Hence, non-surgeons often shy away from the WLS options as a starter.

I know someone whose 18-year-old daughter just had VSG.

If what they are saying bothers you, it's cause you sort of believe them.

You will get support at a WLS surgeon's office and related nutritionist and support group. The rest of the world has issues around WLS so don't hang out with them :)

I'm 27 and had VSG in July. Sounds like you need to have a stern heart to heart with your PCP. I'd almost say find another one, but you need their medical records!

As long as you've educated yourself about surgery to the point that you have no more questions about the procedure or post op life, I'd say your ready. Good luck, hon. 

I had VSG at 28 years old 8 months ago, I'm 29 now. Best thing I ever done for myself!

I lost 106 pounds almost at goal.

 

Maybe you need to see a different Dr. The first time I looked into WLS I was 25, but due to other medical issues and that I had never heard of VSG, WLS wasn't an option for me. No one ever said anything about my age. I am now 33 and had VSG 5 wks ago. I have had tons of Dr's in the past due to my extensive medical history and I have always made sure that every Dr I chose had my best interest at heart and was an advocate for my health. If your Dr isn't supporting you, then you need to find another Dr. Good Luck!!

definitely NOT too young...don't even waste the cells in your pretty brain going back and forth about it! LOL if you are a facebook user, there's an active group "WLS in your 20's" that you can join :)

I was 27 at surgery...had high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea. I did not want to be on dialysis 10 years from now before even hitting 40 or suffer from angina, or even worse, a heart attack!

I was 27 when I had surgery in May... turned 28 in June. I was already at 444 lbs and on the verge of having some serious problems. Could I lose all the weight and keep it off in the long term without surgery? I guess I'll never know... but I'm thinking it was highly unlikely. I've had serious problems with food my entire life and the path to WLS has helped me in many, many ways. I probably wouldn't have sought therapy if I hadn't been planning on getting surgery.... I wouldn't have gone to nutrition education classes to learn more about what my body really needs to lose weight and maintain. I wouldn't have found the support of the people on this board. There are many other things I could name!

The actual reduction in the size of my stomach is just one tool in fighting obesity that I have obtained in the past 10 months. I'm not sorry I made the decision to go forward with it... regardless of what anyone could say - including a medical professional. So many people on these boards say they wish they could've done it sooner and I agree...even though I'm in my late 20s! I feel like I'm getting my life back... and I'm so much happier and healthier!

Thank you all for the words of wisdom, I think I was starting to second guess myself. Out of all the people I've spoken to who have actually had WLS, they all say the same thing: I wish I had done it sooner, or, I would have the surgery 100x over.

get an other doctor , or if you need a referral  you can insist they give you 1, they are required to do any medical treatment that is medically appropriate and safe 

 we don't know your weight or other health issues , assuming that you need to loss the weight your pcp should at least send you to talk to the surgeon and have him/her decide if its for you 

 most surgeon have a minimum age of 18 a few do younger in extreme cases (500lb 12 year olds)

 keep pushing , unless you are self pay you need to fight to get this surgery